Two goals from club leading scorer Aidan Keena gave Sligo Rovers a 3-1 victory over Damien Duff’s Shelbourne in an highly entertaining SSE Airtricity Premier League game at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
Rovers fell behind early on – then scored twice to take control of the game – but in the closing quarter, they rode their luck as Shelbourne had three goals disallowed in the second-half before Keena sealed the win with a penalty in injury-time.
Brian McManus gave Shelbourne the lead in the fifth minute.
The home side responded will with Will Fitzgerald setting up New Zealander Max Mata for the equaliser.
Rovers moved in front following fine combination play between Mata and Keena with the latter lobbing the keeper to make it 2-1.
Shelbourne enjoyed a prominent spell in the second half and will feel aggrevied at having had the the ball in the net on three separate occasions only for each time, the goal to be disallowed.
To rub salt into the wound for the visitors, in injury time, Rovers were awarded a penalty after Shels keeper Brendan Clarke was adjudged to have fouled Fitzgerald – and Keena slotted home his 11th goal of the season from the spot kick.
Ocean FM Sport’s Donal Ryan spoke to Sligo Rovers manager John Russell after the win.
Sligo Rovers Manager John Russel discusses tonight’s victory over Shelbourne in The Showgrounds. @oceanfmsport @DonalTheRyan @sligorovers pic.twitter.com/V47EYZsSHi
— OceanFM Ireland (@OceanFmIreland) July 2, 2022
Sligo Rovers team:
Ed McGinty; Colm Horgan, Shane Blaney, Nando Pijnaker, Paddy Kirk; Niall Morahan (Greg Bolger 62) (Seamie Keogh 79), Adam McDonnell (David Cawley 76); Karl O’Sullivan (Frank Liivak 79), Will Fitzgerald, Max Mata, Aidan Keena.
