UCD stun Sligo Rovers to progress in FAI Cup

Sligo Rovers were knocked out of the Sports Direct FAI Cup by First Division opposition for the sixth time in nine seasons as UCD stunned the Bit O'Red at the Showgrounds.

On what was a real off night for an in-form Rovers, it was a clinical Students side who took their chances through second half goals from Luke O'Regan and Adam Wells.

Rovers had previously suffered cup upsets to second tier opposition five times since 2016, falling twice to both Longford and Wexford while Cork ejected the Connacht side from the cup in 2022.

A low key first half saw neither goalkeeper tested in an opening 45 which was more to the liking of the visitors than the hosts.

The first talking point of the tie arrived shortly after the half hour when Sligo had a penalty claim waved away.

Rovers winger Will Fitzgerald went down inside the College area after he felt a tug on his shirt. Sligo's Ollie Denham then slipped trying to take control of the subsequent clearance, allowing Michael Raggett through on goal. Referee Damien McGraith saved Denham's blushes however when he spotted an infringement between Denham and Raggett, the Mayo official's decision to award a free to the home side met with notable relief from the crowd.

The Premier Division side were led from the sideline by assistant boss Ryan Casey, owing to manager John Russell's ban. The duo's frustrations continued to the break as an unsettled Rovers continued to try and force the issue.

The closest they came to a first half opener was seven minutes from the break when Luke Pearce, on his first start, headed across Dara Kavanagh's goal from a JR Wilson cross.

Former Sligo youth Niall Holohan's goalward header was cleared by Rovers skipper Niall Morahan early in the second half, just before