David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Lys Mousset stuck in the 88th minute of this game as Sligo Rovers were beaten late on by Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

To make matters worse for the Bit O’Red, Owen Elding saw an early penalty hit the crossbar as Rovers fell to their second defeat on the bounce.

Rovers came into this game on the back of just one win and two draws in their last five, while the visiting Gypsies were very much in the in-form side here with four victories in their last five outings. 

Rovers boss John Russell, without centre half pairing John Mahon and Ollie Denham made two changes from their defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Jake Doyle-Hayes returned from suspension while Harvey Lintott made his first start in nine games. Midfielder Conor Malley made the bench having been dropped from the squad for the trip to Tallaght. 

A resurgent Bohs named both Rob Cornwall and Colm Whelan in their starting team, their only changes from the late win in Galway five evenings previous.

Eleven years to the day since their last trophy win in the form of the final edition of the Setanta Sports Cup, Rovers went within inches of taking the lead in this one when Elding’s penalty after three minutes came off Kacper Choraka’s crossbar after Cian Kavangh was sent sprawling inside the Bohs area by Rob Cornwall. 

The Dubliners finished the opening half on the front foot, but Rovers did fashion another good chance on 26 minutes when Kavanagh stabbed Elding’s cross narrowly past the post.

Aware a win would move them within striking distance of the top two, the Phibsboro outfit asserted themselves as the half wore on. 

Reece Hutchinson swept a Dayle Rooney effort off his own line after goalkeeper Sam Sargeant had gone travelling. While the net minder diverted Dawson Devoy’s powerful volley over his goal on the next attack. 

The Dalymount outfit continued to press but Rovers dealt well with anything Bohs could muster. Jordan Flores’ drive took a lick off Elding’s heel as it fizzed wide, followed by another decent save from Sargeant who pushed a Cornwall header away from danger. 

Sargeat was involved in proceedings again on the hour when he produced a magnificent double save to keep Rovers alive in the tie. Cornwall’s initial blast was parried by the former Waterford man and Sargeant repeated the trick when his timely reaction kept out Rooney’s follow up. 

Rovers had plenty of play in and around the Bohs box but couldn’t manufacture the final ball to beat Chorzka.  

The winning strike arrived two minutes from time when substitute Mousset arrived in time to volley past Sargeant for another late win on the road for the visitors. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Wilson Waweru 84), Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds (Kyle McDonagh 78), Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Jad Hakiki 68); Will Fitzgerald, Francely Lomboto (Stephen Mallon 68); Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh (Conor Malley 78).

Bohs: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Sean Grehan, Ross Tierney; Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 78), Dawson Devoy; Ross Tierney (Archie Meekison 83), James Clarke (Lys Mousset 78), Dayle Rooney; Colm Whelan (Rhys Brennan 59). 

Referee: Mark Houlihan. 

Attendance: 2,056.

Sligo Rovers return to the Showgrounds this Saturday night as the Bit O’Red take on Bohemians in Premier Division action, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers are back on home soil after being narrowly beaten by Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Monday last. 

Two down at the break, Rovers rallied in the second period and had their hosts under the cosh for sustained periods. Manager John Russell will look to bring that momentum into Saturday’s game with Bohs.

Russell welcomes back Jake Doyle-Hayes from a one match ban. However John Mahon, Ollie Denham and Oskar Van Hattum are unavailable. Mahon serves a one game ban due to the accumulation of a total of ten yellow cards. While Denham and Van Hattum are both nursing knocks. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday, boss Russell says he wants his team to show the desire and creativity which saw his side outplay the Hoops in stages of that game earlier this week. 

“We showed yet again in Dublin that we are more than able to compete with any team in this league”. he said. 

“We were really pleased with the second half performance which really owed us at least a goal. First half, things didn’t go our way and huge improvement was needed and we got that. 

“But in the second half, we could have had two or three goals and we were very impressive going forward. Again, we must improve defensively, everyone knows that and the players are working hard every day in training on that. We’ll be without our two starting centre halves for Bohs but we’ve known that since Monday so we’ve been able to prepare to deal with that. 

