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Sligo Rovers' Adam McDonnell celebrates scoring his second goal with team-mates. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Sligo Rovers see off lackluster UCD at Belfield

Adam McDonnell was at the double for Rovers.

UCD 0

Sligo Rovers 2

SLIGO ROVERS PICKED up a relatively straightforward three points when they disposed of a surprisingly-lethargic UCD at the Belfield Bowl in Friday night, with Adam McDonnell at the double.

John Russell’s side played some exhilarating football at times but they were accommodated by a strangely lackluster UCD side who did not play like a team trying to avoid automatic relegation from the Premier Division.

As it transpired, the result does not alter matters at the foot of the table as UCD’s rivals Finn Harps were also well beaten so the relegation roadshow now moves on to the next series of games.

The best chance of the opening period came in the 13th minute when Rovers worked the ball down the right flank and when the ball was crossed into the box, Aidan Keena had a free header that was tipped over the bar by Kian Moore.

Rovers did take the lead in the 19th minute when they availed of a loose pass on the halfway line and immediately fed the ball to Keena. He drove into the heart of the UCD defence before slipping the ball to McDonnell who then dinked the ball over Moore for a delightful goal.

The visitors played some excellent football after getting the opening goal and the Students’ were living off scraps for large portions of the first half and never got to test Richard Brush in the Rovers goal.

Rovers almost made in two in the 50th minute when Keena was put through for a one-on-one with Moore but the college keeper did very well to steal the ball off his foot as he was about to pull the trigger.

Their dominance did pay dividends in the 55th minute when another misplaced pass by the Students’ saw Rovers break at speed and the lightning quick McDonnell took the ball around Moore and slotted into an empty net.

Matters did not improve for UCD in the 73rd minute when head coach Andy Myler was red-carded by referee Oliver Moran for ongoing verbal intimidation of the fourth official.

Rovers could have further extended their lead in the closing stage with numerous chances falling to McDonnell, Liivak and Keena but some desperate defending by UCD left the final score line at 2-0.

UCD: Kian Moore; Jack Keaney, Evan Osam (Harry O Connor 67), Sam Todd, Alex Dunne (Johnny Haist 86), Dylan Duffy, Evan Caffrey, Dara Keane, Sean Brennan (Aaron Corish 67) Alex Nolan (Donal Higgins 52), Thomas Lonergan.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Colm Horgan (Lewis Banks 35), Shane Blaney (Eanna Clancy 83) Nando Pijnaker, Paddy Kirk, Niall Morahan (Kailin Barlow 83), Adam McDonnell, Will Fitzgerald, Robbie Burton (Seamus Keogh 88), Frank Liivak, Aidan Keena.

Referee: Oliver Moran

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    Mute kevin lally
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    Mar 14th 2020, 5:02 PM

    I’d be advising tipp people in general to avoid social Interaction

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    Mute Roger Paltry
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    Mar 14th 2020, 9:11 PM

    @kevin lally: Coming from a perennial loser westie, no one in Tipp is offended.

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    Mute Sean Murphy
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    Mar 14th 2020, 2:36 PM

    @Gerard Martin: possibly the warm weather?

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    Mute Sean Dalton
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    Mar 14th 2020, 3:32 PM

    @Gerard Martin: they are out there a week, alot has changed in that period of time. Chill out they are now in isolation for 2 weeks

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    Mute Seamus McSpud
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    Mar 16th 2020, 10:31 PM

    @Sean Dalton:
    No they aren’t

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    Mute Turlough
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    Mar 14th 2020, 3:36 PM

    Employers must be sick of gaa players

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    Mute Gerard Martin
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    Mar 14th 2020, 2:38 PM

    @Sean Murphy: that’s fairly obvious but didn’t show much regard for themselves or anyone else with all the warnings given before they went in the first place

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    Mute Ger Buckley
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    Mar 14th 2020, 3:16 PM

    So does the wife move out?

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    Mute Spailpeen Farrell
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    Mar 14th 2020, 7:10 PM

    I suppose wel have to keep Liam for another yesr

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    Mute Porter Mechanic
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    Mar 14th 2020, 7:19 PM

    @Spailpeen Farrell: Soft All Ireland

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    Mute Gerard Martin
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    Mar 14th 2020, 8:37 PM

    @Porter Mechanic: how is that

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    Mute Rocky Rocks
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:22 PM

    @Gerard Martin: Tipp are notorious bad losers and worse winners. The entire county should be in lockdown…permanently.

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    Mute Brian Les
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    Mar 15th 2020, 7:46 AM

    @Rocky Rocks: Jesus loves Tipp

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    Mute Gerard Martin
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    Mar 15th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Rocky Rocks: the cabbage sandwich brigade

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    Mute John Buckley
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    Mar 14th 2020, 5:41 PM

    @Sean Dalton: it has been in Spain for 6 weeks. Their stupidity and total disregard for everyone else should not be ignored. Where do you see that they are in isolation?

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