Brandon Miele was at the centre of much that was good about Shamrock Rovers 3-1 victory over Bohemians in the EA Sports Cup at the Tallaght Stadium. Two neat second half strikes from the 22-year-old midfielder clinched the Hoops’ place in the last e
Brandon Miele was at the centre of much that was good about Shamrock Rovers 3-1 victory over Bohemians in the EA Sports Cup at the Tallaght Stadium.
Two neat second half strikes from the 22-year-old midfielder clinched the Hoops’ place in the last eight. The home side had been pegged back to 1-1 at the break after Darren Meenan’s impressive opener. The 2015 PFAI Young Player of the Year might have hit a second half hat trick but for a superb save by Bohs’ net-minder Greg Murray.
The Tallaght left sided player didn’t earn absolutely unqualified praise afterwards from Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. “Brandon was good. He’s been better!” was Bradley’s assessment post-match of the former Newcastle United youth player. “His two goals were good. He’s really focused in front of goal, left foot or right foot, which is great,” said Bradley of Miele’s double, both set-up by second half substitute Michael O’Connor, who had earlier replaced a very lively Sean Boyd. Boyd had worked hard and might have converted a few first half opportunities.
Bradley’s commitment to the EA Sports Cup was underlined by just four changes from the team that had beaten Sligo Rovers at the weekend. However, Bradley did take the opportunity to reintroduce left back Luke Byrne. Byrne injured knee ligaments against Cork City twelve months ago and received a standing ovation from the Rovers faithful when he was substituted after 70 minutes of his return to action.
Stephen Bradley professed himself happy with Rovers’ second victory on the bounce, in a feisty Dublin derby during which referee Sean Tuite flashed six yellow cards. He clearly demands high standards from what he calls “this new group” and is satisfied with the depth of Rovers’ squad options as he seeks to inspire progress up the Premier Division table and into the latter stages of the EA Sports Cup.
