The Showgrounds, home of Sligo Rovers based in County Sligo, West Ireland and play their trade in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Nicknamed the “Bit O’Red Rovers” confirming what colour they play in.
The only team in the League of Ireland Premier to play their home games (well most of them) on a Saturday night at 7:45 and I am completing my Irish weekend with a trip over to Sligo from Dublin on the Shelbourne supporters coach! A big thanks to Darragh who I met at Tolka Park this time last year for that famous Shamrock Rovers night!
3 hours on the N4 and a quick Guinness in Mooney’s bar later, it’s time for some action! €20 for this Premier tie! Fabulous! The atmosphere is building! “We’re the Shelbourne ay! We’re the Shelbourne ay! We’re the Shelbourne ayyyy!”
Out come the teams and up go the flags and banners!! Shelbourne could take a big step here towards their first League Title in 18 years! Can they do it? Let’s find out!
Kick Off! Both teams having a fair share of possession and chances created so far but no real clear cut opportunities to report currently.
23 minutes in and Shelbourne have it at the back and it’s played across their own box… Uh-oh! It’s fallen straight to Will Fitzgerald for Sligo and he’s in… And it’s 1-0! What was the Shelbourne man thinking?! Poor decision making and Shels will have to come from behind now! 1-0!
Shelbourne responding well to going a goal down and are taking the game to Sligo now. 41 minutes gone and here they come again, it’s played into the box from the right and here’s Paddy Barrett at the far post… Straight at the keeper! At half time it remains 1-0 to Sligo.
Second half, 57th minute and Shelbourne play it through to Caffrey and he’s in… AND HE EQUALISES!! Shels are level! Cue bedlam in the away end!!! 1-1!
“Na na na nananana OH THE SFC!” The Shelbourne fans believe again!
65th minute and here come Sligo and they’re in the Shels box, the shot… SAVED… It’s fallen to Wilson Waweru… He’s scored… Oh no for Shelbourne… Out of absolutely nothing and Sligo lead again! 2-1!
Shelbourne are chasing the game now and the Shels fans are getting frustrated with their team and the Referee as Sligo run down the clock…
Stoppage time and Shels have a corner, the keeper is up! Will we get some corner drama at the death again like last year? In it comes… Sligo head away… That’s it! Game over! Sligo take the points and Shels lose ground in the title race…
FT: Sligo Rovers 2-1 Shelbourne
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – Shels fans class! Sligo fans gave it a decent go as well but were drowned out by the Shels faithful!
- The Ground: 7/10 – It’s a nice setup! Would like to see more on the near side as there is nothing behind that goal but it has some good features like the stands and terracing and I can imagine a nice picturesque view of the countryside from the main stand as well!
- Expense: 10/10 – €30 for the coach and €20 for the ticket! Can’t moan at that for the top level of Irish football!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Had a great day with the Shels fans and great to see Darragh once again! Everything but the Shels win today but a great Irish away day to remember!
36/40