39 O’SULLIVAN FIRES SHELS TO THE TOP

SHELBOURNE sit jointtop of the Premier Division table after three games as they battled their way to victory over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

John O’Sullivan was the only name on the scoresheet, the goal arriving on 12 minutes when Sean Gannon fired a Liam Burt cross off the former Bohemians man and beyond Bit O’Red net-minder Ed McGinty.

The victory sees Damien Duff’s side hit the summit, level on points with Derry City.

Sligo’s search for a first win of the season moves on to their visit to Dundalk on Monday.

There were early chances at both ends before Shels scored.

Skipper Mark Coyle breached the Sligo line, but the intent of his run didn’t match the effort as his weak shot was easily held by McGinty.

Paddy Barrett had to divert Simon Power’s cross from underneath his own crossbar shortly before the Drumcondra men hit the lead.

Sean Gannon fired Burt’s cross following a short corner, off O’Sullivan who knew little about it as the ball found a way beyond McGinty.

The hosts finished the opening period on top but couldn’t manufacture the leveller.

Ellis Chapman’s shot from close range on the turn was held by Conor Kearns on 37.

The Shels net-minder was caught outside his area 60 seconds later as he attempted to tidy up a Sligo long ball.

The ex-Galway stopper was rescued by a recovering challenge from a Shels defender on Chapman in front of goal.

Sligo had plenty of possession early in the second half but were repeatedly let down by a poor final ball.

Save

McGinty kept his side in the contest with a fantastic double-save in the 63rd minute.

The Oxford loanee denied Will Jarvis and then Gavin Molloy after Charlie Wiggett’s defensive slip-up.

SLIGO ROVERS: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Nando Pijnaker; Simon Power (Will Fitzgerald 90), Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 90); Wilson Waweru (Fabrice Hartmann 61), Max Mata. SHELBOURNE: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Gavin Molloy, Paddy

Barrett, Tyreke Wilson;

John O’Sullivan (Kameron Ledwidge HT), Mark Coyle, Jonathan Lunney, Will Jarvis (Shane Farrell 83); Matty Smith (John Martin 60), Liam Burt (Evan Caffrey 60).

Referee: Declan Toland. Attendance: 3,087