Wilson Waweru hat-trick helps Sligo Rovers progress in FAI Cup

There was no shock at the Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers navigated safe passage through to the third round of the FAI Cup with Wilson Waweru netting a hat-trick against Munster Senior League side Cobh Wanderers.

Rovers manager John Russell was looking to advance the hosts through a round of the cup for the first time under his tenure and the first time for the club since 2020, when they reached the last four under previous boss Liam Buckley.

As expected, it was the League of Ireland side who were well in charge throughout, although they will feel they could have tested Cobh goalkeeper Mark Power a little more than they did.

Ollie Denham went close nine minutes in when he nodded Will Fitzgerald's corner inches wide of the target, seven minutes before the full-time outfit struck for the opener.

Ellis Chapman's initial shot was saved by Power who could only spill the ball into the path of Waweru who was left with a simple finish, tapping home for his fourth goal of the year.

The seriousness with which Rovers took this tie was evident by the fact that none of the starting XI took part in Friday's mid-season friendly with Everton.

They manufactured further opportunities in the half through Chapman who went close twice in quick succession.

The hosts ended the half with a Chapman header which bounced off the frame of the goal, Waweru knocking home the rebound only to be flagged offside.

The Connacht side frustrated themselves by their own lack of composure and killer instinct in the final third at times.

Waweru twice headed wide before Power held on to a speculative Reece Hutchinson drive, as Rovers switched to two up top in the hope of avoiding an uneasy finish to this tie.

That tension lifted somewhat 15 minutes from time when Fitzgerald