ROVERS EARN POINT AWAY TO ST PAT’S
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 1 SLIGO ROVERS 1 MICK Leahy’s 81st minute goal earned Sligo Rovers a vital point on the road as they came from behind to draw 1- 1 with St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday night.
The Saints initially took the lead in the first half through Christy Fagan, but a much improved second half performance from Gerard Lyttle’s side earned the visitors a point, although they will be disappointed to have only come away with a draw.
Having to contend with a plethora of injuries, Lyttle named both Raff Cretaro and Craig Roddan on the bench - both struggling with injuries but willing to play their part should they be needed.
Mathew Stevens’ loan has been ended early and he has returned to Peterborough, while Tobi Adebayo- Rowling sat out the game in the stands. Daniel Kearns was also missing through injury.
Former Bohs man Kurtis Byrne offered the games first attempt at goal, but Micheal Schlingermann had no trouble in saving the Dubliner’s effort.
Byrne, who has scored the last three games, then gifted the ball to Jonah Ayunga with a misplaced pass. The Brighton loanee surged forward, but Conor O’Malley was off his line in time to collect the ball at the striker’s feet.
Rovers, enjoying a good spell of play, were again in the ascendancy as Rory Feely conceded possession to Mikey Place, in his first start of the league campaign. Place played a one- two with Kieran Sadlier, the 19- year- old just sliced his effort wide, however.
Rovers began to pile on the pressure and could very well have taken the lead around the half- hour mark but for a crucial interception from Saints’ defender Lee Desmond.
The defender got a vital touch on the goal- line to snuff out the danger following Ayunga’s effort. Place and the outstanding Sadlier saw follow- up efforts come to nothing.
Rovers were punished for lacklustre defending on 33 minutes when Liam Buckley’s side took the lead. A stunning cross from Ian Bermingham was glanced past Schlingermann by the dangerous Christy Fagan.
The visitors, to their credit, fought back in the second half and were certainly looking the most likely to score.
Sadlier, who was causing St. Pats a host of problems, unleashed stunning efforts at goal in the early stages of the second half. His first effort was just forced wide by O’Malley, while his second drive just curled wide of the mark.
The Dubliners were on the hunt for their second of the game, and Conan Byrne missed a gilt- edged chance to double his side’s lead.
Byrne got in behind the Sligo defence with his perfectly timed run, but Schlingermann made his presence felt and Byrne could not get his effort around the Mayo man.
Sadlier later hit the side- netting, before an excellent goal- line clearance from Regan Donelon prevented the Inchicore men from putting the game to bed late on.
Rovers went up the other end and Liam Martin thought he had earned his side a draw before his effort smacked the crossbar, with John Russell’s excellent follow up spectacularly save by O’Malley in the Pats goal.
The Bit o’Red finally got their just rewards in the 81st minute. Donelon’s corner was headed past O’Malley by defender Mick Leahy to give Rovers a well deserved point.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley, Michael Barker, Gavin Peers ( Patrick Cregg, 46), Rory Feely, Ian Birmingham, Lee Desmond, Graham Kelly ( Sam Verdon 90), Conan Byrne, Darragh Markey, Kurtis Byrne, Christy Fagan ( JJ Lunney, 81).
Sligo Rovers: Micheal Schlingermann, Gary Boylan, Kyle Callan- McFadden, Michael Leahy, Regan Donelon, Kieran Sadlier, John Russell, Chris Kenny, Liam Martin, Mikey Place ( Martin Walsh 90), Jonah Ayunga.
Referee: Paul Tuite ( Dublin)