Shamrock Rovers battle back to share the spoils with Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the season, holding the Champions to a thrilling draw at Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors went into halftime with a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Will Fitzgerald and the league's top goalscorer Aidan Keena, but were denied victory by a Graham Burke penalty and an Adam McDonnell own goal.

The result leaves Liam Buckley’s side second in the table behind Derry City, while the Hoops sit fourth after dropping points for the second game in-a-row.

The hosts made three changes to the side that were held to a scoreless draw at Dundalk on Monday night, reintroducing Alan Mannus, Dylan Watts and Rory Gaffney into the starting team.

Testament to the Hoops' abundance of quality, Jack Byrne dropped to an eye-catching bench alongside Richie Towell, Ronan Finn and Neil Farrugia.

Match details

Despite boasting a two goal lead after 30 minutes, the Bit O’ Red were subject to a Shamrock Rovers onslaught throughout the opening stages of the evening.

The Hoops orchestrated an incessant campaign of attacks down the left wing, with Dylan Watts and Barry Cotter providing a series of daunting deliveries.

Ed McGinty – who kept his side in contention throughout – was well-positioned to gather an early Roberto Lopes header inside three minutes. Rory Gaffney directed another threatening header just wide minutes later.

Sligo looked under pressure, but against the run of play they opened the scoring.

In a rare attacking venture, the Bit O’ Red secured a throw midway inside their opponent’s half.

Collecting the throw on the half-turn, Jordan Hamilton whipped an early cross into Fitzgerald who flicked the ball past Mannus and inside the far post.

Now trailing, the Hoops racked up the shot count. Watts and Burke struck