League Report: Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 St. Patrick’s Athletic

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Adam Keena won and scored a second half penalty to give Sligo Rovers a 1-0 victory at the Showgrounds over St. Patrick’s Athletic.

The defeat for the away team, coupled with Dundalk’s 2-1 home win over Bohs, mean that the Saints will finish fourth this season. So they now must wait and hope that Derry City can win the FAI Cup so that the Athletic make Europe next season.

Early in the game goalkeeper Richard Brush miscontrolled a backpass and almost allowed Eoin Doyle nip in to score only for the keeper to put in a good tackle inside the six yard box to clear.

That was his only mistake of the game as he pulled off a number of saves to earn his shut out and keep the Saints at bay, securing the Bit O’Red fifth place this season.

Brush had to cut out a Sam Curtis dangerous cross / shot and he got a decisive touch as Chris Forrester swept the ball by him in a one-on-one on goal. Brush was thankful for Lewis Banks who got back to clear the ball slowed down by the keeper’s touch. 

Just before the break Serge Atakayi cut in from the right and his left foot effort was touched over by the veteran Bit O’Red goalkeeper.

The only goal of the game came in the 54th minute when referee John McLoughlin deemed Paddy Barrett’s touch on Adam Keena a penalty. The Sligo Rovers striker slammed home the resulting penalty kick.

Brush had less to do in the second half but pulled off a brilliant save to deny substitute Ben McCormack with ten minutes to go.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Lewis Banks, Colm Horgan, Patrick Kirk (Éanna Clancy 70), Nando Pijnaker; Kailin Barlow (Karl O'Sullivan 88), Greg Bolger (Robbie Burton 51), William Fitzgerald, Frank Liivak, Adam McDonnell; Aidan Keena.
Subs not used: Conor Walsh, Daire McCarthy, Cameron Evans, Sean McAteer, Cillian Heaney, Max Mata. 
Booked: Adam McDonnell (5), Frank Liivak (34). 

St. Patrick's Athletic: David Odumosu; Paddy Barrett (Mark Doyle 68), Sam Curtis, Tom Grivosti, Joe Redmond; Serge Atakayi (Billy King 62), Barry Cotter, Chris Forrester, Adam O'Reilly (Ben McCormack 77), Thijs Timmermans; Eoin Doyle.
Subs not used: Danny Rogers, Harry Brockbank, Darius Lipsiuc, Jason McClelland, Adam Murphy, Tunde Owolabi. 
Booked: Adam O'Reilly (23), Chris Forrester (82). 

Referee: John McLoughlin



extratime.com Player of the Match: Richard Brush (Sligo Rovers)

 

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