Some might say that this was a deserved win for Sligo Rovers, who made the last eight of this season's Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup courtesy of a 53rd-minute goal by Owen Elding and a brilliant goalkeeping display by Rovers netminder Sam Sargeant.
Elding’s crisp finish, and Sargeant’s heroics, which included a penalty save from Dayle Rooney early in the second period, knocked out the seven-time winners, and ensured the Gypsies' long wait for cup success, the last in 2008, goes on for another season at least.
With Oasis booked in for gigs up the road at Croke Park this weekend, Bohs wore their away strip of all blue, with the band’s logo on the front of the shirts as hits of the one-time bad boys of rock 'n’ roll blasted out over the speakers at the North Dublin venue.
The home side also wore t-shirts in the warm-up in tribute to the late Suleiman al-Obeid, 'the Palestinian Pelé', who was killed in Gaza.
Before the game Sligo also announced the signing of defender Edwin Agbaje on a short-term deal until the end of the season and the 21-year-old Offaly native was on the bench as he joined the Bit O'Red having departed Ipswich Town.
Agbaje was introduced to the game in the 52nd minute making his Rovers debut as a substitute for right-back Leigh Kavanagh.
The game was typical cup fare, end to end, with both sides going for it in a helter-skelter tie, and there were chances a plenty.
As early as the 14th minute, a mistake by Bohs skipper Keith Buckley saw his heavy touch gift the ball to Jad Hakki, but as the Ireland Under-21 international headed for goal, James Talbot came quickly off his line and nicked the ball away.
Moments later at the other end, Sargeant saved well at his near post as Conor Parsons’ shot was beaten away by the Sligo keeper.
Just past the half hour Sligo went close to breaking the deadlock as Sebastian Quirk steered Will Fitzgerald’s corner just past Talbot’s right-hand post.
Sligo went even closer in the 35th minute when Ryan O’Kane’s corner was met by defender Paddy McLean, but his header was brilliantly cleared off the line by Buckley.
The end-to-end nature of the first half continued as Parsons shifted the ball expertly from his right to left foot, but his shot from just inside the area was just wide.
Sargeant then stopped a rising shot from Rooney that was on target as the London-born keeper saved a certain goal with a fine one-handed save.
Sargeant kept the game scoreless just after the restart as the home side missed an opportunity to break the deadlock, with the Sligo keeper guessing the right way to save the spot kick, awarded when Paddy McLean took down Dawson Devoy in the area.
To rub salt into the home side’s wounds, Sligo then hit the front as Fitzgerald set up Elding (above) and his snapshot, left-footed from the edge of the area, was placed beautifully past the outstretched hands of Talbot.
Not long after, Sargeant kept Sligo in front, saving one-handed from his own defender Ollie Denham whose attempted clearance come up off his foot.
Late on Sargeant was at it again, saving a shot from Bohs sub Rhys Brennan at his near post.
The hosts upped the pressure on the away goal in the remaining minutes but Sligo held on to put their name in next week’s quarter-final draw as boos rang out from the home support at the final whistle.
Bohemian FC: James Talbot; Niall Moraghan, Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh (Liam Smith 54), Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley © (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney (Adam McDonnell 67) Ross Tierney, Conor Parsons; Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74)
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Edwin Agbaje 52), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin, Sebastian Quirk; Ryan O’Kane (Daire Patton 81), Jadi Hakiki (Ronan Manning 81), Will Fitzgerald ©; Owen Elding.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
Watch Derry City v Drogheda United in the Sports Direct FAI Cup on Saturday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
