Dundalk continued their push for a fifth league title in six seasons as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Dane Massey and Andy Boyle struck for the Lilywhites, who stretched their lead over second placed Shamrock Rovers to seven with one game extra to play.

Returning to the scene of their last defeat on Irish soil back in April, it was Dundalk who hit the opener on the quarter hour after an opening which offered little in terms of chances.

Sligo did have an early penalty appeal turned down. Massey seemed to control an awkward Lewis Banks cross with his chest amid claims for a spot-kick.

This, before Vinny Perth’s team had the lead.

Michael Duffy’s cross, meant for Daniel Kelly was cut out by a Sligo defender. The ball landing only as far as Massey who showed wonderful technique to execute a superb volley past Ed McGinty from 15 yards.

Rovers were defending an eleven game unbeaten run on their home patch and had chances for both Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly to contend with.

Hoban lashed an effort from the edge of the Sligo area across the face of goal. While McGinty held Kelly’s header on the half hour.

Jamie McGrath wasn’t too far away six minutes from the break when he attempted to twist a placed effort into the far corner as the visitors remained on top.

Rovers’ Romeo Parkes pounced on a weak back-pass from Sean Gannon late in the half. But goalkeeper Gary Rogers read the situation in time to close down the Jamaican before he could get his shot away.

The second half was eight minutes old when the champions had their second.

Boyle’s dominant jump allowing him soar above two Rovers defenders to thump Duffy’s corner beyond McGinty.

Two almost became three on 57 when McEleney struck the crossbar from range as Dundalk looked well in control.

McGinty pulled off fine reaction save from a Massey shot which deflected off a Rovers defender on 65.

The visitors struck the woodwork again two minutes later when Duffy had McGinty beaten all ends up. The Derry man’s effort from the instep coming back off the Sligo crossbar as Dundalk continued their drive for that elusive third.

Hoban was next to strike the frame of the goal when his glancing header from a Duffy corner bounced off the top of the crossbar with ten to go.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 79); David Cawley, Sam Warde, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Watson 75); Romeo Parkes, Ronan Murray (John Russell 55), Kris Twardek.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Jamie McGrath (Cameron Dummigan 79), Patrick McEleney; Michael Duffy (Lido Lotefa 86), Daniel Kelly (Robbie Benson 72); Patrick Hoban.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 1,655.

Individual braces from Ronan Coughlan and Romeo Parkes saw Sligo Rovers take all three points from Turner’s Cross

Parkes gave Rovers the lead just past the half hour mark, but City struck back through a Dan Casey strike from a corner.

The Bit O’Red led at the break when Coughlan executed a smart finish in front of the Cork shed, while Parkes made it 3-1 on the hour.

A stunning Shane Griffin effort gave City hope, but Rovers held out and Coughlan was on hand once more to secure the win five minutes from time.

The striker making the most of a Mark McNulty mishap.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan (Josh Honohan 76), Alan Bennett, Dan Casey, Shane Griffin; Conor McCormack, Garry Buckley; Daire O’Connor (Mark O’Sullivan 53), Karl Sheppard, Joel Coustrain; Eoghan Stokes (Alec Byrne 80).

Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Kyle McFadden, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 73); David Cawley, John Russell, Kris Twarderk; Daryl Fordyce, Romeo Parkes, Ronan Coughlan.

Sligo Rovers came from two down to beat eight man Limerick following an incredible game at the Showgrounds.

The game saw four players dismissed as the Bit O’Red overturned a two goal deficit to progress to the quarter final for the first time since 2015.

A whirlwind opening saw the hosts behind by two.

The Blues hit the lead just seven minutes in when Karl O’Sullivan took the ball past the last Sligo man before executing a superb finish across the front of goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

With just one win in their last five, Tommy Barrett’s charges further stunned the Showgrounds faithful 90 seconds later.

O’Sullivan taking the ball inside his own half before dodging a series of tackles. The striker then allowed McGinty make the decision before placing the ball past the Scot.

Sligo went close through both John Mahon and Daryl Fordyce, but did find a way back into this tie on 24 minutes. David Cawley’s ball over the top of the Limerick defence picking out Romeo Parkes who slotted the ball beyond Jack Brady for his ninth of the season.

The home side then levelled the game courtesy of Ronan Coughlan. The Limerick native watched as Fordyce’s initial flick came off Brady before pouncing to tie the game.

