Sligo Rovers lose out in Connacht Derby as Carl McHugh sees red

Sligo Rovers were defeated in the first Connacht Derby of the year away to Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park.

It ended on a sour note for Lettermacaward native Carl McHugh, who was shown a straight red in added time.

McHugh and Burnfoot man Gareth McElroy both started for John Russell’s side, who lost out as Galway midfielder Jimmy Keohane scored the only goal of the game on 19 minutes.

Good work from Greg Bolger on the left saw him cross for Keohane, who played a quick 1-2 in the box with Shane Walsh before firing into the roof of the net.

McHugh was dismissed in the sixth minute of added time as he slid in to win the ball ahead of Axel Piesold, with referee Rob Hennessey deeming the challenge worthy of a red card.

The Bit O’Red sit bottom of the table with one point from their first four games.

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Letterkenny defender Shane Blaney wasn’t in the squad for the men from the Showgrounds after he was taken off injured in the first half of their 0-0 draw with Waterford in the RSC seven days previously.

Ramelton man Ronan Boyce (St Patrick’s Athletic) and Carndonagh’s Sam Todd (Derry City) were both unnamed in the squads for their sides, as St Pat’s won 4-0 at home to Dundalk, while Derry came from 2-0 down to beat Waterford 4-2 at the Brandywell.

In the First Division, Gweedore native Patrick Ferry played 90 minutes as Athlone drew 2-2 with Wexford as they remain unbeaten.