Rovers’ destiny in their own hands with two games left

It’s effectively as you were in the race for survival following last week’s results with none of the bottom six sides in the Premier Division moving from their respective positions. It seems just a matter of time now before Finn Harps’ demotion to the First Division will be confirmed. Anything but a win over Drogheda United on Friday will condemn the Donegal side to relegation. While Galway travel to a Limerick side who know a draw would be enough to guarantee their place at the top table of Irish football in 2018.

Here at home and given Rovers need to finish above Galway this season, the Tribesmen’s 1-1 draw with Pat’s on Friday night was not the worst result from our point of view. There’s been some talk amongst supporters about keeping the Saints in the relegation mire. They remain level on points with Rovers and are still in trouble, but the more important matter at Rovers hands right now is to keep Galway in that tenth position.

Things almost went against Rovers in Tallaght as we kept a worried eye on what was happening at Eamonn Deacy Park. A bright start from the away side didn’t materialise into goals and we allowed Shams into the game without making a mark. The well positioned Rhys McCabe seemed to take his eye off the ball and failed to make contact with Daniel Kearns’ corner just 90 seconds in. While Vinny Faherty got his positioning all wrong in his attempt to head Regan Donelon’s cross past Kevin Horgan shortly after.

This heralded a strong spell from the home side as Rovers sat back and allowed Shams to dictate the pace. Gary Shaw knocked one on to the crossbar, while Dave McAllister skimmed the top of the net moments later. There was an apprehension about Ger Lyttle’s side and it was easy to predict who would register the game’s first goal.

Shaw’s knock past Kyle Callan-McFadden combined with a turn of pace saw him through on goal, but he mercifully fluffed his lines 25 minutes in. While Brandon Miele - intent on sending us all back to Sligo with nothing - went close with a powerful effort from distance.

Rovers eventually crumbled just past the half hour. Our right side was non-existent as Lee Grace and Aaron Bogler combined at a canter to find Miele who strolled past the nonchalant Tobi Adebayo-Rowling before finding Shaw at the front post for the opener.

Things could have been a lot worse for us before the break but for McAllister’s next effort to spin away from goal at the crucial moment and strike the woodwork on its way out.

Allowing Shams command the pattern of the game was only going to lead to a second goal. A lack of presence in the final third on our behalf allowed Stephen Bradley’s men play a high line and pin Rovers into their own half. The introduction of Greg Moorhouse offered a more creative approach and the Bit O’Red were almost rewarded two minutes after the restart but for the winger’s lapse in composure when through on goal. Moorhouse’s pace saw him through, but the steady trigger finger wasn’t there as he skewed his effort well wide of the far post.

But the real game changer in the south Dublin rain was the introduction of Jamie McDonagh. Fresh from helping Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland U21s to a 4-2 win over Estonia in the Euro qualifiers three days previous, McDonagh injected further pace, energy and persistence to what Rovers could offer.

His cross-field run forced the foul which led to Regan Donelon’s wonderful leveller and even then there could have been a winner given Sligo’s rejuvenation. Faherty could and probably should have done better with a point blank header from a corner four minutes after the goal. While Moorhouse’s improvised effort from what seemed like was an impossible angle somehow crept past Horgan before striking the post.

In the end it was an acceptable result for both sides. Rovers keep their destiny in their own hands while the other Rovers qualify for Europe.

As it stands, matching or bettering both Galway’s results for the next two weeks will keep us in Premier Division football for next season. Next on the horizon for Rovers is a tricky tie at home to Derry this weekend. The Candystripes - Ophelia pending - may have already qualified for Europe depending on how their game with Cork finished last night (Tuesday) so there may be room for a casual approach from Kenny Shiels’ men.

There’s also the scenario that a win would be enough to keep us up should Galway lose to Limerick, but it’s hard to see this season not coming down to the final day on Friday week.