David Goulden at the Showgrounds
Match Sponsor: Hegarty and Armstrong Solcitors.
Match Ball Sponsor: EngDoc.
Sligo Rovers’ steady upturn in form continued as goals from Will Fitzgerald and Cian Kavanagh saw an impressive Bit O’Red pick up our third win on the spin, beating in-form Dundalk at the Showgrounds.
The result sees Rovers jump over both Drogheda and Shelbourne and into seventh spot and inflicts a first defeat in nine on the Lilywhites who were kept scoreless for just the second time this season. The victory extends Rovers’ unbeaten run to four ahead of next Friday’s trip to face Drogs.
Without defeat in three heading into this one, Rovers manager John Russell kept faith with the team and shape of the side which overcame Waterford in Sligo a week previous.
While seeking to continue their impressive early season form, Dundalk looked to continue their chase of the top two with a first win in Sligo since October 2023. Ciaran Kilduff made the one change from their win over Galway United at Oriel Park last week, replacing the absent JR Wilson with Declan McDaid whose brace swung that meeting with the Tribesmen in their favour.
Played at a high tempo on a balmy evening under Benbulben, Rovers produced the best of the fare in the opening half, although the visitors did have chances and a share of the possession.
Dundalk’s Harvey Warren almost turned the ball into his own goal as he attempted to clear a Fitzgerald cross three minutes in. While Kavanagh and Gareth McElroy both had chances from the resulting corner as Rovers pressed early on.
Gbemi Arubi almost caught Sligo out moments later when Jeannot Esua’s mistake allowed the 21-year-old hit an effort from inside his own half.
Skipper Fitzgerald has been in sparkling form for the home side this season and hit his third goal in as many games on 12 minutes.
Dundalk keeper Enda Minogue made a mess of an attempted clearance when he collided with Kavanagh as he tried to punch clear an Esua ball into the box. The ball landed with Fitzgerald who lobbed the ball over Minogue as he scrambled back.
Rovers’ Archie Meekison impressed throughout and went close on 23 minutes while the same player fired over a powerful volley at the end of the half as the home side relentlessly hunted a second goal.
The loss of Esua to injury on 33 minutes seemed to affect Sligo’s focus after the half hour, but Dundalk’s push for a leveller before the interval was unsuccessful. Ronan Teahan going close from the edge of the area.
The second half was just three minutes old when Kavanagh struck for his first goal in 13 appearances. Meekison deftly tipped the ball over the top for the Dubliner who drilled the ball beyond Minogue for a richly warranted first goal of the season.
Rovers net minder Sam Sargeant was in superb form all evening and preserved the lead on the hour when he reacted magnificently to push an Arubi blast from close range onto his own crossbar. While Eoin Kenny pulled his shot across the face of Sargeant’s goal on 70 following a speedy Lilywhites counter.
Sargeant went to his top corner to pull off another great save to deny substitute Harry Groome’s drive from 25 yards with twelve minutes to go as the First Division holders’ frustration continued.
The Louth side threw everything at it late on but heroic defending from Rovers kept their opponents at arm’s length, including a brave block on the line from Gareth McElroy who kept out a Leonardo Gaxha shot in added time.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua (Sean Stewart 33), Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Jad Hakiki 69), James McManus; Daire Patton (Shane Blaney 80); Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Bobby Burns; Ronan Tehan (Leonardo Gaxha 85), Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 63); Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny, Declan McDaid (Aodh Dervin 63); Gbemi Arubi (Harry Groome 64).
Referee: Declan Toland.
Attendance: 2,691.