Sligo Rovers  (0) 0  -     
Rovers (1) 2 - Finn 26' Sheppard 58'        
 
Setanta Sports Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg - Showgrounds - Mon 11th April 2011 - ko 7.45pm

Hoops Line out
1 Alan Mannus
2 Pat Sullivan
3 Enda Stevens 
17 Ken Oman
5 Dan Murray (c)
6 Stephen Rice 
22 Conor McCormack
21 Ronan Finn
14 Dean Kelly 
19 Gary O'Neill
10 Karl Sheppard

Substitutes:    
15 Paddy Kavanagh
for Sheppard 88'   
16 Ryan Thompson
20 Billy Dennehy
for Kelly 66'
7 Gary McCabe
11 Ciaran Kilduff
for O'Neill 74'
23 Sean Gannon
24 Colm Corcoran
 

The Hoops take the advantage of two goals into next weeks second leg with a high tempo performance in the Showgrounds on a chilly and blustery night.

Following some early pressure from the home side a fine catch by Alan Mannus from Ndo's corner in the 4th minute started a period of dominance by the Hoops as their fast pressing game never allowed the home side to get a foothold on proceedings.

Pat Sullivan burst forward on 6 minutes and his cross was met by the lively Dean Kelly but he swept his effort over the bar. On 15 mins Kelly then raided down the left and an Enda Stevens cross fell to Stephen Rice but his volley went wide.

In the 26th minute Ronan Finn skipped past Ryan and burst forward before unleashing a shot that sailed into the top corner of the net from 25 yards.

The goal lifted the Hoops and Sligo never got a look in despite the best efforts of Ryan and Ndo. McCormack's free-kick on 35 mins saw Oman beat 'keeper Clarke to the ball but his header went wide.

Mannus easily saved Keans shot from the right a minute later before Davoren's shot was blocked inside the box. In the 40th minute a Cretaro lay-off saw Ryan shoot just wide but this was the closest Sligo came in the opening period.

The last action of the half saw Clarke save Rice's shot from Finn's cross. The Hoops started the second-half playing some good high tempo football with Finn and O'Neill combining especially well and Kelly and McCormack working hard to pressure the home defence.

In the 51st minute Clarke saved Kelly's shot before the Hoops had two golden opportunities to go another goal ahead when firstly O'Neill fed Finn on the Hoops left and he raced into the area but Clarke got down well to save his low shot. The it was Kelly's turn to race into the area and from a similar position drew another sace from Clarke.

On 57 minutes the home side had their 'keeper to thank again as Finn played a nice one-two with O'Neill and he found himself in on goal but Clarke advance to block Finn's effort.

A minute later the Hoops got the second goal their play deserved when Sullivan got to the bye-line to cross deep for Sheppard to head past Clarke at the back post.

The home side were stunned and Creataro forced a save from Mannus on the hour but on 64 minutes a long clearance from Sullivan sent O'Neill into the box and he shrugged off a defender to shoot low but Clarke saved at his near-post.

Alan Mannus did well to get down low to block Ryan's shot at the back post following a corner before Sligo were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes when substitute Russell was red-carded for a late tackle on Pat Sullivan.

A brilliant interception from Oman denied Doyle a goal scoring chance before Peers headed just over from Ndo's corner. On 78 minutes Ciaran Kilduff received a booking when it looked like Conor McCormack was the player involved in an earlier foul.

The home side kept trying to nick a goal but Rovers were always dangerous going forward and it was the travelling fans that acclaimed a fine performance by the Hoops at the final whistle.