- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Sep 18 2021
Shamrock Rovers forward Rory Gaffney fired home a rebound to put the Hoops six points clear in the Premier Division title race.
Stephen Bradley’s side eased past the rather limited Sligo Rovers challenge at the Showgrounds, with Gaffney’s opener setting them on their way.
Gaffney fired home with minimal fuss after making the most of a Gary O’Neill shot from distance.
Former UCD midfielder O’Neill saw his shot from distance saved by Ed McGinty, but the Bit O’Red’s netminder could do little to keep out the rebound.
After taking the lead, the visitors went close to doubling their advantage, but quickfire chances from Ronan Finn and Richie Towell were denied by McGinty who atoned for an earlier error.
Towell’s chance followed one of his own from earlier on in the contest, but he could not convert, just like he couldn’t on the second occasion.
Liam Buckley’s Sligo went close themselves to level matters moments just before the break, however.
Andre Wright, although, could only see his headed effort go wide from a Greg Bolger free-kick into the six-yard box.
Garry Buckley looked primed to score if Wright did not try to get his head on the set-piece as Sligo went in a goal behind at the break.
The Hoops continued to enjoy much of the play in the early stages of the second-half, with the ever-impressive Dylan Watts curling an effort over the bar after good link up play with Towell.
That was after Gaffney went close again, but the ex-Limerick striker headed over the bar from a Barry Cotter cross into the box.
Bolger then went close against his former side just before the hour mark, but he was unable to suitably trouble Alan Mannus in the Shamrock Rovers goal.
Gaffney proved to be a real threat for the visitors all night, and in the 65th minute, he forced yet another save from McGinty.
Sligo’s threat was often limited to set-piece routines, with Buckley heading wide from a corner as the game approached the last 20 minutes of the game.
Substitute Melvyn Lorenzen went close late on, but the lively forward was unable to find the target with the ball getting stuck between his feet at the wrong moment.
Sean Gannon was then forced into a goal saving headed clearance in injury time, but the Hoops held firm for a deserved win on the road as their league title chase shows no sign of easing.
Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Garry Buckley, Colm Horgan, John Mahon, Robbie McCourt; David Cawley, Greg Bolger, Adam McDonnell; Ryan De Vries (Melvyn Lorenzen 67), Walter Figueira, Andre Wright.
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Regan Donelon, Danny Kane, Mark Byrne, Niall Morahan, Seamas Keogh, Romeo Parkes, Darren Collins.
Booked: Greg Bolger (23), David Cawley (37), Robbie McCourt (72).
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Barry Cotter; Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn (Neil Farrugia 83), Daniel Mandroiu (Chris McCann 82), Gary O'Neill, Richie Towell, Dylan Watts; Rory Gaffney (Aidomo Emakhu 87).
Subs not used: Leon Pohls, Adam Wells, Dean McMenamy, Max Murphy, Conan Noonan.
Booked: Ronan Finn (58) ,Richie Towell (66) ,Daniel Mandroiu (70) Roberto Lopes (72).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: TBC.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers).
