Sligo Rovers vs Motherwell

SHANE BLANEY aims to make a name for himself tonight against Motherwell — his own!Sligo Rovers will defend a 1-0 Europa Conference League first-leg.

I knew coming off the pitch it was a mediocre performance, it wasn’t flowing. You have to be very alert and can’t switch off. I felt we put our stamp on it, we didn’t feel like we were miles off it or they were any way better or whatever. As we grew into it, we got better.” He said: “I’ve heard it. I’m called Blaney Shane everywhere.

Graham Alexander knows it's all or nothing for his Motherwell side tonight in their Europa Conference League qualifier with Sligo Rovers, but believes some ...

If you said we were a bit loose in front of goal, I’d agree with that. "Their goalkeeper and centre-backs played very well to stop us from scoring. We’re well in the game but tomorrow is do-or-die for us.

This evening is a huge one for two Irish teams both of whom are on the cusp of making it to the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

Meanwhile The Saints are in more of a bind but still very much in the tie as they travel to Slovenia to face Mura FC with things all level at 1-1. Meanwhile The Saints are in more of a bind but still very much in the tie as they travel to Slovenia to face Mura FC with things level at 1-1. While Sligo's game will be broadcast on Premier Sports 1 from 6:55 pm, The Saints' fixture is not on television but you can stream it through LOI TV for €7.

Sligo Rovers look to secure their place in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League after already claiming a famous win over Motherwell in ...

Sligo Rovers centre-half Shane Blaney gifted them an early lead in the second leg of their second round Europa Conference League qualifier.

Keena had the ball in the opposition net again afterwards, but the goal did not stand due to a foul in the build-up. Sligo went in to the contest with a 1-0 advantage on aggregate and Blaney doubled that tally after less than four minutes with a spectacular free kick. Sligo Rovers' Shane Blaney has gifted them an early lead in their second round Europa Conference League qualifier vs Motherwell with a free kick for the ages.

Motherwell slumped out of Europa Conference League qualifying with a whimper after being outclassed by Sligo Rovers.

Goal! Sligo Rovers 1, Motherwell 0. Goal! Sligo Rovers 2, Motherwell 0. - 26Buckley - 4Blaney - 19Kirk - 2Banks - 16McNicholas Any momentum we got going at any time was nullified by Sligo. We didn't have that killer instinct or the will to beat our opponent in the box." We gave away a really poor goal and it put us on the back foot. Sligo manager John Russell: "It's a massive moment. Showing inside and out, he teed up the unmarked David Cawley, but the execution was off target. Fancy footwork from Niall Morahan found Keena, but his strike lacked venom as it flew straight at the visiting keeper.

An outstanding goal by Shane Blaney from a free-kick in the fourth minute set Sligo up and Max Mata's cool finish in the 90th minute saw Sligo win 2-0 on ...

Sligo finally began to threaten, having absorbed a lot of pressure, and an Aidan Keena snapshot in the 41st minute forced Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly into a fine stop. Kevin van Veen got a header on target but the ball was straight at Sligo goalkeeper Luke McNicholas as the hosts were digging in as Motherwell dominated possession. An outstanding goal by Shane Blaney from a free-kick in the fourth minute set Sligo up and Max Mata's cool finish in the 90th minute saw Sligo win 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Graham Alexander's men trailed 1-0 from the first leg at Fir Park and the return match at The Showgrounds had just entered its fourth minute when defender ...

As the game entered added time, Mata, on for Morahan in the 69th minute, ran on to a Keena pass to slip the ball low past Kelly to seal a famous win as Sligo reached the third qualifying round of European qualification for the first time. In the 75th minute Efford fired a volley over from eight yards with an effort which was in keeping with a dismal night for Well before Lamie headed into the ground and over the bar. In the 13th minute Well defender Ricki Lamie had the ball in the net following a Blair Spittal free-kick into the Sligo box but Swedish referee Bojan Pandzic ruled an infringement for offside.

This was one of the great nights for Sligo Rovers, a priceless experience for the exuberant locals in a sell-out crowd and an incredibly lucrative one for a ...

And that paid off with Garry Buckley sprung forward from the back to provide extra bite in that area for the conclusion. They began to counter intelligently and keep Motherwell on their toes, and clearly the half-time instructions were taken on board by winger Will Fitzgerald, who excelled in a spell after the restart. A willingness to shoot on sight in the early stages hinted at panic in the ranks. And yet, to describe it as a siege would be a dramatic exaggeration. There’s no doubt their progress here was helped by the fact that Motherwell are only coming opatut of pre-season, yet it must be stressed that this is quite a young Rovers side who are going through a difficult season. In their eyes, it exaggerated the gulf that was supposed to exist between these sides.

Sligo Rovers made history at the Showgrounds as they defied the odds to knock Scottish Premier League side Motherwell out of the Europa Conference League, ...

Things didn’t look good for the Uganda international early on in Sligo when he fouled Aidan Keena 30 yards from the target. As with the first leg, Sligo were fairly comfortable in dealing with the Motherwell press and almost struck on the counter before the break. Leading 1-0 from the the opening leg, a stunning first half free-kick from Shane Blaney doubled Sligo's advantage before Max Mata netted in injury time at the end of the game to secure a famous win for both the club and the League of Ireland.