Seven points from the opening three games of their league phase adventure means that the Hoops have an excellent chance of becoming the first Irish team to extend a European campaign beyond Christmas and into the next calendar year.
Indeed, it’s possible they could lose their remaining three matches and sneak into February’s playoff round, but Bradley and his players will be aiming higher than that.
The €400,000 accrued from this deserved success brings their European pot for this year close to the €5m mark but the likelihood of future bonuses and market share payments means the reality is nearer €6m.
It’s significant consolation for losing their crown to Shelbourne last Friday, and confirms to the new champions and the rest of the league that there’s every chance that the Hoops return with even greater muscle next term.
In the short term, though, Bradley’s crew can look ahead to a trip to face Rapid Vienna in three weeks time, a completely different proposition seeing as the Austrians have a 100pc record so far.
Rovers entered this game with a team selection that reflected the depth of their squad. TNS boss Craig Harrison had singled out Graham Burke for special praise in his pre-match ruminations, the star of the destruction of Larne in the previous gameweek.
He would have been surprised to pick up a team-sheet and find Burke on the bench along with Jack Byrne. Speed seemed to be a priority in the gameplan, with Neil Farrugia deployed centrally in support of Johnny Kenny with Dylan Watts linking things as a support actor.
TNS are a better side than Larne though, even if they play in a very weak league. Their results at this level illustrate they present an attacking threat, and it was apparent when they got into decent areas here even though they were comfortably second best in possession.
Some of the Tallaght attendance of 6,108 were still finding their seats when the Welsh side broke the deadlock, with the 5.45 kickoff a problem from a traffic perspective. The Rovers rearguard was also stationary when a TNS cross to the far post found Jordan Williams, who shifted his body to fire home. Leon Pohls had made a fine save in the first passage of an attack highlighting TNS proficiency from crosses.
However, Rovers responded with maturity, refusing to panic and waiting for gaps to appear. TNS seemed wary of the threat presented by Kenny, but they kept leaving space between their defence and midfield that Farrugia and Watts were keen to frequent.
The leveller came when Farrugia went that route and drew bodies before producing an instinctive flick that did release Kenny, with the in-form striker doing the rest with an emphatic finish with the help of the woodwork.
Watts put Rovers ahead with a different type of effort, the midfielder ghosting into the box for his fifth goal in seven games, successfully anticipating the flight of a Darragh Burns delivery to the far post.
That was deserved on the balance of play, and there was a slight sense that the natives felt it would be plain sailing from that point on.
TNS had a go from the restart, and tried to commit bodies where possible but Rovers were physically stronger and technically sharper and it was only poor execution in the final third that prevented the League of Ireland side from enjoying a stress free finale with Farrugia and the otherwise excellent Watts culprits in front of goal.
It didn’t matter in the end, as while TNS proved they are a stronger side than Larne, Rovers appear to be a good bit better than both of them. Their season is far from over.
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Burns (Burke 68), Poom (O’Neill 85), McEneff (Byrne 68), Honohan; Watts (Nugent 85), Farrugia; Kenny (Greene 79)
TNS: Roberts, Daniels, Davies, Bodenham, Redmond; Brobbel, Smith, Williams (Wilson 83), McManus; Holden (Clark 75), McManus
