FAI Cup Final Match Report: 06-11-2011.

Substitute goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly was the hero for Sligo Rovers as they beat Shelbourne 4-1 in a penalty shootout to retain the FAI Cup at the Aviva Stadium today. Kelly's two penalty saves from Kevin Dawson and Colm James combined with Raffaele Cretaro's winning kick were enough to insure another trophy winning season for Paul Cook's side. However it was a cup final that was not without controversy.

It was a subdued opening to the match. Both sides had plenty of possession but were wasteful more often than not. Philip Hughes had the first shot in anger of the game after 8 minutes. Shels number 9 turned on the edge of the area. His effort was on target, but Jason McGuinness got in the way to deflect his effort wide.

Shels grew in confidence as the first half wore on and they deservedly took the lead in the 30^th minute. Just moments after Barry Clancy had hit the crossbar with a header from a Brendan McGill cross, Shels regained possession. The ball found its way to John Sullivan on the right. Sullivan looped a hopeful ball into the six yard area. Philip Hughes got there before Gavin Peers and finished smartly past Brendan Clarke into the corner of the net.

Sligo could have scored soon after. John Russell was through on goal but Dean Delany dived bravely at his feet to prevent Russell getting a shot in.

The games most controversial moment occurred in the 36^th minute. Having just been booked a couple of minutes earlier, Shelbourne's Barry Clancy found himself through on goal inside the Sligo penalty area. Clancy went down under the challenge of John Russell. It looked like a foul and a penalty. However referee Richie Winter booked Clancy for diving. Shel's number 7 looked dejected leaving the pitch after receiving the red card.

Sligo soon took control of the game and should have scored just before half time. Aaron Greene put in a beautiful cross from the left which found the head of John Russell six yards out. It seemed easier to score, but somehow the Rovers number 8 headed over the bar.

Paul Cook's side drew level in the 48^th minute. Eoin Doyle played it to Danny Ventre on the edge of the area. Ventre then played it left to the onrushing Iarfhlaith Davoran. Davoran's left footed swerving shot wrong footed Dean Delany and went into the net.

Sligo had a chance to take the lead in the 52^nd minute. After John Russel's cross had come back off the crossbar, John Dillon  found Eoin Doyle, who somehow scuffed his shot and hit it straight into the arms of Delany from six yards out.

Substitute Matthew Blinkhorn nearly made an immediate impact in the 60^th minute. Richie Ryan's precise free kick found Blinkhorn unmarked in the penalty area. Sligo's number 9 first time effort was saved by Delany though.

Shels fought to their way back into the game and improved as the second half went on. They came close to scoring in the 79^th minute. Jason McGiunness's clearing header fell to substitute Conan Byrne on the edge of the area. Byrne's shot went just wide of the Sligo goal.

Blinkhorn had another chance to win it for the bit of red in the 92^nd minute. Rovers broke on the counter-attack, Raffaele Cretaro played it to Blinkhorn on the edge of the area. However the substitutes effort was not a good one and he hit it well wide on the half volley.

Sligo dominated possession and territory for the majority of extratime. Raffaele Cretaro shot across the face of goal and Alan Keane scuffed a shot wide, while in the 99^th minute Blinkhorn's  header was on target but the excellent Stephen Paisley got in the way to head it over for a corner.

Rovers had a half chance to win it in the 2^nd minute of injury time. Davoren's deep cross found Eoin Doyle, but Doyle's effort for Sligo was too high. The most interesting thing to happen in extratime was Sligo manager Paul Cook's decision to replace Brendan Clarke with substitute goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly, obviously with penalties in mind.

Sligo went first in the penalty shootout. Eoin Doyle found the net. Karl Bermingham replied for Shels. Sligo captain Richie Ryan then made it 2-1 to his side. Shelbourne's Kevin Dawson was then denied by Ciaran Kelly, who dived low to his left to make the save. Alan Keane made it 3-1 to Rovers, before Kelly dived to his right to keep out Colm Jame's spot kick. It gave another Sligo substitute the chance to become a hero. Raffaele Cretaro didn't let his side sown and sent Dean Delany the wrong way to win the cup for Rovers.

Shelbourne will feel hard done by following a magnificent and brave display, especially after Clancy's very harsh sending off. However Paul Cook deserves credit for his decision to replace Clarke with Kelly for the penalty shootout and for leading  his side to a second successive FAI Cup victory.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany, Ian Ryan, Sean Byrne, Andrew Boyle, Stephen Paisley, John Sullivan (Conan Byrne 59), Barry Clancy, David Cassidy (captain) (Colm James 117), Philip Hughes, Kevin Dawson, Brendan McGill (Karl Bermingham 119).

Subs Not Used: Paul Skinner, Gareth Matthews, Chris Mulhall,  Philip Gorman.

Booked: Barry Clancy (34), Philip Hughes (51), Stephen Paisley (62), Kevin Dawson (93),

Sent-off: Barry Clancy (36).

Penalties: Karl Bermingham (scored), Kevin Dawson (missed), Colm James (missed)

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke (Ciaran Kelly 119), Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoran, Jason McGuinness, Gavin Peers, Danny Ventre, Richie Ryan (captain), John Dillon (Matthew Blinkhorn 60), Aaron Greene, John Russell (Raffaele Cretaro 78), Eoin Doyle.

Subs Not Used:  Alan Kirby, Liam Martin, Derek Foran, Conor Powell.

Booked: Gavin Peers (88), Aaron Greene (90).

Sent off: None.

Penalties: Eoin Doyle (scored), Richie Ryan (scored), Alan Keane (scored), Raffaele Cretaro (scored).

Referee: Richie Winter (Wicklow)

Attendance: 21,662

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Stephen Paisley (Shelbourne).

© Seamus Egan 2011.

Shamrock Rovers v Galway United Match Report: 28-10-2011.

Shamrock Rovers 4 - 0 Galway United

By Seamus Egan

Shamrock Rovers hammered Galway United 4-0 at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night to round off another title winning season. Goals from Chris Turner, Billy Dennehy, Karl Sheppard and Ronan Finn gave Rovers the victory. Finn's strike was also the 100th goal which was scored at the Tallaght Stadium since Rovers moved there.

However it was Galway who started the better. In the 2nd minute Bobby Ryan nearly scored for them. He hit a lovely shot from just outside the area, which was heading for the top corner. However Ryan Thompson was there to tip it over for a corner.

In the 12th minute the visitors came close to scoring again. Jin Gu Kim took the free kick for Galway and captain Alan Murphy flicked it on, but the ball went just wide.

Just a minute later the champions nearly scored at the other end. Conor McCormack took a quick free kick and played in Dean Kelly. Kelly was one on one with Conor Winn. He chipped it over the Galway keeper but the ball hit the post.

The champions eventually took the lead in the 29th minute. The goal came after Rohan Rickett's cross was headed clear by Kim. The ball fell to Chris Turner on the edge of the area. Turner took it down and struck a beautiful effort on the half volley into the top right hand corner of the Galway net.

Michael O'Neill's side went two up in the 37th minute. Rovers had a free kick from the right, which Billy Dennehy took with his left foot. Chris Turner advanced on goal. Winn came out. Both players missed it and the ball went straight into the net to double the champions advantage.

Rovers dominated the second half, and the only surprise was that it took them so long to score a third goal. The Hoops were presented with an opportunity to triple their advantage in the 65th minute after Galway full back Rory Gartlan fouled Gary O'Neill who was through on goal. Gartlan was shown a straight red by referee Anthony Buttimer. Karl Sheppard took the resultant penalty and sent Conor Winn went the wrong way to make it 3-0.

Ronan Finn scored the historic fourth for the champions in the 83rd minute. Right back Pat Sullivan played a lovely long ball to Finn, who controlled it on his chest, took it down and fired into the corner past the unfortunate Conor Winn.

