David Goulden at the Showgrounds
Despite a commanding second half performance, ten-man Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in three at the Showgrounds by league champions Shelbourne.
Two goals from the visitors in the opening twelve minutes had Shels ahead following an apprehensive start from Rovers. But a strike late in the opening half from Reece Hutchinson gave the Bit O’Red hope going into the second period.
John Russell’s charges were well on top in this second half and even after Cian Kavanagh was shown a somewhat contentious red card on 72 minutes, Rovers continued to cause Damien Duff’s charges plenty of issues.
Even with ten, Rovers continued to press their opponents and almost equalised in injury time through a late Harvey Lintott header which looped wide of Conor Kearns’ goal.
Searching out that first victory in five, the visitors made the same number of changes to the starting eleven which were held by Cork before the international break. Even without regular starters like Paddy Barret, Sean Boyd and Sean Gannon, Shels were still able to name a strong side. Mark Coyle, John Martin, Mipo Odubeko, Lewis Temple and Evan Caffrey all made their way back into Damien Duff’s plans.
Sligo welcomed back Matty Wolfe and Owen Elding, both of whom missed the recent narrow defeat to Derry.
It took just three minutes for the champions to take the lead when Martin profited from an under hit back pass from Oskar Van Hattum. The former Dundalk striker rounded Conor Walsh before finishing into an empty net.
The hosts fell further behind on twelve minutes. Easily moving the ball from right to left, possession eventually fell to Shels’ Martin who turned provider, teeing up Kerr McInroy who lashed the ball beyond Walsh courtesy of a cultured first time finish.
Facing the deficit, Sligo did steadily find a footing in this one.
Connor Malley struck Kearns’ post with a long-range effort on 27, while man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki along with Owen Edling both went close before Hutchinson provided reward for effort when he fired home from inside the area in added time at the end of the half.
Rovers’ intention looked far more meaningful in the opening moments of the second period with Shels forced to soak up Sligo pressure. But Kearns’ goal was well protected as the Drumcondra side had to scramble to clear the danger on several occasions as Rovers battled to find their second goal.
Malley screwed wide, an effort off the outside of his boot shortly after the hour mark as the hosts looked to be coming closer to breaking the Shelbourne resolve.
The wind was temporarily taken from Sligo sails on 72 when Kavanagh was shown red after he caught Coyle on the follow-through immediately after he sent a shot goalwards, much to the dismay of the home support.
Shels almost capitalised instantly on the numerical advantage only for Rovers net minder Walsh, who kept his side in the reckoning courtesy of a full-stretch save to deny substitute John O’Sullivan. While fellow change Boyd tested the Mayo man with a pot-shot on the turn which Walsh was equal to minutes later.
Rovers almost found what would have been a well-earned late equaliser from the most unlikely of sources in injury time. Having ventured forward for a corner, a cleared ball fell to goalkeeper Walsh whose cross was met by Lintott. The full back’s header sailed across the face of Kearns’ goal.
Next up for Rovers is a visit to Phibsboro to face Bohemians on Friday, April 4th, kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm.
Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar Van Hattum (Harvey Lintott 61), John Mahon, Ollie Denham (Gareth McElroy HT), Reece Hutchinson (Francely Lomboto 81); Connor Malley, Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning HT); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Evan Caffrey, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Kerr McInroy, Mark Coyle; JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 64); Ali Coote (Ellis Chapman 53), John Martin (Sean Boyd 78), Mipo Odubeko (Harry Wood 64).
Referee: Paul Norton.
Attendance: 2,857.