Improving Sligo Rovers’ fortunes in their own back yard is one of Johnny Dunleavy’s top objectives for the year. The defender played his part in the Bit O’Red’s narrow win over UCD at the Showgrounds on Saturday, which was both Sligo’s first home vi
Improving Sligo Rovers’ fortunes in their own back yard is one of Johnny Dunleavy’s top objectives for the year.
The defender played his part in the Bit O’Red’s narrow win over UCD at the Showgrounds on Saturday, which was both Sligo’s first home victory of 2019 and their first clean sheet.
The Ballybofey man missed out Rovers’ recent games against his home town team Finn Harps and former club Cork City with a groin injury. But returned in time to take his place at the heart of the Sligo defence on Saturday night.
Liam Buckley’s men lived dangerously at times, with an imaginative Students throwing everything they had Rovers. However, Romeo Parkes’ first half strike was enough to see the home side take their second win on the bounce.
The north westerners managed to overturn only four teams in league fixtures on Church Hill last season. Dunleavy is adamant that trend has to change this year as Sligo look to make the Showgrounds an unwelcoming place for visitors.
“I don’t think it really mattered who it was we beat on Saturday as long as we got the win”, Dunleavy said.
“We had to get a win on the board that night against Harps or whoever it was against. Against UCD it was important to continue that momentum, especially given that Rovers haven’t been as dominant as home as we should be at home in the last few years.”
The 27-year-old readily admitted that Collie O’Neill’s young guns were unfortunate not to take anything. But also had praise for his own team mates.
“We’ve said it all along that there would be an improvement in this team as the season goes along.
“There were definitely times (against UCD) where we saw signs that we’re still clicking and improving.
Maybe at times we rode our luck but it was great to keep a clean sheet. If you keep a clean sheet then you don’t lose and that was the main objective for us as a back five.”
Saturday was Dunleavy’s first excursion at centre half for Rovers. Injuries to both Kyle Callan-McFadden and Dante Leverock meant a reshuffled was necessary with Dunleavy slotting in beside the much sought after John Mahon.
“Everyone knows the quality John has. Not only on the ball, he’s clever defensively. For such a young lad it’s a very mature trait to have”, Johnny continued.
Sligo’s next outing is an excursion east to face the other Rovers where Dunleavy expects a challenge against the league leaders.
“They’ve incredible quality in their squad when you see the players they’ve brought in in the off season.
“They’ve six or seven midfielders that would walk into any team in the league, Dundalk included. It’s always tough to go to Tallaght but it’s a great stadium with a fantastic atmosphere.”
First team matters aren’t all that concern Dunleavy in Sligo. He’s currently helping out fellow Donegal man and Rovers under 19s boss Brian Dorrian in the underage set up having completed his B Licence during his time in Cork.
“I suppose for now I’m just experiencing it and seeing how much I enjoy it”, he explains.
“I definitely enjoy the aspect of teaching a player some little thing and seeing him implement it in a game. When it works, there’s something satisfying about that. A lot of my family are teachers so maybe that’s where that comes from!”
