Former Saint Aidan Keena haunts old club on Sligo debut

Aidan Keena scored on his Sligo Rovers debut while Colm Horgan netted his first goal for the club as the Bit O'Red got their league campaign off to a winning start with a nervy victory over St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park.

Saints substitute Tunde Owolabi replied for the hosts shortly after Keena had doubled Sligo’s lead. But the visitors held on to record a victory on their first night out.

Saints boss Tim Clancy kept faith with the same starting eleven that overcame Shelbourne one week previously. While Sligo, on their first outing out of the new season after their game against Bohemians last Saturday was postponed, handed debuts to four new signings.

Starting slowly before gaining a hold on this first half, the visitors carved out two great chances to hit the lead early on.

Recent acquisition and former Saint, Keena saw his deft chip bounce back off the Pat’s crossbar nine minutes in. While Karl O’Sullivan and Will Fitzgerald, also winter arrivals at the Showgrounds, both failed to convert from close range in the same move two minutes later.

Sligo, under the guidance of manager Liam Buckley for the 101st time, again went close on 26 minutes, but Joseph Anang held on to Kenna’s volley at his front post after Rovers skipper Greg Bolger had hooked the ball towards the Mullingar striker.

The visitors returned again five minutes from the interval and were rewarded this time.

Horgan provided the improvised finish with the outside of his left boot, after it looked like had had over-ran Adam McDonnell’s diagonal ball into the area from 35 yards out.

Fitzgerald could only fire straight at Anang moments into the second period after some hesitancy in the Pat’s back four.

Eoin Doyle, who holds Sligo’s record for the most league