Explained: What is going on at Shamrock Rovers?

Despite incredible success over the years, conflict has arisen within the board at Shamrock Rovers.

Following the announcement that chief executive John Martin is set to step down this summer, co-owner Dermot Desmond warned the club membership to carefully consider the actions of “some non-executive directors".

According to the Irish Times, Desmond wrote to the membership on Wednesday to highlight persistent moves to remove Stephen Bradley as first-team manager.

Desmond wrote: "It is over five years since I invested in Shamrock Rovers FC with your support.

“I am delighted that the funds provided helped play a part in putting Rovers on a sounder financial footing, the on-field success of recent years and allowing investment in the academy plan to continue and bear fruit.

“Unfortunately, in that time, three high-quality people have resigned as CEO, when all would otherwise have preferred to stay.”

Brendan Murray was appointed as the club’s first-ever CEO in 2016. He was replaced by Denis Donohoe in 2021, with Martin taking over in 2023.

Since Bradley took over as Shamrock Rovers manager in 2016, the club has won four League of Ireland titles, an FAI Cup, and he has guided Shamrock Rovers to Europa Conference League group stage qualification.

This season, the club reached the knockout stages of Europe, which has also helped them to a positive financial position.

Following their 2-2 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park, Bradley admitted he considered leaving the club due to pressure from certain directors representing the membership.

“Let’s be honest, I’ve a sick son at home who is in bed right now. He is going through chemo.

“At times, it can be hard. There is no getting away from that.

“There have been things happening that are not good enough, they are not acceptable.

“I am lucky to do what I do and to be in this position, but can it become difficult mentally, and take its toll on you and your body? Of course it can.

“It’s draining, but over time you learn to manage it and realise what is important,” Bradley continued. “I have to keep that to the forefront of my mind – and that is family, health and the football.

“I owe these players in the dressing room so much, they are on the journey with me.

“Once I reset and ground myself, I get that energy again, which is important, but only time allows you to do that. And the help I have around me, with [my wife] Mary and my family and the people I trust.

“Our shareholders need to find a commonality somewhere along the line – and change where we can take the club in one direction. I said this last year and people thought I was fighting for budget or something else, but I could see this coming a mile away.”

Desmond, who has a 25 per cent stake in Rovers since 2019, is also the majority shareholder at Celtic. He has said he has no plans to increase his stake in the club.

Bradley revealed his close relationship with Desmond, and also the conflict at board level.

“I did speak to Dermot [this week]. We have a really good relationship. I speak to him about a number of things quite often. We had a good conversation.”

“To have a person of Dermot’s standing involved in Irish sport is very important. We have him involved in our club; Dermot invested in the club when we needed someone to take us forward a few years back.

“To be clear, the members section of the club have been incredible for me, the cornerstone of the club and that’s quite clear. I do know in the past there have been directors who haven’t supported me and have made things very difficult for me and uncomfortable. And that was intentionally done, I know that for sure.

“I have been talking about that for some time.”