Team News: v Galway United

Sligo Rovers will look for Connacht derby bragging rights this Monday evening as the Bit O’Red take on Galway United in Premier Division action for the first time since 2017. 

The Tribesmen will make the short journey north to take on Rovers for a first competitive contest between the sides since Sligo’s win over United in Eamon Deacy Park in the EA Sports Cup in 2018, Adam Morgan scoring the only goal that day in a narrow win for Rovers. 

Monday’s game was recently re-arranged after the initial meeting was postponed following the effects of Storm Kathleen back in early April. 

Rovers boss John Russell must plan without long-term injured duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker. While both Max Mata and Fabrice Hartmann will be assesed in the lead up, having both sustained knocks in the Dundalk game. 

There is some good news for Russell who will include winger Simon Power in his squad for the first time since he was sent off against Waterford at the RSC. 

Speaking ahead of the game, Russell said:

“Galway had a big result on Friday night defeating Shelbourne so we know we’re in for a tough game. 

“As always, we must focus on ourselves and play to our strengths which we showed in the first half on Friday night. They key tomorrow is doing it for 90 minutes. When you’re on top in a game you cannot come off it. You need to keep pushing on. 

“The players, staff and supporters are relishing the first Connacht derby in a number of years so hopefully it will be a big night at the Showgrounds.”

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm.

Match Report: vs Athlone Town

AVENIR SPORTS ALL-ISLAND CUP MATCH REPORT

ATHLONE TOWN 2 SLIGO ROVERS 1

BY CONALL COLLIER

Battling Sligo Rovers lost out by the odd goal in three in this action-packed Avenir Sports All-Island Cup game against hosts Athlone Town on Saturday night.

The concession of two goals in the space of three first-half minutes close to the interval ultimately proved costly for Sligo Rovers, but the battling qualities of the team was evident in the second-half as they got back into contention.

The Athlone women, who had a couple of good chances after the break, were hanging on in the closing stages following a fine 75th minute goal from Muireann Devaney that gave Sligo Rovers a lifeline, but they were unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt made three changes to the team that played out a draw with Treaty Utd in the league last weekend.

Bonnie McKiernan, Ciara Henry and Jodie Loughrey came into the team in place of Amber Hardy, Zoe McGlynn and Paula McGrory

Athlone started on the front foot and Hazel Donegan blasted over from close range in the third minute while Emma Doherty and Jodie Loughrey both had chances for the Bit O’Red.

Goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan produced a number of excellent saves when she denied Maddie Gibson and Gillian Keenan as the hosts dictated without managing to make a breakthrough due in no small part to the efforts of Kelsey Munroe, in the opening half, and Keeva Flynn.

However, Sligo Rovers conceded a goal of the ‘soft variety four minutes from the interval when an Athlone corner bounced off Ciara O’Neill at an unguarded far post and rolled into the net.

Then, in first-half added time, referee Daniel Murphy pointed to the spot after what looked like a 50-50 tussle for possession and Athlone went in 2-0 to the good at the interval when Chloe Singleton converted.

Both sides made changes for the second-half, but Athlone were solid in defence as Sligo Rovers tried to get back into contention.

Emma Doherty had a shot saved in the 70th minute, but further pressure saw Muireann Devaney finish to the Athlone net with 15 minutes remaining.

Bonnie McKiernan produced a superb double save in the 80th minute to deny Hazel Donegan as the hosts tried to get a third goal with the tempo increasing and goalmouth action at each end.

However, Athlone Town were hanging on in added time and defender Kayleigh Shine picked up a yellow card for an infringement on the edge of her own penalty area, but the resultant free was saved by Katie Keane.

Athlone Town – Katie Keane; Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin, Gillian Keenan, Chloe Singleton, Jenaya Robertson, Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O’Neill. 

Subs – Casey Howe for Gibson, Laurie Ryan for Singleton and Mary Philips for Slevin all 61 mins, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor for Donegan 92m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Kelsey Munroe, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Keri Loughrey, Ciara Henry, Jodie Loughrey. 

Subs – Kelly Crompton for Kiernan, Zoe McGlynn for Henry and Cara King for Lafferty all half-time, Alice Lillie for Munroe 59 mins, Katie Melly for J Loughrey 74m.

Referee – Daniel Murphy.

Match Report: v Dundalk

Sligo Rovers 1 – 1 Dundalk

Dundalk’s Jamie Gullan dispatched a second half spot-kick as Sligo Rovers were held by the Lilywhites at the Showgrounds.

