SLIGO ROVERS REASSERTED their dominance at the Showgrounds and handed Derry City a 3-0 defeat.
The victory sees Sligo pull three points clear of the Candystripes and St Patrick’s Athletic, who beat Drogheda earlier in the afternoon. Lee Lynch opened the scoring for Bit O’Red in the first half but the league champions were fortunate to be level at that time.
Barry McNamee looked to have been clipped in the box by Rovers’ Gary Rogers. The goalkeeper’s finger wagging at the young winger was replaced with satisfied nods as referee Paul Tuite yellow carded McNamee for a dive.
Gary Rogers was lucky to avoid a penalty concession for this tangle with Derry’s Barry McNamee. (©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Ian Baraclough’s men were missing Danny North, Seamus Conneely, Ciaran Kelly, Raffaele Cretaro through injury and leading scorer Anthony Elding was suspended. The next goal would prove crucial and it went the way of the home side. A Gavin Peers was won by Sligo and the ball found its way out wide to Pascal Millien. He crossed for David Cawley, who turned smartly and smashed a fine effort home.
Rory Patterson tried to spark the reigning FAI Cup champions but their afternoon’s work was made extremely difficult when Shane McEleney was sent off for a foul in the box that also led to a penalty. With McEleney trudging off, Ross Gaynor placed the ball on the spot and sent Ger Doherty the wrong way.
Substitute Liam Martin struck a post and man-of-the-match Joseph Ndo had an effort saved as Rovers pushed for a fourth.
Elsewhere in the Airtricity League, Bray Wanderers claimed a 2-1 win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park. Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half and John Mulroy grabbed the winner following an equaliser from Mark Leech of Shels.Sean O’Connor’s goal in first-half added-on time was enough to give Shamrock Rovers a 1-0 win over Dundalk and former manager Stephen Kenny.
