Cousins settles war of the Rovers

SHAMROCK ROVERS seem to have turned the corner following, victory over Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park yesterday.

Rovers, who grabbed a late point against Bohemians last week, secured the three points deep into injury time when Tony Cousins arrived at the far post to head home a Marc Kenny corner.

Sligo manager Jimmy Mullen detained his players for over half an hour after the game and then proceeded to the officials room, with whom he had several heated exchanges during the afternoon.

"To often this year we've let sides overpower us and gone soft on the opposition," said Mullen afterwards. "On the flip side, I was happy with Tony Kelly's contribution. He's the one player I've been after since I came here, simply because he can pass the ball around a bit."

Sligo will certainly need more than Tony Kelly if they are to lift themselves out of the rut which has seen them slump to mid table in a matter of months'. But for Kelly and John Kenny, they looked a very ordinary team.

Fittingly it was Kenny who brought them back into the game four minutes from time when he beat Robbie Horgan to the ball following a brave header off a free kick from halfway from Mark Hutchenson.

On the overall play and given Rovers dominance, a draw would have been a travesty. Pat Fenlon's influence became more apparent as the game wore on. He had given Rovers the lead when he placed his free kick low to Alan Kelly's right on four minutes.