Sligo Rovers win in final pre-season match

Sligo Rovers wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 win over Galway United at The Showgrounds.

Eoin Doyle

Photo courtesy of Shane Murray

Early on, both Rovers and Galway had their chances, John Russell who had been going for goal for a lot of the first half, came agonizingly close when his effort struck the post, McGuinness also headed wide. The majority of the first half saw Rovers enjoy a lot of attacking play, but were wasteful with their chances.

Rovers began the 2nd half with a quick goal, when John Russell was finally rewarded for his efforts when the former star player for Galway United slotted his low shot under the keeper into the bottom corner. Not long after that, Rovers had a second. A bit of passing in the box before Blinkhorn passed to Russell, who in turn gave it to Doyle to score a similar goal. Blinkhorn had an oppurtunity to make it 3-0, but his attempted chip was too tame to beat the United keeper. Cook decided to introduce a few subs, starting with Daryl Horgan coming on for John Dillon,who had a great first half. Not long after that, he made a double substitution, bringing on Aaron Greene and Alan Kirby for John Russell and Danny Ventre.

The Tribesmen were not giving up, forcing a number of top saves from Brendan Clarke in goals. United reduced the deficit to one, when midfielder Jason Micthcell latched onto a free kick from Ally Love to score a great a header, Clarke could do nothing about it. Cook opted to bring in two more subs, Mark McGoldrick replaced Matthew Blinkhorn and Derek Foran came on for captain Richie Ryan. As the tempo of the game began to slow down, a lot of the play was bogged down in the middle, but Rovers were soon in amongst the chances again. Sub Aaron Greene came close to scoring against his old club, only for the keeper to get close enough to block his shot. Daryl Horgan, who had been impressive since his introduction, looked to be through on goal after  a peach of a ball from Aaron Greene, only to be called for offside.

The final whistle blew, and it meant Rovers wrapped up their pre-season with another victory and unbeaten throughout the pre-season schedule for the second season in a row.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren, Dillon (Horgan), Ventre (Kirby), Russell (Greene) Ryan (Foran), Doyle, Blinkhorn (McGoldrick)

Subs not used: Kelly, Snodgrass

Attendance: 500 approx.

PRE SEASON ROUND-UP

Finn Harps 1-1 Sligo Rovers (Alan Keane)

Salthill Devon 2-4 Sligo Rovers (Matthew Blinkhorn, John Russell, Rafael Cretaro, John Dillon)

Castlebar Celtic 0-7 Sligo Rovers (Eoin Doyle, John Russell, Danny Ventre, Rafael Cretaro, John Dillon, Mark McGoldrick x2)

Cork City 1-3 Sligo Rovers (Matthew Blinkhorn, John Russell, Alan Kirby)

Sligo Rovers 2-1 Galway United (Eoin Doyle, John Russell)