0 v 1 
ShelbourneDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2022 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Carr steers Shels to win in Sligo
A Dan Carr penalty was enough for Shelbourne to take all three points back down the road to Dublin for their second win of the season.
Liam Buckley’s Sligo Rovers will rue their sluggish first half as the suffer their first defeat of the campaign.
The opening quarter of an hour of the game was slow with neither side really showing any signs of danger as they battled for possession. The high press from Damien Duffs side, however, began to wear down the midfield of the home team.
As the half through on Shelbourne got a stronger foothold in the contest, Liam Buckeys’ side were forced to drop deep to try get into the game. There was no let up for the away side as their press lead to a number of chances in quick succession from O’Driscoll and Farrell.
On the half hour mark Rovers had an attack halted with O’Driscoll picking up the first yellow of the game. Clarke dealing with the resulting free kick easily, dispatching the ball quickly to force Rovers back on the defensive only for O’Sullivan to catch Kane in the box to give away an unnecessary penalty. Dan Carr stepped up and smashed the ball home to give the Reds the lead.
Sligo picked up their pace as the half drew to a close but just before half time disaster struck as star man Aidan Keenas night was ended prematurely through an ankle injury.
The second half began similar to the first as both sides struggled to get a foothold on the game with the Dublin side looking sharpest once again.
The home side were beginning to grow in confidence when David Cawley saw an effort blocked away for a corner before Buckley made a triple substitution introducing Bolger, Keogh and Kirk.
The three made themselves at home quickly Bolger and Keogh linked up well in midfield while Kirk developed a rivalry with former Longford town team mate Aodh Dervin with some strong challenges.
Sligo pushed on but were no match for the Shels defence as Brendan Clarke marshalled them well from between the sticks.
The game almost turned into a battle royale as the side clashed in the centre circle with Bolger picking up his customary yellow card.
With six minutes added it was backs to the wall for the Reds as they were bombarded with shots, Keogh coming the closest, the former Southampton man driving his shot into the arms of the ever present Clarke.
Next up for Shels is a home tie against champions Shamrock Rovers next Friday night while the Bit ‘O Red host Bohemians on Tuesday evening.
Timeline
| 31' | 4. Aaron O'Driscoll | |
| 11. Karl O'Sullivan | 32' | |
| 34' | 14. Daniel Carr | |
| Aidan Keena Max Mata | 45' | |
| Robbie McCourt Paddy Kirk | 58' | |
| Will Fitzgerald Greg Bolger | 58' | |
| Karl O'Sullivan Seamas Keogh | 58' | |
| 63' | Shane Farrell Sean Boyd | |
| 3. Paddy Kirk | 70' | |
| Jordan Hamilton Mark Byrne | 78' | |
| 82' | Jordan McEneff Kyle O'Connor | |
| 90' | Daniel Carr Stanley Anaebonam |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 16)
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers |
|
(Series 7)
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne |
Officials
| Assistants | Fourth Official |
|---|---|
| Chris Campbell Shane O’Brien | Neil Doyle |
Ground
| The Showgrounds |
|---|
| The Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers F.C., Magheraboy Road, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, Sligo Municipal Borough District, County Sligo, Connacht, F91 P523, Ireland |
Full Time
Shels holding firm to see out the final moments
Keogh with a chance from range, straight at Clarke
Carr is replaced by Anaebonam
Clark with a succession of fantastic saves to keep his side in front
Sligo pushing for an equaliser as Shels hold firm
Bolger sees yellow the sides clash in the middle of the field
Kirk is lucky not to get his marching orders as he goes in hard on his former longford teammate Dervin
McEniff makes way of O'Connor
Mark Byrne replaces Hamilton in Sligos final change
Shels are soaking up the pressure as Sligo ask some questions
Dervin and Kirk tussle once more with the shels man getting the decision of the referee
Kirk sees yellow for a poor foul on Dervin
Kane dragging shels back into this lifting the spirits of his side
Bolger and Keogh have been lively since entering the fray which is exactly what Rovers needed
Sean Boyd replaces Farrell
Keogh Bolger and Kirk replace O'Sullivan Fitzgerald and McCourt
Better from Sligo as we approach the hour mark
Half chance for sligo, as Cawley is thwarted at the final moment,
Both sides battling in the early stages of the half
Shels get the second half underway
Half time
Aidan Keena has gone down for Rovers and his night ends prematurely as he is replaced by Mata
Rovers have upped their intensity as we approach half time, winning a free kick 30 yards out, which Clarke deals with comfortably
McCourt wonderfully dances past two Shelbourne defenders and delivers the ball into the box but not Rovers player is there to meet it
There is no let up in Shels as they continue to press every ball
Carr steps up and drives the ball into the net
Shels drive forward and win a penalty as O'Sullivan takes down Kane in the box
O'Driscoll gives away a free in a dangerous area and receives the games first yellow in the process
A number of chances in quick succession as O'Driscall and Farrell come close for Shels
Sligo lacking in ideas and energy so far in the game, something Liam Buckley will be hoping see change before half time
Sligo battle well as McDonnell wins the ball but possession is wasted
The away side have had the better of the exchanges in the opening 15 minutes but their attack has been fairly toothless
Shels pressing high putting rovers under the kosh
Shels getting into the game winning the first corner of the game
Both sides battling for a sustained period of possession in front of a packed showgrounds
Sligo get us underway at the showgrounds
In team news, fresh from picking up his first player of the month award, Aidan Keena leads the line for the Bit 'O Red
Welcome to coverage of Sligo Rovers V Shelbourne live on FinalWhistle.ie