LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Sligo Rovers 4, UCD 0:A STUNNING goal by skipper Conor O'Grady three minutes before half time opened the flood gates for Sligo at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
UCD played some attractive football and showed strength in defence in the opening half before O’Grady’s 42nd minute strike, from a clever ball by Romauld Boco, that gave UCD keeper Gerard Barron no chance.
The students were caught off guard again two minutes later when Pádraig Amond rattled the net following a long kick out from goalkeeper John Gibson. That left Martin Russell’s side with an uphill battle in the second half.
Superb defending by the students denied John Dillon after seven minutes and Derek Foran fared no better in the 16th minute following a Joseph Ndo corner.
The students were playing well within themselves at that stage before Paul Cooke’s side changed the course of the game as half-time approached.
“We are playing well at the minute and the lads deserve all the plaudits, they’re hungry and playing good football” said a delighted Cooke.
And Cooke’s side did just that in the second half.
Keith Ward and Chris Mulhall went close for the visitors early in the second half but substitute Matthew Blinkhorn made it 3-0 for the home side on 75 minutes.
When Foran headed the ball to the UCD net from Gary McCabe’s corner five minutes later Sligo had secured the three points.
The home side’s comfortable win lifts them to third place on the table – they are also the league’s current top scorers with 43 goals.
“The squad we have at the minute is as good as I have seen in my time in Sligo and the players have the desire and hunger to finish as high as possible,” added Cooke.
Commenting on tomorrow night’s EA Sports Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds Cooke said: “I think it will be a great advertisement for Irish football as both teams will go for it . . ”
UCD boss Russell said: “Sligo were worthy winners, they are a credit to Paul. He has them playing well. We didn’t play well tonight. We were missing a few players but we will now look at the bigger picture.
“When you are beaten by a better team you have got to hold your hands up but our players are committed to improving their game,” said Russell.
SLIGO ROVERS: Gibson, Keane, Davoren, Foran, Laughlan, O'Grady, Dillon, Boco, Ndo, Amond, McCabe. Subs: Ventre for Ndo (69); Blinkhorn for Amond (69); Doyle for Dillon (77).
UCD: Barron, O'Connor, Nangle, Doyle, McMillan, Creevy, Ward, Roche, Kilduff, Wilson, Mulhall. Subs: Moore for Wilson (63); Rusk for Roche (72).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
