St. Catherine’s, Killybegs 0

Sligo Rovers 4

By Michael Moran, Courtesy, The Sligo Champion

SLIGO Rovers began their series of pre-season friendlies with a four-nil win over St. Catherine’s in Killybegs on Saturday afternoon.

A mix of new signings, potential recruits, trialists and old faces proved too strong for the Donegal outfit, with Sean Flannery, Paul McTiernan (two) and John Bellew on the scoresheet.

As he continued his team rebuilding ahead of the return to the Premier Division next month, manager, Sean Connor, unveiled three of Rovers latest additions, right-back Gavin Peers, left-back, Keith Foy and central midfielder, Adam Hughes.

Peers, a former Blackburn and Mansfield defender and recommended by Birmingham City manager, Steve Bruce, emerged as Rovers best player on the day and showed enough to suggest that he can be a very useful addition to the Showgrounds squad.

Foy, who was signed from Monaghan United, is battling to regain the fitness level required for the top flight, while Hughes, after a quiet opening, came more into the game as it progressed.

Elsewhere, transfer target Chris Turner also produced some neat touches in midfield and Connor remains confident of securing the services of the ex-Derby County and Northern Ireland Under-19 captain.

Jamie McKenzie played alongside Liam Burns in the centre of the back four and was always assured against a St. Catherine’s side who changed their starting eleven at half-time given their involvement in an important league game on Sunday.

Fahrudin Kuduzovic also started for Rovers, with Flannery and McTiernan up front.

Connor’s charges began with ten men as part of the workout, Jason McCartney coming on after fourteen minutes to join the action, but later having to go off injured.

Rovers also made a number of changes at the interval, former Coventry and Shrewsbury goalkeeper, David Brush, looking competent when he replaced Charlie Treacy.

It was Chris Turner who created Sligo’s first opening in the 4th minute, setting up McTiernan, who shot narrowly wide.

Rovers went ahead on 19 minutes, Kuduzovic finding Flannery, who beat Killybegs ‘keeper, Kevin Martin, from thirty yards.

Four mintues later, it was two-nil, McTiernan turning in Kuduzovic’s left wing cross at the near post.

McKenzie cleared off the line from Ryan McNelis on the stroke of half-time.

Rovers made several changes at the interval, centre back Brendan Rush doing reasonably well in the second-half.

Sligo increased their lead in the 48th minute when substitute Bellew fed McTiernan and despite Martin saving his initial effort, the striker turned in the rebound.

Bellew was denied on a number of occasions before he got on the score sheet in the final minute.

St. Catherine’s: Martin, Conwell, S. McGinely, Boyle, Coleman, McGinley, R. McNelis, Molloy, Cannon, Breslin, P. McGinley. Subs used: Murrin, McGroary, McIntyre, Blain, Kelly, McGonagle, K. McNelis, Mullin, Gallagher.

Sligo Rovers: Treacy, Peers, Foy, McKenzie, Burns, Turner, Hughes, Kuduzovic, Flannery, McTiernan, McCartney. Sub used: Cretaro, Bellew, Rushe, Testa, D. Brush, J. Brush.

Referee: Stephen Toner.

*A word of thanks to the St. Catherine’s club for their excellent hospitality and assistance on the day.