Half-time here at Richmond Park and Sligo go into the break 1-0 up through a Colm Horgan looping shot. Sligo have looked the more threatening out of the two sides. Aidan Keena has been at the heart of everything good Sligo have done rustling and bustling the St. Patrick's defence.

Sligo take the lead and on the balance of play they deserve it. McDonnell picks it up on the left hand side and delivers a pinpoint cross that finds the foot of Colm Horgan and, it crashes off the far post and into the net.

Chances have dried up in recent minutes for both sides. Sligo have another penalty claim waved away as Keena felt he was pushed to the floor from a free-kick but, referee Ben Connolly isn't interested.

Sligo again come close through Keena but, Abankwah does well to get a foot in and put it out for a corner. Pat's go up the other end but waste a free-kick in a good position.

Better play from the home side. First, Eoin Doyle nearly delivers an inch perfect cross that is well collected by Ed McGinty. Pat's go down their right hand side again, and Darragh Burns skillfully takes it past a player but, his cross can't be met by an oncoming player and Sligo clear.

Sligo have settled into the game and are the ones who have come closest to opening the scoring. Aidan Keena linked up with McDonnell who drove the ball across the face of the St. Pat's goal but somehow, Pat's clear.

St, Pat's starting to grow into the game. Chris Forrester looking to control the game and assert his influence. Sligo go up the other end and Aidan Keena hits a beautiful strike that crashes against the bar from 25 yards out.

Jack Scott agonisingly hits the crossbar for St. Pat's from a header with 2 minutes left. Sligo hold on though for a deserved victory and begin their campaign with a big performance and result.