Cork City ruffled more than a few feathers when they chose not to give newly crowned champions Shamrock Rovers a guard of honour ahead of Monday's League of Ireland clash at Turners' Cross.
Rovers were crowned champions with their victory over St Pat's last Friday, and travelled to Cork for their penultimate game of the season in the aftermath of securing their fourth title in a row.
Manager Stephen Bradley was left fuming, however, by the decision not to give his side a guard of honour. Speaking to various outlets after the game, Bradley accused Cork of disrespecting his side, saying:
I just think it’s really poor from Cork, I don’t understand it. It’s just the respect isn’t it? I’d definitely do it for a team. It’s their decision.
Cork City boss Richie Holland defended his call on Monday night and, since Bradley's comments reached the airwaves, he has come out firing against his Shamrock Rovers counterpart.
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Cork City boss fights back after criticism of Shamrock Rovers reception
After Monday's clash between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers caused more than a bit of controversy, Rebels boss Richie Holland had explained the decision of his side not to give the traditional guard of honour to champions Rovers.
30 October 2023; Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley after the SSE Airtricity Premier Division match between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers at Turner's Cross in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Holland defended the call, saying that they did not want to be seen to bow down to any opposition, and said that he had nonetheless presented Bradley and his team with two bottles of champagne to congratulate them on their achievement.
Speaking on Thursday ahead of the final round of League of Ireland fixtues, Holland rowed back somewhat, saying he was disappointed by Bradley's comments and that he would not have gone to such effort had he known what the response would be:
On the night, I'll take the flak for my decision but I felt some of the things said afterwards were disappointing. If I knew it was going that way, I'd probably have gone to Aldi to buy the champagne because it was expensive.
Stephen is a bit disappointed but that's nothing to do with me. That's how he feels and I wish him the best, but I look after my own.
I wasn't taking a view of damaging Shamrock Rovers. I'm doing it for my club, making decisions for Cork City.
Holland would go on to confirm that it was his call and his call alone, saying he had made the decision based on what he believed the club's supporters would want. He said:
I understand the fanbase here and they've been through quite a bit in terms of different things. I felt it was the right thing to do for us.
If I do it again tomorrow, I'd do the same thing.
On Friday night, Shamrock Rovers will lift the League of Ireland Premier Division trophy at Tallaght Stadium after their final game of the season against Sligo Rovers, live on RTÉ 2.
Meanwhile, Cork City travel to Dalymount to face Bohs, knowing that a relegation play-off against either Waterford FC or Cobh Ramblers is just around the corner. The Rebels are guaranteed to finish second from bottom, and thus will face the winners of the promotion play-off on November 10.
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