McCabe returns to haunt the Bit O' Red

In his return to The Showgrounds in a Shamrock Rovers jersey, Gary McCabe scored the only goal in the first battle of the Rovers this season.

Gary McCabe

Photo from rte.ie

Sligo Rovers began the first half strong, dominating the attacking play in the opening 5 minutes. Despite all this, the Hoops took the lead against the run of play, a lapse in concentration from Jason McGuinness saw him weakly head the ball back to Brendan Clarke, but Gary O' Neill was alert and took advantage of this mistake only for Clarke to save his shot, but could do nothing about follow up shot when McCabe took his golden oppurtunity and put the ball into an empty net. His second goal in as many games so far this season, already proving to be a fine acquisition for the Hoops, but all Sligo Rovers fans knew the damage he can do on front of goal.

It became a very even game after the restart. Rovers were still showing some good moves attacking, but were still suspect at the back. There was some great counter attacking football at times from the Bit O' Red, but failed to make the most of the oppurtunites.

Ken Oman could easily be considered the luckiest man on the pitch tonight. Picking up a yellow card on the half hour mark for tackling John Russell, it didn't stop him from going in for balls that could lead to further punishment. The defender miraculously avoided seeing red when he recieved just a talking to from the referee after he elbowed Alan Keane in the box.

Fearing Oman could end up with a second yellow, Michael O' Neill took him off and brought on Pat Flynn. It was still an even game, the first real chance of the half came to Chris Turner from a free kick, but his shot was comfortably saved by Clarke. Rovers immediately had a chance to equalize when Clarke booted the ball up the pitch, but Matthew Blinkhorn saw his effort go wide.

With 10 minutes of the half gone, Cook introduced Alan Kirby and Aaron Greene for Danny Ventre and John Dillon. The night took another bad turn for McGuinness, when he recieved a yellow card for a challenge on Chris Turner, perhaps even lucky to have stayed on the pitch.

The game began to settle as Shamrock Rovers just began to keep the ball, and only showed any intention of attacking by hoofing it up the pitch. Rovers were finding it hard to create chances, which unsrprisingly saw Rafael Cretaro make his much awaited returning debut to The Showgrounds, replacing John Russell who appeared to have taken a knock.

O' Neill looked to try and kill the game off when he brought on new signing Ciaran Kilduff for fellow new striker Gary O' Neill, but the most he seen during his time on the pitch was a yellow card for dissent. Kirby came agonzingly close to scoring from a header, but was unable to aim it towards goal. It wouldn't have counted anyways, as a free kick was given for climbing all over left back Enda Stevens to get the header.

The Hoops were nervous now, as Rovers threw everything they had it them, but luck was just not on their side tonight as Blinkhorn shot over, and two shots were also cleared off the line.

Another big result for Shamrock Rovers who are aiming to retain the title this season, but all Sligo Rovers fans should remember that Shamrock Rovers suffered a slow early start, but still went on to win the league, so whos to say we can't do the same ? Just give the lads time to settle in, and when Joseph Ndo comes back, we'll be at our best again.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren, Dillon (Greene, 55 mins), Ventre (Kirby, 55 mins), Ryan, Russell (Cretaro, 75 mins), Doyle, Blinkhorn.

Unused subs: Kelly, Foran, Horgan, McGoldrick

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Sullivan, Murray, Oman (Flynn, 45 mins), Stevens, McCabe, Turner, Finn, Dennehy, O' Neill (Kilduff, 77 mins), Twigg (Rice, 86 mins)

Unused subs: Thompson, McCormack, Kelly, Kavanagh

Attendance: 4000 (approx.)

thebitoredblog Man of the Match: John Russell