Sean Hoare has admitted things have gone wrong for Shamrock Rovers at both ends of the pitch this season. But he hopes that a strong September can ensure the Hoops — who host Sligo Rovers tonight — are still competing on two fronts later this year.

The four-in-a-row champions currently lie sixth in the table, and even if they were to win their two games in hand they would still be eight points off leaders Shelbourne with seven matches left.

With five league games to go before their first Europa Conference League fixture against APOEL Nicosia in 20 days’ time, there is an opportunity to make up some ground.

And Hoare said: “We haven’t covered ourselves in glory in the league this year obviously, a good September and things can look different for us, put pressure on teams ahead of us and ask the question, that’s all we can do.

“Top three is still the target and it’s so close, we have games in hand and it’s been close with all the teams around us, there’s a lot of points to play for and until it’s mathematically done, we keep going.

“We have shown that fight over the years, you don’t win four leagues in a row without a couple of slip-ups and hiccups, we bounced back from them so we keep going, never say die.

“We have done it before, we know how to come back, we’ve not been top of the league for four years straight, it’s been up and down, we know how to do it, it’s fresh in our minds. 

“I know from winning that first league, the closer you get, the shakier you get.

“There’s plenty of twists and turns, everyone has to play each other, it gets shaky the closer you get, it is out of our hands, it’s not up to us but we keep going.”

Rovers' Struggles

Hoare’s explanation for Rovers’ struggles is simple, not scoring enough goals and conceding too many at the other end — and that is borne out by the statistics. 

Their defence is the most porous it has been since 2017 and they are the least prolific they have been in a decade. 

Hoare, 30, sighed: “The amount of goals we’ve conceded this year, stupid goals, and we’re not ruthless enough in the final third — it seems we need to score two or three to win a game.

“In previous seasons we were built on clean sheets and you only had to score one to win a game.”

Goalkeeping Transition

Alan Mannus retired at the end of last season having being Rovers’ first-choice keeper since August 2018 in his second stint, with Leon Pohls stepping up since.

And Hoare said: “It’s going to be a transition, we felt that Leon was ready and it’s hard coming in, it’s a lonely position there and I don’t envy him at all. But as a defence you are a collective.”

Impact of Injuries

Up front, he reckons Rory Gaffney’s long lay-off has been costly, with Aaron Greene also currently sidelined, though the defeat to Bohemians at the start of the month was the first league game he has missed.

Hoare said: “I don’t think anything has changed massively since last year but we have been leaking goals, we lost Rory for most of the season, lost Greener at crucial times.

“They are our lead goalscorers from recent seasons, so when you are leaking goals and not scoring as many, that’s what I put it down to.

“Nothing has changed, our mentality, training, they have not changed.”

Emergence of Shelbourne

But he also admitted that the emergence of Shels as the main threat came as a surprise.

Hoare added: “I’d have said Derry as they pushed us last year but Shels have done unbelievable.

“They seem a good unit, seem to be fighting for each other, and the table doesn’t lie.”

Looking Ahead: Europa Conference League

But while the league is today’s focus, Hoare is relishing the European league phase to come after the Hoops landed the perfect mix of glamour and winnable games.

They play APOEL at home on October 3 and Larne away on October 24 before hosting The New Saints on November 7.

With a three week void until the away game against Rapid Vienna, before facing Borac at home and Chelsea away, Rovers have been sourcing friendlies to plug the gap.

Rovers are in talks with Scandinavian clubs and hope to confirm two games at some point next week.

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said: “I think one of the clubs has agreed to come and play over here. And if we have to travel (for another) that’s fine.”

Hoare has played in the Europa League group stage with Dundalk in 2020 and the Hoops Conference League run in 2022.

He said: “They are the best games to be involved in, I can't explain the buzz of it, training in a massive stadium like Stamford Bridge the day before a game.

“It feels like the most professional you can get. We have worked hard to get there and it shows the importance of winning that first Champions League round.

“Some of the lads might not be getting the deposits back on their holidays but we don't care!

“The new format is brilliant. Playing teams twice, it goes a bit stake, but playing six different teams is good and we got a serious draw on paper.”

A Big Aim

Hoare is aiming big by targeting the knockout rounds in the New Year and added: “We have some winnable games, but also the glamour ties.

“I'm not sure how many points you should be aiming for, but it seems realistic enough to try and get there.”