Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has revealed many Hoops supporters contacted him in support after his side’s winless run continued at Shelbourne last week.

The champions are without a win in their first five games following the scoreless draw at Tolka Park. A video went viral afterwards showing defender Seán Hoare exchanging words with supporters after the game, some of which were unhappy with their start to the 2023 season.

Rovers striker Graham Burke was also unhappy with some comments from the away section, but Bradley insists the disgruntled fans are in the minority, as his side seek their first win of the season against a struggling St Patrick’s Athletic this evening (5.0).

“I did see what happened afterwards. It’s probably one or two fans out of 850,” said the Hoops boss ahead of the St Patrick’s Day derby at Tallaght Stadium.

“Our fans have been incredible since we’ve been here, so no, I don’t accept that’s who we are.

“This group has been incredible and the fans have been incredible with them. We’re five games into the season. I’d understand if it’s November.

“I had so many fans contacting me after who were at that game. They didn’t need to, but they contacted me and said it was a very small minority, that person. If that’s the way he or she feels, they are entitled to feel that way. But it’s not the type of support we want.”

Despite their poor start, Bradley (inset) says he has been pleased with the majority of his side’s performances and believes they are within touching distance of the elusive first victory.

“Take out the Sligo Rovers game, and I have genuinely liked the performances,” added Bradley, whose side sit in eighth in the table.

“We need to take our chances, but I feel we’re really close. Results change people’s opinions. We’d like to have won our first five games but we haven’t, that’s the reality of it. We’ve got to accept it and move on.

“St Pat’s results look different when you actually watch them. With (Jake) Mulraney, (Tom) Lonergan and (Chris) Forrester, they have had opportunities in all their games to at least draw. They’re a dangerous team.”

Bradley also called on Government to provide more funding to help improve League of Ireland academies. Four Shamrock Rovers players were involved in the Ireland U-17 squad who qualified for the European Championships in May this week, with the majority also based in domestic academies. 

“It was brilliant for them, we told them to just go and win it,” added Bradley.

“That has to be the aim, it’s not enough now just to qualify. It’s great for the club and shows where we are. The positive is we have players (staying) here because of the (Brexit) rule change.

“In my opinion, we have farmed out our players too early to clubs across the water, and let them take responsibility for development.

“Now it’s on us to develop them and we need help with that. Clubs need help financially in every aspect. 

“We need help from the Government and the FAI if we’re going to be serious about developing our players.”

Bradley also confirmed that there are no Rovers players on Stephen Kenny’s Ireland stand-by list for this month’s Aviva Stadium double-header against Latvia and France.