Match sponsor: Paul Gallagher

Match ball sponsor: IPM Draper Financial Brokers (Adrian McHale). 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers claimed a much needed first win of the season and in doing so moved off the foot of the Premier Division table as they saw off Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.

Goals from Will Fitzgerald and Alex Nolan either side of the interval had an pulsating Bit O’Red ahead by two before the hour.

Drogs’ Mark Doyle halved the lead on 61 minutes from the spot but Rovers kept the Louthmen scoreless for the remainder.

Victory pushes Rovers above Waterford while United’s search for a win at the Showgrounds is stretched to ten games. 

Rovers boss John Russell made four changes to his side that were beaten by Galway the week previous. 

Nolan, Cian Kavanagh and Daire Patton were all re-introduced to the Rovers starting eleven, replacing Mai Traore, Archie Meekison and the injured Sean Stewart, each of whom started last week’s defeat in the Connacht derby. 

While defender Sean McHale was named for his Rovers debut in place of the suspended Carl McHugh following a loan move from St Pat’s. Incidentally, McHale’s last game was against his new club in an FAI Cup tie for Dundalk last July in which he suffered a serious ankle injury. 

Without manager Kevin Doherty due to a suspension and any travelling support due to the recent incident at Oriel Park, United made three changes from their defeat at home to Shels. Seeking a first win at the Showgrounds since June 2021, Doherty named Leo Burney, Fuhad Kareem and skipper Ryan Brennan in his starting side in place of Shane Farrell, Thomas Oluwa and James Bolger. 

Disappointing in terms of the number of chances created in their outings to date, this first half saw a huge improvement from the hosts in this category. 

Drogs net minder Luke Dennison had to push an early close-range bullet from Patton onto his post with little more than two minutes gone. While there were further efforts from Seb Quirk and Nolan who each fizzed shots across the United goal.

Ryan O’Kane was a particularly busy customer on the Rovers left and he was involved on 18 minutes although it was his over-hit cross that sailed all the way to Esua who volleyed into Dennison’s side netting. 

Rovers maintained their tempo and striker Kavanagh struck the post with a header from an Esua cross four minutes from the break.

Sligo’s endeavour finally paid off in added time at the end of the first half. Again O’Kane was involved as the Drogheda rearguard made a mess of the ex-Shels winger’s corner. The ball landing to Sligo skipper Fitzgerald who was left with a simple finish from six yards out for his first goal since August 2024.

Searching for that first win under Benbulben in ten attempts, the Louth side fell further behind on 57 minutes.

Ethan O’Brien’s awkward challenge on Patton resulted in a set-piece at the edge of the visitor’s area. Nolan was let down by his initial effort, however he had the Showgrounds in raptures when he caught the rebound, firing the ball into the corner of Dennison’s goal for his first goal in red. 

This two goal lead lasted barely five minutes however. Only moments on the field, Sligo substitute Ciaron Harkin was penalised for blocking the ball with his arm inside his own penalty area. Doyle converting the resulting penalty, squeezing the effort between the post and the outstretched arm of Sam Sargeant. 

Kavanagh came close to settling the late tension when he did all the hard work, but flashed his shot beyond the far post, having done well to cut inside. 

Rovers will look to continue this form next Friday night when champions Shamrock Rovers visit the Showgrounds in front of the Virgin Media cameras. Kick-off is 8pm.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale (Ciaron Harkin 57), Will Fitzgerald; James McManus, Seb Quirk; Ryan O’Kane, Alex Nolan; Daire Patton (Mai Traore 69); Cian Kavanagh.  

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Leo Burney, Conor Keeley; Edwin Agbaje (Jason Bucknor 56), Conor Kane; Ethan O’Brien (Shane Farrell 76), Brandon Kavangh, Ryan Brennan (Jago Godden 56); Fuhad Kareem (Thomas Oluwa HT), Mark Doyle. 

Referee: Oliver Moran. 

Attendance: 2,548.