Sligo advance to semis after easing past Monaghan

SLIGO ROVERS go into tonight’s draw for the FAI Ford Cup semi-finals with the three other Airtricity League Premier Division sides after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of First Division leaders Monaghan United at The Showgrounds.

Last year’s finalists were good value for the win, with a first half Alan Keane penalty and a second half strike from Romuald Boco setting up victory before Mark McGoldrick wrapped it up in injury-time.

Rovers broke the deadlock when Monaghan briefly lost their discipline on 24 minutes. Conor McMahon was put under pressure by Eoin Doyle contesting John Russell’s cross, and referee Pádraig Sutton spotted a handball and pointed to the spot. Keane confidently stepped up to convert.

Monaghan tried to shake things up at half-time by introducing Karl Bermingham for Cathal O’Connor, but they went two down just 30 seconds into the second half.

Aidan Collins looked like he had Richie Ryan’s long ball under control, but his clearance went straight to Joseph Ndo, who fed Boco to smash the ball past Sava from close range.

In injury-time, substitute McGoldrick looped the ball over Sava for his first senior goal for the club.

SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Keane, Lauchlan, Peers, Davoren; Ndo, Ryan, Russell (Ventre 82), Doyle (Dillon 90); Boco, Blinkhorn (McGoldrick 89).

MONAGHAN UNITED: Sava; Collins, McMahon, Gartland, Grimes; O’Connor (Bermingham ht), Tierney (Lynch 66), Byrne, Clancy, Brennan; Hughes (Hanaphy 83).

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).