Stalemate in Sligo as Hoops still search for first win

Shamrock Rovers' search for a first league win of the season goes on after they came away from The Showgrounds with a point following a pulsating scorelss draw with Sligo Rovers.

Both goalkeepers were on top in this one, although Shamrock Rovers stopper Leon Pohls was involved in the game's key talking point when he avoided a potential red card in the second half when the German crashed into Sligo's Simon Power outside his area.

The point sees the league champions' continue their difficult start to 2024 as they remain second from bottom.

Winger Power returned to the Sligo starting eleven to face his old team, having missed the hosts' five-goal trouncing of Dundalk the Monday previous. While Stephen Bradley was able to name skipper Roberto Lopes in the Shamrock Rovers team for the first time since his escapades with Cape Verde at the African Cup of Nations, their only change from their late draw with Derry City. Gary O'Neill, due to start, was a late withdrawal due to an injury sustained in the warm-up.

The Hoops have been Sligo's bogey team in recent seasons. The Connacht men have failed to record a win over their opponents in the last ten games between the sides, picking up just three points in the process.

Both sides created chances during a first half which was frenetic at times. Former Hoops winger Power's early set-piece found its way to the back post. Both Max Mata and Ollie Denham close to the crucial touch that would have turned the ball home.

Another player going up against his former club, Aaron Greene, had the Tallaght side's first opportunity when Nando Pijnaker hesitated in trying to control a ball from the Hoops defence. Ed McGinty getting behind Greene's low effort.

The lively Power struck the outside of Pohls'