A really impressive first half showing from the Bit O’Red, Fabrice Hartmann’s stunning opener the highlight, was followed by a second half in which either side could have won the game.

The hosts started with the same team which was beaten by Shamrock Rovers in Dublin seven nights previous, while winger Sam Durrant replaced Robbie Mahon who picked up an injury in Dundalk’s last outing against Bohs on Monday. 

Rovers were well on top in the opening period and went close through Reece Hutchinson who pulled a good save from Dundalk net minder George Shelvey before Hartmann hit a wonderful opener. 

The tricky German winger finding space between two Dundalk defenders before hammering a stunning left footed effort which tore through the air and beyond Shelvey’s reach from all of 25 yards. 

Former Dundalk midfielder Connor Malley had to take a Gullen header off his own line on the half hour. Malley was then allowed travel with the ball just outside his former employers’ area three minutes from the break. The midfielder’s effort from the corner of the box, fizzing past Shelvey’s far post. 

The Louth side were back in the tie on 49 minutes when Gullan coolly dispatching the spot-kick. 

Rovers reacted with Hartmann going close twice in quick succession. The German almost caught Shelvey out at his front post from a set-piece out wide, while the same player’s shot hit team mate Wilson Waweru before rolling past Shelvey’s 90 seconds later. 

The league’s basement side had the ball in the Rovers net soon after but Gullan was adjudged offside from a Robbie Benson through ball as this game really opened up. 

Ed McGinty pulled off a superb save from the incoming Gullan as the game wore on. 

While both Malley and Dundalk sub Ryan O’Kane had chances to nab the points late on, but both camps had to settle for a share of the points.

Rovers are back in action on Monday nightas Galway United visit the Showgrounds for the first Connacht derby of the season, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 70); Fabrice Hartmann (Rein Smit 70), Will Fitzgerald (Stefan Radosavljevic 80); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru HT).

Dundalk: George Shelvey; Archie Davies, Mayowa Animasahun (Zak Johnson 25), Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Scott High, Paul Doyle (Dara Keane HT); Samuel Durrant (Ryan O’Kane 68), Daryl Horgan; Robbie Benson; Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 79). 

Referee: Paul Norton.

Attendance: 2,287.

Team News: v Dundalk

Sligo Rovers begin a busy weekend of Premier Division football at the Showgrounds this Friday night, taking on Dundalk at 7.45pm. 

The Lilywhites’ visit will be followed up on Monday by a much anticipated, re-arranged Connacht derby with Galway United as Rovers look to recover from recent defeats in Dublin to both Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers. 

Rovers will be without long term sidelined duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker. While winger Simon Power serves the third of his three game suspension for a red card against Waterford. 

The Bit O’Red were heavy winners the last time these teams met at Oriel Park in early March. 

Rovers beat Dundalk by five goals to nil that night, but manager John Russell says the County Louth side pose a big threat as they look for their first win of the season. 

“We know the importance of this weekend”, he said. 

“With two home games in quick succession it gives us an opportunity to bounce back after last weekend’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers. 

“Dundalk were probably the better team on Monday night against Bohemians even though they came away with nothing. They have good players who can hurt you so we’re aware of the threat they bring. 

“We know the areas we need to improve on and the players are fully focused and ready for the challenge ahead on Friday night.”

Match Report: V Treaty United

TREATY UTD 0 SLIGO ROVERS 0

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers earned a Women’s Premier Division point on Saturday evening in Limerick when they produced a battling performance in a scoreless draw against unbeaten Treaty Utd at the Markets Field.

Zoe McGlynn, Eimear Lafferty and Sarah Kiernan were named in the Sligo Rovers starting 11 in place of Jodie Loughrey, Keeva Flynn and Amy Roddy from the previous outing against Galway.

However, Flynn was brought in just before kick-off and gave a solid performance after Kelly Crompton picked up a knock in the warm-up.

The opening exchanges were somewhat frantic at each end as the wind and rain dictated, but Sligo Rovers defended resolutely against both the elements and the persistence of a sometimes over-exuberant Yasmine Saidi for Treaty Utd.

The best chance of the opening half was for Treaty in the 31st minute when the Bit O’Red gifted possession to the hosts, but the danger was averted.

Treaty returned the favour five minutes later through goalkeeper Ann Marie Ulliac, but once more, the danger was averted.

Soon after, there was another moment of danger for Treaty when Ulliac ventured outside her penalty area and almost lost possession as she tried to get the ball back into the penalty area.

On the stroke of half-time Katie Lawlee was denied from close range when Keeva Flynn intervened while at the other end Treaty once more almost gifted a lead goal to the Bit O’Red, but escaped with the concession of a corner.

Sunshine greeted the players for the second-half and Treaty were fast out of the traps with an early chance before they also forced a couple of corners without any reward.

Wind-assisted Sligo Rovers dominated the remainder and pressed forward in search of a lead goal.

Paul McGrory missed the proverbial ‘sitter’ in the 66th minute when Emma Doherty headed a centre back across the Treaty six-yard box.

Sligo Rovers also had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside, but will take plenty of positives from this game as they remain unbeaten away from home and also have clean sheets from those two away games.

The attendance at the game was 506.

Treaty Utd – Ann Marie Ulliac; Grace McInerney, Erin Van Dolder, Talia White, Kayla Kyle, Cara Griffin, Delana Friesen, Yasmine Saidi, Leah Martin, Jillian Tegan O’Toole, Katie Lawlee. Subs – Kate O’Donovan for Van Dolder half-time, Fiana Bradley for Saidi 79m.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Kelsey Munroe, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Zoe McGlynn, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey. Subs – Jodie Loughrey for Kiernan 56 mins, Cara King for McGrory 77m.

Referee – Thomas Joyce.

Match Report: v Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers will look to return to winning ways next weekend as the Bit O’Red look to recover from successive defeats on the road against Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s, Rovers taking on both Dundalk and Galway United at the Showgrounds on Friday and Monday respectively.

A well hit finish from Graham Burke, followed by an Aaron Greene double saw Rovers beaten at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

John Russell’s side started this game on the front foot, with Will Fitzgerald capitalising on a Roberto Lopes error. The winger supplying the roaming Reece Hutchinson who forced a decent stop from Shams goalkeeper Leon Pohls.

Ed McGinty first denied Burke at the opposite end, then Markus Poom before another Burke effort flew past the Rovers post.

McGinty pulled off the save of the game before the Hoops went ahead. The loanee reaching high into the top corner of the frame of his goal to bat away Gary O’Neill’s goalward header.

The hosts’ pressure told nine minutes from the break when Burke unleashed an unstoppable drive into the corner of the net.

The Dubliners’ had their second five minutes after half-time.

Greene’s effort took a wicked deflection off Ollie Denham, leaving McGinty with little option. 
Shams decided the game late on when Greene had his second, running on to a quick counter ball courtesy of Poom.

Rovers are back in action this Friday night against Dundalk at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. While Galway are the visitors the following Monday for our re-arranged league fixture, kick-off also 7.45pm. Tickets for both games can be purchased below.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Josh Honohan (Cian Barrett 79); Dylan Watts (Conan Noonan 70), Gary O’Neill (Trevor Clarke 67); Darragh Burns, Graham Burke (Richie Towell 67), Darragh Nugent (Johnny Kenny 67), Markus Poom; Aaron Greene.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Oliver Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 75), Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 75), Will Fitzgerald (Rein Smit 75); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 75).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).

Team News: v Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday at Tallaght Stadium as we travel to Dublin to take on Shamrock Rovers, kick-off 8pm.

The Bit O’Red are back on the pitch, following the postponement of last weekend’s home game with Galway United. That game is rescheduled for Monday, 22nd April after the original date was called-off due to the effects of Storm Kathleen.

There is good news for manager John Russell who has both full back JR Wilson and goalkeeper Ed McGinty available. Wilson missed the last handful of games due to a hamstring issue, while goalkeeper McGinty has recovered from a knock sustained against St Patrick’s Athletic recently. 

Simon Power will miss the game through suspension, while Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon continue to recover from long-term knocks. 

Speaking ahead of the game, Russell said: “It’s disappointing to lose two key players but it opens the door for other players to grab the shirt.”

“It’s important we continue to focus on ourselves and keep improving our performances.”

“We know playing Shamrock Rovers away is always a difficult fixture but we’ve picked up some good results away from home this season so we will show no fear coming into the game.”

“We will be backed again by another large traveling support which has been huge for us this season.”

