Aucklander of Cook Island parentage on playing in Ireland and against Ireland in a friendly
As these League of Ireland sons took leave of the international scene last November, Kenny being cut loose as Republic of Ireland manager while McClean retired on 103 caps, the Sligo Rovers striker threatened to steal the show.
Admittedly, Mata trades in goals, 22 in 51 Sligo Rovers appearances earned him a move to Shrewsbury Town last year. One from 11 starts in England’s League One, coupled with a change of manager, prompted a quick return to the northwest, where his form was waiting patiently. Two neat finishes last Monday helped the Bit O’Red to a 5-0 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.
Either way, Sligo has become a home away from home. He feels the warmth of the Showgrounds as much as he felt a chill at New Meadow, where Nigerian striker Dan Udoh leads the line. Shamrock Rovers bring a technical quality to Sligo on Saturday night that is as close as Mata has experienced in the English third tier.
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