Eircom League Cup Second Round

Sligo Rovers 0
Galway United 0
(Galway win 6-5 on penalties)

By Darragh Cox
At the Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers were knocked out of the Eircom League Cup by Galway United at the Showgrounds last week.
Substitute Keith Foy saw an 86th minute penalty saved by Galway keeper Gary Rogers, and, when extra-time also failed to produce a goal, the unfortunate Foy was one of two Rovers players to miss in the resultant penalty shootout.
It was harsh on Foy, as the Dubliner also saw a free-kick smack off the crossbar in extra-time.
Danny Ventre also missed in the shootout, enabling Gary Deegan to score the winning penalty after a marathon 14 spot kicks, as former Irish international Jeff Kenna picked up his first win as Galway boss.
A poor first-half produced few clearcut chances, although Rovers did offer more creatively.
Brian Cash hit the target after a neat dummy in midfield, but his effort was straight at Rogers. But the best chance of the half fell to the excellent Anto Murphy, who met Fahrudin Kudozovic’s 18th minute cross at the far post but drove his effort narrowly too high.
Murphy was central to everything good about the home team in the second period. He flicked a Chris Butler free inches wide on 57 minutes, and three minutes later he split the Galway defence with a superb ball to release Cretaro.
The former Galway man’s touch was heavy however, and Rogers was quick out of his goal to dive at his feet.
Rovers were awarded a penalty when they countered from a Galway corner, and Kudozovic’s pass picked out Cretaro’s run on goal.
The winger got to the ball just before the out-rushing Rogers, who caught his legs leaving referee Mark Gough with no option but to point to the spot. But Rogers redeemed himself by diving to his right to deny Foy.
Kuduzovic, Matthew Judge, Jamie McKenzie, Conor O’Grady and Mauro Almeida all scored for Rovers in the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Bit O’ Red’s exit from the competition.

Best for Rovers: Anto Murphy.
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Seamus Coleman, Chris Butler, Jamie McKenzie, Mauro Almeida, Anto Murphy (Conor O’Grady 89), Brian Cash (Keith Foy 78), Danny Ventre, Raffaele Cretaro, Fahrudin Kudozovic, Romuald Boco (Matthew Judge 27).
Subs not used: Patrick Jennings, Gary Curran.
Galway United: Gary Rogers, Regi Nooitmeer, Marc McCulloch, Wesley Charles, John Fitzgerald, Jay O’Shea, Gary Deegan, John Russell (Ollie Fenn HT), Derek O’Brien, Mark Leech (Vinny Faherty 72), Stephen O’Flynn (Derek Glynn 107).
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Paul Sinnott.
Referee: Mark Gough.