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Date Time League Season
29 August 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Sligo Rovers beat 10-man Dundalk at the Showgrounds

An own goal by Andy Boyle and a goal by Sligo's Aidan Kenna made it a forgettable evening for Dundalk at the Showgrounds as the Bit O'Red earned three crucial points for their league campaign.

Owing to Darragh Leahy's red card midway through the first half, the Lilywhites were forced to play the majority of the game with ten men.

A clever pass from Joe Adams to John Martin, who passed the ball to Ryan O'Kane, who was under pressure and missed the target, to give Dundalk an early chance. There was also early pressure by Sligo as they forced Nathan Sheppard to release the ball early, which resulted in Greg Bolger's recycled ball being finally cleared.

After John Martin stole the ball from Shane Blaney and surged toward the Sligo goal, Luke McNicholas was forced to make a fantastic save to stop him. Martin found himself one on one with the keeper at an angle, and the keeper had to stretch to block his shot.

Dundalk defender Darragh Leahy tripped Liivak when he was going for goal, and because he was the last man, the referee had no choice but to dismiss him in a big turning point of the game.

The best opportunity for Sligo to apply pressure on the visitors came when Paddy Kirk's superb shot was superbly stopped by Shepperd's outstretched left boot, resulting in the ball being cleared.

Sligo would open the scoring with a little bit of luck in the second half despite early Dundalk pressure. The Bit O'Red got their goal when Andy Boyle turned in a shot from Fitzgerald at the near post to put the hosts ahead.

A few seconds later, second-half substitute Max Mata nearly added a second, latching onto the end of a Will Fitzgerald cross, but his shot just missed the target.

As Dundalk tried to get back into the game, John Mountney took a snapshot that missed the target. The next goal was scored by Sligo when Kenna advanced down the right to send in a first-time ball for Liivak at the near post, who finished it off by beating Sheppard to extend Sligo's lead.

This result is massive in terms of league standards as Dundalk now drops to third and Sligo look to put pressure on St. Patricks Athletic. The race for second is very much hotting up and could go down to the final day. 

Sligo Rovers

16Luke McNicholas Goalkeeper
2Lewis Banks Defender
4Shane Blaney 5 Defender
6Greg Bolger 8 Midfielder
7Will Fitzgerald Midfielder
9Aidan Keena Forward
10Frank Liivak Forward
17Adam McDonnell 27 Midfielder
18Robbie Burton 34 Midfielder
19Paddy Kirk Defender
28Nando Pijnaker Defender
30Richard Brush Goalkeeper
3Colm Horgan Defender
5Cameron Evans 4 Defender
8Niall Morahan 6 Midfielder
25Cillian Heaney Forward
27Max Mata 17 Forward
34Kailin Barlow 18 Midfielder
41Eanna Clancy Defender
44Daire McCarthy Midfielder

Dundalk

1Nathan Sheppard Goalkeeper
2Lewis Macari Defender
4Andy Boyle Defender
5Alfie Lewis Midfielder 75'
10Greg Sloggett 8 Midfielder
11John Martin 6 Forward
15Darragh Leahy Defender 22'
16Steven Bradley 29 Forward
20Joe Adams 17 Midfielder
23John Mountney Midfielder
28Ryan O’Kane Forward
14Peter Cherrie Goalkeeper
3Brian Gartland Defender
6Sam Bone 11 Defender
8Robbie Benson 10 Midfielder
17Keith Ward 20 Midfielder
18Robbie McCourt Defender
21Paul Doyle 22 Midfielder
22Runar Hauge 21 Midfielder
29David McMillan 16 Forward 28'
  • 90'

    FULL TIME: An own goal by Andy Boyle and a goal by Sligo's Aidan Kenna made it a forgettable evening for Dundalk at the Showgrounds as the Bit O'Red earned three crucial points for their league campaign. Owing to Darragh Leahy's red card midway through the first half, the Lilywhites were forced to play the majority of the game with ten men.

  • 90'

    Three added minutes here in the Showgrounds.

  • 88'

    Robbie Benson has a shot from distance but it's easy for McNicholas for save.

  • 82'

    GOAL: Kenna bares down the right and sends in a first-time ball for Liivak at the near post and he slots it past Sheppard to double Sligo\'s advantage. Game, set and match? It may well look like it!

  • 79'

    More changes for Dundalk as Keith Ward and Runar Hauge come in for Joe Adams and John Mountney.

  • 76'

    A double change for Sligo Rovers as Niall Morahan and Kailin Barlow come on for Greg Bolger and Robbie Burton.

  • 75'

    Alfie Lewis booked for a foul on Greg Bolger

  • 73'

    John Mountney with a snapshot from distance but goes just wide, the Dundalk player is putting impetus in his sides attack in the last few minutes.

  • 70'

    CHANCE: A lay off from Adams to O'Kane sees O'Kane bare down on goal with a cross to McMillan but the strikers effort was blocked down.

  • 67'

    Will Fitzgerald collects the ball from Max Mata and his effort just goes wide, it seems Sheppard was furious with the linesman as he felt Fitzgerlad was offside.

  • 64'

    Double change for us sees Robbie Benson and David McMillan come in for Greg Sloggett and Steven Bradley

  • 63'

    Sligo break with Paddy Kirk and his shot is blocked down and eventually cleared by Sam Bone.

  • 60'

    CHANCE: He could have made it two straight from the bench: Fitzgerald is in on the left and squares the ball to Mata but he doesn’t get enough pace on the shot and he drags it wide.

  • 59'

    Max Mata comes in for Adam McDonnell.

