David Goulden at the Showgrounds
Match Day Sponsor: Vintage Reds.
Match Ball Sponsor: Amcor Flexibles, Finisklin.
Shamrock Rovers displayed their strength in depth as they emptied their bench at half-time to turn the tide against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday.
One down at half-time courtesy of Will Fitzgerald’s fifth goal of the season, Stephen Bradley introduced four changes at the break including Irish internationals Jack Byrne and Graham Burke, both of whom netted one each to secure the points for Shams.
However, another huge talking point in this game and arguably the pivotal moment was referee Paul McLaughlin’s decision to dismiss Rovers midfielder Daire Patton early in the second half. McLaughlin decided that the Sligo native had denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity when he tangled with Dylan Watts as he looked to take control of a pass from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.
The decision was heavily criticised by Rovers boss John Russell post-match with numerical miss-match certainly playing its part as the visitors created the majority of the chances from here on in.
Russell made two adjustments in personnel from our draw with Shelbourne the week previous.
Archie Meekison, recently recovered from knee surgery, took his place in a starting eleven for the first time since mid-May. While Cian Kavanagh made his first start in three. Recent acquisition, 16-year-old striker Jamie O’Donnell was named on the bench.
Departing for Malta for their Champions League clash with Floriana on Monday morning, Stephen Bradley made two switches from the Dubliners’ comfortable victory over Galway last week. Defender Adam Matthews and Dylan Watts coming in as they aimed to push further ahead in their bid for a sixth title in seven seasons.
Their goalkeeper and former Sligo net minder Ed McGinty had to bat away a Sean McHale header from a Ryan O’Kane corner on six minutes following a brief period of chaos in front of the Republic of Ireland underage international. While Adam Brennan, a star feature of the win over Galway, went close for the away side shortly before Sligo went in front.
Meekison’s endeavour on the right wing won possession back for Rovers as the Hoops again failed to impress defensively. His cross was allowed to bounce by Fitzgerald who had time and space to meet the ball on the half volley before blasting past a sprawled McGinty and into the corner of the net for the Limerick man’s fifth goal of the year.
One of three full Irish internationals in the Shamrock Rovers match day squad, Enda Stevens tested Sargeant with a drive from 18 yards without success. While Brennan skied his next chance when John McGovern laid Jake Mulraney’s cross into the path of the starlet.
McGovern should have restored parity on the half-time whistle but the Newry man allowed Brennan’s cross creep through his legs with the goal at his mercy.
Frustrated by what they saw, the Hoops made no less than four substitutions at the break and the move paid dividends straight away.
Sargeant had repelled substitute Burke’s initial effort but couldn’t keep out fellow change Byrne’s resulting shot.
The evening took a further turn for the worse for John Russell’s men on 52 when Patton was controversially red carded for a challenge on Watts. McLaughlin went straight to his back pocket to issue Patton’s red, but replays suggest the official may have been hasty in his decision making.
Shams’ Matt Healy lashed a shot off the crossbar, Michael Noonan headed wide at the back post, while Sargeant’s superb reactions saw him fist away a Brennan header moments later as last year’s FAI Cup winners continued to knock on the door.
Cruelly for Rovers, it didn’t take anything special from their opponents to find the combination for the winner which arrived with eight left.
Sargeant, one of Rovers’ top performers this term, made a hugely uncharacteristic mistake as he allowed Burke’s innocuous looking shot slip through his grasp.
The hosts did push for an equaliser with the hard working Carl McHugh going close with two headed efforts towards the end of the game.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua (Kyle McDonagh 88), Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale, Sean Stewart; Carl McHugh, Daire Patton; Will Fitzgerald, Archie Meekison (Seb Quirk 67), Ryan O’Kane; Cian Kavanagh (Jamie O’Donnell 78).
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Adam Matthews, Enda Stevens (Cory O’Sullivan HT), Lee Grace; Jake Mulraney, Adam Brennan; Connor Malley (Jack Byrne HT), Matt Healy; Dylan Watts (Maleace Asamoah 59); John McGovern (Michael Noonan HT), Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 45).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 2,451.