Europa Conference League 1st qualifying round, 2nd leg
Sligo Rovers 0 Bala Town 1 after extra-time
Aggregate: 2-2
Rovers won 4-3 on penalties
Ed McGinty was the hero at the Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers beat gallant Bala Town of Wales 4-3 on penalty kicks on Thursday night to book their place in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
McGinty, who had made a string of vital saves during normal and extra-time, saved the spot kicks of Jonathan Spittle and Luke Wall to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Ed McGinty saves and Sligo Rovers are through! Motherwell are up next in Europa Conference League qualifying.pic.twitter.com/tl7JQJhfvh
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 14, 2022
David Cawley, Paddy Kirk, Aidan Keena and Shane Blaney scored the Rovers penalties at the end of an eventful if very nervy European tie for the bit o’red.
Listen back to how the shootout was described by Ocean FM Sport’s commentary team of Donal Ryan and Gavin Dykes…
Bala Town produced a gutsy European display on the evening – and they will feel slightly unfortunate not to have won the tie in normal or extra-time.
They took the lead on 35 minutes through former Welsh international Dave Edwards, to bring the tie level on aggregate.
In truth, the visitors had a greater number of efforts on target over the 120 minutes and struck the Rovers crossbar on more than one occasion.
However, Rovers keeper Ed McGinty produced a series of crucial saves to keep the Welsh side at bay.
John Russell’s side had plenty of possession but clearcut goalscoring opportunites were at a premium for much of the game. with Will Fitzgerald having a glorious opportunity to score in the second half, but his header was straight at Bala Town keeper Alex Ramsey.
The win earns Sligo Rovers a bigger European pay-day and a trip to Scotland next week to play Scottish Premier League side Motherwell in the second qualifying round.
The Rovers manager spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Donal Ryan after Thursday night’s drama:
