Jon Daly: 'Now it’s about us seeing if we can make them go down to Cork and win'

A draw at St Patrick’s Athletic tonight will create history for Stephen Bradley but typical of the man is his determination to apply style to the feat (Live RTÉ 2, 8pm).

Champions Shamrock Rovers are champions-elect – by the admission of opposition manager Jon Daly – but title tension can prolong for another few days if a fifth defeat of the season is inflicted on the Hoops.

Victory in front of a full Richmond Park would bring the Saints level with the leaders on 65 points; however in that case Rovers could wrap it by beating Cork City on Monday before next Friday’s final series.

All possibilities whereas the one certainty is Bradley’s ideology for attack.

“We know a point does it for us considering our goal difference, but we’ll go there to win the game,” emphasised the Rovers manager, on the brink of becoming the first one to stitch four crowns in a row together.

“That doesn’t change whether we’re home or away. We know Pat's have some good players and that hasn’t changed all year – Jon Daly has done a really good job since he’s gone in – but there will be nothing on our mind other than winning and getting the three points.” 

That St Pat’s took just one point from nine in the three previous meetings this season has proven the difference in them being the chasers rather than the chased.

Four clean sheets on the spin indicates a solidity they’ve craved but keeping a Rovers artillery with Graham Burke back from suspension to lead is a mission they’ve to conquer before delaying the Rovers party is countenanced. They’ve also parked any FAI Cup final fever for the time-being.

“I think it's inevitable Rovers will win the league,” confessed former Rangers striker Daly, who took over in May when his boss Tim Clancy was