Coughlan missed a 36^th minute spot-kick after Kris Twardek was fouled inside the box.

The crazy nature of this game continued when Dante Leverock was sent off. While the visitors had Shaun Kelly dismissed for a second yellow.

Regan Donelon had Liam Buckley’s charges in the lead for the first time before the break with a well hit set piece from 25 yards. While Parkes had his brace just moments into the second period as the relentless pace continued.

Brady got behind Mahon’s free header from a Donelon corner on 52, while the same man got down to deny Parkes his hat-trick shortly after as Rovers looked in control.

The home side made their domination pay on the hour when Cawley finished off Parkes’ dink over the top.

The Shannonsiders were then reduced to eight in quick succession when both Clyde O’Connell and former Sligo midfielder Jason Hughes were dismissed for straight reds.

O’Connell hacking Twardek to the floor, while Hughes seemed to tangle with a steward on the Jinks’ Avenue side of the grounds.

Rovers’ sixth then arrived on 77 when Twardek smashed the ball off the underside of Brady’s crossbar from close range.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Dante Leverock, Regan Donelon (Sam Warde 64); John Russell (Scott Lynch 71), Daryl Fordyce (Kyle Callan-McFadden 40), David Cawley; Kris Twardek, Romeo Parkes, Ronan Coughlan.

Limerick: Jack Brady; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams, Tomas O’Connor, Shane Tracy (Edmund O’Dwyer 79); Karl O’Sullivan, Darren Murphy (Aaron Fitzgerald 79), Jason Hughes, Cylde O’Connell, Lee Devitt; Kieran Hanlon (Adam Foley 60).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

St Patrick’s Athletic’s second half performance earned them the three points as they overcame a half-time deficit to beat Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park.

Behind to Romeo Parkes’ opener on 22 minutes, the Saints turned the course of this game courtesy of a Glen McAuley strike on 51 followed by Dave Webster’s winner six minutes from time.

Having both taken six points from their last five games, the sides struggled to provide much in terms of free-flowing football in the opening exchanges.

Glen McAuley carved out two early chances but both efforts were easy for Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty to deal with.

The Saints won’t have been happy with what they produced early on, but were the most threatening in front of the target.

Gary Shaw’s turn taking him past John Mahon 20 minutes in, but McGinty was again comfortable.

Rovers, in search of a second win in a week, had their first sight at goal two minutes later.

David Cawley’s strength bought him time inside the Saints area before the Mayo man supplied Parkes. But the Jamaican’s effort lacked accuracy as he fired wide off the outside of his boot.

This heralded Sligo’s purple patch and they made the most of it 22 minutes in.

Kris Twardek was afforded too much room down the Pat’s left as he squared for Parkes who slotted home from close range for his eighth goal of the year.

Harry Kenny’s charges finished the half the stronger but were again found wanting when and where it mattered.

McGinty pulled off smart stop to deny Shaw from point blank, while the same man seemed to lose his bearings as he stooped in his attempt to turn Dean Clarke’s cross past the Scot at his front post.

The Dubliners began the second period much the brighter and were rewarded for their efforts six minutes in.

Having netted his first for the club in the FAI Cup last week, McAuley’s neat touch brought him past his marker before he fired past McGinty from the angle.

Twardek’s snapshot wasn’t far away just short of the hour, while Lewis Banks’ last-ditch tackle deflected Cian Coleman’s shot over McGinty’s goal. This after the midfielder barged his way past Dante Leverock.

Pat’s were well in control at this stage and looked clear favourites for the game’s third goal.

Shaw came close with a glancing header in the pouring rain on 77. While the Showgrounds side spurned a glorious chance to rob one against the run of play.

Daryl Fordyce cushioned substitute Ronan Murray’s cross into the path of the waiting Twardek who could only fire over from six yards.

Clarke and Lee Desmond both went close in quick succession, before Pat’s had their winner six minutes from time.

Webster rising highest to nod Jamie Lennon’s set piece to the net for what was the winner for the home side.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Lee Desmond, Kevin Toner, Dave Webster, Ian Bermingham; Darragh Markey, Cian Coleman, Jamie Lennon; Dean Clarke, Gary Shaw (Ronan Hale 77), Glen McAuley (Jake Walker 89).   

Sligo Rovers: Ed MicGinty; Johnny Dunleavy (John Russell 75), Dante Leverock, John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Kyle Callan-McFadden (Sam Warde 61); David Cawley, Daryl Fordyce; Kris Twardek, Regan Donelon (Ronan Murray 65); Romeo Parkes.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

Attendance: 1,217.  

