Sligo Rovers 0 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

• Jessica Farry
• Sun, Mar 13 2011


Gary McCabe came back to haunt Sligo Rovers with a sixth minute header which won the game for Shamrock Rovers in a fiery encounter at The Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The much anticipated meeting of the two Rovers was anything but a let down. Spirits were high in both camps after an excellent finish to the 2010 season and with both clubs recording a victory in their opening fixture, the game was always going to promise plenty.

The game opened to an electric atmosphere with a first half to match. A misguided header from Gavin Peers gifted the ball to Gary O’Neill whose shot was saved by keeper Brendan Clarke. Clarke’s save was pushed into the path of former Sligo boy McCabe, who finished with aplomb.

Contrary to the early scoreline, Sligo dominated the remainder of the first half. Gavin Peers was unlucky to not score from the counter-attack with Jason McGuinness’ header saved by Rovers keeper Alan Mannus. Mannus was on hand once again to keep Rovers on top when he saved from a lovely build-up from John Dillon, Alan Keane and John Russell.

John Russell and Eoin Doyle were part of some great movement by Sligo which ended in John Russell’s shot narrowly missing the far post. Rovers defender Ken Oman was booked early and was extremely lucky to escape a second yellow after an elbow on Alan Keane in the Sligo box.

Oman was replaced at half-time by Pat Flynn with Sligo beginning the second half looking nervous with the Hoops dominating from the offset. Sligo also made a double substitution with Aaron Greene and Alan Kirby replacing John Dillon and Danny Ventre.

Jason McGuinness received the fourth booking of the game for an unnecessary tackle on former Sligo boy Chris Turner. McGuinness then proceeded to take Gary Twigg down in the box but the decision was waved away by referee Derek Tomney.

The game died down in the second half. Sligo 'keeper Clarke was called on several times but was never really threatened. Rovers' Billy Dennehy was not willing to quiet down and continued to danger the fragile looking Sligo defence.

Rovers took off striker Twigg and brought on Stephen Rice to strengthen their midfield, looking to hold onto their slender lead, while Ciaran Kilduff received a silly booking after he stood too close to the ball for a Sligo free. Keeper Alan Mannus was given a yellow card in the 89th minute for time-wasting in a game with eight yellow cards handed out.

Sligo were unlucky not to score in the 92nd minute after a Richie Ryan free-kick. A mix up in the Rovers defence lead to Sligo being gifted the opportunity to score. They failed to take advantage and frustration got the better of Ryan as he received a booking in the 94th minute, after the final whistle had been blown.

Shamrock Rovers held on for the win but Sligo may feel deserving of at least a point. But Rovers defended very well and ultimately continued their 100% start to the new season.

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke, Alan Keane, Jason McGuinness, Danny Ventre (Alan Kirby 54’), Gavin Peers, Iarfhlaith Davoren, John Dillon (Aaron Greene 54’), Richie Ryan, John Russell (Raffaele Cretaro 74’), Eoin Doyle, Matthew Blinkhorn.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Derek Foran, Daryl Horgan, Mark McGoldrick.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus, Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray, Ken Oman (Pat Flynn 45), Enda Stevens , Gary McCabe, Chris Turner, Ronan Finn, Billy Dennehy, Gary Twigg ( Stephen Rice 86’) , Gary O’Neill (Ciaran Kilduff ’77)..
Subs not used: Ryan Thompson, Paddy Kavanagh, Dean Kelly, Conor McCormack .

Referee: Derek Tomney
Attendance: 4200