Shels dig deep to claim victory over 10-man Sligo Rovers

Sligo had Cian Kavanagh red carded during the second half.

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025 - 21:50

Liam Maloney

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 1 Shelbourne 2

CHAMPIONS Shelbourne were forced to dig deep for a 2-1 win at The Showgrounds against bottom of the table Sligo Rovers, who were down to 10 men for the last half-hour due to a red card for Cian Kavanagh.

Goals in the opening 15 minutes from John Martin and Kerr McInroy gave Shelbourne a wonderful platform but they were put on the backfoot when Reece Hutchinson halved the deficit in first-half stoppage time.

Sligo were the better side for much of the second-half but Shelbourne held on for their third win of the season.

The home side, looking for a boost after a defeat to Derry City prior to the international break, were without suspended duo Jake Doyle-Hayes and Conor Reynolds.

John Russell’s charges, with just one win from their opening six games, were clearly the underdogs for the hosting of the champions, who had only lost once this season to go along with two wins and three draws.

Shelbourne boss Damien Duff made five changes to the team that started their previous game, a 1-1 home draw with Cork City earlier this month.

The visitors punished a defensive error to take a third minute lead. John Martin seized on an undercooked back pass, rounded Conor Walsh and slotted home.

A well-struck shot from Kerr McInroy forced Sligo goalkeeper Conor Walsh to parry and from the subsequent breaking ball in Sligo’s goalmouth an effort by Ademipo Odubeko was blocked.

Shelbourne, with Mark Coyle an impressive shield in front of his defence, doubled their lead in the 12th minute. Goalscorer John Martin created the chance and Kerr McInroy swept the ball home with a sumptuous finish.

Kerr McInroy was also influential for Shelbourne, who were comfortably keeping their opponents at arm’s length.

An offside flag denied Sligo a route back when Owen Elding turned the ball into the net after Connor Malley’s 27th minute piledriver from distance came off the inside of the upright and back into play.

Sligo saw more of the ball as the first-half progressed and a Jad Hakiki shot that was on target as well as enterprise from Will Fitzgerald kept Shelbourne on their toes.

A superb curling effort from the excellent Hakiki – that was just wide - lifted the home crowd further and they were cheering in stoppage time when Reece Hutchinson netted from inside the box from an Elding pass.

Sligo took this momentum into the second-half and controlled much of the play but without forcing Conor Kearns into any significant saves.

Connor Malley lashed a shot wide as Sligo caused problems with improved deliveries into the Shelbourne box.

Shelbourne, who brought on former Sligo player Ellis Chapman, were struggling to create anything of note and were under fierce pressure to hold onto their lead.

A 72nd minute red card for Cian Kavanagh, who was deemed to have gone in with an overzealous tackle on Mark Coyle, left Sligo at a further disadvantage.

Shelbourne went close to extending their lead with an effort from Harry Wood that fizzed just over and then John O’Sullivan went even closer with a stinging shot that Conor Walsh did well to keep out.

There was also a neat turn and snapshot from Sean Boyd that Conor Walsh held as Shelbourne looked to wrap up things with a flourish.

Sligo came close in stoppage time and in the last play - following a corner - goalkeeper Conor Walsh, who pushed up to join the attack, delivered a cross that Harvey Lintott headed wide.

SLIGO ROVERS: Walsh; Van Hattum (Lintott 61), Mahon, Denham (McElroy 46), Hutchinson (Lomboto 81); Wolfe (Manning 46), Malley; Elding, Hakiki, Fitzgerald; Kavanagh

SHELBOURNE: Kearns; Caffrey, Temple, Ledwidge, Norris; McInroy, Coyle; Coote (Chapman 53), Lunney (O’Sullivan 64), Martin (Boyd 78); Odubeko (Wood 64) Referee: Paul Norton Attendance: 2,857