McCabe ensures victory for Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers 3 Sligo Rovers 2

Two superbly-taken opportunist goals from Gary McCabe saw Shamrock Rovers come from behind to book their place in the final of the EA Sports Cup.

Trevor Croly's side now meet holders Drogheda United in the final on September 21st, the side they lost to in last year’s decider, but beat convincingly in the final of the Setanta Sports Cup final earlier this season.

The home side recovered well from falling behind after just 32 seconds to lead 2-1 by half-time.

Raffaele Cretaro’s diagonal ball in behind Conor Powell wasn’t cut out by the left-back and Kieran Djilali couldn’t believe his good fortune as he raced in to drill a low shot across Barry Murphy to the far corner of the net to give Sligo a dream start at Tallaght Stadium.

Negligent defending at the other end had Shamrock Rovers level on 17 minutes.

Powell and Sean O’Connor were involved in working the ball into the box for skipper Shane Robinson to set up Karl Sheppard who fired to the net through the legs of Gary Rogers.

Right back in the game now, Hoops took the lead on 27 minutes. Sligo failed to properly clear an O’Connor free kick and McCabe curled home a delightful right-footer from some 20 yards.

McCabe then sealed the win on 70 minutes. Robinson did well to win the ball and put Sheppard in on goal. Rogers appeared to pull Sheppard down after saving at the striker’s feet. But Sheppard was still able to lay the ball off for McCabe arriving on the edge of the area and he blasted to the net off the underside of the bar.

Substitute Anthony Elding ensured a grandstand finish when heading a goal back for Sligo from Greene’s cross on 82 minutes.

Murphy then extended himself well to tip over a terrific drive from distance by Joseph Ndo two minutes later as Shamrock Rovers held out for victory.