Rollercoaster stalemate away

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Dundalk

Sligo Rovers 3 3

W

ITH Aidan Keena once again demonstrating his scoring prowess – this was his 19th goal of the season – and fellow striker Max Mata also on target, an ominous question emerged from last Friday’s 3-3 away draw for Sligo Rovers against third-placed Dundalk.

Can Rovers hold onto both of these goalscorers, Keena especially, in 2023? In July these forwards extended their respective contracts to the end of 2024. But given their form, with Keena leading the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division’s top scorers’ chart, a mega offers from the UK – unless Shamrock Rovers see Keena as their new Rory Gaffney – could leave the Bit O’Red at a quandary in terms of squad building under John Russell.

For now, let’s just marvel at what they’ve brought to the team.

Aidan Keena’s 76th minute goal was a gem at Casey’s Field (which is what Dundalk have renamed Oriel Park until the end of this season as a tribute to Des Casey, their honorary club president who died in August).

Adroit footwork saw the Mullingar man slalom past two defenders and work his way into the penalty area when he netted with a left-footed drive inside far post.

This goal – his 16th in this season’s top flight – would have been a superb winner but here, in a game that meant more to Dundalk than it did Rovers, it was an equaliser to cancel out a Dundalk lead given to the home side by Ryan O’Kane’s excellent 54th minute finish from Runar Hauge’s work. Dundalk, in fact, had turned things

ON TARGET: Aidan Keena netted his 19th goal of the season for Sligo Rovers in last Friday night’s 3-3 away draw with Dundalk.

Lewis’ equaliser. Dundalk’s goalscorer tried his luck within four minutes of the restart – this time his shot flew over – and Kailin Barlow then set up Aidan Keena for shot on target that was deflected out for a corner.

When Rovers went 2-1 down John Russell made a tactical switch – Max Mata came on, Aidan Keena became the playmaker and Adam McDonnell went into midfield.

Dundalk pushed for a third goal – Richard Brush made a good stop from an Andy Boyle header – then Aidan Keena wowed the venue with a superb goal that made it 2-2. Rovers were lucky that Sam Bone rifled a shot wide and Ryan O’Kane went even closer – but the crossbar intervened to prevent O’Kane from completing a move that involved Keith Ward, the ex-Rovers player.

When Max Mata scored in the 83rd minute, a composed finish from Frank Liivak’s precise through ball, Rovers looked to be good value for a 13th win from 33 games. But, typical of this tit for tat contest, Keith Ward drilled home a leveller for Dundalk in the second minute of stoppage time after fellow substitute John Martin’s flick on.

Best for Rovers: Frank Liivak

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; John Mountney, Andy Boyle (c), Lewis Macari, Darragh Leahy; Sam Bone (Robbie Benson 85), Alfie Lewis; Runar Hauge (Steven Bradley 63), Joe Adams (Keith Ward 74), Ryan O’Kane; David McMillan (John Martin 74)

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Colm Horgan, Lewis Banks, Nando Pijnaker, Paddy Kirk; Robbie Burton (Seamas Keogh 84), Kailin Barlow (Max Mata 60); Frank Liivak (Karl O’Sullivan 88), Adam McDonnell, Will Fitzgerald; Aidan Keena

Subs not used: Conor Walsh (gk), Cameron Evans, Greg Bolger, Cillian Heaney, Sean McAteer, Eanna Clancy

Referee: Damien MacGraith