Sligo Rovers secured a valuable three points in their bid to avoid relegation from the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as they inflicted a second consecutive home defeat on champions elect Cork City at Turners Cross on Friday evening. Rhys Mc
Sligo Rovers secured a valuable three points in their bid to avoid relegation from the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as they inflicted a second consecutive home defeat on champions elect Cork City at Turners Cross on Friday evening.
Rhys McCabe’s strike early in the second half was enough to separate the sides and ensures City still need eight points to claim their first league crown in 12 years.
Sligo had the better of the first half but couldn’t turn their promising form into a goal. Rovers’ Raffaele Cretaro drilled a long range shot past the bottom left corner after 15 minutes before Vinny Faherty directed his free header straight at Mark McNulty midway through the opening period.
Karl Sheppard had City’s best opportunity of a disappointing half on 38 minutes but after racing onto Jimmy Keohane’s ball down the right wing, the attacker drove his strike just past the far left corner. Sligo scored what proved to be the winner shortly after the restart as Rhys McCabe’s cross from the left wing deceived the City keeper and sailed into the far top right corner of the net.
Jimmy Keohane hit the crossbar with header late in proceedings but Sligo deservedly hung on to the victory despite having Craig Roddan sent off for a second yellow in injury time.
