Rovers leave it late at the Brandywell

In a close encounter between FAI Cup holders Sligo Rovers, and the newly promoted champions Derry City, The Bit O' Red came out on top thanks to a goal from debutant Aaron Greene.

Aaron Greene

Photo courtesy of Shane Murray

The game started lively, as both sides were intent on making their mark early on the match. After those opening 10 minutes, matters on the pitch began to settle down, but that didn't keep the travelling support from singing in full voice as they cheered the team on as Rovers enjoyed the majority of posession, but the first real chance came for Derry City, when Eamon Zayed got on the end of a Gareth McGlynn cross to force a save out of Brendan Clarke.

Rovers kept pressing for the opening goal, and almost got it through Jason McGuinness when he latched onto a John Dillon free-kick, only to see his header hit off the underside of the crossbar and get cleared away to safety. Just minutes later, midfielder John Russell saw his strike come back off the post. In action packed few minutes, McGlynn had his own oppurtunity, when he shot across goal, only to see his effort trickle wide of the far post.

The game finally got its first major talking point, when Derry City were awarded a penalty by referee Damien Hancock when Jason McGuinness took down Gareth McGlynn. The travelling support were surely all thinking 'We could do with Ciaran Kelly now...;, but Brendan Clarke was able to copy the heroics of his Cup hero teammate and save Zayed's shot, before he somehow put the rebound over from 6 yards. Derry felt they could enter half time with a goal now, and almost did through a Zayed header, only for Gavin Peers to clear his goalbound effort away with 2 minutes remaining of the opening half.

It took 10 minutes of the second half before the first real chance came through Matthew Blinkhorn, who's low shot was saved at the feet of Gerard Doherty. Cook made his first change of the evening, bringing on Aaron Greene for John Dillon. Rovers were enjoying much of the posession once again, but it was Derry who had the oppurtunity to score through Daniel Lafferty, only to be denied by Brendan Clarke, who had been having a solid game all night.

Cook introduced Rafael Cretaro in the 74th minute, for his first competitive game back in a Sligo Rovers jersey, and also brought on Alan Kirby with 8 minutes remaining for his competitive debut for Sligo Rovers. Both teams continued to go for that sought after opening goal, and in the 88th minute, Rovers finally broke the deadlock to break so many Derry City hearts. Rafael Cretaro set up Aaron Greene at the back post, as the two substitutes combined to finally get that much needed goal.

The Candystripes were not giving up, as David McDaid, on loan at The Showgrounds in 2008, saw his effort deflect over Brendan Clarke's goal, only to be followed by the final whistle.

It was the start Rovers needed for their campaign, and can now push on to next weeks big tie at home to Shamrock Rovers, who defeated Dundalk 3-1 tonight, Gary McCabe amongst the scorers with a fantastic effort.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Ventre, Davoren, Dillon (Greene, 58 mins), Ryan, Russell (Cretaro, 74 mins), Doyle, Blinkhorn (Kirby, 83 mins)

Subs not used: Kelly, Foran, Horgan, McGoldrick

Derry City: Doherty,McCallion, Greacen, S. McEleney, Lafferty, P. McEleney (Harkin, 84 mins), Molloy, Higgins (McCrudden, 89 mins), McLaughlin, McGlynn, Zayed (McDaid, 79 mins).

Subs not used: McBride, Henry, Friars, Ferry

Attendance: 4500 (approx.)

PREMIER DIVISION ROUND-UP:

Bray Wanderers 1-3 Bohemians: Jake Kelly penalty (Bray), Chris Fagan penalty, Killian Brennan, Anto Flood (Bohs)

Derry City 0-1 Sligo Rovers: Aaron Greene

Drogheda United 0-1 UCD: Cillian Morrison

Galway United 0-3 St. Patricks Athletic: Anto Murphy, Evan McMillan, Derek Pender

Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Dundalk: Gary McCabe, Gary Twigg x2 (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Byrne (Dundalk)