Sheppard goal keeps Rovers on track

Shamrock Rovers 1 Sligo Rovers 0

Consequently, the Hoops recorded their fourth successive win over their beleaguered opponents this season following an away victory at The Showgrounds in March followed by their home and away wins in the Setanta Cup last month.

The Dubliner’s manager Michael O’Neill’s obvious respect for the visitors was reflected in the formation he chose with Sheppard redeployed wide on the right as part of a five-man midfield with both Gary McCabe and Ronan Finn given licence to join the attack at every opportunity.

It was Sheppard who registered the first shot in anger in the 10th minute as he came in from the flank to drive a well-struck effort high over Brendan Clarke’s crossbar.

Sheppard should have done better with a close range header on 18 minutes after fine approach play by Finn but once again his header sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

The visitors were struggling to play with any of their customary fluency with Matthew Blinkhorn spurning the only genuine chance on the half hour as he headed high and wide from Raffaele Cretaro’s precise delivery.

With the Hoops carrying the greater threat down their right wing, there was an element of surprise to their opening goal as Conor McCormack found space down the under-utilised left-flank and his inviting cross was diverted beyond Clarke by a diving Sheppard from ten yards. Sligo improved from their previously lethargic showing upon the restart but there was little in the way of openings as the hosts appeared content to absorb any pressure and look to threaten on the counter-attack.

From one such sortie, Finn found Gary O’Neill in the inside-left channel but with the striker shorn of support, his ambitious shot was too close to Clarke who gathered comfortably.

With the title holders withstanding sporadic Sligo pressure, the match looked to be petering out listlessly before Ken Oman received a second yellow card as he blocked Clarke’s attempted clearance in the 84th minute.

Suitably galvanised by the extra man, Sligo substitute Alan Kirby warmed Mannus’ hands within a minute but at the opposite end, substitute Darragh Kilduff should have settled the issue but after rounding Clarke, his effort found the side-netting.

There was one final chance for the visitors but Blinkhorn shot too close to Mannus who parried to safety and the ten men survived without further alarm to claim the another three points en route to fulfilling their ambitions of a second successive league crown.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan, Murray, Oman, Stevens; Sheppard, Rice, Finn, McCormack (Turner, 81), McCabe (Dennehy, 63); O’Neill (Kilduff, 73).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Foran, McGuinness, Davoren; Doyle, Ventre (Russell, 79), Ryan, Cretaro (Greene, 63); Ndo (Kirby, 75), Blinkhorn.

Referee: Alan Buttimer (Cork).