League Report: St. Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Sligo Rovers

Sean O’Connor reports from Richmond Park.

Strikes from Colm Horgan and Aidan Keena either side of half-time gave Liam Buckley's side their first win of the season. Tunde Owolabi came off the bench and pulled a goal back late on for the Saints, before Joe Redmond hit the bar in the 93rd minute. The Bit O'Red held on however, as Keena and Ed McGinty put in impressive performances. 

The Saints came into Friday’s match off the back of a thumping 3-0 victory over Shelbourne last weekend. 

Sligo on the other hand had their opening game against Bohemians postponed due to Storm Eunice. Liam Buckley had a full squad to choose from and started four new faces as Nando Pijnaker, Will Fitzgerald, Karl O’Sullivan and Keena all made their debuts. Sligo’s last trip to Inchicore was a memorable one, as they secured European football following a 3-0-win last November.

Tim Clancy opted to stick with the same side that won at Tolka last weekend.

The Saints appeared full of confidence after last weekend’s win and started the contest the brighter of the two sides. Keena went down in the St Pat’s area on three minutes and appealed for a penalty, but was booked for simulation

Mark Doyle had the first chance of the evening, but his tame effort proved no trouble for Ed McGinty. The visitors then had two huge chances to take the lead.

Keena smacked the crossbar from distance on 12 minutes, before Anto Breslin was forced to clear the ball off the line following a frantic goal line scramble.

New signing Eoin Doyle should have put the hosts in front but missed a header in the six-yard-box. Neither side threatened to take the lead as the half continued. Keena was lucky not to see a second yellow for another dive inside the area on 40 minutes.

It was the visitors who took the lead just before half time. McDonnell’s looping cross found Horgan at the back post, who’s strike beat Joseph Anang at his far-post. After a strong first half, it was no more than the Bit O’ Red deserved.

After the restart, Fitzgerald tested Anang from the edge of the area, but the keeper, on loan from West Ham saved well. On 50 minutes, Eoin Doyle should have scored an equaliser, but his effort was weak and McGinty gathered with ease.

Minutes later, Billy King ran half the field before firing at McGinty. King’s effort stung the keepers palms, who parried before gathering the ball safely. Mark Doyle went close through a header on the hour mark, as the Saints raised the tempo.

Down the other end, Keena and Robbie McCourt both went close to finding Sligo a second. The second goal finally came on 78 minutes. Aidan Keena, who had been bright all game, saw his shot deflected over Anang and into the St Pat’s net.

There was to be more drama as substitute Tunde Owolabi put the Saints back in the game with a thunderous strike on 80 minutes. It was a nervy ending for the visitors, as McGinty saved from Mark Doyle, before Redmond’s header hit the crossbar. Sligo saw it out however and picked up their first win of 2022.

St Pat’s travel across the river Liffey on Monday to face Bohemians, while Sligo Rovers go North to face Derry City.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; Breslin, Abankwah, Redmond, Scott; Forrester, Burns, King (Murphy, 82), Lennon (Owolabi, 71); M. Doyle, E. Doyle.

Subs not used: Keeley; Curtis, Bermingham, Grivosti, McClelland, McCormack, O’Reilly.

Booked:  None
Sent off: None.

Sligo Rovers: McGinty; Horgan, Buckley, McCourt, Pijnaker; Bolger, McDonnell, Morahan (Cawley, 71), O’Sullivan; Fitzgerald, Keena (Mata, 87).

Subs not used: Brush; Hamilton, Byrne, Banks, Keogh, Kirk, Maguire.

Booked:  Aidan Keena (3), Karl O’Sullivan (28), Greg Bolger (62) Robbie McCourt (70)
Sent off: None.

Referee: Ben Connolly
extratime.com Player of the Match: Aidan Keena (Sligo Rovers)

League Report: Bohemians 2 - 2 Dundalk https://t.co/BxcMymmhZ4pic.twitter.com/1vCGbFop89

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 25, 2022