Do or die again as Rovers face another relegation six-pointer

SLIGO Rovers went to Finn Park on Saturday night with all odds stacked against them. Rovers had not beaten Harps in six or sevent attempts. The Bit O’Red had only won one game on the road all season, and that was their last game against league leaders Cork City.

Gerard Lyttle also had to plan without the experience and quality of Mick Leahy, Craig Roddan, John Russell and Raffaele Cretaro who were all suspended, while Micheal Schlingermann missed out through injury. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling too was struggling with injury, although he made the bench.

This was one of, if not the biggest, ever meeting between the two sides. Both struggling at the wrong end of the table, both stuck in a relegation battle since the season started, and both absolutely desperate for a win.

Finn Harps are a gritty, hard working side. They have made it so difficult for Rovers this season, and although their home record has been poor, they set up in such a way on the road that they are hard to beat. And they boast the quality of Paddy McCourt, who can win a game on his own if needs be.

Rovers’ away record this year was one of their biggest problems. Prior to the Cork victory, they had not won a single game away from home, had drawn five and lost seven.

To then go and win two on the bounce away from home, even with a four week gap between them, is absolutely huge and says a lot about what Rovers can do when the pressure is on them.

We’re all aware of the quality of the squad. Defensively we have been brilliant since Gerard Lyttle arrived, bar a couple of slip ups. Set-pieces too are something that Lyttle has clearly worked on in training, it’s clear to see. Earlier in the season our set-pieces were really poor and we were getting very little joy from corners and free-kicks.

People have been critical of Lyttle in the past but I hope they can see now that the hard work is being put in. I couldn’t imagine Rovers winning that game under previous management, particularly not in the 91st minute.

Half of that Rovers team looked absolutely wrecked as they continued on to try and find that elusive winner, but Rhys McCabe just found a burst of energy to go on and score that goal, such was his determination.

Rhys has been a brilliant addition to this side, but Gerard’s signings have all proved to be vital since they arrived - although we have seen little of Omar Haughton so far.

Few managers would put trust in a young player like Jack Keaney in a game like that but Lyttle obviously believes in his younger players. It was a huge 45 minutes for Keaney and he looked composed and comfortable for the 45 minutes that he was on the pitch - it bodes well for the future.

We have five league games left to play. One as big as the other. That win on Saturday night was huge and it gives us a boost as we head into the last few games - but we are not near out of the woods yet and there is a long way to go.

I’ll take a point against Galway right now, but obviously a win would be ideal given the fact that they are struggling near the bottom too. Shane Keegan was a less than pleased man leaving Finn Park on Saturday night. Galway will play for their lives on Friday night, but Rovers have got to go out and do the same once again. With just five games left - it’s do or die.