Finn sees ‘hard work’ as key to Rovers’ great run
By Hayden Moore
SHAMROCK Rovers captain Ronan Finn has put their record-breaking run of form down to their unflinching hard working ethos as they prepare to host Derry City on Saturday.
Recently, the Hoops broke the record of 30 League of Ireland games unbeaten and they brought that form to Richmond Park last weekend to beat St Patrick’s Athletic in a top-of-the-table clash.
Pic by Darragh Connolly
“When it was broken, of course coming off the pitch it was something to be proud of,” Finn says.
“But then last week we just focused on what was in front of us, and it was all about beating Pat’s, pulling away from Pat’s and getting a result.
“Records are all well and good, but we’re not setting records because we’re the best, this is all hard work.
“Everyone in the team and in the club works hard, that is our ethos and even the new lads coming in have bought into it, bought into the manager’s belief. “It stems from the top down” he stressed.
A win over Derry City on Saturday night will mark a 33rd game in succession without a loss for Stephen Bradley’s side.
Declan Devine recently stepped down from his post as manager of the Candystripes after a run of four losses and a pair of draws saw them bottom of the table.
Long-time analyst for Tallaght’s Stephen Kenny, first with Dundalk and most recently with Republic of Ireland, Ruaidhri Higgins, then took the hot seat and the team have responded adequately.
Following wins over Sligo Rovers and Bohemians, a loss against Finn Harps and a draw against Longford Town, Derry have risen to eighth in the table.
“They’re coming in with a new manager, they’ve fresh ideas and the players have reacted well to him coming in,” Finn told The Echo.
“They’ll be coming down to Tallaght full of confidence and undoubtedly they’ll be thinking they can get a result.
“And we have to respect and make sure we’re 100 percent at it, because if we’re not at the races we’ll be punished.”
Reflecting on the possible return of fans to Tallaght Stadium later this summer, Finn offered some positive words.
“We’re in a very very privileged position to still be doing our jobs when you see the vast amounts of industries that have been stopped,” he says.
“For us to be given the capabilities to keep going, we know we’re in a privilege position.
“It’s night and day without the fans and even though they’re not here, it’s good for us to be able to give them something to be happy about and smile about.
“We’re desperate to have them back in and we know they’re desperate to be here.
“We can see now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully soon people will be back in the seats here in Tallaght Stadium and that will be a momentous occasion for all of us when it happens.”
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