Shamrock Rovers ensured their place in Europe next season after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. After an even opening 15 minutes, Rovers began to take control of the game and, before long, were the only team c
Shamrock Rovers ensured their place in Europe next season after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
After an even opening 15 minutes, Rovers began to take control of the game and, before long, were the only team creating chances. Shaw struck the crossbar with a header before McAllister saw a powerful strike from distance skim the top of the bar on its way over. Shaw then should have given his side the lead when he was put through one-on-one with the keeper but he blazed his effort well over when he should have at least hit the target.
Shaw did eventually find the net, however, after Brandon Miele raced down the left in the 33th minute and played a ball towards the near post. Shaw reached it before his marker and poked past the helpless Patton and into the bottom corner.
Rovers almost made it 2-0 before the break when McAllister ran on to a Miele corner into the box. His contact was sublime but his effort came back off the crossbar.
After a chance for Miele at the start of the second half, substitute Gregory Moorhouse should have equalised for Sligo when he found just the keeper to beat. However, he attempted to curl into the bottom corner from distance and got it horribly wrong.
Daniel Kearns was lucky to escape with a yellow in the 64th minute after a late lunge on Lopes as the game became a scrappy and hot tempered affair. Rovers looked like their cup exploits against Dundalk on Monday night were catching up with them in the second half and Sligo looked to take advantage.
They started to cause the home side some serious problems and they equalised 14 minutes from time with a Regan Donelon free kick finding the top corner from 25 yards. Sligo were firmly on top during the remainder of the game, with a Moorhouse header off the bottom of the post their best chance. On the course of it, both teams will probably be happy to settle for a point apiece.
