KIERAN SADLIER HIT the net twice as Sligo Rovers continued their recent good run of form as they saw off Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Sligo had won four of their previous five while United had lost four of their last five outings so the visitors were always favourites in splendid sunshine beside the River Corrib.
It was a closely-contested first half and neither side had any chances of note although Galway centre-half Armin Aganovic was sent-off after just 20 minutes.
The Swedish star defender was involved with an off-the-ball incident with Raff Cretaro, and referee Dave McKeon produced a straight red card.
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Sligo pushed forward for the lead goal but they couldn’t find it before the break, with Galway goalkeeper Conor Winn keeping them at bay with the few chances they got.
It was 0-0 at half-time and Galway actually had the better of the play in the early exchanges of the second-half.
Ruairi Keating went close first off in the 57th minute, but he couldn’t hit the target and then six minutes later Galway had a huge penalty shout.
Gary Shanahan appeared to get a touch to the ball ahead of Sligo goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann, and when he went to ground the referee said it was no penalty.
And Sligo went in front in the 72nd minute when Sadlier jinked inside Gary Shanahan and finished to the net. It looked as if the game was over but Galway had one more punch to throw.
Shanahan headed home a deflected John Sullivan cross with 11 minutes remaining, and although it brought the Galway faithful to their feet they were silenced when Sadlier settled it with his second in the 84th minute.
GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn; Paul Sinnott, Killian Cantwell, Armin Aganovic, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Ryan Connolly, John Sullivan, Ruairi Keating; Enda Curran (Eric Foley, 90), Vinny Faherty (Jesse Devers, 89).
SLIGO ROVERS: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Gavin Peers (Jaanai Gordon, 83), Gary Boylan, Regan Donelon (Phil Roberts, 71); Jordan Richards, John Russell, Jimmy Keohane; Kieran Sadlier; Liam Martin, Raff Cretaro.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
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Sadlier brace sees Bit O'Red clinch victory in western derby
Galway United 1
Sligo Rovers 2
KIERAN SADLIER HIT the net twice as Sligo Rovers continued their recent good run of form as they saw off Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Sligo had won four of their previous five while United had lost four of their last five outings so the visitors were always favourites in splendid sunshine beside the River Corrib.
It was a closely-contested first half and neither side had any chances of note although Galway centre-half Armin Aganovic was sent-off after just 20 minutes.
The Swedish star defender was involved with an off-the-ball incident with Raff Cretaro, and referee Dave McKeon produced a straight red card.
Sligo pushed forward for the lead goal but they couldn’t find it before the break, with Galway goalkeeper Conor Winn keeping them at bay with the few chances they got.
It was 0-0 at half-time and Galway actually had the better of the play in the early exchanges of the second-half.
Ruairi Keating went close first off in the 57th minute, but he couldn’t hit the target and then six minutes later Galway had a huge penalty shout.
Gary Shanahan appeared to get a touch to the ball ahead of Sligo goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann, and when he went to ground the referee said it was no penalty.
And Sligo went in front in the 72nd minute when Sadlier jinked inside Gary Shanahan and finished to the net. It looked as if the game was over but Galway had one more punch to throw.
Shanahan headed home a deflected John Sullivan cross with 11 minutes remaining, and although it brought the Galway faithful to their feet they were silenced when Sadlier settled it with his second in the 84th minute.
GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn; Paul Sinnott, Killian Cantwell, Armin Aganovic, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Ryan Connolly, John Sullivan, Ruairi Keating; Enda Curran (Eric Foley, 90), Vinny Faherty (Jesse Devers, 89).
SLIGO ROVERS: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Gavin Peers (Jaanai Gordon, 83), Gary Boylan, Regan Donelon (Phil Roberts, 71); Jordan Richards, John Russell, Jimmy Keohane; Kieran Sadlier; Liam Martin, Raff Cretaro.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
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SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Connacht rivals Galway United Kieran Sadlier League of Ireland LOI Galway Sligo Rovers