Substitutions were always going to be key for Joey O’Brien as he took his side to the wet and windy west, smack bang in the middle of what they hope to be a historic European run. John Martin and Sean Boyd who both came on as second half subs would eventually combine to put the game beyond Sligo’s reach.

There were a number of factors going against the Dublin outfit heading into a Saturday night encounter against an inform and jubilant Sligo Rovers.

One being the fact that they had only travelled from Baku a rough 72 hours prior. Another being the stark difference between the respective climates in Sligo and Baku. From 38 degree heat on Wednesday to the swirling wind and rain on Saturday.

The first half was somewhat of a non event. It took some time for both sides to adjust to the stormy conditions. Shels dominated the majority of possession but you could have argued that Sligo had the better openings.

The hosts came closest after 11 minutes when Sligo Rovers worked their customary dangerous set piece. McClean headed back across goal from a wide free kick into the path of Cian Kavanagh. The former Pats and Derry man who has struggled to bed in at The Showgrounds will really have felt he should’ve done better as he directed his header wide from just a few yards out.

The visitors best move in the game came just a couple of minutes before the half was out. Ali Coote was at the heart of it. The ball fell to Kerr McInroy who snatched at an effort on the volley. No trouble caused to Sam Seargant in the Sligo goal.

Both sets of fans at the Showgrounds may have been forgiven for regretting travelling amidst a storm after the lack of goal mouth action in the first half. If that was the case, the start of the second half may have changed a few minds.

The visitors were quick out of the traps after somewhat of a first half slumber. They opened the scoring just a couple of minutes in. Ali Coote picked the ball up where he best operates in the pocket between midfield and defence. He quickly charged towards the Rovers defence before rifling a shot past the palms of Sam Sargeant to continue his impressive run of form under Joey O’Brien.

They very nearly doubled their lead hit a couple of moments later. Mipo Odubeko really should’ve done better as he fired over from just inside the area. The usual change up top came just before the hour as O’Brien introduced a fully rested Sean Boyd off the bench as Odubeko got the nod in Baku.

Sligo were still pushing. Patrick McClean really should’ve continued his impressive goal scoring run soon after Shels went in front. Owen Elding beat Norris and put a beautiful cross into the corridor of uncertainty. McClean, the centre half saw a gap and charged into the area. Elding’s ball landed right on the head of the big defender only for him to spurn a guilt edge chance by missing from a couple of yards out.

The hosts also had a shout for a penalty on the hour. Half time substitute Ciaran Hankin fed the ball inside to Will Fitzgerald. The Sligo winger was then bundled over as he entered the box. Referee Rob Harvey wasn’t interested in the slightest however.

Shels took a huge step to securing the 3 points in the 77th minute when substitutes John Martin and Sean Boyd combined to give the visitors a cushion. A throw was taken on the far side to John Martin. Martin who scored a hat trick in the last meeting between the sides did excellently well to flick the ball over an on rushing defender before beating a couple more to get himself in on goal. The Kilkenny man then played an unselfish ball across goal for Sean Boyd to finish it off.

Sligo’s misery was compiled with 5 on the clock when their former man Ellis Chapman was played in on goal only to be met by the onrushing Sam Sargeant. However, the Sligo keeper palmed the ball away just outside the area and was sent off. Cian Kavanagh was the player sacrificed as Conor Walsh came on in goal.

Joey O’Brien was then able to hand another debut out after recent arrival from Cork City Milan Mbeng played from the start. Sean Moore came on in stoppage time after his arrival last Sunday from West Ham.

A very good evenings work for Shelbourne as they took a brief sabbatical on their European tour to get themselves back into European contention in the league. Their attentions now turn to a trip to Croatia to face Croatian Champions Rijeka.

For Sligo, their unbeaten run comes to an end as they miss the chance to go level on points with a Galway side on the slide but they still remain 8 clear of Cork City at the foot of the table.