Shamrock Rovers title hopes have been given an early boost, after they recorded an away victory against Paul Cook’s much fancied Sligo Rovers.
Sligo Rovers 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
The Bit O’Red’s impressive form last season (two cups, third in the League) had them installed by many as the leading contenders for the title after Shamrock Rovers.
The home side found themselves behind, however, after only six minutes of playing time at the Showgrounds.
Gary McCabe, who played 30 times last season for the Connacht side, was, fittingly enough, the scorer.
The 22-year old Dubliner fired in a rebound after Brendan Clarke had initially saved a Gary O’Neill effort.
Sligo responded well and Northern Ireland international Alan Mannus was forced into a couple of excellent saves from John Russell and Jason McGuinness.
Russell then had another attempt go marginally wide before Mannus once again came to the rescue foiling Eoin Doyle.
Ken Oman was lucky not to receive his marching orders for an elbow on Alan Keane, and was substituted before the second period.
Raffaele Cretaro was introduced by Sligo with a quarter of an hour remaining on the clock, and McGuinness had an attempt cleared off the line.
Shamrock Rovers held on for the win, however, and maintain their 100 per cent record (though admittedly they’ve only played two games).
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