“Bohs have really turned things around recently and I think that was always going to happen. They have a really strong squad and will cause us problems but our players will be prepared for that. 

“We’re looking to put a bit of form together now and a few good results in this league can really see you climb and climb quickly.” 

Supporters are asked to note that 2025 Annual Draw tickets will go on sale at this game, with the club hoping to surpass the record amount of €130,000 raised last year. 

David Goulden

First half goals did all the damage as Shamrock Rovers overcame a superb second half fight-back from Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Behind by two at the break, the visiting Rovers were a different team in the second half but were unable to find the net.

Graham Burke had the Hoops ahead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes, while former Rovers striker Aaron Green doubled the lead as the game headed for half-time. 

John Russell’s side knocked on the door on several occasions in the second half and were all over their Dublin opponents, a dominant Rovers falling just short in the Dublin sunshine. 

Referee Rob Hennessy awarded Shams the spot-kick after the ball hopped up and on to Conor Reynolds’ arm, an unlucky moment on what was another fine performance from a rising Rovers star. 

Burke dispatched the penalty to give the hosts the lead while the 2023 champions had their second on 42. Greene turning to finish off a neat flick over the Rovers rearguard from Jack Byrne.

Rovers were a totally different side in the second half and were unfortunate early on not to be awarded their own penalty after a Shams defender looked like he had handled the ball inside Ed McGinty’s area. 

McGinty was by far the busier goalkeeper in the second 45 and scrambled to keep out a Matty Wolfe effort. While Owen Elding had a header taken on McGinty’s line by Roberto Lopes as the visitors continued their relentless press for a goal of their own. 

Rovers kept trying but couldn’t unlock the Hoops door, going close through Francely Lomboto after Elding’s through ball had caused chaos amongst the Shams’ defence. Ronan Manning then had former Rovers number one McGinty racing across his line to push a late free-kick over his crossbar. 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan; Adam Matthewst, Darragh Nugent, Matt Healy (Gary O’Neill 67), Jack Byrne (Nichael Noonan 67), Danny Grant (Victor Ozhianvuna 83); Graham Burke (John O’Sullivan 67); Aaron Greene (Rory Gaffney 83).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sergeant; Conor Reynolds (Harvey Lintott 77), Gareth McElroy, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Matt Wolfe (Daire Patton 77), Ronan Manning; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki (Cian Kavanagh h-t; Stephen Mallon 82), Will Fitzgerald; Francely Lomboto (Wilson Warweru 77).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Tallaght Stadium is Sligo Rovers’ destination this bank holiday Monday evening as the Bit O’Red travel to Dublin for the third time this season, this time to take on Shamrock Rovers. Supporters are reminded kick-off time has been revised to 7pm. 

Rovers go into this one on the back of home draws against Cork City and Drogheda United, while the Hoops are without a win in four having played out draws with Cork, Shels and Pat’s and were recently beaten by rivals Bohemians who Sligo Rovers face at the Showgrounds this coming Saturday.

Tallaght hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for John Russell’s men recently. Our last win at the south Dublin venue was back in 2021 and since then, Sligo have lost in each of our seven visits bar a draw in April 2022. 

However, Sligo Rovers did win the last meeting between these two teams back in March at the Showgrounds. A Reece Hutchinson strike before half-time was cancelled out by Graham Burke, but Sligo skipper John Mahon struck for what was our first win of the season twelve minutes from time. 

Rovers head to the capital again without Ollie Denham and Oskar Van Hattum, both of whom are continuing to recover from injury and are Russell’s only injury concerns. Jake Doyle-Hayes is also unavailable due to suspension.

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of the game, the Rovers boss says he wants to see his team improve defensively but is full of optimism ahead of what will be a challenging contest.  

“Every ground you visit in this league is a tough place to go to”, he says. “There simply just aren’t any games that aren’t tough and Monday will be the same. Our record up there isn’t great but we’re using that as motivation to go and give a good account of ourselves. 

“We’ve been the architects of our own downfall at times this season and have given other teams headstarts. We’ve been so impressive going forward, creating chances and scoring goals and I’m really happy with that. But what’s been killing us is the concession of silly goals. 

