Sligo Rovers stun leaders Shamrock Rovers with injury-time winner
Carl McHugh scored a brilliant 97th minute winner to earn Sligo Rovers three points against Shamrock Rovers.The substitute struck first time from the edge of the area to silence the home support and send the Bit O’ Red back up the road with a huge win.With bottom-of-the-table Waterford losing to a last-gasp Shelbourne winner, this result has opened up a nine-point gap between.McHugh was introduced in the 81st minute and he was the calmest man in the stadium when fellow sub Ryan O’Kane squared the ball across the 18-yard line.With the coolest of finishes, he wrong-footed goalkeeper Ed McGinty and sent the former Showgrounds netminder off on international duty with a loss.The same goes for Adam Brennan, who was involved in Shamrock Rovers’ opener, but later escaped a big penalty shout when he appeared to handle inside his own area.That decision - or lack of - angered visiting manager John Russell and he remonstrated with the fourth official and, when he was close enough to the touchline, referee Paul Norton.But he didn’t have long to wait after that 60th minute controversy before he was celebrating.As Shamrock Rovers failed to clear the ball - a problem all night against a high pressing opponent - it landed at the feet of Jannot Esua at the back post and he finished in style.That goal cancelled on Sean McHale’s 11th minute own-goal - a moment of misfortune and one that could well have sent the visitors spiralling.After all, they conceded four against Galway United only last weekend and hadn’t won in four games.And they could feel a rejuvenated Waterford breathing down their necks.But they survived a few more first-half scares and then capitalised on a dreadful second-half display by Shamrock Rovers to equalise and then nick a last-gasp win.The night began in poignant style as Rovers held a memorial event to remember late former players and officials, and supporters.The ceremony included a wreath laying in the centre-circle by both captains.And then there was the World Cup send-off for captain Pico Lopes, who is US-bound with Cape Verde this weekend.Once the game started, the sloppiness was evident inside the first minute when indecision within the home defence led to a McHale shot that deflected wide of the target.Sligo’s high press was a real nuisance for their hosts. Getting the ball out of their defensive third proved difficult at times.But they broke from their visitors’ shackles long enough to claim an 11th minute lead.Brennan’s match-up with Esua was one of the more fascinating battles of the night, as the Ireland call-up was closely marshalled by the Sligo defender.On this occasion, Brennan squared up to the Cameroonian and, instead of running at him, played a delightfully weighted and angled run into the path of Aaron Greene.He played the ball in the direction of Jake Mulraney, but the luckless McHale got in the way and could do nothing as the low cross bounced off his shin and into his own net.Jack Byrne and Mulraney were then denied by blocks, while Michael Noonan was a lively presence inside the final third.It wasn’t the 18-year-old’s finest night in green and white, as he misplaced some passes and squandered a glorious opportunity early in the second-half to double Rovers’ lead.But his movement was doing more to unlock Sligo’s otherwise disciplined defence than anything else the hosts had to offer.And it took a smart Sargeant stop in the 31st minute, along with good pressure from Gareth McElroy, to deny the youngster as he raced onto a Greene through ball.By that stage, John Russell’s side had fired a serious warning to the league leaders when Daire Patton rattled the crossbar from six yards.The hosts struggled to get going after the break and Sligo, six minutes after their failed penalty appeal, drew level through Esua.Then, with seven minutes of injury-time played, McHugh scored a memorable winner.Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Adam Matthews, Tunmise Sobowale, Lee Grace; Jake Mulraney (Danny Grant 38), Matthew Healy (John O’Sullivan 46), Dylan Watts (Victor Ozhianvuna 65), Jack Byrne, Adam Brennan; Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 65), Michael Noonan (John McGovern 65).Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Oliver Denham, Gareth McElroy, Shane Blaney; James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 53, Mai Traore 72), Sean Hale; Alex Nolan (Ryan O’Kane 46), Daire Patton, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh (Carl McHugh 81).Referee: Paul NortonClick here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
