Sligo Rovers vs. Monaghan UTD match report

Sligo Rovers have ensured that the top four teams in the Airtrcity League Premier Division will contest the FAI Cup semi-finals.
A 3-0 defeat of First Division leaders Monaghan United at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening saw the home side join Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and St Pat's in the final four.
Last year's finalists were good value for the win, with a first half Alan Keane penalty and a second half strike from Romuald Boco propelling them to the win, before Mark McGoldrick wrapped it up with a third in injury-time.

Rovers were the better team in the early stages, but struggled to break down a disciplined Monaghan rearguard.
But they broke the deadlock when Monaghan briefly lost their discipline on 24 minutes. Conor McMahon was put under pressure by Eoin Doyle contesting John Russell's cross, and referee Padraig Sutton spotted a handball and pointed to the spot.
Alan Keane confidently stepped up to convert his second penalty in two cup games.
Rovers could have doubled their lead on 33 minutes, when Russell turned his man inside the area and tried to pick out Matthew Blinkhorn in front of goal, but keeper Gabriel Sava dived to save.
Rovers forced eight corners in the opening half, including three in the closing stages of the period, but the closest they came to a second was when Doyle beat a couple of players inside the area, but saw his shot flash across the face of goal.
Monaghan tried to shake things up at half-time by introducing Karl Bermingham for Cathal O'Connor, but they went two down just 30 seconds into the second half.
Aidan Collins looked like he had Richie Ryan's long ball under control, but his clearance went straight to Joseph Ndo, who fed Boco to smash the ball past Sava from close range.
Aidan Lynch also came on for Monaghan entering the final quarter, and Barry Clancy had a couple of efforts on goal, one of which required a safe pair of hands from Ciaran Kelly.
Bermingham also had a half-chance he couldn't keep on target after a blocked Philip Hughes shot rebounded invitingly for him.
At the other end, Matthew Blinkhorn tried his luck after brilliantly controlling a kickout, but Sava was well positioned to make the save.
But Rovers did get the third in injury-time, as substitute Mark McGoldrick looped the ball over Sava for his first senior goal for the club.
Sligo Rovers: 1 Ciaran Kelly; 2 Alan Keane, 20 Jim Lauchlan, 4 Gavin Peers, 3 Iarfhlaith Davoren; 15 Joseph Ndo, 6 Richie Ryan, 8 John Russell (5 Danny Ventre 82), 11 Eoin Doyle (7 John Dillon 90); 18 Romuald Boco, 9 Matthew Blinkhorn (17 Mark McGoldrick 89).
Subs not used: 12 Conor O'Grady, 14 Nelson Vieira, 16 Derek Foran, 19 John Gibson.
Booked: Doyle (32).
Monaghan United: 1 Gabriel Sava; 2 Aidan Collins, 4 Conor McMahon, 5 Brian Gartland, 3 Shane Grimes; 7 Cathal O'Connor (12 Karl Bermingham HT), 6 Don Tierney (17 Aidan Lynch 66), 8 Alan Byrne, 11 Barry Clancy, 9 Sean Brennan; 10 Philip Hughes (14 Darragh Hanaphy 83).
Subs not used: 13 Anthony Costigan, 15 Stephen McCrossan, 16 David Quirke, 18 Darren Coleman.
Booked: McMahon (41), Byrne (53), Gartland (74).
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).

The draw for the semi-final will be made on mns which begins at 7 on rte.