After The Dust has Settled - looking back on magic.

I thought I'd give it a bit of time before committing my thoughts on Sligo Rovers FAI Cup win to the blog. Recently I've been cutting out articles about the win over Shamrock Rovers, saving them for when all the commotion had died down. We're getting their now... and recent economic developments have played their part in quenching the euphoria, but not too much.

Eamonn Sweeney's wonderfully written 'Hold the Back Page' is probably the last significant article we're have written on our most recent of cup triumphs. It was published 2 days ago in the Sunday Independent of Nov 21st, I'd planned saving it for a few days, then rationing it over the duration of a day or two. There's probably about 2000 words there so I could enjoy it over two sittings, morning and evening, maybe a paragraph or two during the afternoon, or strategically place it in the downstairs toilet for when nature calls. 

I even thought there was a slight chance I might have been referenced in Sweeney's column in question, having spoken to him in the D4 Hotel after the game. I use the word 'spoke' loosely... There were time's I was so overcome with the day's emotions words failed me. I have recollections of Mr. Sweeney looking at me puzzled, trying to make sense of my sentences - punctuated with yelps of joy and yahoos of happiness. 

All the articles and photos collected over the last week or so from local and national newspapers will be put into a folder and stored away for future reminiscing. I have a folder in my parents house, filled with articles, match programme and ticket stubs from the 1994 Cup win over Derry City in a very different Lansdown Road. The faded, slightly blurred, pre-digital age photographs that appeared in the Sligo Champion and Sligo Weekender export me back to that wet miserable day in '94 when Gerry Carr cemented my developing love of Sligo Rovers, with that all important headed goal. 

16 years later and it's Mayo man Ciaran Kelly who's the unlikely hero. The at times maligned 'keeper of Paul Cook's squad did what's as close as you can get to the impossible in a game of football, save every spot kick in a shoot-out. Mayo has traditionally looked North for a team to support in the League of Ireland and Kelly's heroics will act as the perfect tonic to stoke up the interest that may have faded in the Bit O'Red in the last 10 years from gaelic games strong-hold. 

Two friends of mine came some distances to attend the cup final. One from Edinburgh and the other from San Francisco. It's amazing that people felt this was an event that they had to attend, 36 thousand people showed up for a game involving our Sligo Rovers; a team that average about 2,000 fans for a home game in the Showgronds, as Eamonn Sweeney says in his article in the Sunday Independent "there is affection for the League out there, it's just a question of tapping it". 

Joseph Ndo after the final

The friend who traveled from Edinburgh is a Manchester United fan, a die hard. after the Cup final win, in the delirium of the night that followed, surrounded by Rovers fans and players alike, I said to him when United win the League, or the Champions League, you'll never have the satisfaction of going back to the hotel after the final to celebrate with the players and management. This is what makes supporting a League of Ireland team so special. The days of winning cup finals may be few, but when they occur you feel you're every much as part of the history making as the players and managers who create the magic.

I look forward to the years and decades to come when I happen upon the Sligo Rovers related articles from the double cup winning team of 2010 in some dusty folder. 

Preview: Sligo Rovers v Galway United

Friday 9th July 2010 | Showground’s | K.O. 7.45,

Alan Keane is suspended for this evening’s (Friday) Airtricity Premier League game against Galway United in the Showgrouds and recent addition to the Rovers’ squad Lee McEvilly will play no part after picking up an injury in training.

Keane’s exclusion from the side should pave the way for Jim Lauchlan to make his home debut in the centre of defence with Gavin Peers. Matthew Blinkhorn is still out with a back injury as is long-term injury Mauro Almeida.

Just two points separates the side ahead of this evening’s game, and former Bit O’Red boss Sean Connor is calling on his side to close out games after relinquishing the lead to Bray last week to take a share of the points.

The influential Steven O’Donnell is suspended for Galway as the tribesmen travel to the North West on the back of financial problems. The Galway players have waved their wages this week in an effort to help the club through this period.

Top Honours for Rovers at UCD

UCD 0 – 2 Sligo Rovers | Airtricity Premier League

Rovers fans who have travelled to UCD in recent years, well read or not, have rarely enjoyed their time watching their sides exploits against the Students. But on this particular evening Padraig Amond and Gavin Peers were on hand to ensure there was plenty to celebrate.

Goals in the opening moments of each half secured three points for the visitors in a game that could have been a potential banana skin for Rovers.

Joseph Ndo won a free kick after some 30 seconds, and it was swung into the UCD box by Richie Ryan. The Student’s keeper, Billy Brennan failed to claim the incoming ball and it fell to the feet of Danny Ventre, whose shot was guided into the net by Padriag Amond, extending his league goals for the season to 10.

UCD went close after a quarter of an hour with midfielder Greg Bolger having a shot deflected over Richard Brush’s bar.

Chris Mulhall was giving Iarfhlaith Davoren a hard time down the right wing and showing his ability, he beat the former Galway United man and crossed to find Keith Ward who shot over the bar.

