After adding the FAI Cup to their League of Ireland title, Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers sit comfortably alongside the all-conquering Hoops team of the 1980s.
“How many times did they win the double?” asked Bradley following the 2-0 defeat of Cork City in an FAI Cup final played before 35,252 spectators at the Aviva Stadium. Three times – 1985, 1986 and 1987.
“Why can’t we go and do that?”
No other club in Irish football comes close to Rovers combination of progressive football and gritty resolve. These traits were exemplified by Rory Gaffney, the 36-year-old striker who scored twice in a six-minute spell to punish the sending off of Cork City defender Harry Nevin.
Nevin was sho
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