Second half strikes from James Finnerty and Dinny Corcoran moved Bohemians into second spot as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

The Bit O’Red shaded the opening half but a Ronan Murray red card turned this game as a clinical Gypsies enjoyed the more impressive second half.
The Phisboro men finished the game with ten men themselves. Rob Cornwall sent tothe stands eleven minutes from time.

Looking to leap ahead of both Derry and Dundalk, it was Bohs who were responsible for the game’s first chance.

Against his home town club, Kevin Devaney’s smashed effort from out wide on his right foot had Rovers goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney beaten. However the Sligo net minder was left relieved when the ball crashed into the side netting.

Sligo, defeated in each of their last three outings, were the better side in the first half and should have gone ahead on 16 minutes.

Ronan Coughlan did well to control Daryl Fordyce’s cross, but could only blast the ball against James Talbot’s chest from close range.

Having gone close with a low drive from 20 yards out, Murray was involved for all the wrong reasons two minutes from the break.

Referee Derek Tomney adjudged the Mayo man to have dived at the edge of the box.

Murray allowed his frustrations get the best of him when he threw the ball towards the official, resulting in a straight red for the former Dundalk attacker.

Bohs had their own chance to break the seal in added time at the end of the half.

In space at the front post, Darragh Leahy could only hook Devaney’s corner wide as Rovers struggled to deal with the set piece.

The second half was in its infancy when the Dubliners took the lead in spectacular fashion.

Finnerty’s superbly timed, acrobatic effort from Keith Buckley’s cross looping over Beeney and into the net.

Rovers then had Beeney to thank moments later when he got a fingertip to Corcoran’s shot after a clever back heel from fellow ex-Sligo man Keith Ward.

Corcoran mis-timed a free header while unmarked two yards from the target, before Ward fired wide on 69 as Bohs pushed to cement their authority.

The second did arrive on 76.

Corcoran’s initial attempt came back off the post, but with Beeney grounded, there was little work left for the striker to do as he tapped the ball across the line.

Bohs were then reduced to ten three minutes later. Cornwall the last man when he dragged Romeo Parkes to the ground.

Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; Johnny Dunleavy (Kris Twardek 77), Kyle Callan-McFadden, John Mahon, Regan Donelon (Lewis Banks 77); Jack Keaney; Daryl Fordyce (for Dante Leverock 55), David Cawley; Ronan Coughlan; Ronan Murray; Romeo Parkes.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Derek Pender, James Finnerty, Rob Cornwall, Darragh Leahy; Conor Levingston, Keith Buckley; Daniel Grant (Ryan Graydon 83), Keith Ward (Aaron Barry 80), Kevin Devaney (Ali Regbha 88); Daniel Corcoran.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Sligo Rovers entertain Bohemians in The Showgrounds tomorrow (April 6th) with a 7.45pm kick-off and there is plenty of reading ahead for anyone who purchases a match programme on the night.

The following is the list of topics being discussed in tomorrow nights match programme:

• Interview with supporter Dolores Henderson
• Liam Buckley – his thoughts on the game
• Sligo Rovers Womens U17 by Jessica Farry
• Conal Collier on the Fixtures Department
• Stephen McLoughlin gives his thoughts on Bohs
• 20 Questions with Mitchell Beeney
• Where are they now by Joe Molloy
• Face In The Crowd Photo, if you are picked, you win a prize
• Red Icon – Nancy Callaghan

Along with all of the above, there is also a free limited edition Harry McLoughlin poster for every supporter who purchases a programme.

Gates open at 6.30pm tomorrow evening.

Sligo Rovers return to league action tomorrow night, as Bohemians visit The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League with a 7.45pm kick-off.

With the postponement of Sligo Rovers Vs. Waterford last month, tomorrow night’s encounter will mark the first league game in The Showgrounds since Rovers defeated UCD 1-0 on March 9^th.

In team news, Ed Mc Ginty is still out with a broken finger while there will be a late fitness test for John Russell.

Liam Buckley said “Bohemians have had a great start to the season and tomorrow night will be a difficult test for the lads but it’s a test that we are all looking forward to.

“There is no denying that the last 3 results have been disappointing but we are getting to a stage now where we’re getting the squad back to where we want it in terms of fitness and having a near full squad of players to choose from.

“It’s nearly a full month since our last home league game in which we overturned UCD and I know our supporters will come out in huge numbers once again to support the team.

“As I said previously it’s going to be a difficult test for the lads but I am confident it’s a test we can rise to and send our supporters home happy. “

Gates open at 6.30pm tomorrow evening with match tickets available here: https://www.sligorovers.com/match-tickets/

Sligo Rovers are back in action this coming Saturday night as Bohemians visit The Showgrounds with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The Match Sponsor is Tony Quinn Foods, the Match Ball Sponsor is Eammon Scanlon while the After Match is sponsored by The Railway bar, Lord Edward Street Sligo.

There will be a free Harry McLoughlin poster with every match programme bought on the night also.

