Sligo Rovers FC -v- Saint Patrick's Athletic FC

• Keith Wallace
• Sat, Mar 21 2009


Sligo Rovers will be going in search of their first win of the season when they welcome Saint Patrick's Athletic, still on a high from last week's victory on Leeside, to the Showgrounds on Saturday evening (kick-off 8pm).

Sligo sliding
The Bit O' Red rescued a point on the opening day with a late equaliser at home to Cork City before losing at Shamrock Rovers last weekend, leaving Paul Cook's men in the relegation playoff places. St. Pat's too had a difficult start when they were hammered at Richmond Park by Galway United, but they quickly got their campaign back on track with a superb 1-0 win at Cork and they will rise to fourth if they do likewise in the west.

'Dogged' Dubs
However, Jeff Kenna, who watched next week's opponents Dundalk defeat Drogheda United 3-0 on Friday, knows it will not be an easy task. “The trip to Sligo is going to be another difficult away game like last week, but I’ll be looking for another dogged performance like the lads gave in Cork," Kenna said. "Sligo haven’t had the best of starts and they’ll be eager to get their first win of the season under their belt, particularly at home.”

Quigley boost
For the trip, Kenna can call on midfield pair Stuart Byrne, who is likely to make his club debut after signing last week, and Gary Dempsey, who returns from a two-match ban. However, Glen Fitzpatrick and Damian Lynch are ruled out through bans carried over from last season, while Brendan Clarke (foot), Stephen Maher (knee) and Bobby Ryan (groin) are long-term injury absentees. Mark Quigley, who scored 16 goals in the league last term, could take his place in the squad for the first time this season. Sligo, meanwhile, will be without Mauro Almeida, Chris Butler, Sean Doherty and Jason Noctor but Alan Keane returns from suspension.