The positives
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION PWDLFA Diff 2 1 1 0 5 2 3 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 2 0 0 2 2 6 -4
Waterford FC Bohemians Shelbourne Derry City Galway Utd St Patrick’s Ath Sligo Rovers Shamrock Rvrs Dundalk Drogheda Utd a win but we’ll take the draw.”
The Rovers manager admitted that issues with the pitch as the second-half progressed, with the surface deteriorating in spots, didn’t help.
“The pitch cut up as the game went on – our players in the last third need to play off a first touch to expose a team like Derry. The ball was popping up and so we had to turn back – that was frustrating but it is what it is.
“Still, we got a clean sheet and that is something to build on, the centre-backs dealt with Patrick Hoban.”
The manager reiterated that if the players put in an effort then the fans will respond and that the fans can also play their part.
“We need to produce – it is about
SIDELINE VIEW: The managers along the touchline last Saturday, Ruaidhri Higgins (Derry City) and John Russell (Sligo Rovers).
actions on the pitch, I felt the crowd got behind the players and there were spells where we needed a little lift and you could hear the noise levels rising again.
“That sort of support will be huge for us this season and we need to make this place a fortress, when teams come down here they need to feel he home crowd on top of them.”
RESULTS
Played on Saturday, February 24
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Round Two
THE SHOWGROUNDS: Sligo Rovers (0) 0, Derry City (0) 0
FIXTURES Friday, March 1
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm)
Monday, March 4
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers (Oriel Park, 7.45pm) given plenty to be excited about thanks in no small part to his impressive ability in aerial duels.
In truth, the whole rear guard – including goalkeeper Ed McGinty, who was back to his best on the night – deserve praise. They offered up very few clear cut chances for visitors and were the foundation of a shape which the team never lost as they stuck perfectly to their game plan.
True, it wasn’t a classic game that will live long in the memory, but Rovers certainly won’t mind as both a well-earned point and a first clean sheet of the season (a feat which took until May to achieve last year) will do wonders for morale for team, management and supporters alike.
The tough games keep on coming with a home fixture against Damien Duff’s Shelbourne tomorrow, Friday, and an away test in Dundalk on Monday.
Shels’ will undoubtedly provide another stern examination from which another draw wouldn’t be a bad result.
This outcome would provide another boost ahead of a trip to Oriel Park where Rovers may feel they can target a first win of the season against a side who looked very vulnerable in their 2-0 loss to Galway United last weekend.