Sligo Rovers manager John Russell was thrilled to see his side record a seventh home league win in succession as he hailed goalkeeper Ed McGinty “the best in the business” for a wonder save to deny Dundalk in The Showgrounds.
The Lilywhites were on the way to just a second away victory in 2024 thanks to Robbie Benson’s penalty in the 24th minute of the Premier Division encounter.
Wilson Waweru’s seventh league goal of the campaign on 69 minutes levelled matters and Ellis Chapman then fired home from the spot in an incident which saw Hayden Cann sent off to turn the game on its head.
McGinty would then produce a stunning save in injury-time as the 10-men sought an equaliser.
The night was tempered somewhat for Sligo as Waweru suffered what looked like a serious leg injury shortly after his goal.
The three points moved Sligo back to fourth place and in the hunt for an unlikely European spot given their modest resources this campaign.
Russell told RTÉ Sport: “It’s the seventh win in a row we’ve had in The Showgrounds, so it keeps our run going and momentum going for the last couple of games of the season. We knew the importance of the game. Three points was huge for us.
“And to go behind to a dubious enough penalty and then to get ourselves back in the game second half, I felt we were in the ascendancy. It’s a brilliant, brilliant night for our supporters and a massive three points.
“I was really pleased with the reaction to being behind at the break. I felt first half, it was a bit flat and Dundalk came out firing and played with a lot more intensity. Second half, we brought that. We showed what we’re about.
“There was a lot of pressure on their goal and we went close through Will Fitzgerald and to get the goal from Wilson was brilliant. It fed the energy in the ground and the crowd got right behind us and we looked like a real threat then.”
Sligo Rovers have won seven in a row at home for the first time since March 2012.
They have scored exactly twice in each of the wins having only scored more than once in four of the previous 21 at home.
— A Game Of Two Halves (@gametwohalves) September 21, 2024
Many pundits predicted Russell’s side would be battling for survival in this year’s Premier Division.
Their form has been outstanding since the mid-season break, built mainly on results in The Showgrounds.
Difficult away games with title chasers Shelbourne and Derry City are ahead so again the Bit O’ Red will still be outsiders in the race for the top four.
However, Russell said a European place is the target for his team: “I’m not going to stand here and say it’s not. That has been our goal from the start of the season.
“This league is relentless. There’s nothing between anyone. You lose a game or two, you’re down three or four spots, you win a game or two, you’re up. I’ve been saying it for the last couple of weeks, it’s going to go right to the last game of the season, in my opinion, for the league title, for the relegation play-off and for Europe. We just need to make sure we are in the mix for the last night.”
The Sligo boss was unhappy at the handball decision against Conor Malley in the first half, describing it as “awfully harsh”.
However he did praise referee Mark Lynch for addressing his ruling in talks after the game.
“I’ve never seen a penalty given like that before. There’s nothing you could do. The ball has just popped up on him. He hasn’t put out his arm or stopped the ball from, you know, there’s no danger of a shot on goal or anything. So for me, I thought it was a crazy decision. But thankfully it hasn’t hurt us tonight.
“I spoke to him after the game, he’s adamant that it is a penalty. At least the good thing I’d say about Mark Lynch is that he spoke to me and that’s important for us as managers, that there is that dialogue and we can have an honest, open conversation. Sometimes that doesn’t happen.”
Norman Garbutt seemed to have secured a point for Dundalk as his header in the 92nd minute seemed goal-bound, only for McGinty to claw the ball off the line and away.
Russell praised his goalkeeper and admitted it was a game-winning stop.
“It was an incredible save from an incredible goalkeeper. He is the best in the business. He has come back this year on loan to get his mojo back.
“To have his talent and be over in the UK not even playing football, he decided to come back and has added to his legacy here at the club. He has been phenomenal for this season.
“He has come up with big moments, big saves and kept 11 clean sheets in the league.
“We were under pressure in the last few minutes with balls coming into the box and set-pieces and to make that save at the death shows his ability.”
There is no update on Sligo’s leading goalscorer Waweru as he brought from the pitch to an ambulance, looking in extreme discomfort after an awkward landing when jumping for a ball on the halfway line, shortly after his equaliser.
Russell explained: “It did look nasty. We won’t know the full extent for 24 hours. He was in a lot of pain. Obviously we’re getting to the end of the season with a few games to go, he has been a fantastic signing for us.
“He is a player who has really grown and improved throughout the season.
“He was in the shadows behind Max Mata and went on to win player of the month in July. He has scored goals and been a real threat. We’ll have to wait and see. If he is to miss the last few games he’ll be a big loss.”
