Shamrock Rovers

2022 - 5 - 9

Burke hat-trick sends Shamrock Rovers to the summit (RTE.ie)

Graham Burke stole a sodden Tallaght show with a 15-minute hat-trick as Shamrock Rovers edged top of the table despite a fine goal from another substitute, ...

There was still time for another sub, Andy Lyons, to glance a header wide, while Sligo hit the post in the last minute. Within minutes, the hosts had a shot cleared off the line from a Byrne corner, as the rain began to fall. Longer balls against a fierce southwesterly looked more promising for the hosts but it was a beautiful Byrne pass on 35 minutes that presented them with their first chance. The excellent Rory Gaffney had too much pace for Nando Pijnaker, who did his best but Gaffney had the wherewithal to feed in Burke, who must rate one of the best finishers in the league. Nor was it ideal for the Bit O'Red that goalkeeper Ed McGinty was scratched late, his injury allowing the veteran ex-Hoop Richard Brush a start. The first 20 minutes were devoid of chances, defences holding firm.

Sligo Rovers suffer second defeat in three days as Shamrock ... (Independent.ie)

Graham Burke scored a 15 minute hat-trick to stretch Shamrock Rovers' unbeaten run to 11 games, as Sligo Rovers suffered a second defeat in three days in ...

With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Rovers were handed a lifeline. And while Richard Brush was, similar to Alan Mannus, barely troubled in the first 45 minutes, he still had to be on his toes. Rory Gaffney, Graham Burke, Chris McCann and Andy Lyons all came on to add to the home side’s firepower. Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Fine build up play from Andy Lyons and Jack Byrne was capped off by a fine finish from Burke to give his side the lead on 54 minutes. Goalkeeper Ed McGinty was named in the starting 11, but during the warm-ups in South Dublin he was feeling the effects of a rib injury sustained on Friday night, and was forced to withdraw with Richard Brush taking his place.

Burke hat-trick takes Rovers back to the top as they go from rabble to ... (The42)

Aidomo Emakhu of Shamrock Rovers stretches for the ball. Image: Peter Fitzpatrick/INPHO. Shamrock Rovers 3. Sligo Rovers 1. David Sneyd reports from Tallaght ...

They did suffer another scare in injury-time when a corner led to a scramble off the post but by that point the points were secured. Sligo were dreadful in their defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday night and looked far more capable in the opening exchanges. Striker Rory Gaffney beat Nando Pijnaker for pace to latch on to Byrne’s hopeful clearance and with acres of space on the opposite left flank, all it took was a simple lay up to allow Burke a clear run on goal.

Graham Burke hat-trick sends Shamrock Rovers top of the table after ... (The Irish Sun)

Burke was one of four changes made at the break as Stephen Bradley reacted to a listless performance in the first half. Advertisement. Graham Burke of Shamrock ...

Buckley made a trio of changes himself well in a bid to turn the tide but Burke completed his treble with a drilled shot before Keena grabbed a consolation with a rising shot after he had burst into the box. Byrne cleared from his own box, leaving Gaffney in a race with Nando Pijnaker. WIth the New Zealander struggling to keep pace, Garry Buckley came across to help but that simply left Burke free and the striker picked him out. Colm Horgan, normally a full-back, was deployed in the centre of the park where his instructions seemed to be to keep an eye on Jack Byrne. The Englishman did not have anything of note to do in the first half but Alan Mannus was not exactly overworked at the other end either. In fact, Barry Cotter struggled when he had the ball in his grasp, twice being penalised for foul throws in the first half which led to the strange sight of Bradley and Jack Byrne demonstrating how to do it either side of him sailing close to the wind with a third. Burke was one of four changes made at the break as Stephen Bradley reacted to a listless performance in the first half.

Graham Burke hat-trick sees Shamrock Rovers go top (Irish Examiner)

Substitute Graham Burke scored a hat-trick inside 15 minutes as Shamrock Rovers came alive in the second half to put Sligo Rovers to the sword at Tallaght ...

The hat-trick arrived on 69 minutes. Lyons was again involved setting up Burke in a pocket of space to rifle the pick of his treble to the corner of the net from outside the box to make it seven goals for the season. Substitute Graham Burke scored a hat-trick inside 15 minutes as Shamrock Rovers came alive in the second half to put Sligo Rovers to the sword at Tallaght Stadium.

Shamrock Rovers 3 Sligo Rovers 1: Sub Graham Burke's hat-trick ... (Irish Mirror)

It ended up being a brilliant night for the champions as Derry City dropped two points at home to St Patrick's Athletic.

Garry Buckley 7 Richard Brush 7 Andy Lyons 7 for Farrugia 46 Jack Byrne 7 Sean Hoare 7 Alan Mannus 7