Midfield options to step in for the absent Bolger

IT GOES goes without saying that the loss of Greg Bolger was the decisive factor in Sligo Rovers’

1-0 defeat to FH Hafnarfjordur in Iceland last week.

It was a moment of ill-judgement on the veteran midfielder’s part that shifted the collective perspective from a game being there for the taking to a game where a 0-0 draw would be a welcome outcome. Losing the Wexford native for tonight’s second leg at The Showgrounds is a massive shame – but it isn’t the end of the world. Or the end of the tie, to be less dramatic.

Manager Liam Buckley has interesting options to turn to in order to fill that void.

The obvious choice would be the equally experienced David Cawley. The Mayo native has enjoyed a bright campaign thus far and has prior experience of getting a vital European tie over the line when he played and scored in 2014’s second leg win over FK Banga after coming home with a 0-0 draw from Lithuania.

The inclusion of Cawley would certainly have no negative impact on the sense of optimism of Rovers chances’ and ability to turn this tie around and Cawley could easily play a big part in doing just that. Buckley could spring a surprise, however, and hand a first team debut to Seamas Keogh.

The Grange native has yet to make a senior appearance since returning to the club last month. What better occasion to make a statement of intent and prove that he is here to make a place in the starting line-up his own?

Keogh’s efficiency from set-pieces could also be tapped into to find a way around what is likely to be a well-drilled FH defence which Rovers will be keen to breach as early as possible.

Perhaps recent signing Adam McDonnell will be given an opportunity to shine having been registered in time for the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round.

The former Ipswich Town man has already spoken of his capability of playing as a ‘number six’ or ‘number 10’.

While filling the void left by Bolger may require all the attributes of a number six, McDonnell looks as if he may possess the qualities to slot in as a box-to-box midfielder who could drive Rovers forward on the break.

The midfield combination that Buckley does opt to use, with

Niall Morahan an established cog already in place, could lead to Rovers’ extending their European campaign beyond this week’s tie.

MIDFIELD OPTIONS: Grange native Seamas Keogh, who recently returned to Rovers, and David Cawley, inset, could feature in tonight’s European game in the absence of Greg Bolger, who is suspended.