Keating's clinical hat-trick keeps Sligo within reach of City

Cork City 3 Sligo Rovers 0 

Ruairí Keating’s hat-trick handed Cork City a lifeline as they hauled themselves back within spitting distance of Sligo Rovers in the battle to avoid a relegation play-off.

The former Sligo striker took his League tally to 11, one behind the Division’s top scorer Chris Forrester, as City narrowed the gap to the Bit o’ Red to three points.

With a goal difference eight worse than Sligo’s and games against each of the top-six to come, City still have plenty of catching up to do. What they have done, though, is wrestle crucial momentum and hope as Sligo stand still.

They have lost their own top scorer Max Mata (also on 11 goals) since hammering City 3-0 at home. In the five games without him this season, they have not only lost each one but failed to score in any of them.

City, meanwhile, have their first League victory in 10, ending a winless streak dating back to the start of June. They can now turn their attentions towards a cup run with a shot of confidence as Wexford are the next visitors for an FAI Cup quarter-final.

Their summer signings experienced their first League win, too, although they lined up without Rokas Stanulevičius (injured) and Malik Dijksteel (suspended) as Aaron Bolger and Jaze Kabia reclaimed starting berths.

Roy Keane, among the 2,484 crowd at Turner’s Cross, had to be impressed with Keating’s clinical finishing and the clever thinking of Cian Bargary to create the first pair with quick throw-ins.

It was Sligo, however, who imposed themselves the better in a cagey opening quarter. They had the first six shots, although half were blocked and the other half off target. Their best chance came when Frank Liivak stepped inside Josh Honohan but Cian Coleman stormed across to