League Report: Waterford 1 - 2 Sligo Rovers

Jordan Gibson of Sligo Rovers celebrates netting the winner in the Bit o' Red's 2-1 victory over Waterford at the RSC on Friday, March 26th, 2021.

A spectacular top-corner strike from newly-arrived Jordan Gibson proved the difference for Sligo Rovers. Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

Michael Cooke reports from the RSC

Sligo Rovers have got their first win of the new season following a 2-1 win over Waterford at the RSC.

Cian Kavanagh got the Blues off the mark early on but Romeo Parkes and Jordan Gibson were on target in either half to earn Sligo the three points.

The Bit o’ Red took a while to get going and were on the back foot in the early stages before a spectacular strike from Romeo Parkes transpired to be the catalyst for the victory.

Cian Kavanagh was making his debut for the hosts and he marked it in style by opening the scoring as early as the fifth minute, heading home Jamie Mascoll’s corner.

Rovers almost the levelled the scoreboard shortly after when Johnny Kenny’s header hit the post following an excellent delivery from Jordan Gibson.

Waterford had two chances to double their lead in the 18th minute only to be denied on both occasions by a pair of excellent saves from Edward McGinty.

James Waite crossed the ball from the right and Shane Griffin went close with a first-time effort and Kavanagh failed to put away the rebound.

Having been relatively quiet early on, the visitors suddenly sparked into life on the half-hour mark when Walter Figuera threatened to score.



He went down in the box following a challenge from Oscar Brennan and replays showed the challenge was legitimate.

Four minutes later, Rovers restored parity with an excellent passage of play.

Jordan Gibson’s perfectly accurate cross from the right-hand side found Romeo Parkes who volleyed home his second goal of the season from around 20 yards.

Parkes almost grabbed another moments later only for his close-range effort to be saved by the vastly experienced Brian Murphy and the sides went in level at the interval.

Jordan Gibson was a constant threat on the right wing for Rovers and he’d two chances to put them in front just after the restart.



His first effort from a free kick was an easy save for Murphy but his second attempt found the net, a spectacular shot from the edge of the box which curled into the top corner.

Gibson troubled the Waterford defence again after that, and this time his shot from inside the area went wide.

McGinty had little work to do for most of the half but was suddenly called into action, saving a close-range effort from Kavanagh.

Former Irish international Daryl Murphy was brought on just past the hour and he showed his attacking intentions almost immediately.

Unfortunately for Waterford, no one was in the danger area following his superb delivery from the left.

Murphy then came close himself from a header but once again McGinty was equal to it.

The match intensity dropped in the closing stages with neither side showing much attacking endeavour.

Sligo Rovers won’t care though, and the long journey back towards the northwest will be a lot more enjoyable knowing they’ve achieved four points from a possible six so far.

Waterford: Brian Murphy; Darragh Power, Kyle Ferguson, Cameron Evans, Jamie Mascoll; Shane Griffin (Eric Molloy 66), Oscar Brennan, Adam O’Reilly; James Waite, Prince Mutswunguma (Daryl Murphy 62), Cian Kavanagh (79 John Martin)

Subs not used: Matthew Connor (gk), Jack Stafford, Josh Collins, Niall O’Keeffe, Tunmise Sobowale, Katlego Mashigo,

Booked: None.

Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Colm Horgan, John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt; Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan; Jordan Gibson, Walter Figueira (67 David Cawley), Romeo Parkes; Johnny Kenny (Ryan De Vries 71)

Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk), Lewis Banks, Danny Kane, Mark Byrne, Shane Blaney, John Russell, Regan Donelon.

Booked: None.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Attendance: 0

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Jordan Gibson (St Patrick’s Athletic).

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