Stephen Bradley believes LOI clubs will ‘go all-in' on the FAI Cup as his side prepare to face Wexford
This year's FAI Cup winners will go into next year's Europa League rather than the Conference League.
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The 40-year-old led Rovers to FAI Cup glory in 2019 beating Dundalk in the final
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The Hoops host Wexford FC in Tallaght in the second round of the FAI Cup on Friday
But that place also comes with a 'parachute' into the Conference League if eliminated from the Europa League, which means a guaranteed €700,000 instead of €325,000.
And
He told SunSport: 'I definitely think it will (make a difference). Not that people took their eye off the ball or discarded the Cup, because it's such an important competition.
'But I think the fact that the rewards are so good in terms of where you end up in Europe.
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'You'll see clubs will prioritise these games in terms of selection, if it comes down to it between a league and Cup game, I think people will go all-in on a Cup game.'
Ireland earned that Europa League place for next season largely thanks to
But to keep the extra prize of a Europa League spot, Ireland must stay there which means every European victory and draw matters.
Bradley added: 'It's up to us, you see Shelbourne last night, hopefully Pat's and ourselves, it's unfortunate for Drogheda (
'We don't want to go dropping places. We need to keep pushing as the more European spots, the better the prize money and it's something we all have to push for.'
The Hoops' own Conference League action does not start until next week as they received a first round bye.
Celtic star Daizen Maeda spotted doing press-ups in technical area after being subbed-off against Sporting Lisbon
And Bradley will travel to Solitude this evening to watch the Hoops' potential opponents Cliftonville and St Joseph's having also been in Gibraltar last week to see the 2-2 draw.
He said: 'It's unusual to get to see both ties but it was very evenly matched over there. We'll go again tonight to watch them and make sure we're prepared.'
But before Europe, the Hoops - who lead the league - are in FAI Cup action against Wexford in Tallaght tomorrow evening.
Bradley added: 'It's been a strange one as we usually come into the cup game off the back of a big European game.
'You can see what (manager) Stephen Elliott is trying to do. I played with him and against him all the way up and you can see what he is trying to implement.
'They're getting there, they're really dangerous in transition so we've got to respect them.
'We want to go far in the cup this year. It's the first time we're not starting it on the back of Europe which I've no doubt played its part in some results before.
'But Wexford will come with a freedom, and we've got to be ready for it.'
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