SligoWeekender March 8, 2011
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sportsoccer/sligorovers Aaron Greene nets 89th minute winner as SligoRovers take opening day spoils from Brandywell test
Late show earns first win
Brian McHugh
IMPACT: Aaron Greene, above, netted the winning goal against Derry City last Friday.
BestfforRovers Airtricity League Premier Division Derry City 0 Sligo Rovers 1 Keith O’Dwyer Brandywell Stadium
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LIGO Rovers saw off a strong second-half display from Derry City to win 1-0 in their opening game of the Airtricity League Premier Division, which was played at the Brandywell Stadium last Friday evening. Second-half substitute Aaron Greene, one of several new additions to Paul Cook’s squad, got the winner in the 89th minute – much to the delight of the large travelling support – while new goalkeeper Brendan Clarke saved a first-half penalty. Sligo Rovers began with the same team that played in the last pre-season friendly against Galway United. They started brightly but it was Derry City who carved the best opening of the first 20 minutes when, in the 17th minute, Gareth McGlynn put in a cross from the right that picked out Eamon Zayed. The former Sporting Fingal man, though, directed his header straight at his former team-mate Brendan Clarke, the Sligo
Carr hails win that kickstarts campaign as Shams loom
IARFHLAITH DAVOREN Picking up from where he left off in last November’s FAI Ford Cup final, it was another confident display at left-back from the former Galway United player. Davoren moved well down the left and linked up excellently with Eoin Doyle – and then Aaron Greene – and also tracked back efficiently to make sure the Sligo Rovers defence was never caught short. Rovers goalkeeper. Just after the half-hour mark Sligo Rovers almost broke the deadlock. John Dillon clipped a free-kick to the back post where it reached Jason McGuinness, whose goalbound header came back off the underside of the crossbar and, unluckily for the waiting Matthew Blinkhorn, the ball bounced over the striker. Two minutes later Sligo Rovers were again denied by the woodwork. Iarfhlaith Davoren delivered a ball in from the right, which was cleared out as far as Danny Ventre and his first-time strike beat Derry City goalkeeper, Gerard Doherty, only for the ball to come back off the foot of the upright. Derry City then were presented with a chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when McGuinness was adjudged to have brought down McGlynn. Zayed stepped up to take it but Clarke saved his spot-kick with the Derry City striker blasting the rebound over.
Sligo Rovers twice went close inside the opening 15 minutes of the second-half but Doherty denied both Matthew Blinkhorn and John Russell. As the momentum begun to shift the way of the home side, Sligo Rovers brought on Aaron Greene, Rafael Cretaro and Alan Kirby and these changes had the desired effect as the visitors began to reestablish control. With the clock ticking it seemed as if it would be an opening day draw for both sides until the 89th minute. Cretaro sped clear down the right and whipped in a dangerous ball which evaded the Derry City defence and goalkeeper Doherty and it came across to Greene, who hammered it into the net. The drama wasn’t over, however, as David McDaid almost rescued a point for the home side but his deflected shot was narrowly over. Derry City: Gerard Doherty, Eddie McCallion, Barry Molloy, Stewart Greacen, Shane McEleney, Patrick McEleney (Ruairi Harkin 85), Gareth McGlynn, Stephen McLaughlin, Ruaidhri Higgins (Michael McCrudden 89), Eamon Zayed (David McDaid 80), Daniel Lafferty Subs not used: Emmet Friars, James Henry, Eugene Ferry, Thomas McBride Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke, Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Gavin Peers, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Danny Ventre, Richie Ryan, John Russell, Eoin Doyle, Matthew Blinkhorn (Alan Kirby 83), John Dillon (Aaron Greene 58) Subs not used: Derek Foran, Daryl Horgan, Mark McGoldrick, Ciaran Kelly (gk) Referee: Damien Hancock
Schoolyard Following Sligo’s secondary schools: See pages 74-77
SLIGO Rovers assistant manager, Gerry Carr, said he was delighted with the side’s win over Derry City in the opening game of this season’s Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday night. “The Bradywell is a difficult place to come away with anything from and to take the three points was fantastic. It was the ideal start for us,” he stated. Carr also said the strength of the squad was shown by the the quality of the players that Sligo Rovers were able to use from the bench. Two new signings from Bohemians were invovled in the winning goal in the dying minutes of the game – Tubbercurry ace Rafael Cretaro’s cross set up Aaron Greene, who netted his first goal for the Bit O’Red. “It didn’t matter that the goal came late, we came home with three points and that’s what matters,” said Carr. Looking ahead to next Saturday night’s clash with Shamrock Rovers a repeat of last season’s FAI Ford Cup final – Carr said he hopes it will draw a bumper crowd to The Showgrounds. “Shamrock Rovers are the side that sets the benchmark for the League of Ireland and we are hoping that fans will come out in their hundreds to support us. It’s another great early season opportunity for us.” The assistant manager said Sligo Rovers will be able to select from a full squad apart from playmaker Joseph Ndo, who is unavailable for two more weeks due to an injury.
Results Game played on Friday, March 4 AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION BRANDYWELL STADIUM: Derry City (0) 0, Sligo Rovers (0) 1 (Aaron Greene 89) Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
Fixtures Saturday, March 12 AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm) Monday, March 14 SETANTA SPORTS CUP Quarter-final - First Leg Sligo Rovers v Portadown or Cliftonville (The Showgrounds, 7.45) NOTE: In the event of Portadown having defeated Bohemians in round one last night [Monday] their quarter-final first leg tie against Sligo Rovers would go ahead on Tuesday, March 22, with the second leg set for Monday, March 28.