- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Jun 01 2024
Patrick O'Connor reports from Tolka Park
Shelbourne saw their lead at the top of the Premier Division table cut by a point when they lost by 2-1 to Sligo Rovers in what can only be described as a shock result on Tolka Park on Friday night.
There was all of nineteen league points between the sides before the game with the leaders playing a team in relegation territory, however Rovers were fully deserving of their three points after a very resilient performance in game played in front of 3,910 fans.
The Bit O’Red have been badly hit by injuries all season, and encountered another as early as the 27th minute but they showed tremendous character to grind out probably their best result of the season.
Shelbourne started very brightly and had the bulk of the possession with the visitors pinned back in their own half and relying on the occasional counter attack to get into their attacking half of the pitch.
Then home side had quite a few chances to take the lead but found Rovers netminder Ed McGinty in top class form and he denied them on numerous occasions in both halves.
Sean Boyd was straight through in the 11th minute but McGinty pulled off a great save with his legs while in the 30th minute he denied Paddy Barrett’s goal bound shot with another fine block.
The visitors took the lead, against the run of play it has to be said, in the 22nd minute.
A kick out by McGinty was nodded into the path of Killian Barlow by Ellis Chapman and he evaded a number of defenders to strike the ball past Conor Kearns for a good opening goal.
Five minutes later Rovers lost young centre half Conor Reynolds to a leg injury and the 17-year-old, who sits his Leaving Cert next week, later hobbled out of the ground on crutches to add to Sligo’s injury woes.
The first half ended on that one nil scoreline but Damian Duff’s side were back on level terms in the 57th minute.
After a bout of sustained pressure, Barrett found Boyd in space at the edge of the box and the tall striker showed quick feet to curl the ball into left corner of the net, finally managing to get the better of McGinty.
The response by Rovers was excellent as by the 69th minute they were back in front.
They launched a quick counter attack and when Stephan Radosavljevic strode forward with the ball, he spotted the run of Fabrice Hartmann and his slide rule pass allowed the German born winger to slot the ball past Kearns for the lead goal .
The Reds went three at the back and unloaded their bench in search of an equaliser and although they had plenty of time, including the seven minutes of additional time, they could not find a way past McGinty and indeed the entire Rovers back four who were also excellent throughout the night.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Sean Gannon, Kameron Ledwidge (John Martin), Gavin Molloy; Evan Caffrey (Shane Farrell 90), Mark Coyle (Shane Farrell 78), William Jarvis (Jad Hadiki 84), Matty Smith (Dean Williams 78) Jonathan Lunney (Liam Burt 46), Sean Boyd.
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson, John O’ Sullivan
Booked: Paddy Barrett (29), Mark Coyle (59), Joey O Brien (Asst Coach 73)
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, John Wilson, Reece Hutchinson, Ellis Chapman, Ollie Denham, Niall Morahan, Fabrice Hartmann (Wilson Waweru 79), Stefan Radosavljevic (Kyle McDonagh 90), Conor Malley, Kailin Barlow (Sean McAteer 90), Conor Reynolds (Owen Elding 27).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, David Jonathon, Conor Cannon, Shea Malone, Colin Mooney
Booked: Conor Reynolds (46), Conor Malley (55), Ollie Denham 62), JR Wilson (72), Niall Morahan (92), Manager -John Russell (92), Ellis Chapman (97).
Referee: Paul Norton
Attendance: 3,910
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)
