Sligo star brings up century in style against Bohs
AT the age of 25, it has taken Simon Power that bit longer than he would have liked to clock up 100 career games, considering he made his debut for Cabinteely in 2015.
Injuries and moves that didn’t quite work out have curbed the Greystones flyer who chalked up his century on Friday night with an outstanding contribution for Sligo Rovers against Bohemians.
Power’s pace, control, dribbling skills and work-rate caught the eye at Dalymount Park in a 2-2 draw.
Bit O’ Red manager John Russell knows he has a diamond on his hands in the former Irish U21 international who spent the past two seasons at Shamrock Rovers.
‘Simon was outstanding, brilliant,’ purred Russell.
‘He’s a really exciting player. I was delighted to bring him to the club. He’s a player I always admired when he was in England. I tried to get him when he signed for Shamrock Rovers.
‘People talk about Simon as being injury-prone. It’s about managing him. We’ve got him to the start of the season. The key is keeping him on the pitch week in week out.’
Power, a constant threat to Bohs, was at the centre of a huge talking point when was tugged back in the box by substitute Michael
Lilander on the hour mark. Referee Rob Harvey was unmoved, to the ire of Russell.
‘Simon should have had a penalty. From our angle, it looked like a penalty. We’re 2-1 up. You get that, we score, it’s 3-1 and we’re probably having different conversations,’ said Russell.
‘Refs have a tough time but as an away team coming to Dalymount I felt a lot of the stuff went against us. Simon and Fabrice (Hartmann) were getting fouled a lot, and there were no yellow cards.’
Russell hailed Hartmann as ‘Messi-esque’ after the German winger slalomed past a raft of red and black shirts to fire Sligo in front on the stroke of half-time.
‘Fabrice gets you up off your seat. Key for him, and Simon, is keeping these lads on the pitch and get them on the ball. You want to pay in to see these players.’
After the penalty appeal was turned, Sligo were caught out by an injury time equaliser from James Clarke to the relief of Bohs manager Declan Devine.
‘James is a really talented boy and I still think there are more gears in him,’ said Devine, who was concerned over an injury to Rob Cornwall.
On his return to Bohs, the defender sustained knee damage in the first half and left the ground in a brace and on crutches.
The pulse of the domestic game is beating strong as reflected by the presence of 23,824 fans across the five Premier Division games on opening night, an average of almost 4,800.
While the four First Division fixtures pulled in another nine thousand supporters to underscore the appeal of Friday night football across the league.