Sligo Rovers produced their biggest ever FAI Cup win as they put eight past Glebe North at Market Green.

Both David Cawley and Kris Twardek bagged a hat-trick, while Regan Donelon and Dante Leverock added to Rovers’ haul as the Showgrounds side registered the result of the night.

Looking for their first win in this competition since 2016, it was Rovers who were well in charge throughout.

Donelon had first sight at goal eight minutes in, while Noel Barrett’s volley was a simple take for Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty two minutes later.

This was Glebe’s only attempt at goal of the half before Sligo, heavy favourites to progress, hit the lead 12 minutes in.

Daryl Fordyce allowed Lewis Banks’ ball from deep all the way across to Cawley who neatly clipped the ball beyond Alan O’Connor and into the top corner.

The Premier Division side were dumped out of the cup at the first hurdle in both 2017 and 2018 and Liam Buckley would have been adamant that lightning not strike for a third time.

Glebe’s Keith Murray swept Kris Twardek’s shot off the line 23 minutes in, but Rovers would return a quarter hour later to double their lead.

Full back Donelon making the most of the space in front of him as he rocketed the ball past O’Connor from all of 25 yards.

Cawley had his brace five minutes into the second half. Well off his line, O’Connor came to meet Banks whose initial effort he pushed away.

But Cawley was on hand to fire over the stranded ‘keeper and into an empty goalmouth.

Leverock made it four three minutes later. 

While the Leinster Senior League outfit fell further behind on 65 minutes. Twardek rewarded for his endeavour down the Sligo wing when he fired home having linked up with Banks.

Cawley had his hat-trick and Rovers’ sixth on 76 when he chipped O’Connor from close range.

While Twardek had his brace when the Canadian rounded O’Connor four minutes later. All too simple for the Bit O’Red.

The Canadian rounded off a successful night for both himself and the north westerners when he tapped home a penalty on the stroke of full-time.

Sligo Rovers 3-2 Cabinteely

A Mark Byrne brace followed up Aaron Perry’s opener, as Sligo Rovers under 19s did enough to progress past Cabinteely in the quarter-final of the Enda McGuill Under 19 Cup at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

Perry had the Bit O’Red in the lead with seven minutes played.

Darren Collins’ through ball finding the impressive Jack O’Connor. O’Connor’s initial effort came back off the post, but Perry was alert to tap into an empty net.

Rovers were well on top early on and Collins went close again on eleven minutes. But a lapse in concentration cost the home side dearly when Andy Byrne pounced for the equaliser on 23 minutes.

Both O’Connor and Collins had opportunities to stretch Rovers’ lead further, while Byrne went close with a header four minutes from the break.

Byrne had his first on 53 minutes, finishing off Liam White’s cross at the second attempt.

While Brian Dorrian’s side looked comfortable when Byrne slotted home from the penalty spot after O’Connor was taken down in front of goal.

The Dubliners kept things interesting on the stroke of full time when Jack Savage’s set-piece found its way past Cormac Henry in the Sligo nets.

But Rovers held on to proceed to the last four.

Sligo Rovers: Henry, Lynch, White, Smith, O’Reilly, McGrath, McAllister, Perry, Collins, Byrne, O’Connor.

Subs used: Devanney, Stallard, O’Toole, Martin.

Cabinteely: Clarke, Kelly, O’Reilly, Egan, Whelan, Bermingham, Andy Byrne, Aaron Byrne, Idele, Savage, Quinlivan.

Subs used: Perry, Hyland, O’Neill, Curran.

A goal a piece from Sligo Rovers and Cliftonville saw the sides play out a draw at the Showgrounds.

Substitute Niall Watson gave the Bit O’Red the lead on his first appearance for the club.

The Belfast side equalised through Conor McMenanmin.

Rovers: McNicholas; Dunleavy, Leverock, Mahon, Banks; Twardek, Cawley, Warde, Donelon; Parkes, Coughlan.

Subs used: Fordyce, Watson, Morley.

Sligo Rovers’ game with Dundalk, scheduled for this coming Saturday, August 3rd has been postponed.

This is due to the Lilywhites’ involvement in Europe.

The game will be rescheduled at a further date.

