Sligo undone by former favourite

Sligo Rovers 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

Gary McCabe, an FAI Cup winner with Sligo last November, proved the westerners’ undoing as champions Shamrock Rovers avenged that Aviva Stadium defeat before a packed Showgrounds tonight.

Sligo never recovered from a disastrous start when a defensive error gifted the Hoops the game’s only goal after just six minutes.

Central defender Gavin Peers' misplaced header put Gary O’Neill in on goal. Keeper Brendan Clarke was off his line swiftly to parry the shot, but winger McCabe, who scored one of Sligo’s penalties in the Cup Final shootout, followed up to shoot home his second goal of the season.

John Russell, twice, and Eoin Doyle both wasted chances to pull Sligo level before the break as Hoops keeper Alan Mannus produced a couple of vital stops.

Sligo enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the second half, but struggled to create opening as Hoops defended well.

Blinkhorn worked a one-two with Russell to fire wide on 53 minutes while defender Jason McGuinness had the best chance of an equaliser in stoppage time.

Latching onto Richie Ryan’s deep free-kick, McGuinness turned well in the box to get in his shot, but Mannus made another important save.