Sligo Rovers’ final away game of 2026 finished in defeat as Shamrock Rovers put four past the Bit O’Red at Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors had chances in this game and were comfortable in the first period in dealing with what the league leaders had to offer.

Kaiyne Woolery went close early on from a Jack Shorrock cross and probably should have scored with one of his three attempts in quick succession. While Liam Hughes kept out Roberto Lopes with a superb last ditch stop with his legs. 

Shams had plenty of possession in front of the Rovers box but were unable to pick out that final ball, with Darren Purse’s side defending well.

Sligo were eventually broken late in the first half when Adam Brennan hit a late brace, but James McManus did clip the frame of Ed McGinty’s goal between those strikes. 

The second half was more straight forward for the champions, who claimed their second title on the spin with this win.

Former Rovers man Aaron Greene picked up their third before Dylan Watts’ deflected strike found a way past Hughes.

Rovers’ best chance of the half arrived when sub Cian Kavanagh found himself one-on-one with McGinty. But the striker’s first touch let him down as McGinty fell at the Dubliner’s feet to smother the ball. 

Rovers’ final game of the season takes place at the Showgrounds this Friday. Derry City are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Oluwatunmise Sobowale (Luke O’Regan 72), Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes (capt), Lee Grace, Will Fitzgerald (Jake Mullraney 46); Adam Brennan, Dylan Watts Gary O’Neill 78), John O’Sullivan; Graham Burke (Jonathan Afolabi 78) , John McGovern (Aaron Greene 61)

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy (capt), Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Daire Patton (Aidan Gabbidon 63), James McManus (Luke Pearce 55) Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 55), Jack Shorrock; Kaiyne Woolery

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 8,023