This Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers match report starts with a one-sided second half: Shelbourne won 5-1 at Tolka Park on Friday 9 October after the sides were level at 1-1 at half-time. Daniel Kelly scored the opener, Ademipo Odubeko added a second early in the second half and John Martin scored twice. Sligo Rovers, who stay bottom, had equalised through Kaiyne Woolery in first-half stoppage time. All figures below come from API-Football and were pulled on 10 October 2026, and the table is the one the API showed after the game. Our live scores page tracks the rest of the round.
What does the Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers match report show?
The Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers match report is simple: Shelbourne won 5-1, and four of the five goals came between the 50th and 59th minutes. In addition, the game was played at Tolka Park in Dublin and kicked off at 7:45pm Irish time on Friday 9 October. Meanwhile, it was a Gameweek 33 fixture in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
The result matched the data-based reading in our preview, which gave Shelbourne 50%, a draw 50% and Sligo Rovers 0%. That is one data point, not proof of anything, because API-Football’s percentages are an estimate and not a promise of any result. Even so, it is useful to see the home side win by four goals against the team that sits bottom of the table.
Who scored in Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers?
Daniel Kelly gave Shelbourne the lead on 12 minutes, with Ademipo Odubeko credited with the assist. Sligo Rovers levelled in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, when Kaiyne Woolery scored from an assist by Jack Shorrock. So the teams went in at 1-1.
The second half belonged to the hosts. Odubeko scored on 50 minutes, assisted by Evan Caffrey, and John Martin came on for him on 52 and scored straight away, assisted by Kelly. Milan Bernhard Mbeng made it 4-1 on 57 minutes, and Martin added his second on 59, with Kelly again providing the assist. As a result, Shelbourne scored four goals in the space of nine minutes, and Kelly was involved in three of the five.
How did the teams line up in Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers?
Shelbourne, managed by J. Russell according to API-Football, started in a 3-4-3 shape. Also, the starting XI, in the order the API lists it, was E. Beach, O. Casey, D. Kelly, K. Ledwidge, M. Mbeng, Jack Henry-Francis, K. McInroy, James Barry Norris, S. Moore, M. Odubeko and E. Caffrey. Substitutions followed: Martin replaced Odubeko on 52 minutes, Marco Untergrabner replaced Mbeng and Alistair Coote replaced Henry-Francis on 64, and James Roche and Sean Boyd came on for Norris and Kelly on 76.
Sligo Rovers, managed by D. Purse, used a 4-2-3-1. Liam John Hughes started in goal, with Aidan Gabbidon, G. McElroy, C. McHugh and Sean Stewart in defence, L. Young and Ruben Gillespie in midfield, and A. Meekison, J. McManus and J. Shorrock behind Woolery. Daire Patton and Cian Kavanagh replaced McManus and Meekison on 59, Seb Quirk replaced Gillespie on 60, Kevin Zefi replaced Gabbidon on 65 and Luke Pearce replaced Woolery on 81.
What did the match stats show?
Shelbourne dominated the shot count. Furthermore, they had 26 total shots to Sligo’s nine and 11 on target to one, with 17 shots from inside the box to four. The hosts also won ten corners to six and had 54% of possession, completing 365 of 448 passes against 282 of 375. API-Football’s expected goals figure was 2.6 for Shelbourne and 0.5 for Sligo, so the five goals were above what the chances alone would suggest.
However, Sligo’s goalkeeper made six saves, so the scoreline could have been heavier still. Discipline was fairly quiet. Shelbourne had four yellow cards, for Jack Henry-Francis, Odhran Casey, Mbeng and Sean Moore, and Sligo had two, for Woolery and Luke Young. Neither side had a red card.
What does the result mean for the League of Ireland table?
Shelbourne are fourth on 43 points from 33 games, with 10 wins, 13 draws and 10 defeats and a goal difference of +1. Then that puts them two points clear of Derry City and Dundalk, who have 41 each from 32 and 33 games. In their 17 home league games they have scored 25 goals and conceded 28.
Sligo Rovers stay bottom on 23 points from 33 games, with 5 wins, 8 draws and 20 defeats and a goal difference of -34. They are 11 points behind Waterford and Drogheda United, who are level on 34, which leaves a lot to do. At the top, Shamrock Rovers lead on 62 points, with St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians on 59 each from 32 games.
What else should punters know about Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers?
The quick answers below cover the basics. You can also read our pre-match prediction and our Shamrock Rovers vs Drogheda United report for more from the top of the table.
What was the final score in Shelbourne vs Sligo Rovers?
Shelbourne won 5-1 at Tolka Park on Friday 9 October 2026, after the sides were level at 1-1 at half-time.
Who scored for Shelbourne against Sligo Rovers?
Daniel Kelly, Ademipo Odubeko, John Martin (twice) and Milan Bernhard Mbeng scored for Shelbourne. Kaiyne Woolery scored Sligo Rovers’ goal.
Where are Shelbourne in the League of Ireland table?
After the win Shelbourne are fourth on 43 points from 33 games, behind Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians.
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