Keena scores again but Rovers lose away

SSE Airtricity League Premier – Series 26 Bohemians

Sligo Rovers 3 1

FOR the season’s concluder that was supposed to be meaningless – last Sunday’s visit of Sligo Rovers to Dalymount Park – for certain individuals this SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game meant everything.

For Bohemians manager Declan Devine, not even a month in the hotseat, this was a first win.

For Sligo Rovers’ top scorer Aidan Keena, this game marked an 18th Premier Division goal of 2022 and his 21st in all competitions.

Mata’s header, from a Greg Bolger free-kick, came off the crossbar. It became 3-0 in the 60th minute when James Clarke netted from closerange after a couple of dangerous crosses into the Rovers penalty area weren’t dealt with.

Attacker Aidan Keena, busy and inventive, and a player who forced a superb save from Tadhg Ryan after 32 minutes, continued his impressive form with a long-distance strike after 75 minutes. His low shot skimmed into the net to make the remainder potentially interesting.

This game also mattered to Rovers substitute Karl O’Sullivan, pressed into service as an emergency full-back due to Paddy Kirk’s first-half setback. Twice he made lung-bursting gallops to get back and make tackles that prevented Bohs from getting through on goal via breakaway attacks.

Best for Rovers: Aidan Keena

Bohemians: Tadhg Ryan; Jordan Doherty (Aaron Doran 90), Rory Feely, Ciaran Kelly (Cian Byrne 54), Jordan Flores; Conor Levingston, James McManus; Kris Twardek (Jake McCormack 90), James Clarke, Liam Burt (Derin Adewale 90); Ethon Varian (Declan McDaid 19)

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Colm Horgan, Nando Pijnaker, Eanna Clancy, Paddy Kirk (Karl O’Sullivan 6); Greg Bolger, Adam McDonnell (Seamas Keogh 70); Frank Liivak (Cillian Heaney 84), Aidan Keena, Will Fitzgerald; Max Mata

Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk),

Cameron Evans, Sean McAteer, Daire McCarthy

Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)