Sligo A Go Go As Kellys Eyes On The Prize

Paul Cook celebrates after penalty shootout

Sligo Rovers 0-0 Shamrock Rovers (After extra time, Sligo Rovers win 2-0 on penalties)

Goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly was the hero as Sligo Rovers beat Shamrock Rovers on penalties in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium.

Kelly saved all four of Shamrock Rovers’ penalties in the shoot out after both sides failed to hit the net in 120 minutes of football.

Eoin Doyle and Gary McCabe netted for Sligo and with Rovers failing to hit the net, it was enough to give the Bit O’Red their third FAI cup triumph in their history and make up for the disappointment of last season, when they lost the final to Sporting Fingal.

Sligo were the better side throughout and went close through Romauld Boco and Gavin Peers in the first half.

Gary Twigg and Billy Dennehy were denied by Kelly in the second half as the Hoops came into the game a bit more, but Sligo still looked the most likely to break the deadlock.

Extra time came and went without a goal, although Stephen Bradley was dismissed for Shamrock Rovers after receiving a second yellow card. The game then went to a penalty shootout, where Kelly’s heroics won the day for Paul Cook’s side.

 
Sligo Rovers: 1 Kelly; 2 Keane, 4 Peers, 20 Lauchlan, 3 Davoran; 18 Boco, 15 Ndo, 5 Ventre (12 O’Grady ’118), 21 McCabe; 8 Russell; 11 Doyle.

Subs not used: 26 Brush, 19 Gibson, 16 Foran, 14 McGoldrick, 17 Vieira, 7 Dillon.

Booked: Peers, Ndo, Keane, Ventre,

Shamrock Rovers: 1 Mannus; 6 Rice, 4 Sives, 13 Flynn, 3 Stevens; 20 Dennehy, 7 Bradley, 18 Turner, 8 Chambers (10 Baker ’69 (5 Price 113), 23 Stewart (15 Kavanagh ’102); 9 Twigg.

Subs not used: 16 Jennings, 11 Fenn, 14 Downes, 19 Murphy.

Booked: Bradley, Stewart, Turner,

Sent-off: Bradley

Referee: Tomás Connolly.

SLIGO ROVERS PENALTIES

Scored: Eoin Doyle, Gary McCabe

Missed: Alan Keane (saved), Conor O’Grady (wide)

SHAMROCK ROVERS PENALTIES

Missed: Gary Twigg (saved), Pat Flynn (saved), Chris Turner (saved), Paddy Kavanagh (saved).

Attendance: 36,101.

Ford Man of the Match: Joseph Ndo.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.