“If you make it easy for the opposition somewhere like Tallaght, then chances are you’re not coming back from it so we need to be on our game from the start. 

“We’ve a good group here and we know what we can achieve this season if we get things right. We showed against Shamrock Rovers in Sligo in March that we can put it up to the strongest teams in this league. We just need to get the basics right and our talent will bring us the rest of the way.

“We’re really looking forward to this one and hopefully it’ll be a good evening for us.”

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Two goals down to Drogheda United with less than half an hour to go, Sligo Rovers battled back to take a point from this game courtesy of an Owen Elding strike and a James Bolger own goal at the Showgrounds.

The visitors led this game by two courtesy of goals either side of half time from the boots of Conor Keeley and Thomas Oluwa. But an Owen Elding goal on 67 and a James Bolger own goal on 73 saw Rovers level the tie and topple Drogs from top spot. 

Rovers boss John Russell included Connor Malley in his starting eleven for the first time in four games, the ex-Dundalk general the home side’s only change from the draw with Cork City last Saturday. Striker Wilson Waweru was named on the bench having returned from a serious achilles injury which kept him out since last September. While United manager Kevin Doherty brought both Elicha Ahui and Paul Doyle back having missed the defeat to Galway. 

Drogs had the better of the first half exchanges. Despite being forced into a re-shuffle because of an early injury to midfielder Doyle, the FAI Cup holders looked the far more convincing side in the first 45. 

Rovers captain John Mahon did just enough to take the ball off the toe of Oluwa after the imposing attacker fended off three Sligo defenders on his way to goal. While Andrew Quinn’s free header from a Shane Farrell corner was claimed by Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant minutes later.

The hosts did have a small purple patch in this half. Elding, whose father Anthony scored the winner in the epic 2013 cup decider between these clubs, fired wide on the quarter hour after Drogheda failed to clear a Jake Doyle-Hayes set piece. While the ball squirmed away from Cian Kavanagh after Elding’s shot was parried by Luke Dennison towards the Sligo centre forward who found himself in front of goal.

The Louthmen controlled proceedings from here until the interval and took the lead on 28 minutes. Sligo had been forewarned four minutes earlier when Keeley’s header across the face of goal was headed over by the unmarked James Bolger. 

Drogheda arrived again and were more clinical on this occasion when Quinn knocked a Farrell free-kick back across to Keeley who fired his fourth goal of the season beyond Sargeant. 

Chasing the game, Rovers fashioned chances through Malley early in the second period. The first was simple for Dennison to deal with but the second, an overhead shot had the California born stopper scrambling to clear the ball from under his crossbar.

Making the most of their opportunities, Drogheda had their second on 63 when Mahon mis-judged the pace of a Warren Davis cross, allowing Oluwa to apply a simple finish. 

Not lying down however, Russell’s men struck back on 67 when from the end line, Will Fitzgerald picked out Elding who fired into an empty net from close range for his sixth of the year. 

Incredibly, this game was level six minutes later when United’s Bolger turned Sligo substitute Francely Lomboto’s ball into his own net. 

There was drama in this one right to the death. 

Bolger hit the post from a Farrell cross 90 seconds from the end of normal time, while Fitzgerald’s long range drive at the far end whistled just wide in the sixth minute of added time. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Harvey Lintott 60), Gareth McElroy, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Matty Wolfe 87), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki (Francely Lomboto HT), Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Stephen Mallon 69). 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui (Owen Lambe 68), Andy Quinn, James Bolger, Conor Keeley, Conor Kane; Paul Doyle (Ryan Brennan 5), Shane Farrell; Darragh Markey (Luke Heeney 75); Thomas Oluwa, Warren Davis (Douglas James-Taylor 68). 

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,087.

David Goulden speaks to Rovers striker Wilson Waweru as he returns from a lenghty spell out with injury

Eight months since he sustained a serious injury which has kept him sidelined from competitive action, Wilson Waweru is preparing to make his long awaited return in a Sligo Rovers shirt.

