League leaders Shamrock Rovers maintained their unbeaten home record and blemish-free home goals against column with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers at a showery Tallaght Stadium. The Hoops completely dominated the opening period and the onl
League leaders Shamrock Rovers maintained their unbeaten home record and blemish-free home goals against column with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers at a showery Tallaght Stadium.
The Hoops completely dominated the opening period and the only probable surprise was that it took them until the 39th minute to edge ahead. Jack Byrne flighted a left wing corner high across the Sligo six yard area.
The ball carried to Dan Carr beyond the far post and Carr’s full blooded volley found the net via the underside of the bar. Aaron Greene, who had a 27th minute close range effort chalked-off for offside, might have added a second goal for the home side just after Carr’s strike but the former Bray man was denied by a fine save by Mitchell Beeney, diving low to his left to tip the shot round the post.
Skipper Ronan Finn helped himself to a deserved second for Rovers on 65 minutes. Jack Byrne broke quickly through the centre and played in Greene whose shot was blocked. Greene managed to flick the rebound sideways to Finn who curled a sweet low shot into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
Carr was a constant threat throughout and on another night might have bagged a hat-trick. There was a powerful low shot that missed the left hand post by inches and a seemingly easier chance that he somehow managed to slice wide from close range.
But the Rovers faithful recognized the quality of his performance and he received a huge ovation when he was substituted in the 80th minute. Moments later, Jack Byrne capped his own fine display with a superb curling drive that screamed into the top corner of Sligo’s net.
The Bit o’ Red were restricted to a Ronan Coughlan header that flew over and a Chris Twardek shot that was deflected for a corner.
