A nervy win in Ballybofey gets Rovers on track
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Finn Harps
Sligo Rovers
S0 1
LIGO Rovers picked up their first SSE Airtricity League Premier Division win since March 14 – ending a worrying and frustrating winless streak of five games – when they recorded a nervy 1-0 win away to Finn Harps on Bank Holiday Monday. Karl O’Sullivan’s scrambled goal after 25 minutes separated the teams at a sunny Finn Park in Ballybofey, with the visitors relying on a combination of stubborn defending, a little luck and poor finishing from the hosts to retain this slim advantage for the next 71 minutes.
If any opponents were going to test the Bit O’Red it was Harps, who showed their resilience by forcing a 2-2 draw at Dalymount Park the previous Friday – a game in which they finished with nine players.
On the same night Rovers lost away to Dundalk, which was a third defeat in four games for a team who went unbeaten in their opening six games. Manager Liam Buckley opted for a reshuffle, with five changes from the team that started in Oriel Park. It was no surprise that David Cawley and Niall Morahan were given midfield berths, with both having impressed as substitutes against Dundalk.
Winger Mark Byrne’s refreshing cameo in Louth earned him a start here, too, but the biggest surprise was Shane Blaney’s inclusion in defence, with him usually an unused substitute
Shane
Blaney. Chosen to start at the heart of the defence (alongside Nando Pijnaker) for a game where any mistake was likely to be punished by a dogged Finn Harps, Blaney was immense – blocking, tackling and clearing time and again. Rovers going in front. It was the type of goal that won’t go viral for being a wonder strike or the culmination of a lengthy passing sequence, but Karl O’Sullivan’s scruffy close-range conversion after 25 minutes was a welcome thing of beauty.
since Nando Pijnaker’s arrival and Garry Buckley’s status as first choice centre-back. Blaney was exceptional, literally throwing himself in the way of shots and his double block to deny goal attempts from Harps substitute Luke Rudden was a pivotal moment in the 75th minute.
Of course the fact that Rovers had something to defend went back to that Karl O’Sullivan goal, the winger’s first for the Bit O’Red.
Max Mata and Mark Byrne prised open the door and David Cawley’s 25th minute dink over Mark McGinley would have been a precise, Salahesque finish – only for Regan Donelon, once a long-serving servant of Rovers, to smuggle the ball off the goalline. But Donelon’s efforts were in vain as Karl O’Sullivan was there to force the ball home.
Rovers deserved to be in front, mainly because they had shown the greater attacking endeavour, with
David Cawley testing Mark McGinley with the best of these opportunities. Given that the lead was a solitary goal, Rovers were potentially vulnerable, especially with Ethan Boyle getting more involved for the home side and also causing problems with his long throws.
Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty’s handling was assured and the only negative for Rovers, as they continued to defend solidly, was striker Max Mata going off injured.
The player who came on, Jordan Hamilton, unleashed a terrific shot at goal with nine minutes of normal time left – but Mark McGinley saved well. McGinley was active in the Rovers’ goalmouth in time added on and it was almost comedic to see him attempting to take a swipe at a loose ball. There were chances, too, for Jesse Devers and Luke Rudden, but Rovers remained steadfast and, at long last, victorious again.
Best for Rovers: Shane Blaney
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Ethan Boyle, Erol Alkan, Rob Slevin, Regan Donelon; Bastien Hery, Ryan Connolly (Luke Rudden 19), Barry McNamee, Filip Mihaljevic, Mark Timlin; Yoyo Mahdy (Jesse Devers 70)
Subs not used: Gavin Mulreany, Gerard Doherty, Damien Duffy, Dylan Woods, Nathan Logue, Shaun McDermott
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Colm Horgan, Shane Blaney, Nando Pijnaker, Paddy
Kirk; David Cawley (Greg Bolger 87), Niall Morahan; Karl O’Sullivan, Adam McDonnell, Mark Byrne (Will Fitzgerald 76); Max Mata (Jordan Hamilton 60)
Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk), Lewis Banks, Adam Keena, Seamas Keogh, Cillian Heaney, Garry Buckley
Referee: Paul McLoughlin