Sligo Rovers have set up a quarter-final showdown against Shamrock Rovers or UCD after their comfortable 4-0 win against Monaghan United in their FAI Ford Cup Fourth Round Replay in Gortakeegan.
Aaron Greene scored twice with Gavin Peers and Alan Kirby getting one apiece as Sligo Rovers continued with their defence of the FAI Ford Cup.
It was Monaghan United who had the first real chance of the game in the 17th minute. A well worked corner on the left came to Shane Grimes and he crossed into the box where Michael Isichei flashed his header wide of the upright.
Six minutes later and Sligo Rovers got the breakthrough goal. Joseph N’Do with a vicious inswinger of a corner landed on the head of Gavin Peers and he headed home from close range.
Seven minutes and Sligo Rovers doubled their advantage. Joseph N’Do played the ball into Alan Kirby and he slid it into the path of Aaron Greene who shot low part Monaghan United keeper Gabriel Sava.
Kirby went close himself two minutes later as got to the end of cross from N’Do but his effort was wide of the post.
Monaghan went close to pulling a goal back five minutes into the second half as Sean Brennan played in Willo McDonagh who shot too close to Sligo Rovers keeper Ciaran Kelly.
A minute later and Sligo Rovers made sure of the win when they scored their third. Joseph N’Do made a break down the right and fed Eoin Doyle who played a short pass to Alan Kirby and he took a touch before shooting low into the corner.
Declan O’Brien went close to pulling a goal back for the home side but he headed over from a cross from Michael Isichei. Sligo Rovers went close to adding a fourth in the 78th minute.
Blinkhorn played the Doyle and his shot was spilled by Sava with Philip Byrne doing well to nick the ball off the toe of the incoming Blinkhorn. The fourth did arrive in the 86th minute.
Blinkhorn with a perfectly weighted angled pass into the path of Aaron Greene and he shot first time into the top corner to wrap up a comfortable 4-0 victory.
It’s back to league action for both these sides on Saturday as Sligo Rovers take on Derry City in the Showgrounds in the Premeir Division while Monaghan United will travel to play Finn Harps in the First Division.
Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava, Paul Whelan, Shane Grimes, Aidan Collins (Philip Byrne 60), Alan Byrne; Wilo McDonagh, John Reilly (Paul Byrne 53), Ryan Brennan, Jason Marks; Michael Isichei, Sean Brennan (Declan O’Brien 53)
Subs not used: Kevin Loughran, Roddy Collins, Jake Rossiter.
Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Kelly, Rafael Cretaro, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Gavin Peers (Derek Foran 66), Jason McGuinness; Richie Ryan (John Dillon 66), Danny Ventre, Alan Kirby, Joseph N’Do (Matthew Blinkhorn 73), Aaron Greene; Eoin Doyle.
Subs not used: Anthony Havlin, Conor Powell.
