Justice for Sligo Rovers after McClean's red card rescinded

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell called the red card "hugely frustrating".

Referee David MacGraith sent off Sligo Rovers' Patrick McClean while their game against St Pat's was scoreless. Pat's went on to win 3-0. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

For the second game in a row, Sligo Rovers have been successful in having a red card appeal to the FAI upheld.

Patrick McClean’s sending-off when Sunday’s visit to St Patrick’s Athletic was scoreless proved pivotal to the ninth-placed team losing 3-0 at Inchicore.

Referee Damien MacGraith brandished the red card after McClean felled Mason Melia but the presence of a covering defender caused bafflement for spectators and viewers.

An FAI statement confirmed justice has been served, albeit belatedly: “An Independent Appeal Committee of the FAI has upheld Sligo Rovers FC’s appeal for wrongful dismissal following Patrick McClean's red card in Sligo Rovers FC’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture versus St. Patrick's Athletic FC on 10 August 2025.

“In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, Patrick McClean will be available for Sligo Rovers FC’s next SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixture versus Waterford FC on 22 August 2025.” 

Sligo boss John Russell was already reeling from a similar situation last week when goalkeeper Sam Sargeant’s was sent off in the defeat to Shelbourne.

“Yeah, we have to (appeal),” he said after Sunday's defeat. “Thankfully we did get one overturned last week.

“You are coming up to St Pat's and this time last year we conceded a penalty in the 97th minute. And it was never a penalty, and we ended up losing the game 4-3.

“But you are coming up thinking hopefully it will turn for us and we might get decisions for us, and then this happens. It’s hugely frustrating.” He added: “I think everyone in the ground, bar the man in the middle, could see it was never a red card.”