Sligo Rovers produced one of their most impressive performances of the season to beat Scottish Premier League side Motherwell 1-0 in the first leg of their European Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Fir Park on Thursday night.
Aidan Keena capitalised brilliantly on a misplaced defensive header by Motherwell’s Bevis Mugabe to lob keeper Liam Kelly from 14 yards and score what proved to be the matchwinner.
Overall, this was a composed and excellent defensive performance by John Russell’s side with defensive duo Garry Buckley and Shane Blaney producing a commanding display at the back.
Goalkeeper Luke McNicolas also gave an excellent display on the day that Ed McGinty’s move to English League 1 side Oxford United was finally confirmed.
Second-half substitute Max Mata went close on a number of occasions – and Rovers also appeared to have genuine claims for a penalty following a Motherwell handball.
The home supporters were far from happy with the home side’s performance with Motherwell getting booed off the pitch at full-time.
Sligo Rovers manager John Russell spoke to Austin O’Callaghan after the win:
The second leg is next Thursday, July 28th, at the Showgrounds at 7pm.
The winners of the tie will face either Slavia Prague (Czech Rep) or Viking FK (Norway) in the third qualifying round.
Thursday’s Europa Conference League 1st leg results:
Motherwell 0 Sligo Rovers 1
St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Mura (Slovenia) 1|
Slavia Prague 0 Viking FK 0.
Sligo Rovers defender gave his reaction to Thursday night’s win to Ocean FM Sport’s Austin O’Callaghan:
