Sligo Rovers finish in seventh, avoiding a play-off with win over champions Shamrock Rovers
Having sat in the bottom two for the majority of the season, a remarkable turnaround in form since the mid-season break has seen the Bit O’Red avoid a play-off, which at times felt like it would have been an achievement.
Ollie Denham had Sligo Rovers ahead in the first-half, with Owen Elding’s penalty giving the visitors a bit of breathing room in the second-half.
Adam Matthews’ goal made for a nervy finish, but Rovers held out to ensure their Premier Division status for next season.
Sligo Rovers knew a draw would be enough against a Shamrock Rovers side who were crowned champions on Wednesday night, but there would certainly be one eye on matters in the RSC where Waterford hosted Galway.
A defeat for Waterford would mean that John Russell’s men would finish eighth regardless of the result in Tallaght, while a draw for the Bit O’Red would also keep them off second bottom.
As expected, Stephen Bradley named a much changed starting 11 for this tie, with Aaron McEneff, Cian Barrett and John McGovern the only survivors from that team.
Midfielder Connor Malley was ineligible to play against his parent club, while former Rovers man Ed McGinty was rested with one eye on Europe and the FAI Cup final.
Ryan O’Kane should have had the Bit O’Red in the lead after 13 minutes, but the Shelbourne loanee couldn’t direct his header past Lee Steacy in the Shamrock Rovers goals.
Graham Burke and Aaron McEneff flashed efforts wide of the post, just as Galway United took the lead against Waterford at the RSC.
The visitors were having a tough time breaking down the Hoops, and Russell was forced into two early changes when both James McManus and Seb Quirk were forced off before the half hour mark, with Sean Stewart also dropping out in the warm-up.
To be absolutely sure of avoiding ninth, and in order to not have to rely on other results, Russell’s side needed to win.
That was the plan, even if it was against the league champions, albeit with most key players rested.
But the Bit O’Red knew what they had to do, and on 37 minutes they went ahead.
Will Fitzgerald’s ball across the box was sent into the area by O’Kane via a deflection, with Denham on hand to nod it in over the line.
A minute later, Waterford equalised after Galway which gave Russell’s charges even less breathing room.
But, they knew going in at half-time if results stayed this way, they would finish seventh.
With the firepower on Shamrock Rovers’ bench, a reaction from the champions was always going to be expected.
But Rovers gave themselves a cushion on 52 minutes when Rob Hennessy pointed to the spot after Ryan O’Kane was bundled over by Lee Grace inside the box.
Elding dispatched the penalty in the 52nd minute with his 12th goal of the season.
There was a reaction from the Hoops, though, and ten minutes later the hosts pulled one back as Adam Matthews’ effort from the left beat Sargeant to make it 2-1, and to increase the nerves for the final 30 minutes or so.
But Rovers held out for a win, and with Waterford and Galway drawing, they finish seventh, a remarkable achievement considering where they were some months ago.
The visitors were applauded off the pitch by the Shamrock Rovers supporters who stayed back to watch their side lift the trophy.
Shamrock Rovers: L Steacy, A Matthews (R Lopes, 64), L Grace, E Vssenin; S Kavanagh (D Watts, 64), D Nugent, T Clarke, C Barrett, A McEneff (M Healy, 64); G Burke (D Grant, 77), J McGovern (M Noonan, 86).
Sligo Rovers: S Sargeant; E Agbaje (C Reynolds, 71), O Denham, P McClean, K McDonagh; S Quirk (D Patton, 31), J McManus (C Harkin, 16); W Fitzgerald, J Hakiki, R O’Kane (C Kavanagh, 71); O Elding.
Referee: R Hennessy.
