Shamrock Rovers appoint Stephanie Zambra as interim head coach
Previously the club's assistant coach, Zambra takes over from Collie O'Neill, who stepped down this week after two and a half seasons at the helm.
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Zambra (neé Roche) called time on her playing career at the end of the 2024 season and joined the Rovers coaching set-up at the start of this year.
She becomes the league's third current female manager, after Peamount's Emma Donoghue and DLR Waves' Laura Heffernan.
Rovers are currently sixth in the league table, 12 points off the leaders, Athlone Town, with six games remaining.
Zambra will take charge of their next fixture against Waterford FC on Tuesday.
Rovers also face holders Shelbourne in a repeat of last year's FAI Cup quarter-final on 16 August.

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Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bradley dismisses ‘outside talk' ahead of return to Premier Division action
Stephen Bradley has described as 'irrelevant' recent developments in the Premier Division title race. While his table-toppers have been idle in terms of League of Ireland action over the past four weeks, playing in the FAI Cup and the Europa Conference League, rivals have been busy playing their games in hand. One of those saw second placed Bohemians take on third placed Derry City - and the draw between the two sides was the best result possible for the Hoops. With everyone now on 25 games each, Rovers have a seven-point advantage at the top of the table. Not that Bradley is bothering himself with such details. 'Look, our mindset hasn't changed,' he said, ahead of the visit of Derry on Sunday. 'And I know there was a lot of talk outside, I get that, in terms of they had to play games in hand. 'We know if we do our stuff, everything else is irrelevant. And we know that throughout the years. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'We genuinely don't get caught up in anything other than Derry are here on Sunday, let's win the game. And that's the aim. Wherever that takes us, we still have to go up there. 'There's still 11 games left. So there's still games to be played and still points to be won and lost. 'I always say, judge us come November, last year was December, let's see where we end up, and then you judge the team at the end of the season. 'But we just focus on Derry, our aim is to win the game. And let's see where that takes us.' Bradley reckons the Candystripes will be tricky opponents, with Tiernan Lynch's side on the rise after a shaky start to the season. 'Up until Sligo (a 2-0 defeat last month) they've been very good in terms of picking up points,' said the Hoops boss. 'They've obviously invested really heavily in their squad, which is clear to see. 'And it's what we want in the league, we want that in the league, we want competition, we want good squads and teams. 'But with that comes expectation. So, they will come here, I've no doubt on Sunday, and will look to win the game. So, we've got to be ready for that. And we will be. We'll be ready to go. 'We've got to expect the best Derry that they have. And we've got to make sure we match that.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .


The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘You've got to be ruthless' – Stephen Bradley has crucial advice for Shamrock Rovers star Michael Noonan
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Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
What Stephen Bradley told birthday boy Michael Noonan after Euro stalemate
Stephen Bradley reckons there is a valuable lesson in Shamrock Rovers' snooze-fest against St Joseph's on Thursday night for birthday boy Michael Noonan. And he believes the youngster has the appetite for as much information as possible as he continues to impress with his performances and goalscoring feats. Rovers didn't get out of second gear against their opponents from Gibraltar - but they could be excused for that as they did all the hard work in the first-leg and brought a four-goal lead into the Tallaght Stadium return. It was a night when chances were few and far between for teen hotshot Noonan, who turned 17 on Thursday. He should have had a penalty late on after he was fouled by Javi Paul inside the six-yard box, but Swiss referee Granit Maqedonci didn't spot an infringement. But according to Bradley, it was an opportunity for Noonan to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. 'I'm just saying that to him there, that's a part of his development, learning that European nights are special and when the opportunities come, you've got to be ruthless and take them,' said the Hoops boss. 'You can see the level was down in the game, obviously. And when it's like that, you need to go and grab it and make it. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'Johnny (Kenny, Celtic striker who was on-loan at Rovers last year) scores, I can't think how many in Europe last year (seven), because when we were here, he was ruthless, he just went for teams. 'I know it's a few years in the difference, but that's where a little bit will help Michael develop and understand that every time he crosses the white line it's a chance to go and score goals. 'But he's 17, I'm being a tad bit harsh on him. But that's the level that he plays at, you have to really push him and push him. And that's what he wants, to be fair, speaking to him there. 'But we were just off it, all of us, obviously, but it's a nice little bit of learning for him there in terms of understanding that in games like this, be ruthless, leave the pitch with one or two goals.' Bradley added that he is constantly showing the teenager clips of his performances, identifying where he can improve as a player. The Hoops' aggregate win means they face Kosovan outfit Ballkani next Thursday in the away leg, before the tie is settled in Tallaght Stadium a week later. First up is a return to Premier Division action against Derry City on Sunday evening at Tallaght Stadium. 'I've said many times throughout the years that I like when we play regular games, I think it's when we are at our best and our sharpest,' said Bradley. 'So, it's good to be playing Derry and then going into a European game. I'm looking forward to it and we are well used to it, so I'm looking forward to it.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .