Title talk is definitely not on the agenda

THIS was game 13 of the season, not game 36, but still it felt like a title decider as Sligo Rovers took on the top tier’s other Rovers, Shamrock.

With about five minutes of normal time left in Monday’s

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash at Tallaght Stadium, the venue’s drama available live via streaming service WATCHLOI, I sent another match-related WhatsApp message to colleague Alan Finn. “Monn, I can’t watch this,” I wrote, although it was a lie – I was glued to every kick of the ball, every resolute defensive clearance by the outstanding Garry Buckley and the equally alert John Mahon, with Greg Bolger’s vocal encouragement/ admonishment the night’s soundtrack.

Alan’s reply from Barrack Street was almost instant. “Romeo’s goal feels like it was hours ago.”

True that. When a team intends to hold what they have, the final whistle can seem days away. Romeo Parkes’ goal, a polished finish, came in the 55th minute. This left 35 minutes of normal time, plus stoppages, for Bit O’Red fans to anxiously sit through.

Rovers, who were composed while keeping their shape, never intended that they would end up with just one goal. The ambition was to score again, just as they had done against Longford Town the previous Friday when they won 2-0. But such was their solidity and resoluteness that this slim lead at the home of the champions wasn’t a hindrance. At it turned out, this was the eighth game this season where

Rovers have scored just once. Four of these games finished 1-1, the other four delivered 1-0 wins for Liam Buckley’s men.

When the full-time whistle from Neil Doyle confirmed the result and Rovers’ elevation to the Premier Division summit, by virtue of leapfrogging the previous leaders (Shams), the phone pinged again.

Alan had sent his Player of the Match suggestions – obviously for Rovers, not Shams – and the shortlist read as follows: