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Quigley's last penalty strike seals the deal for Sligo

Sligo R 3 St Pat's 2: MARK QUIGLEY was the toast of the Showgrounds on Saturday after his goal from the penalty spot two minutes…

Mon Oct 15 2012 - 01:00

Sligo R 3 St Pat's 2:MARK QUIGLEY was the toast of the Showgrounds on Saturday after his goal from the penalty spot two minutes from time secured the Airtricity League Premier Division title for Sligo Rovers for the first time since 1977.

Some in the sell-out attendance of 5,621 thought Damian Hancock’s decision to award the spot kick was rather harsh on a Saint Patrick’s Athletic side who were richly deserving of a share of the points after their magnificent second half performance.

The flight of the ball brought it into contact with skipper Conor Kenna. Quigley, who has put Sligo in the driving seat so often in the past, made no mistake with a cool finish that bridged a 35-year gap and brought hundreds of delirious fans on to the pitch in a glorious eruption of jubilation.

“The best team wins the league,” said a delighted Quigley as he prepared to celebrate with family and friends.

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Sligo boss Ian Barraclough said: “Thirty-five years is too long without a league title coming to the town, but I’m so proud of these footballers and we enjoy working together.”

Sligo got a dream start with Raffaele Cretaro firing low into the net in the 20th minute after connecting with a clever ball from the livewire Pascal Millien. And within minutes Cretaro struck again, heading home a Ross Gaynor corner at the back post.

The visitors were dominant during the last 17 minutes of the half,with Jake Carroll going closest from a Ger O’Brien flick on the stroke of half time.

St Patrick’s came out for the second half with determination and pulled a goal back when Christy Fagan rattled Gary Rogers’s net after 52 minutes.

Sean O’Connor struck the upright from a free after 57 minutes as the visitors pressed and Chris Forrester squared the match on 60 minutes, drilling the ball past Rogers from 35 yards.

But Sligo had the last word via Quigley’s crucial late penalty. Both sides finished the game with ten men when Sligo Captain Danny Ventre(straight red) and Saint Pats Sean O Connor (second yellow) were sent off in stoppage time.

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Henderson, McGuinness,Peers, Gaynor, Lynch, Ventre, Ndo, Cretaro,Quigley, Millien, Subs Cawley for Henderson 53,Dillon for Gaynor 75,Buchanan for Ndo 83.

ST PATRICK’S ATH: Murphy, O Brien, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham, Chambers, Carroll, Bolger, Forrester,Fagan, O Connor. Subs Faherty for Bolger half time, Russell for Chambers 69,Flood for O Connor 78.

Referee: Damian Hancock, Cork.