Sligo Rovers 4 - 0 UCD

• David Goulden
• Sun, Aug 15 2010


Goals from Conor O'Grady, Padraid Amond, Matthew Blinkhorn and Derek Foran gave Sligo Rovers a 4-0 win over UCD in The Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Rovers were without John Russell and Richie Ryan through injury and suspension respectively, while Gavin Peers and Eoin Doyle took their places on the bench. Derek Foran continued his spell in the first eleven, while John Dillon replaced Doyle on the left wing. UCD were without influential duo Paul Corry and Greg Bolger through suspension and injury respectively.

It was an end to end encounter for the majority of the first half, and it looked as if the teams would go in level before the break before Conor O'Grady latched on Romuald Boco's cross from the left to volley the ball, first time, past Ger Bannon in the UCD net. If this didn't please the home crowd enough, top scorer Padraig Amond doubled the score two minutes later after his one-two with Gary McCabe saw the Carlow native drive the ball past Barron.

UCD were struggling to contend with Rovers as Joey Ndo, Romuald Boco and Gary McCabe all had chances in front of goal, with each blazing their shots high into the Church Hill end. It wasn't till the 76th minute till Matthew Blinkhorn's pot-shot was deflected into the goal by a UCD defender to give Sligo a comfortable three goal lead. Five minutes later, Derek Foran scored his first goal for Sligo as he headed home Gary McCabe's corner just outside the Students' six yard box.

This win sees Paul Cooks' men up to third in the Airtricity League Premier Division table, just six points off leaders Shamrock Rovers but with a game in hand against them. For UCD, the result means they stay in seventh position, just one point ahead of Galway United, but Martin Russell's men have the advantage of a game in hand.

Sligo Rovers: 1 John Gibson; 2 Alan Keane, 20 Jim Lauchlan, 16 Derek Foran, 3 Iarfhlaith Davoren; 21 Gary McCabe, 6 Conor O'Grady (Captain), 18 Romuald Boco, 7 John Dillon (11 Eoin Doyle 77); 15 Joseph Ndo (5 Danny Ventre 70), 10 Padraig Amond (9 Matthew Blinkhorn 70).
Subs not used: 19 Ciaran Kelly (GK), 4 Gavin Peers.
Booked: Amond.(51)

UCD: 1 Gerard Barron; 2 Paul O'Connor, 5 Evan McMillan (Captain), 4 Andy Boyle, 3 Ciaran Nangle (12 Michael Leahy 73), 10 Dwayne Wilson (14 Karl Moore 64), 8 Stephen Roche (15 Graham Rusk 73), 6 Robbie Creevy, 7 Keith Ward, 11 Chris Mulhall; 9 Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: 16 Billy Brennan (GK), 13 David O'Connor.

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,700 (est)
Extratime Man Of The Match: Derek Foran (Sligo Rovers)