Rovers finished as 4-0 winners but more importantly finished the season as champions following their 23rd league victory of the season. After the game captain Dan Murray lifted the league trophy aloft in front of over 5,000 delighted Hoops fans. Galway will face into the promotion relegation play off having finished the season on a miserable six points.

Shamrock Rovers: Ryan Thompson, Pat Sullivan, Jim Paterson, Ken Oman, Dan Murray (captain) (Ronan Finn 46), Conor McCormack Chris Turner, Rohan Ricketts (Stephen Rice 63), Billy Dennehy, Karl Sheppard, Dean Kelly (Gary O'Neill 60).

Subs not used: Richard Brush, Enda Stevens, Gary McCabe, Gary Twigg.

Booked: Karl Sheppard 59.

Sent-off: None.

Galway United: Conor Winn, Rory Gartlan, Paul Sinnott, Yob Son, Laurence Gaughan, Gary Kelly (Steven Wlash 68), Jin Gu Kim, Bobby Ryan, Alan Murphy (captain), Mickey Gilmore (Oscar Sibanda 75), Ronan Cauldwell (Dara Duggan 80).

Subs not used: Sean Kelly, Eric Brown, Willie Enube, Eric Holland.

Booked: Rory Gartlan 57

Sent-off: Rory Gartlan 64.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Attendance: 5,200.

Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: Billy Dennehy (Shamrock Rovers).

© Seamus Egan 2011.

Shamrock Rovers v Galway United Match Preview: 27-10-2011.

It will be a night of celebration at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday, when champions Shamrock Rovers will take on bottom of the table Galway United (kick off 7.45 p.m). Rovers will be presented with the league trophy following the game, after securing their 17th league title with a dramatic late victory at UCD on Tuesday night.

Following his red card at Belfield on Tuesday, Craig Sives will miss the game through suspension for Rovers. Apart from the suspended Sives, the Hoops will have a full squad to choose from for the visit of Galway.

Hoops boss Michael O'Neill told the Shamrock Rovers website that he is looking forward to Friday night's occasion. “It will be a great night for everyone at the club. While we won the league on Tuesday out in UCD. Friday will see us actually presented with the trophy. It is great for the fans that the presentation will happen in Tallaght, where everyone can be there to witness it. However  there is also still a game to be played. We will want to end the season on a high, and of course to win the league by as many points as possible. Galway have nothing to lose on the night and that will make them dangerous” revealed O'Neill.

Galway United manager John Brennan will have  Laurence Gaughan and Jin Gu Kim available after  injury. However, United will be without long-term injured duo Johnny Keane (knee) and Victor Collins (achilles tendon). Eric Holland (hamstring) and John Egan (knee) will undergo fitness tests ahead of the game. Ronan Caldwell (twisted ankle) is also a doubt, as is club captain Alan Murphy, who has a foot injury.

Galway manager John Brennan is hoping for a decent performance from his side ahead of the promotion/relegation play-offs. "We're going to play the League Champions. We hope to get a performance that would suit us for the play-off, and that's what we're all geared towards at the minute" Brennan told the Galway United website.

The last time that the two sides met in the league at Terryland Park on August 21^st, Rovers won a close encounter 3-2.

  

Shamrock Rovers.

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Craig Sives.

Galway United.
Injured: Johnny Keane (knee) and Victor Collins (achilles tendon) .
Doubtful: Eric Holland, John Egan, Ronan Caldwell and Alan Murphy.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Paddy Power Odds: Shamrock Rovers 1/25, Draw 10/1, Galway United 40/1.
Extratime.ie prediction: Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Galway United.

© Seamus Egan 2011.

Bohemians v Sligo Rovers: Match Report: 21-10-2011.

Two goals from substitute Eoin Doyle and one from Matthew Blinkhorn kept Sligo Rovers in the title race. Paul Cook's side beat Bohemians 3-0 after an impressive second half display at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

However it was Pat Fenlon's team that slightly shaded a poor opening 45 minutes. In the 8^th minute Bohs had the game's first chance. Striker Christy Fagan struck a shot from the edge of the area, which went just wide.

The home team created the best chance of the first half in the 24^th minute. Stephen Traynor played in Anto Flood, who found himself through on goal. Flood shot low, but was denied by a fine save from Brendan Clarke in the Sligo goal.

Bohs number 10 Fagan had another half chance for the home team in the 40^th minute. He raced onto a long clearance, but shot wide from a narrow angle.

However the men from the West looked like a different side after the break. Indeed Sligo should have scored in the 51^st minute. Joseph Ndo played in Matthew Blinkhorn. Blinkhorn shot tamely, but credit to Barry Murphy in the Bohs goal for getting down  smartly to deny the Sligo number nine.

Sligo took the lead in the 62^nd minute.  Bohemians defender Liam Burns stumbled on the ball and lost possession. Eoin Doyle raced onto it. Doyle was then one on one with Barry Murphy. Doyle shot low and the ball struck the inside of the post before finding the net

Sligo's number 11 scored his 20^th league goal of the season in the 69^th minute.This time Rafaele Cretaro linked up with Aaron Greene on the right. Cretaro put in an excellent cross which picked out the unmarked Doyle at the back post. Doyle volleyed home into an unguarded net.

Matthew Blinkhorn wrapped it up for the bit of red in the 75^th minute. The visitors broke on the counter-attack. Eoin Doyle played it to Aaron Greene on the right. Greene played it into the area, where Blinkhorn was on hand to strike it home into the empty net.

Bohs failed to create any genuine chances in the second half. Sligo saw the game out, to move  within one point of Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Airtricity Premier League table. The Hoops do have a game in hand of course, but at least Paul Cook's side have kept themselves in the title race for now.

Bohemians: Barry Murphy, Owen Heary (captain), Ollie Cahill, Liam Burns, Ger O'Brien, Glenn  Cronin, Stephen Traynor (Keith Buckley 57), Stephen Hurley (Ryan McEvoy 83), Christopher Forrester (Aidan Downes 73), Christy Fagan, Anto Flood.

Subs Not Used: Mark Rossiter,  Roberto Lopes, Kevin Feely, Craig Sexton.

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke, Conor Powell, Derek Foran, Gavin Peers, Richie Ryan (captain), John Russell (Aaron Greene 50), Alan Kirby (Eoin Doyle 61), John Dillon, Joseph Ndo (Danny Ventre 68), Rafaele Cretaro, Matthew Blinkhorn.

Subs Not Used: Ciaran Kelly, Iarfhlaith Davoren,   Liam Martin, Jason McGuinness.

Referee: Dave McKeon.

Attendance: 1,323

Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: Eoin Doyle (Sligo Rovers).

© Seamus Egan 2011.

Bohemians v Sligo Roves: Match Preview: 20-10-2011.

Bohemians will be hoping to gain revenge for last Sunday's FAI Cup semi-final defeat when they take on second placed Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick off 7.45.p.m). Sligo, for their part, will need to win to keep their very slim title hopes alive.

Bohs, who currently lie fifth in the table, will be boosted by the return of central defender Liam Burns and strikers Christy Fagan and Anto Flood, who were all suspended for last Sunday's cup semi-final. 

Defender Aidan Price, who has been suffering from a dead leg may not be fit for selection for The Gypsies.

Alan Keane will miss the game for Sligo through suspension. The right back will serve a one match ban after picking up four yellow cards. Apart from Keane, Sligo manager Paul Cook has a full squad to choose from.

Cook told the Sligo Rovers website that he wants to improve on last season's 3^rd place finish “We have a record number of points and we want to try to get as many as possible before the season ends. We finished third last season and our target is always improvement, so we will be giving our all in the last two matches to finish as high as possible" revealed the Sligo boss.

Despite last Sunday's cup defeat, Bohemians have had the better of it in the side's three previous league meetings this season. Pat Fenlon's side took full points from their two league games in the Showgrounds, coming from behind on both occasions to win 2-1. The sides drew 0-0 in June in the Premier Division at Dalymount Park.

Bohemians 

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Aidan Price. 
Suspended: None.
 