500 Club Winners January-March 2024

The 500 Club members draw for January, February and March was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

January 2024

  • €500 Cathal Stevenson – Knocknahur, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Pauric Casey – Ransboro, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Kevin Fitzsimons – Cairns Hill, Sligo
  • €100 Dr. Joseph Murphy – Killester, Dublin 5
  • €100 Tom Brooks – Walsall, England
  • €100 Michael Leonard – Carysfort Downs, Dublin
  • €100 Kieran Murphy – Calry, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Michael Dwyer – Tonaphubble, Sligo
  • €100 Adrian Eames – Skerries, Co. Dublin
  • €100 Joe Scanion – Drumiskabole, Co. Sligo

February 2024

  • €500 John Harte – Cois Inbhear, Sligo
  • €100 Gerard Foley – Glencar, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Jack Hegarty – Strandhill Rd, Sligo
  • €100 Sinead McGee – Ballinfull, Sligo
  • €100 Kieran Murphy – Calry, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Andy Dodd – Old Cartron, Sligo
  • €100 Caroline Catering – Carraroe, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Donal Kearns – New York, USA
  • €100 John Monaghan – Carney, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Conor Lynch – Maugheraboy, Sligo

March 2024

  • €500 Denis Gorevan – Kevinsfort Heath, Sligo
  • €100 Amanda Kelly – Cartron Village, Sligo
  • €100 Oisin Foley – Malmo, Sweden
  • €100 Senan Quinn – Cliffoney, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Phillip Carty – Rathmines Lower, Dublin 6
  • €100 Ciaran Quinn – Pearse Rd, Sligo
  • €100 Seamus O Collooney – Gleann, Collooney, Co. Sligo
  • €100 David Gaule – Carney, Co. Sligo
  • €100 Brian Boland – Glasnevin, Dublin 9
  • €100 Ronnie Hanney – Dromahaire, Co. Leitrim

Sligo Rovers partner with Pieta House

On Thursday April 25th Sligo Rovers will partner with Pieta House to host a fundraising coffee morning and registration session for the Darkness Into Light walk which take place on Saturday May 11th. Darkness Into Light is a 5k walk and is the annual fundraising event for Pieta supported by Electric Ireland. The walk is a vital source of income that allows Pieta House to provide critical and free mental health and suicide prevention supports across the country. The coffee and registration morning will take place at the Showgrounds from 10.30am – 2pm and everyone is encouraged to support.

Susan Dunbar, Chairperson of Pieta House Sligo said “Events like Darkness Into Light are so important in helping Pieta House do the vital work it does in Sligo, the north-west and across the country. Pieta operates a free 24 hour crisis helpline and text number and all calls and texts are answered by a qualified therapist. Pieta also offers one to one therapy on the phone, on video or in person in 24 nationwide locations. This simply wouldn’t be possible without events like this so we are hoping to see a great turnout at the Showgrounds.”

Sligo Rovers FSR officer Jamie Murphy said “The issue of mental health and suicide prevention is something which impacts all families and communities. As a community club, it is an issue we are acutely aware of and we are delighted to support Pieta House. A key part of what the club does is promoting positive physical and mental health and we hope to see as many people as possible on April 25th to support the coffee morning and register for Darkness Into Light. If you are struggling in any way with your mental health or are concerned about a friend or family member, no matter how small or big the problem might feel, please reach out for support.”

If you are not in a position to attend the registration and coffee morning at the Showgrounds you can also register on darknessintolight.ie

For more informations please contact fsr@sligorovers.com.

Notice of AGM (Annual General Meeting)

SLIGO FOOTBALL AND SPORT DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD

(Sligo Rovers Football Club)

Sligo Rovers will hold their AGM on Tuesday, April 23rd at 7.30pm at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo.

The AGM will see the election of the 2024 Management Committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances from the club’s Treasurer and the Chairman and Secretary’s report.

Please note only full paid up members or those enjoying the privileges of membership in accordance with the society rules are eligible to attend the AGM

AGENDA

1. Chairman’s Address

2. Minutes of Previous 2023 AGM

3. Matters Arising

4. Secretary’s Report

5. CEO Report

6. Treasure’s Report, Adoption of Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet.

7. Appointment of Auditors

8. Election of Committee of Management

9. Any Other Business

The Management Committee Nomination form is available for those interested in joining the committee by emailing administrator@sligorovers.com.

A zoom link will be available for members looking to attend the meeting virtually. Members who wish to avail of this option are asked to email shane@sligorovers.com at the earliest opportunity, and a link will be returned to access via Zoom.