League Report: Sligo Rovers 0 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers have fallen to their second consecutive defeat following a 1-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon.

An Alan Keane own goal was the difference between the sides as Trevor Croly’s men move up to 3^rd in the table.

An open game from the start saw chances come to Jason McGuinness, John Russell and Ronan Finn, but none of them could give their side an early lead.

Former Shamrock Rovers man Aaron Greene tried his luck with a volley from just inside the box after 22 minutes, but shot wide. Ciaran Kilduff attempted an even more audacious effort minutes but struck it well off target.

Seamus Conneely and Danny North were presented with almost identical opportunities in the space of 60 seconds when they tried to find a way past Barry Murphy with an angled effort, but the goalkeeper was able to deny both of them.

A cross from Ross Gaynor was almost turned into the back of the visitors net by Jason McGuinness, but moments later what appears to have been an own goal gave the Hoops the lead when a Gary McCabe cross appeared to hit Alan Keane and find its way into the goal to break the deadlock and send them into half-time with a one goal lead.

Greene looked to have made it 1-1 just before the hour mark, but somehow Simon Madden was able to get on the line and block his shot in the nick of time.

Alan Keane came close to rectifying his own goal twice in quick succession. First rifling a powerful strike at Murphy before heading narrowly wide.

Danny North had the home side’s final chance to equalise when he was on the end of a cross from the right, but couldn’t guide a header on target from close range.

Eamon Zayed should have put the result beyond doubt in the 90^th minute when he had time and space in the box, but he dwelled on the ball too long and so his shot deflected wide.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane (Eric Odhiambo, ’73), Jeff Henderson (Kalen Spillane, ’70), Evan McMillan, Ross Gaynor; David Cawley, Paul O’Conor (Danny Ledwith, ’64), John Russell, Seamus Conneely, Aaron Greene; Danny North.
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Regan Donelon, Sean Maguire, Raffaele Cretaro.

Booked: North (56)

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, Jason McGuinness, Rob Cornwall; Shane Robinson, Ronan Finn Ryan Brennan (Robert Bayly, ’90 + 5), Gary McCabe, Kieran Marty Waters (Sean O’Connor, ’73); Ciaran Kilduff (Eamon Zayed, ’82).
Subs not used: Craig Hyland, David O’Connor, Karl Sheppard, Dean Kelly.

Booked: McCabe (82)
Sent Off: McCabe (86)

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 3,090.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Seamus Conneely (Sligo Rovers).