Ed McGinty the hero as Rovers draw with champions Dundalk
DUNDALK SLIGO ROVERS 1 1
SLIGO Rovers picked up their first point of the season thanks to an emphatic draw against champions Dundalk at Oriel Park on Friday evening.
Jack Keaney gave Rovers the lead just before half-time with his superb free-kick, before Sean Murray brought the Lilywhites back on level terms shortly after the re-start.
Liam Buckley had to plan without both David Cawley and Ronan Murray for this fixture, as both were not yet fit following injuries.
He gave starts to four new signings, as Dante Leverock, Johnny Dunleavy, Daryl Fordyce and Romeo Parkes all took their places in the starting 11.
The Bit O’Red were under the cosh from the very start, but Ed McGinty was forced into action he got in the way of Brian Gartland’s header.
The hosts were awarded a penalty when Bermudan Leverock got caught in possession by Robbie Benson who just had McGinty to beat.
As he charged towards goal he was upended in the box by McGinty, with Rob Harvey pointing to the spot.
After a lengthy delay during which Benson was stretchered off, Pat Hoban’s poorly struck penalty was saved by McGinty.
Former Rovers man Gary Rogers had to be alert to save Regan Donelon’s long range short, before Vinny Perth’s side really should have taken the lead.
Dane Massey’s cross fell nicely for Murray, whose header bounced off the artificial surface and back out and over the bar.
McGinty’s outstanding save from a Hoban header kept Rovers in the game, before Patrick McEleney’s free-kick clipped the outside of the post, much to the relief of the 19-year-old.
And just before the break, the Bit O’Red took a valuable lead.
A free-kick from distance from Jack Keaney curled around the wall and into the bottom corner, out of Rogers’ reach, sending the visiting fans into raptures.
Captain on the night Kyle Callan McFadden headed straight at Rogers after the re-start before the hosts were back in the game.
Excellent build up play from Hoban and Michael Duffy led to Sean Murray trying his luck from inside the box, and his powerful drive flew past McGinty to make it 1-1.
The momentum at this stage was certainly with the champions, but an excellent defensive performance from the Bit O’Red made life difficult for the Lilywhites who were struggling to find the elusive winner.
Hoban, Murray and subsistute George Kelly all had their chances, but McGinty was not to be beaten again on this day.
Next up for Rovers is a meeting with St. Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds this Friday, while they play hosts again on Monday, this time with Cork City as the visitors.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson (Sean Murray 11); John Mountney (Daniel Kelly 74), Patrick McEleney (Georgie Kelly 83), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.
Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; John Dunleavy, Dante Leverock, John Mahon, Regan Donelon; Kyle McFadden, Jack Keaney; Kris Twardek, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Morahan 83), Liam Kerrigan (Ronan Coughlan 87); Romeo Parkes.
Referee: Robert Harvey.