Shamrock Rovers couldn't make the most of Dundalk’s draw with Derry City and Bohemians' defeat against Cork City, as they were beaten by an in-form Sligo Rovers in an entertaining contest at the Showgrounds. In a game which produced three wonderful
Shamrock Rovers couldn't make the most of Dundalk’s draw with Derry City and Bohemians' defeat against Cork City, as they were beaten by an in-form Sligo Rovers in an entertaining contest at the Showgrounds.
In a game which produced three wonderful goals, it was Sligo who created the best of the early opportunities. Regan Donelon had Alan Mannus worried just three minutes in when his volley flashed past the post less than three minutes in.
While the sun seemed to startle the Hoops net minder when he fumbled Fordyce’s header from Donelon’s searching cross. The former Linfield man relying on his defence to clear the danger at the second call.
Stephen Bradley’s men when settled, began to find space and runners in front of the Sligo back line. Ronan Finn’s superb cross-field ball found Greene who managed to get a low drive off.
But Sligo goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney did enough to block the effort away with his legs. Ronan Coughlan’s speculative effort from all of 35 yards, took a touch off a defender’s foot on its way over.
Mannus left flat-footed as he watched the ball sail narrowly over the far side of his goal.. Mannus could do little about Sligo’s opener. With nowhere to go, Coughlan pulled the ball back to Fordyce who curled a stunning 25 yard strike past Mannus’ reach.
The league leaders had their reply eleven minutes later. Greene’s super close control allowed him to keep hold of Trevor Clarke’s cross, before the attacker executed a classy overhead kick to tie the contest.
But the westerners were back in the lead, settling the game on 74 with style. Keaney, who scored a stunner in Dundalk on the opening night, did it again when he smacked his set piece from all of 35 yards beyond Mannus and into the top corner.