Sligo Rovers stretched their unbeaten run at home to ten as they drew with Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

The last side to beat the Bit O’Red in Sligo, Bohs took the lead courtesy of a Danny Mandriou spot-kick on 37 minutes.

But Rovers pegged the Gypsies back before the break through David Cawley’s third goal of the season.

Both camps had goal-scoring opportunities during an entertaining opening.

Looking to stretch that unbeaten record on their own patch, it was Rovers who were presented with the game’s first chance.

Lewis Banks nodding the ball into the path of Daryl Fordyce, whose effort from close range lacked the required power as James Talbot easily claimed.

Bohs debutant Andrew Wright had his drive at goal blocked down by a series of Sligo legs from a disguised indirect free-kick nine yards from goal.

This after Ed McGinty handled a back pass from Kyle Callan-McFadden.

The Dubliners then had to rely on their skipper Derek Pender to bravely block down Romeo Parkes’ shot after Ronan Coughlan’s through ball.

Michael Barker’s header from a Luke Wade-Slater corner then sailed narrowly over Ed McGinty’s crossbar shortly before the half-hour.

Eyeing a second win in Sligo this season, Bohs had their lead eight minutes from the break.

Danny Kane tripped Wade-Slater inside the area. Mandriou slotting home from 12 yards, sending McGinty the wrong way in the process.

Liam Buckley’s charges were to have their leveller before the interval however.

Cawley turning Kris Twardek’s driven cross from the right beyond Talbot.

Mandriou’s left-footer from the edge of the box then skimmed off the top of the Rovers crossbar on the hour. The visitors looking the more dangerous on the ball. 

McGinty had to watch Keith Buckley’s shot all the way on 72 after Cawley conceded possession inside his own half.

There were half chances for either side late on, but a winner was to prove elusive.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Dante Leverock, Danny Kane; Kyle Callan-McFadden; Daryl Fordyce, David Cawley; Kris Twardek, Romeo Parkes; Ronan Coughlan.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Derek Pender, Michael Barker, James Finnerty, Darragh Leahy; Luke Wade-Slater, Keith Buckley, Conor Levingston, Kevin Devaney (Danny Grant 68); Danny Mandriou; Andre Wright.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 2,011

Derry City returned to winning ways with victory over Sligo Rovers at a rain-soaked Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Winger Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe netted his seventh goal in as many games, while teenager Jack Malone netted his first goal for the club.

After a 40 minute delay because of floodlight failure, it was the home side who started the better in the opening stages.

In fact Derry missed a glorious chance on three minutes as Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe’s run and cross from the left found an unmarked David Parkhouse, but the Sheffield United loanee side-footed over with the goal at his mercy. Soon after Parkhouse went even closer. This time Jamie McDonagh’s super right wing centre found the Strabane man, but his header at the near post was saved by Rovers ‘keeper Edward McGinty.

Minutes later a stunning Ronan Murray pass released Romeo Parkes, but after racing clear of the Derry defence the Rovers striker’s shot was well kept out by Derry ‘keeper Peter Cherrie.

That missed chance came back to haunt the visitors as Derry took the lead on 21 minutes as Parkhouse’s clever lay-off found Ogedi-Uzokwe, the winger cut in from the left before side-footing home, clipping off McGinty’s left hand post on the way into the net.

Liam Buckley’s side should have equalised soon after when Daniel Kane’s right wing cross found Parkes, but the front man’s miss hit effort from 10 yards sailed well off target. Derry doubled their lead right at the start of the second half as Ogedi-Uzokwe bamboozled John Dunleavy, before cutting the ball back to McDonagh, who made no mistake blasting high into the net from 10 yards.

The home side added a superb third goal on 79 minutes when following a stunning passing move, young substitute Malone played a one-two with Greg Sloggett, before firing home from some 25 yards.

Rovers’ night was summed up minutes later as Ronan Coughlan fired over from close range, after the ball fell perfectly to him inside the six yard box. The woodwork came to Sligo’s rescue deep into stoppage time as substitute Michael McCrudden saw his shot on the turn come back off the post.

Derry City: Cherrie, McDonagh, Cole, Gilchrist, Coll; Bruna, Harkin, Sloggett (McCrudden 82); Ogedi-Uzokwe (McCauley 75), Parkhouse, Davis (Malone 63).

Sligo Rovers: McGinty, Banks, Warde (Twardek 59), Callan-McFadden, Dunleavy, Coughlan, Fordyce, Murray (Donelon 73), Kane, Mahon, Parkes.