John Dillon netted twice - once in each half - as Sligo Rovers turned on the style with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.
The winners could afford a first-half penalty miss - Alan Keane’s spot-kick saved – as Drogheda United goalkeeper David Quirke kept his side in contention although, in truth, Mick Cooke’s side rarely looked like matching their slicker and superior opponents.
Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook made three changes from the side that started the previous weekend’s game - a scoreless away draw at the Carlisle Grounds - as Alan Kirby, Aaron Greene and Rafael Cretaro were preferred instead of Danny Ventre, Eoin Doyle and Matthew Blinkhorn respectively.
These changes could have been made with Cook having an eye on the upcoming Setanta Sports Cup semi-final first leg against Portadown on Monday night.
Drogheda United, without a win in three top-flight games ahead of their trip to the north-west, made one change from the side that drew 2-2 at home against Derry City, as Stephen Quigley replaced Alan McNally in Mick Cooke’s selection.
Alan Kirby, in a playmaking role as last season’s FAI Ford Cup winners continue to be without Joseph Ndo, was lively in the opening changes as Sligo Rovers took a fourth minute lead from their first meaningful attack.
Team captain Richie Ryan’s low, skimming drive from outside the penalty area drew a fine stop from the Drogheda United goalkeeper, David Quirke, who could only parry the ball into the path of John Dillon, whose composed finish put the home side ahead.
Drogheda United tried to muster a reply with a shot from Colin O’Brien but the midfielder’s effort flew wide of the target and, from a fine move, David Freeman hooked an effort wide from inside the box.
The visitors picked up the night’s first booking when John Lester was put into Paul Tuite’s notebook before Sligo Rovers missed the chance to double their lead from a spot-kick.
Gareth Whelan impeded Iarfhlaith Davoren in the area but, from the subsequent penalty, David Quirke kept out Alan Keane’s effort and Aaron Greene’s follow-up was cleared off the line.
The home side continued to dominate and create opportunities - Rafael Cretaro and Jason McGuinness both off target with headers.
Matters became heated in the 38th minute when, from a Sligo Rovers corner, Drogheda United goalkeeper David Quirke was booked following a challenge on Gavin Peers. This was their third booking of the night.
Sligo Rovers made a positive start to the second-half and Aaron Greene’s 47th minute cross almost reached Rafael Cretaro, who was about to pull the trigger, but Gareth Whelan made a vital interception.
Alan Kirby then dragged a shot wide from John Rusell’s cross and Rafael Cretaro whipped a shot into the side-netting as Paul Cook’s charges threatened to double their lead.
The home side thought they had doubled their lead in the 60th minute but Rafael Cretaro was adjudged to have been in an off side position when he swept home the loose ball after John Russell’s piledriver was parried by David Quirke.
John Dillon doubled Sligo Rovers’ lead after 68 minutes - the impressive winger slammed home the rebound after John Russell’s effort came off the crossbar.
Substitute Eoin Doyle planted a header wide - from Alan Kirby’s delivery - as Rovers sought a third at a venue that saw a crowd of over 2,000, including a smattering of away fans, enjoy an entertaining spectacle.
Eoin Doyle fired off a shot on target in the 85th minute as Drogheda United’s defenders kept their composure despite the home side’s clever attacking onslaughts - Gareth Whelan and Mark O’Brien made last-gasp tackles to prevent further goal threats.
Sligo Rovers
Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Iarfhlaith Davoren; John Dillon (Eoin Doyle 69) , Richie Ryan, Alan Kirby (Mark McGoldrick 90+1), John Russell, Aaron Greene; Raf Cretaro (Matthew Blinkhorn 69)
Subs not used:
Ciaran Kelly (gk), Danny Ventre, Derek Foran, Eoin Doyle, Matthew Blinkhorn, Mark McGoldrick, Barry O’Mahony
Booked: John Russell, 55
Drogheda United
David Quirke; Brian Gannon, Stephen Quigley, Gareth Whelan, Anthony Costigan (Stephen McCrossan 33); Colin O’Brien, John Lester (Jack Flynn 62), Mark O’Brien, Philip Hand; Dinny Corcoran, David Freeman (Philip McDonagh 74)
Subs not used:
Stephen Trimble (gk), Jack Flynn, Philip McDonagh, Darragh Hanaphy, Shaun Skelly, Stephen McCrossan, Victor Ekanem
Booked: John Lester, 16 minutes; Brian Gannnon, 35; David Quirke, 38; Colin O’Brien, 78
Referee
Paul Tuite