Sligo Rovers 

Injured: None. 
Doubtful: None. 
Suspended: Alan Keane.
 
Referee: Dave McKeon. 
Paddy Power Odds: Bohemians 15/4, Draw 12/5, Sligo Rovers 8/11. 
Extratime prediction: Bohemians 1-1 Sligo Rovers.

© Seamus Egan 2011.

St Pats v Sligo Rovers Match Report: 08-10-2011.

Sligo Rover's bid for a first league title since 1977 has taken a major blow after they were somehow beaten 1-0 by St.Patricks Athletic at Inchicore on Friday night. Conor Kenna's 67^th minute header proved to be the key moment of a game which Sligo dominated.

The visitors took control of the game from the start. They could have taken the lead in the 5^th minute. Matthew Blinkhorn passed it to Danny Ventre. Ventre found Joseph Ndo who played it to John Russel of  on the right. Russell shot at goal from the angle and it went just over. 

Paul Cook's side continued to have most of the play throughout the first half. They came close to scoring again in the 25^th minute. Gavin Peers played a fine ball out of defence to Joseph Ndo. Ndo played it to John Russell on the right. Russell's cross found Matthew Blinkhorn. Blinkhorn's header  deflected off Evan McMillan, which took the sting out of it.

The bit of red should have scored in the 40^th minute. Joseph Ndo was involved again. Ndo played in a fine cross from the right, which picked out Matthew Blinkhorn. The Sligo number nine headed the ball from inside the 6 yard box onto the ground and and it bounced over the bar.

The visitors came close to scoring again just before half time. After Pats cleared a corner, the ball came back out to Alan Keane. Keane's accurate cross found Jason McGuinness, who headed just wide. 

There was little to choose between the sides in the first 20 minutes of the second half. However, the Westerners missed another chance in the 64^th minute. Sligo broke on the counter attack, Ndo played in Eoin Doyle. Doyle approached goal, but under pressure from Evan McMillan shot over.

Pete Mahon's side took the lead in the 67^th minute. Jason McGuinness fouled Daryl Kavanagh.  Stephen Bradley took the resultant  free kick from the right and captain Conor Kenna headed home.

Sligo dominated the game after Pats scored. In the 76^th minute they missed another chance. Eoin Doyle chested it down brilliantly for Alan Kirby, who was through on goal but shot wide from eight yards out.

In the 89^th minute Alan Kirby curled one in from the left for Sligo, and his effort hit the crossbar. A minute later substitute Rafael Cretaro's header was saved by Gary Rogers. In the 93^rd minute Richie Ryan missed Sligo's last chance, when he hit the post from inside the box.

Pats deserve credit for the way they defended. However Paul Cook will be wondering how his side failed to get at least a point from this game. This game demonstrated that at any level of football, a team has to take their chances.

St. Patricks Athletic: Gary Rogers, Derek Pender, Ian Bermingham, Connor Kenna (captain), Evan  McMillan (Brian Shorthall 89) Stephen Bradley, Derek Doyle, David Mulcahy (David McMillan 37), Paul Crowley, Anthony Murphy (Danny North 78), Daryl Kavanagh

Subs Not Used:  Sean Stewart, Matthew Holland, Ian Daly, Chris Bennion.

Bookings: Dave Mulchay (19), Derek Pender (38), Alan Keane (86).

Sent-off: None.

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke, Alan Keane, Iarfhaith Davoren, Jason McGuinness, Gavin Peers, Danny Ventre (Alan Kirby, 46), Richie Ryan (captain), Joseph Ndo,Aaron Greene (Rafaele Cretaro 70), John Russell, Matthew Blinkhorn (Eoin Doyle 58).

Subs Not Used: Ciaran Kelly, John Dillon, Derek Foran, Conor Powell.

Bookings: Danny Ventre (31) Jason McGuinness (68)

Sent-off: None

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Attendance: 1,414

Extratime.ie man of the match: Evan McMillan (St. Patricks Athletic).

© Seamus Egan 2011.