Gavin Cooney SHAMROCK ROVERS MANAGER Stephen Bradley believes the stodgy Tolka Park pitch ruined what could have been a showpiece league clash with Shelbourne – but says the FAI must restore trust with government to gain access to the level of funding that can bring league facilities up to scratch.
“They did well to make any sort of passing on this”, said Bradley in reference to the surface. “It’s up there with one of the worst I’ve played on. You could see the ball as it was moving, bouncing off the sand. I heard they put a few tonne of sand on it during the week but it killed it really. Damien Duff was more positive on the surface, saying it has improved since he criticised it after a game against Derry three weeks ago.
The league continues to cry out for investment, with any momentum behind the FAI’s infrastructure plan and its 15-year, €517 million ask of government seemingly lost, thanks in part to the holiday payments fiasco to former CEO Jonathan Hill. While Bradley remains unflinching on the need for investment, he said he can understand any reticence on the part of the State.