Against a substandard UCD
make one actual save – when he confidently gathered Sean Brennan’s low shot after 11 minutes – sums up just how better Rovers were and how much they controlled this game.
OK, so in the third minute of stoppage time, Brush had to tidy up a situation caused by the tireless Tommy Longeran but that was just good housekeeping from the custodian. Brush’s counterpart, Kian Moore, was kept busy throughout – he saved a sixth minute shot from Aidan Keena, excellent again, a minute after Adam McDonnell had the UCD goal in this sights but he curled a shot over.
After 14 minutes Moore brilliantly got a hand on a goalbound header from
Keena – tipping the ball over for a corner after Robbie Burton floated a cross into the leading scorer’s path.
Five minutes later Rovers were in front – Aidan Keena’s pass found the run of Adam McDonnell, who dinked a lovely shot over Moore on the left side of UCD’s penalty area.
Once ahead, Rovers dominated. The only downside of their slick passing and energetic pressing was that they only led by a goal.
Rovers full-back Colm Horgan went off because of a first-half injury but Lewis Banks proved an adequate replacement.
In the 50th minute Kian Moore foiled Aidan Keena, who was looking to score his 19th goal of the season by taking Will Fitzgerald’s pass around the UCD goalkeeper.
Five minutes after this chance Rovers doubled their lead. Robbie Burton provided the through ball and this time Moore was powerless as Adam McDonnell glided past him and then slid a shot home for his second goal of a most productive night. Rovers had opportunities to increase their advantage – Adam McDonnell curled a shot just wide, Aidan Keena zipped a shot on target (that Moore dealt with) and Paddy Kirk, excellent through out, set up Frank Liivak for a shot from a tight angle that was blocked.
RESULTS Played on Friday, October 7
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Series 32
Best for Rovers: Adam McDonnell
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Colm Horgan (Lewis Banks 35), Shane Blaney (Eanna Clancy 83), Nando Pijnaker, Paddy Kirk; Niall Morahan (Kailan Barlow 83, Robbie Burton (Seamas Keogh 89); Frank Liivak, Adam McDonnell, Will Fitzgerald; Aidan Keena
Subs not used: Conor Walsh (gk), Lewis Banks, Greg Bolger, Karl O’Sullivan, David Cawley, Cillian Heaney
Kian Moore; Alex Dunne (John Haist 86), Jack Keaney, Sam Todd, Evan Osam (Harry O’Connor 68); Alex Nolan (Donal Higgins 53), Evan Caffrey; Dara Keane, Sean Brennan (Aaron Corish 68), Dylan Duffy; Tommy Lonergan
Referee: Oliver Moran
ON TARGET: Rovers first team player Kailin Barlow was a goalscorer for the club’s U-19 men’s team in last Sunday’s Enda McGuill Cup semi-final against St Patrick’s Athletic.