September 2024, 70 or so minutes into what transpired to be a league win over Dundalk at the Showgrounds and the striker fell to the ground in the middle of the pitch having challenged an opponent for a high ball. Thinking it a minor knock, Waweru continues but is finally overcome with pain in his ankle from what turns out to be a ruptured achilles tendon. 

Waweru had arrived from Galway United the previous winter having spent a successful year’s loan at Cobh Ramblers were he netted 12 times. Spotting Wilson’s raw talent during his time in Cork, Bit O’Red boss John Russell made Waweru a Rover one week before Christmas 2023. 

He would go on to score ten times for Sligo in his first season, including an FAI Cup hat-trick against Cobh Wanderers. He was also rewarded for some fine midsummer form when he won the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for July 2024 having found the net six times in as many games, before the injury ended his season prematurely. 

Finally declared fit to play this week by the Rovers medical team, Waweru could possibly make his return this Friday against Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. 

“When it happened, it just felt like the defender had kicked the back of my leg”, Waweru recalls. 

“It felt just like an awkward landing. I initially thought it was just a kick and it would ease but the pain didn’t go away. When I tried to move my leg after a while it was seriously painful. I was hyperventilating, was stretchered off and they sent me straight to hospital so I knew I was in serious bother.”

Foot and ankle specialist Stephen Kearns stepped in here and after surgery under the orthopedic surgeon, Waweru faced long days essentially doing nothing. First off, there was approximately ten weeks of crutches, cast and pain-killers as the recovery process got under way.   

“It was tough because I wasn’t able to do anything but sit around all day to let it heal. After that it was regular meetings with the surgeon to assess how things were. Fortunately, after my last meeting with Stephen, he was delighted with how well it had healed and he was happy for me to do exercises on it like going on the bike or just mobility stretches.”

Finally, it came to rehabilitation time and some sort of physical work with the club’s medical team before running and ball work was gradually introduced. 

“I was in with James (O’Donnell) and Ray (Finan) doing the rehab and that was tough for seven or eight weeks because there’s a mental battle there. I was coming in every morning and it was just one on one sessions for an hour and then I’d go home and then to the gym to work on strength. This went on for two or three months and it wasn’t easy staying away from kicking a ball. 

“I gradually got a feel for running on the grass and slowly the ball work was added but it felt like it took a long time. 

“Once I was happy to join the team again, I got back into small passing drills with them and getting contact. The gaffer was happy at this stage to involve me more and more as time went on. 

“It’s difficult to explain how the ankle feels now. It doesn’t feel the same but it’s not going to stop me. There’s still a lot for me to show and I can’t wait to showcase it.”

Waweru returns with Rovers occupying the division’s bottom spot. But having watched on and studied from the sidelines, he knows the current squad has more than enough talent to lift the club up the ladder in the coming weeks and months. 

The energetic forward is hoping to get involved on Friday evening as Rovers host league leaders Drogs at the Showgrounds. He is expecting the sort of challenge any in-form team would offer, but is also confident Rovers can take something from the game. 

“We’re a new group and with that it can be difficult to gel”, he continues. “But so far and I think you can see this in all the games, our performances have been really positive. We have been very unlucky in a lot of the games but there’s no doubt in the group that we can improve our results in this round of games.

“I love to score goals and that’s what I want to do. I got in that rhythm last year just before I got injured, I’d been scoring regularly in crucial games and I’ve no doubt I’ll start doing that again. 

“It’s going to be a massive game for us on Friday. Drogheda are a good side and they’re top for a reason. But I think the fact we’re at home in front of our supporters, there’s no reason why we can’t pick up three points and I’d certainly love to play my part.”

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Francely Lomboto netted a dramatic 90th minute equaliser as Sligo Rovers stayed within reach of Cork City at the Showgrounds. 

Kitt Nelson had given the Rebels the lead with a quarter of an hour to go, but Rovers were rewarded for their hard work and perseverance when the lively Lomboto popped up to force Owen Elding’s header across the line at the death.

City finished this game with ten men after Josh Fitzpatrick butted heads with Rovers sub Stephen Mallon on 78.

