Stephen Bradley hails 'incredibly special' moment at Tallaght Stadium

Stephen Bradley thanked supporters and players after Shamrock Rovers lifted their 20th SSE Airtricity League title.

Bradley's son Josh, who has been treated recently for a serious illness, raised the cup alongside Ronan Finn in front of a sold-out Tallaght Stadium.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, the Rovers manager confirmed that he had asked the players to win the league for his son when his condition became serious in the summer.

"It's an incredibly special moment," he said afterwards.

"I asked the players when my son got ill, could they win this trophy for him, and they've done that for us.

"It's a special moment for him, obviously for the club, for everyone involved. He's had a tough time and this is a special night for him.

"It's all he's been talking about since he's been sick is can we go and lift the trophy for him, so I'm absolutely delighted that he's had that moment tonight.

"That'll give him the lift he needs to go and fight the rest of this."

"I asked the players when my son got ill, could they win this trophy for him, and they've done that for us" Stephen Bradley on @ShamrockRovers special night and his son Josh lifting the league trophy with the squad #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/rT4fsLsyvI

Ireland international Jack Byrne, who returned to Rovers ahead of the start of the season, said that giving the Bradley family that moment on the pitch had given the squad a huge drive.

"That was the motivation, to win the league and give him a night like this," the 26-year-old said.

"We spoke about it quite a lot before big games. Just to see it come to life tonight is brilliant. The club has done three in a row.

"Where the manager has taken the club from when he first came in here is incredible. What he's gone through this year, and to come