Sligo Rovers will be included in Tuesday’s draw for the third round of this year’s Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, after the Bit O’Red comfortably saw off junior side Janesboro at Pearse Stadium on the outskirts of Limerick City on Saturday evening. 

Luke Pearse hit a brace, his first goals since returning to Sligo recently, while Sean McHale and Archie Meekison also got on the scoresheet for thre run-away victors. 

Rovers now join the likes of Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs in the hat for the third round draw which takes place live on RTE Radio One on Tuesday evening. 

The five time cup winners hit the lead after less than two minutes in this one. Jeannot Esua and Archie Meekison combining as the Cameroonian full back delivered the perfect ball for Pearse to dive onto and nod past Aaron O’Sullivan in the Janesboro goal. 

Sam Sargeant performed a small miracle when he somehow kept out an opportunity for the hosts a few minutes later. The Londoner stretching into the top corner of his goal to push away a header from a set piece which looked like it would beat the Rovers number one. 

One became two on the half hour as Rovers, marshalled from the sideline by Ryan Casey, effectively put the game to bed.

A Janesboro defender managed to clear an Esua cross from under his crossbar, but the home side were unable to manage as Meekison arrived to volley into the bottom corner. 

Half-time sub Jamie McGonigle struck the crossbar early in the second period in the sunshine, before Sean McHale made it three with his second goal for the club.

Pearse rounded off a good afternoon for Sligo when he grabbed his second of the day just after the hour. 

Rovers’ next game is a crucial Premier Division clash with Drogheda United at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers: Sargeant; Esua (McDonagh 58), Denham, McHale (McGonigle HT), Stewart (Harkin 58); Quirk, McHugh (McManus HT); Meekison, O’Kane (Nolan HT); Pearce; Kavanagh.

David Goulden

Photo: Donal Egan