For the third game in eight days, Russell named an unchanged starting side. While City rewarded last Monday’s match winner Nelson, who scored in this fixture back in March, with a start. The Preston loanee their only change from that dramatic win over Waterford. 

The hosts did start the brighter and went close through Jad Hakiki whose effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly wide. While there was a hearts in mouths moment for the Leesiders early on when Rovers’ Gareth McElroy looked like he was shoved to the ground in front of the City posts as he tried to get contact on a Will Fitzgerald set-piece.

City’s Evan McLaughlin had a free-kick from the angle held by Sam Sargeant in the Rovers goal. While McElroy couldn’t generate enough power on his header from a Jake Doyle-Hayes cross late in the half. 

Rovers’ top scorer Owen Elding lost his footing at the crucial moment as he skewed an effort wide 12 minutes into the second period as they chased the opener. While at the far end, Djenario Daniels was inches away from tapping home a Joshua Fitzpatrick cross towards the back post with 20 to go.  

Cork hit the front on 77. Daniels missed Fitzpatrick’s cross but Nelson made no such mistake as he bundled the ball beyond Sargeant. 

Fitzpatrick was then shown a straight red after he got involved with Rovers sub Mallon on 78. 

Mallon was involved in the late drama as Elding sent the winger’s cross back across the face of goal for Lomboto to squeeze beyond Tein Troost. 

Fitzgerald almost won this game for the hosts in the fifth minute of added time but he dragged a shot wide and beyond the far post. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 72), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe 92); Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki (Stephen Mallon 72), Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 62).  

Cork City: Tien Troost; Milan Mbeng, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley, Bernardo Couto (Matthew Kiernan 64); Evan McLaughlin, Sean Murray; Cathal O’Sullivan, Kitt Nelson (Rio Shipston 82), Alex Nolan (Joshua Fitzpatrick 53); Djenairo Daniels. 

Referee: Rob Harvey. 

Attendance: 2,187.

Sligo Rovers were unable to follow up their Easter Friday hammering of Waterford as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Derry City at the Brandywell.

During a game in which the scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the storyline, Rovers were two behind after 25 minutes.

The opener arrived with more than a touch of controversy involved. Daniel Mullen clearly handled the ball inside the area but somehow referee Marc Lynch failed to spot the incident. Mullen fired past Sam Sargeant for the lead having controlled the ball in more than contentious circumstances.

Derry had their second mid-way through the opening half when Gavin Whyte broke free of Jake Doyle-Hayes before finishing past Sargeant.

The second half was only minutes old when Mullen copper-fastened the points for the Candystripes when he finished off a Michael Duffy set piece.

Rovers fought on and were arguably the better side in the last half hour. Francely Lomboto, Oskar Van Hattum and Matty Wolfe, each second half subs all went close as Rovers troubled the opposition on several occasions before the finish.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce (Hayden Cann 74), Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt, Sam Todd; Carl Winchester, Robbie Benson (Adam O’Reilly 64), Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce 64; Dom Thomas, Daniel Mullen (Sean Patton 74), Michael Duffy (Paul McMullan 81).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 60), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Owen Elding, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Stephen Mallon 60), Will Fitzgerald (Oskar Van Huttum 84); Jad Hakiki (Matty Wolfe 60); Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 60).

Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).

John Russell is urging his players to build on Friday’s dominative win over Waterford as the Bit O’Red face into crunch clashes with both Derry City and Cork City in the coming days. 

Rovers put in a superb showing despite inclement conditions at the RSC as goals from Gareth McElroy, Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto saw Rovers pick up a first win in six to lift themselves above the Rebels who now occupy bottom spot by virtue of Rovers’ better goal difference. 

Speaking to LOITV after the four goal victory, a proud Russell spoke of his pride in a real clinical performance from the visitors who kept a clean sheet for the first time this year. 

“We managed the game and did really well to get an early goal”, he said. 

“It was an outstanding move, real high energy and high pressing. We looked a threat all night and managed the conditions really well. It was touch and go whether the game would go ahead but we dealt with the surface really well. 

