Sligo Rovers 1
Shamrock Rovers 1
SLIGO ROVERS HAVE moved out of the bottom two and into 9th place, thanks to a 1-1 Saturday night draw with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds.
A first-half Sander Puri goal was cancelled out by Gary McCabe’s free-kick in the second-half, but there’s no doubt that Sligo fans will be happiest with the result.
Although there were very few opportunities in the first-half, cards and tackles were not hard to come by. There was certainly a bit of tension in the air, but despite the handbags and penalty claims, only three yellow cards were handed out in the first-half, with Gavin Peers, John Russell and Gavin Brennan getting their names in Derek Tomney’s notebook.
The visitors did go relatively close early on, with Maxime Blanchard heading just over from a Gary McCabe cross, before Brandon Miele sent his shot wide of the mark.
Micky Adams’ men were busy claiming for penalties early on, but they didn’t need one to take the lead. Gary Boylan’s cross was met by Estonian Puri, who headed past Barry Murphy to make it 1-0.
Half-time will have been welcome for the Hoops, but the home fans were given a nice surprise as new signing Jennison Myrie-Williams was introduced during the interval.
As matters on the pitch returned after that bit of excitement, former Bit o’Red man Danny North could have levelled the score-line when he latched on to a Damien Duff pass, but sent it over.
It was, of course, a former Sligo Rovers player who made it 1-1, but it wasn’t North. A superb Gary McCabe free-kick from 25 yards completely caught Brush unawares to level things up.
The Dubliners are now within four points of Cork City in second place.
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Gary Boylan, Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Regan Donelon, Sander Puri, David Cawley, John Russell, Raffaele Cretaro (Anthony Elding, 71), Jason Hughes, Dinny Corcoran (Morten Nielsen, 71).
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy, Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, David Webster, Luke Byrne, Gary McCabe, Maxime Blanchard (Patrick Cregg,59), Brandon Miele, Gavin Brennan, Danny North, Damien Duff (Gareth McCaffrey, 78).
Referee: Derek Tomney
It must be a first. Two guys from the same club managing two intercounty teams outside of their own county
Good man Henry, he tried out plenty of lads today including O Shea from a junior hurling team.
@Finnster: Might be a good thing to have an outside manager. He might look beyond the usual 3 or 4 clubs that usually make up the squad.
@Finnster: not a bad display from the faithful stick men either.
@Finnster: I think Donal O Shea is the first Salthill player on senior hurling team. Good start!
@Mike Keane: exactly
@Pauly Kel: not bad at all , I grew up in awe of the Dooley’s, Whelehans and Troy’s of Offaly . Great to see Offaly back where they should be
@Finnster: In the Joe McDonagh Cup?
@Mike Keane: many internal mangers come with some bias towards their local county club and rival county club, an outside manager can look at the players
@murt de murty: I know but they are on the way back up the way . Hopefully
@murt de murty: have to start somewhere again.. Fennelly is the right man in charge.
@Finnster: some players no doubt about it.. Little steps
Maybe anthony daly and davy
@Tony Mcgrath: Not the same club I don’t think
@Shaun Gallagher: ya Daly was Clarecastle and Davy sixmilebridge
Early days yet.
It’s not soccer. It’s the players ,not the managers, that win games.!!