A smash and grab performance from Sligo Rovers seen them come away from Morton stadium with their second point of the season after holding Sporting Fingal to a 1-1 draw.
Gary O'Neill opened the scoring on 52 minutes for the hosts, collecting a pass from Conan Byrne, he cut inside Gavin Peers from the left wing and feigned to shoot before working the angle a second time to send a precise right footed shot past Richard Brush.
Sligo looked unlikely to threaten but just five minutes after going behind, they were handed a lifeline as Padraig Amond caught Stephen Paisley in possession on the edge of his own box, the 21 year old striker calmly rolled his equalising finish under the advancing Brendan Clarke.
The Excitement of premier division football coming to Santry was evident as 1,267 fans buzzed happily into the Swords road venue up to an hour before kick off. After the whistle blew Fingal mirrored that enthusiasm on the pitch, creating a number of early chances and pressing Rovers backwards The visitors best chance coming as Amond raced onto a high ball from Gary McCabe, but the former Shamrock Rovers man fired well wide.
Shane McFaul was the launchpad to many of the Sporting attacks, his inch perfect passes, picking out Conan Byrne and Alan Kirby as they raided down either flank.
The promoted side came closest through a set piece as Shaun Williams picked out his captain Paisley on the back post, he headed back across goal only to see his effort come back off the woodwork.
But the bit of red managed to get a foothold in the game midway through the half and stifled the hosts until the break. The sole flashpoint of that second quarter was Paisley's powerful header behind the Sligo defence. Goalkeeper Brush raced to intercept and appeared to handle outside the area preventing a certain goal for the chasing O'Neill but referee Neil Doyle waved play on.
After both sides had netted in a five minute flurry of goals, chances were few and far between but it was the home side who went looking for the victory, sending on Glen Crowe to partner O'Neill in a more conventional 2 man attack.
Ultimately though, Sligo managed to hold on for the draw, despite Keith Quinn's late foray forward, working a shot which was deflected before Brush showed good reflexes to save with his feet.
Sporting will hope to record a win next time out when they travel to Bray, while Sligo Rovers will host their nearest premier division neighbours, Galway United, having drawn both their opening fixtures one all.
Sporting Fingal: Brendan Clarke, Kenny Browne, Keith Quinn, Shaun Williams, Shaun Maher, Stephen Paisley, Conan Byrne, Ronan Finn, Gary O'Neill, Alan Kirby (for Glen Crowe '77), Shane McFaul.
Subs not used: Brian Gannon, Colm James, Eamon Zayed, Darren Quigley,
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Paul Whelan, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Gavin Peers, Alan keane, Danny Ventre, Gary McCabe (for John Dillon '70), Richie Ryan, Matthew Blinkhorn, Padraig Amond (for Mark Doninger '90), Eoin Doyle.
Subs not used: Conor O'Grady, Mauro Almeida, Ciaran Kelly.
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