Sligo Rovers

For the Bit O'Red, it was no less than they deserved as they piled the pressure on a Dundalk defence that lost Darragh Leahy to an early red card. And for the ...

His shot was parried by Shepperd, but Keena retrieved it, played it back to Will Fitzgerald and his low cross flew inside the near post off Boyle. That sparked a Sligo onslaught. But Sligo Rovers made sure of the points seven minutes from time when Keena burst into the area and selflessly teed up Liivak, who drilled the ball into the roof of the net from close range. But once they went a man up, the only surprise was that it took Sligo until the 57th minute before they went a goal up. The goal came from a powerful run by Aidan Keena into the Dundalk area. It wasn’t long before Leahy’s dismissal that Martin had the Lilywhites’ best chance of the night, with an angled shot that was saved by the outstretched boot of Luke McNicholas.

Dundalk's already fading hopes of catching holders Shamrock Rovers in the title race took a massive dent at The Showgrounds when they lost 2-0 to Sligo ...

Fitzgerald went close with a left-foot shot, from substitute Max Mata's pass, with Dundalk bringing on Robbie Benson and David McMillan in an effort to turn the tide. But Dundalk failed to clear properly, Keena kept the ball alive and Will Fitzgerald's cross-cum-shot was turned into his own net by Dundalk defender Boyle. Leahy saw red when he handled the ball on the ground — as the last covering defender — with Frank Liivak looking to break clear into Dundalk's half.

An Andy Boyle own goal coupled with Frank Liivak's first Sligo Rovers goal boosted the Bit O'Red's outside chances of a top-four finish as they saw off ...

Sligo all but settled the tie seven minutes from time. But John Russell’s side were gifted the lead on 57 minutes. While Will Fitzgerald failed to make the most of a poor pass from Dundalk goalkeeper Nathan Sheppard seconds later. While there were further chances for both Kirk and Keena before the interval. While Estonian international Liivak doubled the host’s lead seven minutes from time. Max Mata and Karl O’Sullivan making way for the experienced Greg Bolger and Estonian international Liivak respectively.