Sligo Rovers 2
Dundalk 1
Jessica Farry reports from The Showgrounds
SLIGO ROVERS CAME from 1-0 down to beat 10-man Dundalk 2-1 at The Showgrounds as the visitors’ troubles continued.
A Robbie Benson penalty gave Dundalk the lead in Sligo, but the hosts hit back in the second half to take all three points.
Just days previously, there was some uncertainty over whether or not Dundalk would even still be in existence by the time this game came around after their financial difficulties were made public.
But following a takeover by a consortium led by local businessman John Temple, Dundalk were saved, at least until the end of the season.
Focus could then switch to their next league game, with Drogheda’s win over Bohemians on Friday night moving them four points ahead of the Lilywhites at the foot of the League of Ireland Premier Division table.
Events over the last week would likely give Dundalk added motivation for this tie, and it certainly looked that way.
Starting the game brightly, they were well on top in the early stages, albeit without troubling Ed McGinty much.
They went ahead, though, after 24 minutes when referee Marc Lynch pointed to the spot after a handball from Connor Malley on the edge of the box, a decision that left a sour taste for the home side.
Nonetheless, the experienced Benson stood up and tucked his penalty away, with McGinty getting a slight touch to it.
Benson then almost doubled Dundalk’s lead when he pounced on a mistake from Gareth McElroy, but the young centre-back recovered in time to put the goalscorer off.
Whatever John Russell said at half-time seemed to work, with his Sligo Rovers charges turning this game on its head in the second-half.
Wilson Waweru nodded in from Simon Power’s corner to make it 1-1, before Dundalk were reduced to 10 when Luke Pearce was pulled down inside the box by Hayden Cann, who was sent off for his troubles.
Ellis Chapman’s ninth of the season made it 2-1 to the Bit O’Red.
An incredible save from Ed McGinty in the dying moments denied Dundalk an equaliser as Sligo held on for a win that sees them move back up to fourth.
Dundalk’s woes continue with Jon Daly’s side marooned at the bottom, four points off Drogheda who have a game in hand.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley (Luke Pearce 62); Will Fitzgerald, Ellis Chapman, Simon Power; Wilson Waweru (Kailin Barlow 74).
Dundalk: Ross Munro; Dan Pike, Andy Boyle, Hayden Cann, John Mountney; Aodh Dervin, Jad Hakikii (Dara Keane 71), Robbie Benson (Norman Garbett 84); Daryl Horgan (Robbie Mahon 84), Ryan O’Kane (Bobby Faulkner 77); Eoin Kenny (Jamie Gullan 71).
Referee: Marc Lynch.
Attendance: 2,754.
….injuries at a critical time haven’t helped JOB and that is a serious pity. I’d be resting HK and have JOB @ 15. There is something about that garsún that catches my eye. He is a brilliant reader of the game(a la JGP) and needs game time at the highest level.Id also be resting Robbie for JB.
If all the backs are fit best backline is:
9. JGP
10. Prendergast
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Barrett
15. Keenan
21. McGrath (although he is so average)
22. Frawley
23. Osborne
Mad that JOB and Lamour miss out and Osborne on the bench
@Andrew Slazenger: an absolute waste to play Barrett on the wing, especially since we have JOB, larmour back fit to play. Barret is a better 12 than Robbie, and probably a better fullback than Keenan. Would sooner have Keenan on the wing than JB. Think hes gotta be 12/15 to get the use out of him while we have him
@Andrew Slazenger: barret plays 12 and 15 mostly
@Andrew Slazenger: one thing for certain Barrett will not be playing on the wing. They would not have paid heavily to bring him as a winger. He’ll be playing centre. Henshaw is always injured
@anthony davoren: Agreed he’s best at 12, however Henshaw and GR are seriously good, wouldn’t want to drop either or move GR to the wing; secondly with the new kick chase laws, Barrett’s height and aerial ability is of great value on the wing.
@Conor: Whilst I agree… it is also a waste to play Keenan on the wing. I think Barrett will be playing mostly at 12 and maybe a little bit of rotation of Jordie/ Robbie and Jordie/ Hugo along with one or 2 appearances from the bench over the course of 6 months. Ultimately, whatever way the squad is selected, it makes our bench stronger.
@Paul Ennis: agreed
I would hazard a guess that Porter and JVD won’t be rotated basically because there’s no one near their ability in the wider squad.
@Tom Reilly: that’s an issue.
Doris likely to be rested with Conan at 8.
@Tom Reilly: Conan for Doris is fine and then we’re good enough to beat Bristol with Milne and Penny starting as long as Porter and VDF are on the bench
@Andrew Slazenger: bristol are a better team than you seem to think,cant afford any slip ups
@David Clarke: Bristol are brilliant but Leinster is close to the full Ireland team. Porter, VDF and Doris would essentially be playing 5 intense matches in a row (6 if they play the following CC game too), never good to do that to players
Bristol are top of the league in UK on points with Bath. Playing really well at the moment as well. This is by far a guaranteed win. Leinster could really have done with an easier opponent for their first game.
@Jimmy Bean: Sorry, Leinster have the biggest budget in the world, 16 players in the 23 of a top 3 international side in the world and Jordie Barrett, Slimani and RG Snyman and your saying we should not be beating Bristol comfortably? Leinster have to win 4/4 and get a home route to the final, thats a must everywhere. Having to play a semi final away in France is a completely different story to a home match at the Aviva or Croket. Lets get real here now.
@Eoin H: I don’t think that a home route is necessarily as essential as you think. It has not been of any benefit and maybe even it has held us back a bit.
@Jimmy Bean: maybe JVG wasn’t the problem after all at Munster