ALMOST ROVER

Supersub Burke puts Hoops on verge of back-to-back titles

GRAHAM BURKE was sprung from the bench to score the only goal of the game against relegated Longford that edges Shamrock Rovers ever closer to their 19th league title.

The laboured victory in driving rain moves the champions 16 points clear at the top of the Premier Division table.

It means they can now seal the deal at home to Finn Harps on Friday, though they may not even have to wait until then should St Patrick’s lose at home to Dundalk on Monday night.

Though Rovers owned the ball in the first half, it was Longford who should have been ahead at the break with chances falling to Rob Manley, Aodh Dervin and Aaron Robinson.

Rovers didn’t spark until a triple substitution on 62 minutes when Dylan Watts, Danny Mandroiu and Burke were introduced.

Three minutes later they were ahead with Burke beginning and finishing the move. The Hoops’ number 10 sent Rory Gaffney clear on the right to cross for Mandroiu. And though his close range shot was brilliantly parried by Lee Steacy, Burke followed up to shoot to the net.

Meanwhile, despite playing virtually the whole match with 10 men, Finn Harps staged a dramatic late fight back to earn a 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers in Ballybofey. It looked ominous for the home side as early as the fourth minute when defender Kosovar Sadiki was shown a straight red card for a foul on Johnny Kenny.

Kenny then had a penalty saved by the legs of Mark Mcginley.

He redeemed himself two minutes into the second half when giving Sligo the lead and Niall Morahan doubled that on 56 minutes with a fine turn and volley.

But Harps got a goal back on 86 minutes when Sean Boyd headed home and Karl O’sullivan rifled in the leveller.