A youthful Sligo Rovers side pulled off a remarkable result against Everton’s first team as the Bit O’Red drew three goals a piece with the Premier League side at the Showgrounds. 

With limited first team experience in the match day squad, Rovers were more than a match for their opponents who featured a host of international stars including Republic of Ireland captain and former defender Seamus Coleman.

A goal from new boy Luke Pearce and a Kyle McDonagh strike had Rovers enjoying a deserved two goal lead at the break and although Mason Holgate pulled one back early in the second period, the hosts pushed on and extended the lead back to two when Kevin Muldoon had Sligo’s third just after the hour. 

The Toffees, who featured Premier League stars such as Ashley Young, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled back two late goals through a Youssef Chermiti brace. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh (Kyle Gabbidon 70), JR Wilson, Kyle McDonagh, Gareth McElroy (Colin Mooney HT), David Jonathan, Jack Henry-Francis (Conor Cannon 65), Daire Patton (Callum Lynch 72), Kailin Barlow (Shane Malone HT), Kevin Muldoon (Jamie O’Malley 70), Owen Eldling, Luke Pearce (James Lukau 65).

Everton: (First half) Joao Virginia, Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Neal Maupay, Adboulane Doucoure, Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gana, Tyler Onyango, Elijah Campbell, Jenson Metcalfe. (Second half). Billy Crellin, Mason Holgate, IIliman Ndiya, Jack Harrison, Beto,  Ashley Young, Youssef Chermiti, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Reece Welch, Roman Dixon. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin