Impressive win for Rovers in Athlone

Pre-season Friendly Athlone Town

Sligo Rovers another chance to score when they were awarded a penalty

0 after Jordan Gibson was hauled

down.

3

The former St Patrick’s Athletic man stepped up to take the spot-kick and confidently dispatched it to make it 1-0. Rovers doubled their lead on the cusp of half-time when a loose ball dropped to centreback John Mahon who stabbed it home from close-range.

The visitors got their secondhalf off to a flier as they made it 3-0 courtesy of a goal from teenager Johnny Kenny, who cooly slotted past Micheál Schlingermann in a one-onone situation to round off the victory.

Rovers are back in action again this coming Sunday when they host north-west rivals Finn Harps, followed by a trip to Galway United on Wednesday next.

SLIGO Rovers got their preseason campaign off to a perfect start courtesy of a 3-0 win away to First Division outfit Athlone Town on Tuesday night.

New signing Jordan Gibson broke the deadlock with a penalty before local duo John Mahon and Johnny Kenny extended Rovers lead with a goal in each half.

Liam Buckley named five new signings in his starting line-up – Colm Horgan, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger, Jordan Gibson and Walter Figueira – while Riverstown prospect Johnny Kenny made his first senior appearance.

Athlone, meanwhile, named two ex-Rovers players in their team – goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann and winger Adam Wixted.

Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession from kick-off and conjured up the first meaningful chance of the game when Mark Byrne saw an ambitious effort drift narrowly wide of the target.

Minutes later Rovers had

Sligo Rovers (v Athlone Town): Ed McGinty, Colm Horgan, John Mahon (Trialist, h-t), Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger (David Cawley, h-t), Niall Morahan, Mark Byrne, Jordan Gibson, Walter Figueira (Darren Collins, h-t), Johnny Kenny (Scott Lynch, 70) Subs not used: James Robinson, Lewis Banks, Jason Devaney, John Russell, Bryan Lynch, Cillian Heaney