Shamrock Rovers move a step closer to a third title
By Daire Walsh
SHAMROCK Rovers moved a step closer to a third consecutive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title with a 3-1 victory against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
Following Derry City’s 1-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park on the previous night, there was pressure on the Hoops to reinforce their position at the summit of the table. They managed to do just that over the course of an emphatic display in the north-west and are now five points clear of the Candystripes with as many games remaining in the campaign.
In a recent stalemate against Shelbourne, Rovers centre-half Daniel Cleary was desperately unlucky to see his long-distance effort rebound off the crossbar. The Drimnagh native was eager to leave his mark on this contest, however, and he edged Stephen Bradley’s men in front with a powerful header off a Sean Kavanagh delivery in the 15th-minute.
A summer recruit from St Johnstone, this was Cleary’s first league goal for Rovers, though he did find the net against Bangor Celtic in the FAI Cup on his debut back in July. The Hoops’ confidence grew as a result of taking the lead and they subsequently doubled their advantage in clinical fashion on 37 minutes.
At the end of an elongated move, Dylan Watts raced onto an exquisite Jack Byrne pass for a smooth close-range finish.
Two goals to the good at the break, the visitors effectively placed the tie beyond doubt when Graham Burke turned home Rory Gaffney’s delivery from the right-wing with 20 minutes remaining on the clock. Nando Pijnaker did pull one back for Sligo in the moments that followed, but it proved to be a mere consolation for John Russell’s men in the end.
This victory was the perfect tonic for Rovers in advance of what promises to be a busy week for the Tallaght side. Later this evening at Aker Stadion (5.45pm Irish time), the Hoops will take on Molde in Group F of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Four-time Norwegian champions, Molde are perhaps best known as the former club of Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (both as a player and manager) and Man City striker Erling Haaland. While the same kind of quality isn’t there in the current squad, and they are coming into this game off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Djurgardens, there is more than enough reason for Rovers to be wary of the challenge that awaits them tonight.
Including club captain Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Molde have six full internationals in their squad as well as several others who have represented their countries at underage level. Rovers will also face the Scandinavian outfit in Tallaght this day week, but will be hoping to add to the solitary point they’ve accrued in the two group games to date.
Meanwhile, the Hoops will be back in domestic action on Sunday when they enjoy a quick reunion with Dublin rivals Shelbourne in Tallaght (kick-off 5pm).