Sligo Rovers 0-0 St. Patrick’s Athletic

• David Goulden
• Sun, Jun 27 2010


Sligo Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic both showed the ill effects of a two weeks break as they played out a game which never really got going.

Matthew Blinkhorn, Gary McCabe and Alan Keane sat out this one for the Bit 'O Red, Blinkhorn continuing his stint on the injury table with a back injury, while McCabe and Keane were both suspended. Derek Pender and Gareth Coughlan remained sidelined for The Saints with long term injuries.

Pete Mahon started Vinnie Faherty on his own up front as Pat's put five in midfield to attempt to contain Joseph Ndo who had caused the Inchicore outfit several problems in their previous encounter. Paul Cook started Paul Whelan and John Dillon to cover the suspended players.

The opening half saw both teams crowd the midfield, almost waiting for each other to make a mistake. From the first twenty minutes it was clear to tell that this would not be a classic. The best chance of the half from a Sligo perspective was an attempted thirty yard lob from Joseph Ndo as Pat's keeper Gary Rodgers failed to clear his lines. Ndo's first time shot narrowly avoided the Pat's net to the relief of Rodgers.

John Dillon and John Russell both went close with chances, Dillon's shot from outside the box shaved the crossbar as it went over and Russell's mis-hit shot failed to worry the former Drogheda and Galway keeper.

Rovers keeper Richard Brush made a great save in the 32nd minute after he touched over Ryan Guy's effort from distance as both teams began to feel their way into the game.

Rovers introduced Derek Foran for the mistake prone Paul Whelan at half time to try and deal with Ryan Guy. Foran and company in the home defence dealt well with everything Mahon's men threw at them. Pat's began to get frustrated at the lack of penetration and introduced former Sligo man Brian Cash towards the end to bring a bit more width to their wings, along with introducing tallysman Paul Byrne. Paul Cook threw his ace card on too in the shape of Mark Doninger, but both teams continued as they began, failing to give the opposition anything real to worry about.

Sligo Rovers: 1 Richard Brush; 2 Paul Whelan (13 Derek Foran HT), 4 Gavin Peers, 5 Danny Ventre (captain), 3 Iarfhlaith Davoren; 7 John Dillon, 6 Richie Ryan, 12 John Russell, 11 Eoin Doyle (16 Mark Doninger 90); 15 Joseph Ndo, 10 Padraig Amond.
Subs not used: 17 Ciaran Kelly, 14 Jason McCartney, 8 Conor O'Grady.

St. Patrick's Athletic: 1 Gary Rogers; 6 Damian Lynch (captain), 4 Conor Kenna, 5 Shane Guthrie, 3 Ian Bermingham; 21 Ryan Guy, 17 David Mulcahy, 7 David McAllister, 8 Stuart Byrne, 25 Derek Doyle (14 Brian Cash 82); 10 Vinny Faherty (11 Paul Byrne 85).
Subs not used: 20 Dan Connor, 19 Noel Haverty, 18 Conor Sinnott.

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Dublin)
Extratime Man of the Match: John Dillon (Sligo Rovers)