Rovers secure impressive win in Dalymount
10 April 2026; Sean McHale of Sligo Rovers celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Bohemians and Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Adam Russell/Sportsfile
Sligo Rovers came from behind to record their second league win of the season as they defeated Bohemian FC 2-1 in Dalymount Park last Friday evening, building on the point they earned the Monday previous with Derry City.
Bohs also finished with ten men as Adam McDonnell was sent off in the second half as the Dublin side suffered a first league defeat of the season.
The home side had the games first chance in the fourth minute. Connor Parsons picked up the ball on the left deep inside the Rovers half. He played a one-two with Jordan Flores before flashing a shot across the face of goal and just wide of the post. They took the lead in the eighth minute in a goal which was all about the pass from Sadou Diallo. He had the ball in his own half and looked up and played a defence splitting 60-yard ball which came through to Zane Meyers. He took it into the box and switched to his left foot before shooting high into the roof of the net.
They had a chance to double their lead in the 17th minute as Flores put in a cross from the left which dropped kindly for Darragh Power with his low drive from inside the box well saved by Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.
Bohs had another good effort in the 38th minute with Parsons sending over a corner from the left which Patrick Hickey headed down for Ross Tierney, and he was denied from close range by the legs of Sargeant.
After being on the backfoot for much of the half it was somewhat against the run of play when Rovers drew level in the 39th minute. A Sargeant goal kick was taken down on the right by Jeannot Esua. He passed it short to Alex Nolan whose left foot cross drew out Bohs goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka, which allowed Will Fitzgerald to get in ahead of him to score.
Bohs nearly had an instant response as Tierney played a one-two with Parsons and his resulting shot looked to have wrong footed Sargeant, but the Rovers keeper recovered to make the save with his foot.
Three minutes into the second half, Rovers took the lead. Archis Meekison whipped across a corner from the left towards the front of the six-yard box where it was headed across goal by Fitzgerald which allowed Sean McHale to nod home from close range. Looking to get themselves back on level terms, Bohs had a chance in the 66th minute as Hickey set up Marcus Strods, but Sargeant equal to his shot from distance.
Bohs were then reduced to ten in the 72nd minute when McDonnell received his second yellow card after a clumsy jump tackle on Esua.
Despite being down to ten Bohs did have a chance late on to snatch a point. In the 95th minute Cian Byrne played in Tierney with his shot being blocked but coming out to Power on the right-hand side. He put in a deep cross which found Ryan Burke in space, but with the goal at his mercy he headed into the grateful arms of Sargeant and Rovers picked up the all-important win.
Next up for Rovers it is a crunch game in terms of the relegation battle as they play host to Waterford FC this coming Saturday evening in the Showgrounds. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Darragh Power, Sam Todd, Patrick Hickey, Jordan Flores, Sadou Diallo, Adam McDonnell, Ross Tierney, Zane Myers, Connor Parsons, Colm Whelan. Subs: Marcus Strods (for Parsons 45), Ryan Burke (for Diallo 51), Douglas James-Taylor (for Whelan 63), Cian Byrne (for Myers 75).
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale. Jeannot Esua, Ciaron Harkin, Daire Patton, Carl McHugh, Archie Meekison, Will Fitzgerald, Alex Nolan, Cian Kavanagh. Subs: Kyle McDonagh (for McHugh 45), Shane Blaney (for Nolan), Jad Hakiki (for Kavanagh 81), Guilherme Rego Priosti (for Patton 90).
REF: Neil Doyle.
