Fine result for an improved Rovers

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division UCD

Sligo Rovers

Igames and returned them to fifth place in the standings – 11 points behind fourth-placed St Patrick’s Athletic – with four games left.

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John Russell’s Rovers dazzled here

2 compared to their previous outing, a dismal 3-1 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Then again, there’s a world of difference between top of the table Shamrock Rovers, a team heading for another SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title, and bottom of the table UCD, who are on the brink of heading out of the top flight.

UCD are a lesser outfit now – with Colm Whelan and Tubbercurry’s Liam Kerrigan no longer in their

T WAS like watching a different Sligo Rovers altogether. The team that spluttered and struggled against Shamrock Rovers was reborn and refreshed against UCD, with the Bit O’Red earning a fully merited 2-0 victory at the UCD Bowl last Friday night.

Adam McDonnell’s brace of goals gave Rovers their 12th win from 32 of the League of Ireland. They are essentially a development outfit and their results reflect that.

Rovers need to be beating a team like UCD four times, not just once.

For this fixture, Rovers’ midfield was invigorated by Niall Morahan and Robbie Burton, with both given starts, and Adam McDonnell was handed a playmaker’s role behind striker Aidan Keena.

Will Fitzgerald also returned to the starting XI, with another start for experienced goalkeeper Richard Brush, who had done so well on his return to the team against Shamrock Rovers.

The fact that Brush only had to