Shamrock Rovers 1 Sligo Rovers 0:A SUPERB Billy Dennehy free-kick propelled Shamrock Rovers ever closer to a first league title since 1994 as the Hoops downed a determined Sligo side at Tallaght.

With Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic drawing, Michael O’Neill’s men moved seven points clear at the top of the table after passing this stern test.

Gary Twigg may have fired over in the opening minute, but it was the visiting Rovers who took the game to the league leaders and bossed much of the first half.

Paul Cook’s men’s passing game denied the Tallaght side possession and Danny Murphy’s superb tackle prevented Matthew Blinkhorn from opening the scoring.

The hosts almost took the lead against the run of play after 30 minutes. Ciarán Kelly reacted well to block Twigg’s effort from close range, before centre half Jim Lauchlan heroically cleared Neale Fenn’s follow up off the line.

Fenn had a shot saved, before Alan Mannus parried a Gary McCabe free and Craig Sives scrambled the ball to safety as the half ended.

Dennehy went close with a rising shot from outside the box, while the home goal continued its charmed life as a cheeky Joseph Ndo free played McCabe in behind but his shot was too high.

And Sligo paid for their profligacy, as Lauchlan needlessly conceded a free on the edge of the home box and Dennehy drove the ball into the top corner, giving Kelly no chance.

The goal raised the roof at Tallaght but Sligo kept on searching for an equaliser and Mannus had to deny Eoin Doyle after Ndo had again created the opening.

Sligo pushed on, but the hosts soaked up the pressure and hit on the break.

Seán O’Connor, Twigg and Sives went close but in the end, one was enough.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Murphy, Sives, Murray, Stevens; Chambers, Turner, Bayly (O’Connor 43), Dennehy; Fenn (Stewart 72), Twigg.

SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Keane, Peers, Lauchlan, Davoren; McCabe (Dillon 83), Ventre, Ndo, Russell, Doyle (McGoldrick 83); Blinkhorn.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).