Soccer

Sligo win battle of the Rovers to set up final date with Drogheda

Third title in four years on the cards after comprehensive victory

Sligo’s Anthony Elding celebrates scoring his side’s third goal of the FAI Ford Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Sligo’s Anthony Elding celebrates scoring his side’s third goal of the FAI Ford Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Sun Oct 06 2013 - 19:43

Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0: Sligo won the battle of the Rovers at The Showgrounds in comprehensive fashion on Sunday to set up a shot at a third FAI Ford Cup title in four years when they face Drogheda United next month.

The visitors had made a bright start in front of a crowd of 4,000 in Sligo, but Danny Ventre put the home side ahead in the 25th minute when he shot past Richard Brush at the second time of asking.

The Dublin side found in difficult to break down a disciplined home side, in which Joseph Ndo was again outstanding in midfield.

Sligo's second came from the penalty spot after 74 minutes after Conor McCormack was sent off for a clumsy tackle on Raffaele Cretaro in the box.

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Alan Keane blasted the spot kick down the middle to double the home side's advantage, before substitute Anthony Elding grabbed the final goal a minute before time after only coming on in the 85th minute.

Elding’s goal was the seventh for his side in the competition and they go to the final having yet to concede a goal in four games in the FAI Ford Cup.