SLIGO ROVERS joined Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division after a hard-fought defeat of St Patrick’s Athletics at the Showgrounds.

 

Two brilliantly taken second half goals from former St Pat's midfielder Alan Kirby eventually saw Rovers overturn their guests and claim the three points.

Kirby opened the scoring on 64 minutes with a clinical finish from inside the area after good work by substitute Daryl Horgan and Iarfhlaith Davoren.

The second followed nine minutes later, as Matthew Blinkhorn set him up for a superb left-footed finish from outside the box.

Pat’s actually started the brighter and Dave McMillan hit the post with a header from an early corner, while Brian Shortall saw an effort cleared off the line by Kirby.

But Gary Rogers kept them in the game with three brilliant saves to deny Eoin Doyle, Blinkhorn and Derek Foran, before Kirby eventually found the breakthrough.

 Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Doyle, Foran, McGuinness, Davoren, Greene, Ryan, Kirby, Russell (Ndo 74), Dillon (Horgan 62), Blinkhorn (Cretaro 82).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers, Pender, McMillan, Shortall, Bermingham, Kavanagh (Murphy 81), Bradley (Flood 74), Mulcahy, McFaul, McMillan, Daly (North 74).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).