SIMON MADDEN’S FIRST league goal of the season was enough to earn Shamrock Rovers all three points in their Premier Division clash with Sligo Rovers tonight in Tallaght Stadium.
With St Patrick’s Athletic winning and Cork City dropping points in their draw with Athlone, the win sees Pat Fenlon’s men remain two points behind the Saints and seven off second placed Cork, with a game in hand over both teams.
Tonight, Patrick Cregg was handed his first start for the Hoops, and the midfielder was in the thick of the early action.
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His cross from the right in the second minute eventually found its way to Stephen McPhail, but the former Republic of Ireland star blazed over with an uncharacteristic strike.
The pressure on the Sligo goal continued, and Kieran Marty Waters sent a shot over the bar after more good work from Cregg, before Sean O’Connor forced Gary Rogers into two saves.
The visitors were having a hard time reaching their opponent’s goal, and with Barry Murphy having dealt comfortably with a Danny North free-kick, Shamrock Rovers then scored with just over half an hour on the clock.
Simon Madden, who has more assists to his name than any other player in the green and white hoops this season, was involved from start to finish.
Kalen Spillane misjudged the full-back’s lofted pass to Waters, and having continued forward, Madden was in the right place to smash home the loose ball after Rogers spilled Waters’ powerful strike.
As the half came to a close, Sligo applied some pressure of their own, with John Russell shooting wide and Sean Maguire firing over, and they began the second half with the latter whistling a low shot past the home post.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, the game lacked urgency, and the intensity that has been present in this fixture over recent years was lacking.
That being said, Sligo did engineer some openings in the final quarter of an hour, with the best of the chances falling to Evan McMillan six-yards from goal. He found himself unmarked, but shot straight at Murphy.
Madden's strike enough to earn Rovers three points
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Sligo Rovers
SIMON MADDEN’S FIRST league goal of the season was enough to earn Shamrock Rovers all three points in their Premier Division clash with Sligo Rovers tonight in Tallaght Stadium.
With St Patrick’s Athletic winning and Cork City dropping points in their draw with Athlone, the win sees Pat Fenlon’s men remain two points behind the Saints and seven off second placed Cork, with a game in hand over both teams.
Tonight, Patrick Cregg was handed his first start for the Hoops, and the midfielder was in the thick of the early action.
His cross from the right in the second minute eventually found its way to Stephen McPhail, but the former Republic of Ireland star blazed over with an uncharacteristic strike.
The pressure on the Sligo goal continued, and Kieran Marty Waters sent a shot over the bar after more good work from Cregg, before Sean O’Connor forced Gary Rogers into two saves.
The visitors were having a hard time reaching their opponent’s goal, and with Barry Murphy having dealt comfortably with a Danny North free-kick, Shamrock Rovers then scored with just over half an hour on the clock.
Simon Madden, who has more assists to his name than any other player in the green and white hoops this season, was involved from start to finish.
Kalen Spillane misjudged the full-back’s lofted pass to Waters, and having continued forward, Madden was in the right place to smash home the loose ball after Rogers spilled Waters’ powerful strike.
As the half came to a close, Sligo applied some pressure of their own, with John Russell shooting wide and Sean Maguire firing over, and they began the second half with the latter whistling a low shot past the home post.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, the game lacked urgency, and the intensity that has been present in this fixture over recent years was lacking.
That being said, Sligo did engineer some openings in the final quarter of an hour, with the best of the chances falling to Evan McMillan six-yards from goal. He found himself unmarked, but shot straight at Murphy.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy, Byrne, Kenna, McGuinness, Madden, McPhail, Cregg (Finn 69), Bayly, S O’Connor (Robinson 78), Sheppard, Waters (Kilduff 62). Substitutions: Hyland, Osam, Robinson, Finn, Kilduff, Cornwall.
SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Peers, McMillan, North (Keating 77), Cawley, Maguire, Spillane, Russell (Cretaro 77), Conneely, Davoren, P O’Conor. Substitutes: Brush, Keating, Armstrong, Donelon, McManus, Cretaro.
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All-Ireland Senior HC SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Madden's Moment Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers