The Milltown Way

Looking beyond the international break

The Milltown Way

Show Notes

Episode 56 - Looking beyond the international break

In this episode, Ryan Brennan and Adam Casey look at several stories from around Shamrock Rovers during the international break.

We start with the Rovers players away on international duty, including Adam Brennan and Michael Noonan with the Ireland U21s and Roberto Lopes with Cape Verde. We discuss their involvement, the pathway from Shamrock Rovers and the wider question of Rovers and League of Ireland representation at international level.

We then turn our attention to the club's academy and the development of young players.

Michael Noonan's reported move to Nottingham Forest is discussed alongside the financial implications of training compensation and the significant difference between that and the fee Rovers had previously agreed with Hoffenheim.

We also discuss Jayden Marshall's move to Como 1907 and what his transfer says about the opportunities available to young Irish players in Europe, particularly in the context of the restrictions on moving to English clubs before the age of 18.

That leads into a broader discussion about Rovers' academy pathway, player development and whether the club is doing enough to maximise both the sporting and commercial value of the players it produces.

We then discuss Stephen Bradley and the recent reports linking him with the vacant Hibernian job. Hibs ultimately appointed a different manager, but the interest gives us a chance to look at Bradley's reputation outside Tallaght and what it says about how he is viewed in the wider game. Finally, we remember former Rovers defender Jacko McDonagh, who passed away at 64. Jacko was a key figure of the Milltown era and part of the Shamrock Rovers side that won the first two titles of the famous four-in-a-row.

The final few minutes of the episode are dedicated to Jacko, with messages from George Kelly and Pat Byrne sharing their memories of him.

Hosted by Ryan Brennan and Adam Casey

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