Kelly’s heroics ensure Sligo win battle of Rovers

UP in Sligo, they might well remember this cup triumph as the four-in-a-row – the four Shamrock Rovers penalties which ‘keeper Ciaran Kelly saved in a dramatic shoot-out to scupper the Hoops’ dream of a league and cup double, more than making up for Sligo’s pain in losing the FAI Ford Cup final this time 12 months ago in the process.

They say that penalties are a cruel way to settle any game but at the Aviva Stadium justice was ultimately served as the best team on the day emerged triumphant from the spot-kick head-to-head.

Shamrock Rovers still have the consolation of ending the year as league champions, although it will take Gary Twigg, Pat Flynn, Chris Turner and Paddy Kavanagh – all of whom were thwarted by the heroic Kelly – some time to get over the disappointment of failing with, literally, their final kicks of the season.