He was the match winner against Cork City and Rhys McCabe did it again for Sligo Rovers scoring a stoppage time goal to give them a 2-1 win against Finn Harps in Finn Park last Saturday evening. This was a crunch game between two sides looking to avoid the drop in the Premier Division and the win means that Rovers are out of the bottom three and up to 8th in the table. Vinny Faherty had given Rovers the lead with Paddy McCourt equalising for Harps. McCourt’s goal is worth checking out as it is one of individual brilliance by the former Celtic. But it was former Rangers man McCabe who had the final work as he got to the end of a flick on from Faherty. Despite having been involved in the race to avoid the drop for most of the season, only Cork City, Dundalk and Derry City have lost less games but no team has drawn more. Staying with Derry and they were beaten 2-1 in Eamon Deacy Park by Galway United. Kevin Devaney and Stephen Folan scored for Galway with Rory Patterson on the mark for Derry who missed out on the chance to reclaim third place.
Bottom side Drogheda United are running out of time and on Friday night they were beaten 4-1 by Bohemian FC. Sean Brennan scored for Drogheda with Keith Ward getting a hat-trick for Bohs, Dinny Corcoran got their 4th. Both sides had a man sent off, Chris Mulhall for Drogheda and Oscar Brennan for Bohs. Limerick halted their run of bad league results as they drew 1-1 away with Bray Wanderers. Darragh Noone gave Bray the lead with Chiedozie Ogbene replying for Limerick. Gary McCabe missed a penalty in the second half for Bray. The Seasiders continue to make headlines off the pitch as it emerged during the week that their friendly against Waterford is being investigated by the Gardai following due to a suspicion of match fixing. Bray lost 5-0 and have denied the allegation saying they will co-operate with the investigation. Waterford meanwhile were confirmed as First Division champions over the weekend as they won their league match with Wexford 3-0 while second place side Cobh Ramblers lost by the same score at home to Cabinteely.
A great result for Alan Reynolds side and an immediate return for the investment made by Swindon Town chairman Lee Power. Elsewhere Shelbourne beat Athlone Town 4-1 in Tolka Park while Longford Town drew 1-1 with UCD. Waterford weren’t the only side celebrating claiming silverware at the weekend as Dundalk won the EA Sports Cup by beating Shamrock Rovers 3-0 in the final which was played in the Tallaght Stadium. David McMillan, Patrick McEleney and Thomas Stewart got their goals. Aaron Bolger was sent off for Shamrock. These two sides will clash again in cup competitions when they meet in the semi-final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup in a couple of weeks.