  • 56'

    GOAL: Sligo Rovers take the lead as Fitzgerald's shot was turned in at the near post by Andy Boyle - such an unfortunate moment of the Dundalk defender.

  • 52'

    Dundalk has really taken the game to Sligo, Greg Sloggett and Stephen Bradley are making plenty of inroads down the left hand side.

  • 46'

    SECOND HALF: Sligo Rovers resume the match and we are back underway!

  • 45'

    HALF TIME: Scoreless at the break as Dundalk has been reduced to ten men as Leahy was sent off for a foul on Frank Liivak. Paddy Kirk and John Martin both have forced saved from the respective keepers.

  • 45'

    CHANCE: Robbie Burton collects the ball on the edge of the area and strikes from range but his effort goes high over the bar.

  • 45'

    SAVE: Paddy Kirk's excellent effort is well saved by the outstretched left boot of Shepperd and the ball is cleared.

  • 45'

    Three added minutes at the end of this half.

  • 44'

    CHANCE: Fitzgerald's cross was sent into the area and Kenna was in the area ready to strike but it just goes behind him and the ball evades him.

  • 38'

    Cameron Evans is in for Shane Blaney for Sligo as the Bit O'Red defender looked to be in discomfort for the last few minutes.

  • 31'

    SHOT: Lewis Banks cuts inside on the edge of the area and strikes a low effort that Sheppard gets down well to save.

  • 30'

    SUB: Sam Bone comes on for John Martin as Dundalk look to regain their defensive shape.

  • 28'

    Substitute David McMillan gets a yellow card- he was booked for remonstrating with 4th official.

  • 28'

    Sam Bone is about to come on for Dundalk. He will be a defensive switch following the red card from Leahy.

  • 24'

    CHANCE: Paddy Kirk has an excellent chance on goal to give the home side the lead but it just goes wide.

  • 22'

    RED CARD: It's a straight red for Darragh Leahy after the Dundalk defender tripped Liivak up en route to goal and as he is the last man the referee had no option he felt to send him off.

  • 20'

    Sligo and Dundalk both have sights on the respective goals - however, both keepers are able to deal with the high balls with ease. Dundalk playing from the back is causing Sligo issues as they press high.

  • 15'

    Both sides have settled into this contest and Dundalk's high line is getting a fair bit of comment at present. They are susceptible to the press which could cause them to be caught out.

  • 9'

    SAVE: What a save from Luke McNicholas to deny John Martin after he had nicked it off Shane Blaney and bore down on goal - he was one on one with the keeper at an angle and the keeper was at full stretch to save it.

  • 5'

    CHANCE: Sligo put pressure on Nathan Sheppard who is forced to release the ball too early and Greg Bolger's recycled ball is finally cleared. That was a good press and pressure on the home side.

  • 2'

    CHANCE: Joe Adams braces down the right and a clever ball to John Martin feeds Ryan O'Kane who under pressure sends his shot wide. Early threat from the away side.

  • 1'

    KICK OFF: We are underway at the Showgrounds - Stephen Bradley kicks the game off for Dundalk.

  • Here are the teams: Sligo and Dundalk are out on the pitch - there will be a minute's of silence before the game for two people. Des Casey the former UEFA vice president and the father of Karl O'Sullivan, Joe.

  • Dundalk and Sligo played each other on this day in 1937 at The Showgrounds. On that day 85 years ago, Joey Donnelly scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Dundalk won 1-0.

  • It’s league meeting number 175 between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers tonight. Dundalk has won 74, drawn 42 and lost 58 of the previous 173 meetings.

  • "It's important for us now to see can we maintain that form and improve our performances in the business part of the season" Dundalk FC manager Dave Mackey looks ahead to tonight's game at The Showgrounds

  • "If we can get three points tonight, it'll put us back in the mix" Sligo manager John Russell in discussion before tonight's game against Dundalk FC

  • The Sligo Rovers team news is in: Bolger and Liivak come in for Mata and O’Sullivan. Colm Horgan returns to the squad following injury but Cawley, Buckley and Keogh are injured.

  • The Dundalk team is in Darragh Leahy, Alfie Lewis, Ryan O’Kane and John Martin all return to the starting lineup But the big news is that John Mountney also comes in for his first start for the club since the Europa League tie with Arsenal in December 2020.

  • Robbie Benson the Dundalk midfielder comments before tonight's game: “It’s not as though the game was fixed before Sligo went out of the cup in the first round,” said Benson. “It’s disappointing but we’re not going to complain. “We just have to get on with it and do our business. We did our recovery and our homework over the weekend so we just have to get on with it.”

  • Sligo Manager John Russell thoughts before the game: ‘’We have had a chance to regroup after the result last week and we’re now ready for what will be a massive game tomorrow night. ‘’Dundalk have a lot of quality in their team and have had a good season up to this point so we know it’ll be a difficult game. ‘’We haven’t beaten Dundalk this year so the players are eager to get back out in front of our home support and put on a good performance.’’

  • Good Evening from FinalWhistle HQ - Ciaran Callan here reporting for Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk in the League. It's fourth against second in a game that points are needed to continue the European push for next season.

Past Meetings

(Round 10)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers

(Round 4)
0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 28)
4 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers

(Series 22)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 10)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers

3 - 4
eLOI-Group B
Online Event

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 1)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 18)
0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers

(Series 9)
3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

4 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

5 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

4 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 4
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

Officials

RefereeAssistantsFourth Official
John McLoughlinDarren CorcoranDamien MacGraith

Ground

The Showgrounds
The Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers F.C., Magheraboy Road, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, Sligo Municipal Borough District, County Sligo, Connacht, F91 P523, Ireland

Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.