Sligo skipper Ryan wary of final shock from Shels

SKIPPER Richie Ryan knows complacency is Sligo Rovers’ worst enemy as they bid to retain their FAI Ford Cup against Shelbourne at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

And having been in this very same scenario — playing a newly-promoted First Division side — two years ago, Ryan speaks from bitter experience.

In the 2009 decider at Tallaght, Sligo led 1-0 with five minutes to go but lost to Sporting Fingal.

“We’re not daft,” said midfield schemer Ryan, who will lead the team out this year having missed last year’s final due to suspension, “it’s a game of football, it’s a cup final.

“Shelbourne are a good team, we know all about them and we won’t be going into a cup final taking anything for granted.”

The sides have actually met already this season with Sligo beating the Dubliners 2-1 at Tolka Park in the quarter-finals of the EA Sports Cup, Ryan getting a late winner.

“It was a free-kick in the last few minutes. I was due one, I think,” recalled Ryan.

“I don’t think I’d scored all season until then, so hopefully it would be a nice way to finish [if he could score on the last day against Shels, as well].”

Though manager Paul Cook has agreed to stay at Sligo for the moment, after turning down an offer from SPL side St Johnstone, virtually all his squad are out of contract once the final whistle blows at the Aviva on Sunday.

It’s a scenario most Airtricity League players are having to live with as few, if any, are being offered more than a one-season contract at a time.

“That’s the way the league has gone. You don’t see many clubs offering two or three-year contracts anymore,” bemoaned Ryan.

“It’s tough, tough for the players because you are just signing nine-month contracts all the time and hoping that you’ll get another nine-month contract at the end of it. That’s tough for any footballer to deal with.

“I think for the league itself, it would help a lot more if clubs were offering players two-year contracts and then they would have a more stable squad rather than players going on a merry-go-round from club to club.

“It isn’t good for the league and it isn’t good for managers, I’m sure, because they are just picking and choosing players year to year. “Hopefully, Sligo can keep this squad together and push on again next season.”