Sligo Rovers are on the road for the final time this season this Friday as the Bit O’Red travel to Eamonn Deacy Park to face Galway United in the fourth Connacht derby of the season, kick-off 7.45pm.
Both teams are in desperate need of the points if they are to finish in the top four, with fifth placed Galway two points ahead of Rovers in sixth.
Both teams would require other results to go their way and Derry City to win the FAI Cup whilst also achieving a top three finish, for the final European spot to be handed to the team who finishes fourth.
It’s still all to play for and Rovers are unbeaten against last year’s runaway First Division champions.
The sides played out scoreless draws on either’s home patch earlier this year, while Rovers were comfortable victors at the Showgrounds in the summer. Goals from former Galway striker Wilson Waweru and Luke Pearce on his league debut, handing the points to the home side.
In team news, Waweru, Stephen Mallon and Ellis Chapman won’t make the trip down the N17 and miss out due to injury. Conor Reynolds remains unavailable, but it is hoped he will make the Pat’s game.
Pearce returns following a one-game suspension served in last weekend’s defeat to Bohemians.
That loss to Bohs ended Rovers’ five month unbeaten run of home league games. But John Russell is adamant that last Saturday is long forgotten about and is keen to finish the season on as high a note as possible.
“We’re still fighting and we’re still in with a chance of finishing in a European spot”, he says.
“I know we need results to go for us elsewhere but all we can affect is what Sligo Rovers do. Not what Pat’s or Galway or Shamrock Rovers do. It’s out of our hands but we’re doing all we can to finish the season in as high a position as we can. The aim is to finish the season with two wins and let’s see where it lands us.
“It’s a derby against our neighbours and it’s a game we’re very much looking forward to. These are games you want to be involved in as a player and our boys are aware how big of a game it is.
“Myself, the players and the staff all know how much these games mean to our supporters. I understand tickets have been selling really well for the away end in particular and we’re hoping for another huge crowd of Rovers supporters to travel and roar us on.
“There seems to be a really big interest in this match and it’s great to see as the Connacht derby is a fixture which should be associated with Sligo and Galway teams at the top end of the Premier Division.
“John (Caulfield) and Ollie (Horgan) have done a terrific job this year regardless of where they finish. But you’d expect that with their squad and the experience both of them have at both ends of the table. It’s going to be a huge challenge for us but there’s real excitement around the squad for this one.”
David Goulden