Hoops tighten grip on title in four-star display

SHAMROCK ROVERS need just five points from their final four games to secure a first league title in nine years following a comfortable 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. Goals from Ronan Finn, his first of the season, Graham Burke, Jack Byrne and Dylan Watts wrapped up a simple win for the Hoops against a Sligo side chasing a European spot. Rovers, who won 4-0 away to a weakened Dundalk side on Sunday, look to have found their best form once more and could easily have added to their 38 goals in 14 games. The Bit o’ Red will be disappointed by the manner in which they went behind after 13 minutes, however, a selfinflicted error from which they never recovered. Finn’s volley looked to be wellcovered by Ireland U21 call-up Ed McGinty only for the ball to squirm under the keeper’s legs and over the line. Later, a sublime Jack Byrne pass from 40 yards picked out Burke. He trapped the ball with the outside of his boot and slid the ball past a helpless McGinty. Number three arrived on the hour as Byrne rounded off another nice move, taking

Graham Burke’s cutback and sliding the ball into the corner. Substitute Rhys Marshall unselfishly teed up Watts to make it 4-0 late on. SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Grace, O’Brien (Marshall 75), Scales; Finn (Marshall 75), O’Neill, McEneff, Byrne (Watts 75), Farrugia (Lafferty 79); Burke, Greene (Williams 79). Scorers: Finn 13, Burke 38, Byrne 58, Watts 77. SLIGO ROVERS: McGinty; Noone, McFadden, Buckley (Cawley) , Penninkangas; Devers (Cooper 64), Morahan, Seymore, Ogedi-Uzokwe; Coughlan, De Vries (Bank 64). Referee: Damien McGraith (Mayo).