Due to the postponement of our home game against Waterford in March, this coming Saturday will mark the 28th day since our last home league game.

Turnstiles will open from 6.30pm, with match tickets available here.

Sligo Rovers were knocked out of the EA Sports Cup at the second round stage on Monday evening after they were beaten 2-1 by Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

On a wet night in Donegal, it was the home side who finally broke the deadlock courtesy of a superb Mark Coyle opener.

However, Rovers struck at the death to force extra-time through Dante Leverock.

But it was to be Harps’ night as Stephen Doherty hit the winner five minutes into the added 30 minutes.

There is little or no rest for all of the remaining entrants in our Last Man Standing competition, with Round 6 of the competition kicking off tomorrow night.

There are 10 fixtures down for decision from tomorrow (Tuesday) until Sunday the 7th of April. Selections for Round 6 must me emailed to shane@sligorovers.com by 6pm tomorrow evening (Tuesday) or sent via text to 086-4554265.

Please note Round 6 is based on games from Tuesday the 2nd of April until Sunday the 7th.

Just five entrants were knocked out in Round 5 so far, meaning there are currently 150 left standing.

Fixtures for Round 6 are as follows and as always, best of luck!

Watford vs Fulham

Wolves vs Man United

Chelsea vs Brighton

Man City vs Cardiff

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace

Southampton vs Liverpool

Bournemouth vs Burnley

Huddersfield vs Leicester

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

Everton vs Arsenal

Sligo Rovers make the short trip to Ballybofey tonight, ahead of the EA Sports Cup second round tie against Finn Harps.

The Bit O’ Red collected a narrow 2-1 win in Ballybofey earlier in the season, with manager Liam Buckley expecting a tough test once again in Finn Park.

He said “we were all disappointed with last Friday night and we are very much looking to bounce back tonight by progressing into the next round of the cup. We came out with a victory from Finn Park a few weeks ago but we had to work extremely hard for that and I expect another battle tonight. It’s always a test coming to Finn Park and with that in mind we need to be ready from the start and get a foothold in the game early on”.

In team news, Ed Mc Ginty is out with a broken finger while there will be late fitness tests for Ronan Murray, David Cawley and John Mahon.

Kick off in Finn Park is 8pm.  

Sligo Rovers will put league duties aside this Monday evening when we take on Finn Harps in the EA Sports Cup at Finn Park.

The Bit O’Red are bidding to win the League Cup for the first time since 2010.

Derry City knocked us out at the semi-final stage last season.

Kick-off in Ballybofey is 8pm.

Our next SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game is this Saturday, April 6th when we host Bohemians. Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm.

Second-half strikes from David Parkhouse and Ciaron Harkin sealed Derry City’s win over Sligo Rovers.

The Brandywell men had skipper Barry McNamee to thank for the win, as the talented midfielder drove the home side onto a much improved second half display.

Derry gave a full debut to goalkeeper Nathan Gartside, who had to replace the injury Peter Cherrie, while Eoghan Stokes came in for Conor McDermott, who also missed out completely with a groin problem.

As for Rovers boss Liam Buckley, he made five changes to his side which lost to Shamrock Rovers last time out.

It was Derry who went close on 10 minutes but Eoghan Stokes’ left footed strike, which had Rovers keeper Mitchell Beeney beaten, hit the side netting.

Gartside was called into action a minute later as at full stretch he brilliantly tipped over Liam Kerrigan’s super curling 20 yard effort.

Just after the mid-way point of the half Beeney had to make a smart save, to keep out Junior’s 25 yard shot, after Stokes’ clever flick set-up the City winger.

Early in the second half Junior went close but his tame header from Barry McNamee’s left wing cross, never really troubled Beeney and the Rovers keeper easily gathered.

On 57 minutes Beeney dived low to his left to keep out McNamee’s shot on the turn and Stokes’ follow-up strike came back off the post.

Derry deservedly took the lead two minutes later as that McNamee picked up a the loose ball, before playing in Parkhouse, who took a touch and made no mistake drilling the ball low into Beeney’s bottom left hand corner.

Liam Buckley’s men side missed a golden chance to level things on 76 minutes as substitute John Russell, cut the ball back from the left to find Ronan Coughlan, but the striker side footed wide from close range.

On 85 minutes Russell was inches away from equalising but his 20 yard strike whistled just past Gartside’s right hand post.

Deep into stoppage time and as the visitors were pushing forward for an equaliser they were caught on the break with City substitute Gianni Seraf’s pass finding Harkin, who blasted home from the right hand side of the box.

Sligo Rovers Football Club would like to extend our sincere sympathies to Brian Dorrian and his extended family on the passing of his mother last night.

Brian has been involved at the club for many years, fostering our young underage players at under 19 level while also playing an active coaching role with our first team. Brian also enjoyed a spell as interim first team manager at the end of last season.

Everyone associated with the club will support Brian and his family over the coming days and weeks ahead.

Our thoughts are with the Dorrian family at this sad and difficult time.