“They had a man sent off, which changed things for them but overall, we’re delighted with a clean sheet. To score four goals away from home in front of travelling support on the back of what’s been a tough few weeks for them and us is great. I keep saying it, we’ve great belief in this group. They keep working hard and a lot of our performances have been good. It’s just been about turning those performances into three points and we were able to do that tonight.” 

Rovers were irresistible in the middle, bossing the centre of the pitch and that didn’t go unnoticed by Russell who heaped deserved praise on his engine room generals. While he also acknowledged the influence and input of his centre halves and goalkeeper. 

“We have been playing well this year but we were guilty of giving away goals and making silly errors, but we didn’t do that tonight. Jake Doyle-Hayes, we missed him and it was great to have him come back into the team. I thought him and Ronan Manning were excellent along with Jad Hakiki. 

“We played on the front foot and we showed what we’re all about. The clean sheet is huge because we haven’t managed to do that yet this season. Sam (Sargeant) was very assured and made the big decisions very well. John Mahon and Gareth McElroy defended well and had to because everyone knows the quality that Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan have. It was a tough night for Waterford, but we still had to perform and play to our strengths which we did.

“We need to build on this now, we know there’s more in this group and we need to push on against Derry.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers moved off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a sublime four goal trouncing of Waterford at the RSC on Friday.

On a night of a few firsts, the Bit O’Red pocketed a maiden first clean sheet of the season courtesy of an assured defensive performance.

While a first senior goal for centre half Gareth McElroy was complimented by strikes from Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto as the visitors ruthlessly sentenced Waterford to their sixth league defeat on the trot. 

The hosts finished this game with ten men after Kyle White was sent off on the hour having committed a second bookable offence. 

Rovers made three changes from the defeat to Galway, with goalkeeper Sam Sargeant replacing Conor Walsh in nets. While attacker Cian Kavanagh and the influential Jake Doyle-Hayes returned following respective bans, both putting in impressive shifts.

John Russell’s side took charge of this game straight away. Teen defender McElroy stood his ground to get a head on Will Fitzgerald’s corner in the seventh minute, as the Donegal man nodded past Stephen McMullan for the first senior goal of his fledgling career. 

Sligo have been the victim of quick-fire goals a few times this term but were able to turn the tables on the Blues here and had their second within three minutes. 

The composed Doyle-Hayes tidied up the loose ball before Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson combined to tee up Elding who rose highest at the back stick to head his fifth of the year past a stunned McMullan. 

The pressure coming from the away side was incessant as Sligo purred in the south east rain. Jad Hakiki kept McMullan busy, forcing two stops from the young net minder as Keith Long’s side were carved open again and again. 

Elding, now the division’s joint-top scorer, sent a drive from the angle which had McMullan at full stretch on 33 minutes as a clinical Rovers sought to put this game to bed even before the break.

Waterford lost White on the hour after a challenge on Hutchinson produced a second yellow from referee Aaron O’Dowd. 

Things got worse for the Munster men on 62 when McMullan spilled a Fitzgerald corner as he looked to pick the ball from the sky. A scrap for possession ensued but Sligo were the winners of this duel as the ball landed at Kavanagh’s foot. The striker smashed home his third of the season against his old club from close range. 

Hakiki again caused concern in the Waterford ranks and tested McMullan once more with ten to go. The roaming Dubliner seeking out the space before sending a low shot into the arms of the young goalkeeper. 

Three became four with two of the 90 minutes left. Substitutes Connor Malley and Francely Lomboto got in on the act when the former found the latter with a simple through ball. Lomboto firing past McMullan, completing the rout with his second goal in three outings. 
Rovers are away from the Showgrounds again this Tuesday as we face Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Waterford: Stephen McMullan, Navajo Bakboord (Andy Boyle, 46), Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Kyle White, James Olayinka (Ben McCormack, 71), Grant Horton, Trae Coyle (Sam Glenfield, 75), Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan (Dean McMenamy, 68), Padraig Amond (Maarten Pouwels, 71).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton, 70), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe, 82), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Connor Malley, 70), Jad Hakiki (Francely Lomboto, 81), Owen Elding, Reece Hutchinson, Cian Kavanagh (Stephen Mallon, 70).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

David Goulden