Sligo Rovers battled to a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers on Matchday 23, with Congolese forward Francely Lomboto featuring as a second-half substitute in a match filled with missed opportunities and late drama.
The home side twice surged ahead at The Showgrounds, only to be pegged back on both occasions by a determined Shamrock side.
Despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead, Sligo failed to hold on, conceding twice and allowing the visitors to escape with a point that keeps them at the summit of the Irish Premier Division.
Lomboto was introduced after the break, tasked with injecting energy and attacking threat as the game became increasingly open.
While he made his presence felt with some promising runs and pressing from the front, the late equaliser from Shamrock Rovers ultimately left Sligo Rovers ruing their inability to close out the match.
“We had the advantage at home and were in control at 2-0. It’s frustrating not to win from that position,” a member of the Sligo coaching team reflected after the final whistle.
The result marks a second consecutive draw for Sligo Rovers, who have now gone three matches unbeaten following a previous win.
While the draw against the league leaders offers encouragement, it also highlights the inconsistencies that have plagued the team throughout the campaign.
Currently sitting 9th in the 10-team standings with 20 points, Sligo remain just above bottom-placed Cork City.
The focus now shifts to turning promising performances into victories, particularly against direct relegation rivals.
The club’s technical staff have emphasised the need for sharper concentration and consistency in the coming weeks.
“We have to avoid falling back into old habits. We’ve seen what this team is capable of, but we must keep our level up,” the staff noted.
Sligo Rovers face a critical stretch of fixtures. First, they travel to Dundalk on Friday, July 18, for the second round of the National Cup.
That will be followed by a crucial league encounter against bottom side Cork City on Friday, July 25—a fixture that could have major implications in the relegation battle.
For Lomboto and his teammates, the draw against Shamrock Rovers may feel like a missed opportunity, but it also signals that this Sligo side has the potential to challenge even the strongest teams in the league when focused and cohesive.
