🎙️ Episode 5 – On the brink of history: Rovers chase the double

In the latest episode, we look back on a defining week for Shamrock Rovers, one that could etch this squad into club folklore.

Fresh from securing a valuable 1-1 draw away to AEK Athens in the UEFA Conference League, the Hoops now turn their full attention to the FAI Cup Final, where Cork City await at the Aviva Stadium. It’s the chance to complete a historic double, something no Rovers side has achieved since 1987.

We break down Thursday’s performance in Athens, the tactical shape, the standout individual displays, and the mental resilience shown by a squad juggling domestic and European ambitions. From defensive organisation to the composure in possession, the performance in Greece offered a glimpse of the professionalism and focus this group carries into Sunday’s final.

The conversation then shifts toward the decider at Lansdowne Road. What would it mean for this team, this manager, and this fanbase to emulate the heroes of ’87? We assess the emotional and sporting significance of potentially lifting both trophies in the same season, and how Stephen Bradley’s leadership has guided the club toward that goal.

Included in this episode is a special contribution from Mick Byrne, one of the stars of the 1980s Shamrock Rovers side that won four successive league titles and completed the last league-and-cup double in 1987. Mick reflects on those days at Milltown, scoring the final goal before Rovers were forced to leave their historic home, and what it means to see the club now thriving in Tallaght with another double within reach.

We also touch on what this journey says about Rovers’ identity, from the heartbreak of losing Milltown, through the long years without a ground, to the rebirth and dominance in Tallaght. The parallels between the two eras, the grit, the ambition, the standard of excellence, underline how history continues to shape the club’s present.

From European nights under the lights to cup final anticipation, Episode 5 captures the emotion, pride, and perspective of a club standing at the edge of history.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.