Stephen Bradley toasts Shamrock Rovers accession to European group stages but hits out at 'unacceptable' travel situation

Stephen Bradley lauded Shamrock Rovers' achievement of securing group stage European football this season but said that "serious questions need to be asked" about logistic issues which has led to them having to fly back via Shannon Airport.

His Hoops side saw off KF Shkupi 2-1 in the North Macedonian capital on Tuesday thanks to second half goals from Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emhaku, which sealed a 5-2 aggregate passage to the Europa League play-off round where Hungarian record champions Ferencvaros await.

But victory in the tie also guaranteed the minimum of group stage football in the Europa Conference League at the very least.

It will be the second time in the club's history that they will play group stage European football and speaking after the second leg win over Shkupi, Bradley expressed delight at securing a personal and collective target after in his words, feeling like they had let themselves down, against Flora Tallinn last season in pursuit of that goal.

"It's something tomorrow evening when I'm sitting down with a glass of wine with my wife that I'll definitely have a look at and think it's something that we set out to do at the start of the year and we achieved it," he said.

"But we need to know the job's not done. We're going into the group stages to win games and do our best to get out of the group."

The financial benefits of playing in the Europa Conference League group stages will see participants expected to receive €2.94m, along with additional bonuses for wins and draws.

Bradley admitted it was a boost but that sustainability would be key for the club's future.

"It's so important for every club around Europe, not just in Ireland," he said to RTÉ Sport.

"We know financially what it means to us and everyone at