Hat-trick hero John Martin fires Shelbourne to dramatic win in five-goal thriller against Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park

The Irish Sun

23-05-2025

GARETH MCELROY'S early header set the visitors on their way, laying the foundation for a thrilling encounter at a boisterous Tolka Park.
John Martins replied with a real strikers hat-trick to put
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John Martin of Shelbourne with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in his side's victory over Sligo Rovers
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The win was a welcome one for the Champions after two defeats and one draw from their last-three games before tonight
With the hosts and visitors the lowest scorers in
Shelbourne had taken bragging rights earlier in the season with a 2-1 win at the Showgrounds in a heated affair, and this friction carried over to Tolka Park with both John Mahon and John O'Sullivan needing to be separated in the games first set-piece after just two minutes.
From the resulting corner
Will Fitzgerald's deep cross was met ever so easily by the impressive Gareth McElroy who just brushed off the attention of Kameron Ledwidge and headed home from close range for his second of the season.
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Reds centurion Evan Caffrey, operating in the left wing back role rather than his usual right side, tried to lift his side moments later bursting forward and curling a right footed effort just over.
In an end-to-end game former Red Jad Hakiki, recently named in Jim Crawford's Ireland under-21 squad, went agonisingly close to doubling his sides lead, showing quick feet to cut inside and let rip with a powerful strike that narrowly missed the far post.
But just after the half hour mark the equaliser came and it was the tireless Caffrey who picked up the ball out left and delivered an inviting in-swinging low cross that looked to be going straight to Sam Sargeant.
But the lively John Martin made a clever darting run across the face of goal before poking home from close range.
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The Caffrey/Martin axis paid dividends again just six minutes later when the 22-year-old cut inside onto his favoured right foot and picked out Martin at the back post who - somehow unchallenged - headed home from a couple of yards out.
With the hosts getting so much joy down the left, John Russell responded with a right back change at the break to try block the avenue that had been so successful.
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But it was fellow half-time sub Ronan Manning who almost made an immediate impact collecting a loose ball in the area and seeing his goal bound effort bravely blocked by Tyreke Wilson.
Shels must have thought three points were secured when Martin bagged his hat-trick 13-minutes after the restart, bundling home following a goalmouth scramble.
But the celebrations were cut short with Sligo star Owen Elding having other ideas.
The 19-year-old, one of the stars of the season so far, hit one of the goals of the season from nearly 30-yards that arrowed straight into the top corner and it was game on again.
This stunner made for a very tense ending with the Reds faithful anxiously cheering on their side.
The visitors continued to throw bodies forward desperately seeking a leveller and looked a real threat from set-pieces.
Gaps started opening up for Damien Duff's side on the counter with former Rovers midfielder Ellis Chapman finding acres of space to drive forward on a couple of occasions but saw his controlled efforts well blocked.
But despite a powerful front two of Francely Lomboto and Wilson Waweru looking dangerous, the home side defended resolutely to grab a huge morale boosting three points.
Shelbourne: 3
Sligo Rovers: 2
SUN STAR MAN:
John Martin (Shelbourne)
Shelbourne:
Healy 7; Coyle 7, Ledwidge 7 Wilson 8; O'Sullivan , Chapman 7, Lunney 7, McInroy 7, Caffrey 9; Wood 8 (Odubeko 7, 70'), Martin 10 (Kelly 6, 84')
Subs not used:
Topcu, Coote, Norris, O'Kane, Offor, Roche, Tulloch
Sligo Rovers:
Sergeant 7; Reynolds 6 (Lintott 7, 46'), McElroy 8, Mahon 7, Hutchinson 7; Hakiki 7, Wolfe 7 (Lomboto 7, 70'), Elding 7, Mallon 6 (Manning 7, 46') Fitzgerald 7; Kavanagh 7 (Waweru 7, 70')
Subs not used:
Walsh, Doyle-Hayes, McDonagh, Malley, Patton,
Referee:
Aaron O'Dowd (Dublin) 6