Rovers 2 Sligo Rvs 3

******* Ford FAI Cup 2nd Round *******
Shamrock Rovers 2
Purcell 10' Myler 64'

Sligo Rovers 3
Kudezovic 24' 66' Judge 29'
Tolka Park - Sat 16th June 2007

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This was a highly entertaining FAI Cup tie that was marred by an injury to Barry Murphy which led to Sligo's third goal. Barry was injured in a collision with teammates Dean Lawrence and Ger O'Brien while trying to gather a low through ball and there was a suspicion of a push on O'Brien but the Ref. waved play on and Kudezovic ran on to stroke the ball into the empty net. After a 13 minute delay Barry was brought to hospital and the preliminary news is that he was conscious in the ambulance and will udergo some X-Rays later on.

The Hoops started the game well and went ahead on ten minutes when Lawrence found Myler and his touch saw Rowe send in a fine cross for Purcell to rise and send the perfect header into the corner of the net. It was a great start but over the next 15 minutes the Hoops let Sligo get a foothold on the game. Because of injuries and suspensions Pat Scully had re-jigged the defence and Rovers played an unorthodox five at the back with Ryan, O'Brien and Walsh playing as centre halves.

The formation worked well until the 24th minute when Kudezovic got behind the defence to side foot the ball past Murphy for the equaliser. Sligo were on top now and just five minutes later Judge was given time and space to fire a shot from ouside the box that Murphy got a hand to but couldn't keep out. Sligo's number two then had a shot on goal after running unhindered from his own half but Murphy saved this time.

The Hoops gradually got back into the game and Purcell sent Cassidy through on goal on 39 minutes but Brush in the Sligo goal won the race for the ball. Purcell then set up Ger Rowe but his shot was blocked in the box. Murphy saved well from a close range effort by Kudezovic right on the blow for half-time.

Rovers started the second half well with Rowe shooting wide from Cassidys pass. Rowe did well in the 56th minute to cross but Brush got to the ball before Purcell. In the 58th minute a Cassidy corner wasn't cleared and Walsh fired a shot just wide. Dave O'Connor then came on for Walsh as the Rovers formation changed again with Lawrence moving in to partner O'Brien in the centre of the defence. Langtry made a good tackle in the box on 61 minutes and the resultant corner was cleared off the line by Purcell.

Rovers were level in the 64th minute when Langtry found Myler with a fine pass and the Hoops number ten controlled the ball before shooting past Brush. Just a couple of minutes later disaster struck as Sligo controversially regained the lead.

After the 13 minute delay to the game the Hoops hit Sligo looking for the equaliser. Cassidy set the tone with a fine cross that just eluded Purcell and Rowe. Cassidys free-kick then saw Myler flash a shot off a defender and the resultant corner led to a scramble in the box with Purcell and Rowe just failing to force the ball into the net.

A great move involving Rowe and Purcell just twelve minutes from time saw Cassidy strike a shot across goal and seconds later Purcell just failed to connect properly with Cassidys cross. Kudezovic then hit the Hoops cross bar and substitute 'keeper O'Brien did well to tip over a shot following a corner. Ger Rowe tried his luck with a free-kick with six minutes remaining but Brush saved. Sligo's number eleven then dragged a shot wide when well placed as the Hoops were almost caught on the break. Try as they might the home side couldn't breach the visitors defence as the game drew to a close and Rovers quest for the elusive 25th FAI Cup win continues.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Derek Pender
4 Ian Ryan
5 Glen Walsh
6 Tommy Barrett
7 Dean Lawrence
8 Ger Rowe
9 Tadhg Purcell
10 Andy Myler
11 Dave Cassidy


Substitutes :

13 Mark Langtry for Barrett 42'
14 Keith Lyons
15 Jamie Duffy
16 Stephen O'Brien for Murphy 65'
17 Dave O'Connor for Walsh 59'
18 Ciaran Duff