Scales integral as Rovers run riot against Sligo
LIAM SCALES was once again integral, as Shamrock Rovers continued their ominous march towards the Airtricity League Premier Division title with a straight forward 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers on Friday night which kept them eight points ahead of second-place Bohemians with just four games to play.
The result, which saw Scales and his defensive colleagues keep another clean sheet in a league campaign that has seen the Hoops concede just seven goals in 14 games, means that, with just 12 points left to play for, Rovers need just five more points to confirm their first title since 2011.
Scales’ week was complete with a call-up to the Ireland under-21 squad, for which he was a regular under current senior manager Stephen Kenny, for their upcoming European championship qualifier against Italy.
At the other end of the table, however, Cork City’s chances of survival got ever slimmer with a 2-1 defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic. Daire O’Connor was substituted after just 32 minutes as his side slipped to four points from safety.
It was revealed on Tuesday that the Arklow man had departed the club. For more see page 39 of this sport section
Meanwhile, in the Women’s FAI Cup, it was a good weekend for Wicklow representatives in the competitions quarter-finals, with Becky Cassin (Cork City), Áine O’Gorman and Claire Walsh (Peamount United) and Alannah McEvoy (Wexford Youths) all progressing into the semi-finals with wins over Bohemians, Shelbourne, and Galways, respectively.
Further afield, Louise Quinn and her Fiorentina teammates suffered a significant setback in their quest for the Serie A title, after falling to a 3-1 home defeat to Sassuolo.