THE AIRTRICITY TITLE run-in is into its final six games and Sligo Rover’s Mark Quigley is determined to contribute to the end game.
On Monday evening, the 26-year-old kept up a scoring streak that now stretches to nine goals in nine games when he found the net against Dundalk.
The early goal settled the title hopefuls before they closed out the game 3-0 but it was not without its moments of concern.
Rovers welcomed their biggest home crowd of the season for the victorious match and there was some worried faces when Mark Quigley was withdrawn with less than 30 minutes on the clock.
Quigley, and his manager Ian Baraclough, have both moved quickly to allay fears that the forward could miss any of crucial matches that could lead to much-coveted league trophy.
“I had done my quad (thigh),” explains Quigley. “It was just sore when I went to cross a ball so I thought it would be better to come off.
“It’s unfortunate but I should be ok for next Friday.”
He added, “If I hadn’t scored the goal when I did, I would have tried to stay on until half-time to get one. Once I scored, I was able to put my hand up and come off.”
Team at the top
FAI Cup action affords Sligo, six points clear atop Airtricity standings, a break from league action until 21 September and an away date with Bray Wanderers.
Quigley’s form in the past two months has earned him commendations from Baraclough and many of his teammates.
The forward told TheScore.ie, “Every club I’ve been at, I’ve tried to put my stamp on the game and be at the heart of everything.
This year has been productive. I made a good few (goals) early on in the season and I’m starting to score a few now.
“The last two months has probably been the best football we’ve played all season.”
Strong belief in Sligo
Quigley was out of the team at the beginning of the season but his contributions have been crucial in his side’s push for league glory.
He points out that the squad has also coped well, at different stages, without star performers such as Danny North and Joseph Ndo.
Another key factor, any one that should prove helpful when Sligo play 10th place Bray next Friday, is the ability of Baraclugh’s men to play positive, attacking football against teams in good, middling or poor form.
“We’ve been consistent again the big and the small teams all season,” he said. “Some teams have slipped up against the so-called lesser teams but we haven’t.”
He feels that a league win would be a natural progession following FAI Cup success in 2010 and 2011.
Quigley declared:
I came here because I wanted to finish top of the table.
“We haven’t won it yet, there is a long, long way to go but we are looking to win each time we go out on the field.”