The second half began with another mistake by Brennan. Again he failed to claim a cross that found its way to Joseph Ndo. Ndo squared to John Dillon who shot across the face of goal.

Gavin Peers had been threatening to score in recent games from corners and on 47 minutes the Dubliner who has been attracting attention from across the water powered home a Joey Ndo corner.

The home side always threatened to score and just after the hour mark Evan McMillan connected with a Brian Shortall cross but the woodwork was on hand to save Richard Brush’s blushes.

Rovers were happy to surrender the majority of the possession to Martin Russell’s side and try and capitalise on the break. One such opportunity saw John Russell go close, shooting just wide, after the industrious Ndo linked up well with John Dillon who set up Russell.

With a quarter of an hour left Richard Brush kept Rovers in the game saving from Evan McMillan on two occasions.

The heat was turned up in the final minutes of the game with two straight red cards issued for each side. Referee Declan Hanney adjudged Alan Keane’s strong tackle on Ciaran Nangle a sending off offence, despite some Rovers fans who were close to the incident claiming Keane won the ball.

And Greg Bolger was given his marching orders after a clash with Richard Brush.

The result leaves Rovers in seventh, a point behind UCD and just 8 points off St Pats at the summit, as the league goes into its two week sabbatical. Next up for Paul Cook and Co. is the visit of St Pat’s for the fifth meeting of the side to date this season.

Between now and then personal changes are expected in the Rovers squad, with Romould Boco rumoured to be returning to the Showgrounds. Former St Pat’s, Bohs and Shelboure defender Colin Hawkins has also been on trial on Church Hill in recent weeks. Hawkins is currently playing his football with Brighton & Hove Albion.

UCD: B Brennan, A Boyle, S Harding, E McMillan, C Nangle, G Bolger, P Corry, D McMillan, C Mulhall, K Ward, C Kilduff. SUBS R Creevy, M McGinley, G Rusk(for Ward 55”), B Shortall (Harding on 55”), D Wilson.

Sligo Rovers: R Brush, I Davoren, A Keane, G Peers, D Ventre, J Dillon, J Ndo, J Russell, R Ryan, P Amond, E Doyle. SUBS: C Kelly, M Doninger, G McCabe(for Doyle 61”), C O’Grady, P Whelan.

Rovers hit Drogheda for Six

Sligo Rovers 6 - 0 Drogheda United | Airtricity League Premier Division

When was the last time a Sligo Rovers team scored 12 goals in consecutive games? Because that's just what Paul Cook's side has managed after Saturday night’s 6-0 win over Drogheda United in the Showgrounds.

Rovers dispatched Ulster Senior League side, Letterkenny Rovers six nil, earlier in the week in the League Cup.

Padraig Amond scored his first competitive hat trick for the Bit O’Red, Gavin Peers and John Dillon were also and the score sheet for the home side. But it was Richie Ryan’s opener just before half time that received the biggest applause from the Showground’s faithful.

On 44 minutes Eoin Doyle caught the pressing Drogheda defence cold when he was set free by a pass from deep. Brian King was the last defender and had little choice but to prevent Doyle’s march towards goal resulting in a straight red for the Drogheda midfielder.

Gary McCabe struck the resulting free kick – the ball found its way to the feet of Ryan just outside the Drogheda box and following some tidy foot work to make space, the Tipperary man struck a sublime shot into the top left hand corner and beyond the diving Paul Skinner.

Apart from Ryan’s goal, the first half proved little to get excited about. Iarfhlaith Davoren made a return to the starting XI but was substituted before half time. The player happy to get as many minutes under his belt as possible as he continues to recover from a leg injury that’s kept him out of the side for the last number of weeks.

An injury to Conor O’Grady saw John Russell start his first league game for Rovers after his competent display coming on for the last 25 minutes of the six nil win over Letterkenny Rovers during the week.

Although still not completely match fit, Russell was tenacious when tackling and progressive on the ball.

Richard Brush didn’t have a save to make all night, allowing his back four to roam further forward with confidence. Five minutes into the second half centre half Gavin Peers’ diving header from a corner again left Skinner no chance in the Drogheda goal.
Three minutes later and Padriag Amond put the game beyond Alan Mathew’s side to make it three nil. Richie Ryan set the former Shamrock Rovers striker away for Amond to convert into the bottom left hand corner.

Jason McCarthy who replaced Iarflaith Davoren at left back showed why he’s been impressing for the A Team or late. Running the length of the pitch on the Jinks Avenue side for the ground, the former Summerhill student crossed at the by line for Amond to tap-in from close range.

Wide man John Dillon got his first goal since joining the club after 77 minutes. Dillon was on the pitch less than 60 seconds as replacement for the busy Gary McCabe when he found the net. Amond broke into the box and unselfishly squared for Dillon to score.

Amond made it 6-0 on 85 minutes rounding Skinner to convert. The recent goal flourish comes as a timely boost for Paul Cook’s side who it seems were lacking confidence in front or goal.

