1 v 2 
Sligo Rovers| 2' Aidan Keena | ||
| 28' Karl O'Sullivan | ||
0-1 | 40' Colm Horgan | |
| 62' Greg Bolger | ||
| Babatunde Owolabi 70' | 1-1 | |
| 70' Robbie McCourt | ||
1-2 | 78' Aidan Keena |
Video
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 February 2022 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Sligo deliver a way to win against Pat’s
Sligo produced a great away performance to beat St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 in Richmond Park.
Goals from Colm Horgan and a deflected Aidan Keena strike ensured the visitors a perfect start to their 2022/23 campaign.
Sligo started the game the better with Keena hitting the crossbar with a strike inside the first 10 minutes then, having a shot cleared off the line that somehow didn’t go in. St. Pat’s grew into the game as the half went on but failed to create any clear-cut chances.
The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute as Adam McDonnell picked out full back Colm Horgan with an inch perfect delivery which Horgan looped over Joesph Anang and into the back of the net.
The Sligo men went in at the break 1-0 up. The second half began how the first half ended with Sligo creating the better of the chances in the opening exchanges. The Saints' first big chance of the game came to Eoin Doyle in the 50th minute who turned in the box, but he couldn’t connect well enough with his shot to trouble Ed McGinty.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 78th minute as Aidan Keena who was a menace all night was put through, and the striker cut inside, and his shot deflected off Joe Redmond and looped over a helpless Anang. St. Patrick’s substitute Tunde Owolabi pulled one back for the hosts two minutes later when his shot flew in off the crossbar.
The Saints pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and went closest through a Joe Redmond header in the last minute which struck the crossbar.
Sligo held on though for their first opening day victory since 2014. For St. Patrick’s, they can’t let their heads drop as they move onto a huge Dublin derby away to Bohemians on Monday night.
Timeline
| 2' | 9. Aidan Keena | |
| 28' | 11. Karl O'Sullivan | |
| 40' | 21. Colm Horgan | |
| 62' | 6. Greg Bolger | |
| 7. Babatunde Owolabi | 70' | |
| Jamie Lennon Babatunde Owolabi |
70' | |
| 70' | Robbie McCourt | |
| 73' | Niall Morahan David Cawley |
|
| 78' | 9. Aidan Keena | |
| Billy King Adam Murphy |
85' | |
| 86' | Aidan Keena Max Mata |
Past Meetings
Ground
| Richmond Park |
|---|
| Emmet Road, Kilmainham C ED, Dublin, Dublin 8, Leinster, D08 VK72, Ireland |
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.