The Sligo Champion

Galway held by Rovers in Robbo’s last game in charge

- BY DAVID GOULDEN

SLIGO Rovers remained second from bottom in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division following a drab 1- 1 draw with Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park in what proved to be Dave Robertson’s last game as Rovers manager.

Ronan Murray had given Galway the lead early on as Rovers conceded first for the fifth time in seven games this year. The Bit O’Red had to once again rely on the in- form Kieran Sadlier to level the game nine minutes from the break when he netted his fourth goal in five outings.

Speaking after the game, the now former Rovers boss continued to dismiss any notions of the team becoming involved in a relegation scrap. The result saw Rovers remain 11th, two points ahead of the Tribesmen who had one game extra to play. But Robertson bullishly claimed there was “no undue pressure” on him despite his side occupying one of the three relegation spots after seven games.

He stated: “I think there’s a lot of hype and a lot of it is media driven because of the change in the league. But there’s definitely no need to panic. People called this game a relegation six pointer but it’s not. There are still a lot of twists and turns to come and the only pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves.” The Londoner was relieved of his duties just two days later.

Murray opened the scoring on 12 when with the Rovers defence flustered, he was allowed time and space to unleash a shot from distance which came back off the post. The ball landed out wide right with Jesse Devers whose cross landed on the head of the unmarked Vinny Faherty. The striker saw his header come back off the crossbar before Murray was left with a simple finish with Micheál Schlingerm­ann and his defenders stranded.

Rovers struggled to deal with the pace of Galway’s front three for large portions of the game and Shane Keegan’s men nearly profited from a speedy attack on 28 but Devers couldn’t find the inside of the post.

Former Showground­s man Stephen Folan mis- controlled Kyle Callan- McFadden’s punt forward. The ball broke for the pursuing Cretaro who looked the favourite to slip the ball into Winn’s left corner but instead squared for the incoming Sadlier who first time, slotted the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the year.

The second half fare was summed up in the 72nd minute when John Russell was offered three options inside the opposition penalty area. The Galway native chose Sadlier who with ample time and space saw the ball bobble on the turf in front of him, forcing the winger to totally mis- queue his effort with the goal at his mercy. Murray was offered a golden chance to snatch the points three minutes from time but could only sky his volley after a Rovers defender cleared the ball to the Mayo man at the edge of the area from a corner.

Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Stephen Folan, Lee Grace; Marc Ludden, David Cawley, Paul Sinnott, Gary Shanahan; Jesse Devers ( Conor Melody 73), Ronan Murray, Vinny Faherty ( Aaron Conway 84).

Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingerm­ann; Tobi AdebayoRow­ling, Mick Leahy, Kyle Callan- McFadden, Gary Boylan; Liam Martin, John Russell ( Chris Kenny 90), Craig Roddan, Kieran Sadlier; Daniel Kearns; Raffaele Cretaro. REFEREE: Graham Kelly.

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