Sligo Rovers now have the second best scoring record in the league behind table toppers Dundalk who are next on the fixture list this Friday night (May 21st) in Oriel Park.

The win sees Rovers leap-frog Galway United into 7th on goal difference with a game in hand on Sean Connor’s side.

A GOAL AT LAST, BUT NO POINTS

Sligo Rovers 1 – 2 Bohemians

Sligo Rovers failed to move out of the bottom three in the Airtricity League of Ireland after a 2-1 loss to Bohemians in the Showgrounds on Saturday night. Goals from Jason Byrne and substitute Mark Quigley eared Pat Felon’s side all three points in what was a hard fought fixture.

On a positive note Sligo Rovers did end their 294 minute wait for a goal with Matthew Blinkhorn converting just before the hour mark. The last time a Rovers player found the net (Paidraig Amond) was in the 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers in Tallagh Stadium on the 26th of April; having played Sporting Fingal and Galway since this latest loss to Bohemians.

The reigning league champions travelled to the North West without a number of their first choice players. Captain Owen Heary, Steven Gray and Ken Oman were all out injured, while winger Gareth McGlynn is serving a ban.

The home side had the majority of chances throughout the game and it was Captain Conor O’Grady who went closest first, shooting over from close range. O’Grady received the ball to feet 12 yards out from goal after good work wide on the left from Gary McCabe and Joseph Ndo, but he couldn’t hit the target.

Former Bit O’Red winger Anto Murphy made life difficult for left back Danny Ventre. The Liverpool native found his name in referee Anthony Buttimer’s book after 14 minutes after pulling down the attacking Murphy.

Gary McCabe was the liveliest for Rovers. On 28 minutes the former Bray Wanderer was hauled down by Glenn Cronin just outside keeper Barry Murphy’s penalty area resulting in a free kick to the right of the area. It was a perfect opportunity for the left foot of Richie Ryan and despite standing over the ball, it was left to Joseph Ndo striking the free with his right and failing to trouble the Bohs rearguard.

Soon after that Bohemians took the lead. With 38 minutes gone Brian Shelley showed good movement to make space from Derek Foran and flashed a low cross in to find Jason Byrne who shot to the right of Richard Brush finding the net.

Just before the half time whistle Paul Cook’s side swept up field with Ndo, Blinkhorn and Ryan all contributing to a move that resulted in McCabe shooting over the bar.

Rovers started much the better of the two in the second half, McCabe again causing trouble and winning free kicks in dangerous positions, but the resulting attempts on goal lacked accuracy.

Rovers breakthrough came on the hour mark. Joseph Ndo’s corner from the left hand side at the Railway end found the head of the rising Matthew Blinkhorn who neatly put the ball past Barry Murphy.

That goal gave the home side a hunger for a second and with the chant of ROVERS, ROVERS, echoing around the Showgrounds O’Grady found himself in a shooting position only yards out from goal, he failed to grasp the nettle and laid off for the on-running McCabe whose looping shot beat Murphy in the visitors goal only to rattle the crossbar.

Keeping with tradition Paul Cook saw fit to withdraw the Bit O’Red’s most threatening player in the second half, replacing wide man Gary McCabe with John Dillon.

Half way through the second half Pat Fenlon withdrew full back and Sligo native Mark Rossiter opting for attacking midfielder Mark Quigley in an effort to counteract the homes side’s dominance.

With just over 5 minutes remaining the switch paid off. Paul Cook’s side began to tire and Quigley found himself in space at the back post. Fellow substitute Aaron Green picked out Quigley with a pass across the face of goal leaving the purple booted Quigley to tap in past a stranded Richard Brush.

All in all it was another game Rovers should have gained at least a point from.
However, another positive along with the Blinkhorn’s goal was the performance of Derek Foran, starting only his second league game of the season, the former Bray centre half did little wrong and should grow in confidence alongside Gavin Peers in the absence of Mauro Almeida who will be out for a number of months with following an operation on his Achilles.

Next up for Rovers is the EA Sports League Cup 2nd Round tie, home to Letterkenny Rovers next Tuesday night. It’s expected recent signing and former Galway United centre midfielder John Russell will make his debut the Bit O’Red.

Sligo Rovers: R Brush, D Ventre , D Foran, G Peers, A Keane, G McCabe, C O’Grady (for M Doninger 89”), R Ryan, E Doyle, M Blinkhorn, J Ndo. SUBS: C Kelly, P Whelan, J Dillon (for McCabe 78”), M Donning (for O’Grady 89”) P Amond (for Doyle on 87”)

Bohemians: B Murphy, C Powell, J McGuinnness, G Cronin, M Rossiter, K Brennan, B Shelley, P Keegan, A Murphy, J Byrne, R Cretaro. SUBS: C O’Connor, G Burke, R Higgins (for Byrne 88”), A Greene (for Cretaro 78”), M Quigley (for Rossiter 66”)