Included in the Mervue squad was former Sligo Rovers player Ollie Keogh, most famous for his goal from the half-way line against Shelbourne in that famous FAI cup upset back in 2003 where Rovers knocked Shels out in Tolka Park after extra time. He was however, only good enough for a place on the Mervue bench today. 

Rovers started the brighter side and Ciaran Greene had the team’s first chance with a tame shot which was easily saved by the Mervue keeper in the 10th minute. In the 33rd minute, Danny Keohane crossed a lovely ball into the box and James Keaney should have done better with his chance, instead, the advancing Mervue keeper grabbed the ball from his feet. They were the only real chances of the first half. 

Mervue got into the game more early in the second half and in the 53rd minute they had what turned out to be their only real chance of the game following a mix up between Greene and Keohane which gave their striker a shot on goal which hit the inside of the post and bounced back out again. With very little being created up front, it took Rovers right back David Conwell to create the chance in the 78th minute. He made a good run into the box, past a defender and had a good strike hit away by the Mervue keeper, fortunately for Rovers, the rebound off the keeper fell to the feet of substitute John Bellew who gladly tapped it in to put the bit o’red 1-0 up.  

Rovers extended their lead in the 86th minute when Christopher Kelly swung a free-kick into the Mervue area and it fell to Bellew who slotted home. Finally, Rovers wrapped up the points three minutes later when Niall Costello played a long ball up to Ciaran Greene which caught out the Mervue defence and Greene went one on one with the keeper with Greene coming out the victor and ensuring Sligo Rovers 2nd home win in a row. 

Sligo Rovers: Stephen Heraghty, David Conwell, Danny Keohane, Jason Noctor, Niall Costello, Oisin Mannion(Emlyn Mulligan 75), James Keaney(John Bellew 60), Christopher Kelly, Ciaran Greene, Ross McLoughlin(Mark O’Dowd 85), Mikey Creane. 

Subs Not Used: Mark Rooney, Gavin O’Dwyer

- Michael Lynott