Shelbourne 1 Sligo R 1:AN OPENING game of the season was played at a surprisingly blistering pace and finished even more intensely. Ultimately, Jason McGuinness's late, late header gave Ian Baraclough a debut point as manager of 10-man Sligo while denying Shels – and particularly Philip Hughes after his brilliant free kick – a winning return to the Premier Division.

From the kick-off, David Cassidy charged at goal before John Dillon almost caused Dean Delaney to spill the ball into his own net moments later.

With all of the changes, though – three in the Shels starting line-up and four in Sligo’s – it was no surprise most of the opportunities came from frenetic action and defensive errors as opposed to measured build-up play.

As the first half wore on, more and more passes were being misplaced. That was not a description you could apply to the opener, though. After Danny Ventre had taken down Paddy Kavanagh on the edge of the box, Hughes stepped up to curl a magnificent free kick around the wall and past Sligo goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

If that goal’s quality rose above the relentless action, the next moment of the game defined it. With tackles continuing to fly, Quigley went in a little too clumsily on Kavanagh and referee Derek Tomney brandished a red card.

That didn’t have any discernible effect on Sligo’s approach or the pace of the game in general.

Within moments of the second half starting, Ross Gaynor’s effort rebounded off the Shelbourne upright following a corner.

Soon afterwards, McGuinness went close from a corner. It was to prove a warning Shels didn’t heed.

In the dying seconds, McGuinness rose to head home and give Baraclough his first league point.

SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Matthews, Boyle, Cronin, Fitzgerald; Kavanagh, Cassidy, Hurley, Ryan, Byrne; Hughes.

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers; Keane, McGuinness, Peers, Gaynor; Ventre, Dillon (Martin, 85 mins), Ndo (Lynch, 71 mins); Quigley, North, Boco

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)