The Bit O’ Red suffered a third straight Men’s Premier Division defeat on Friday night after Cork City scored the only goal in a tight game at Turners Cross.

John Russell welcomed back John Mahon into the back four after a recent injury and Kailin Barlow started in midfield alongside Greg Bolger and the also returning Niall Morahan. Bogdan Vastsuk, Lukas Browning and Daniel Lafferty were among the subs having started against Shelbourne last weekend.

Both sides had plenty of possession in the first period of the game with little or no goalmouth action until former Rovers Academy graduate Ruairi Keating broke into the penalty area on 15 minutes to fire past Luke McNicholas in the hosts first chance of the evening after a period of good build up play.

Rovers failed to create many chances of note in the first half with Nando Pijnaker firing a cross across goal which was gathered by Jimmy Corcoran in the Cork goal and Frank Liivak shooting from just inside the area after cutting in from the right hand side.

Fabrice Hartmann and David Cawley were brought on at half-time in place of Stefan Radosavljevic and Barlow as John Russell looked to get back into the game.

Rovers did have plenty of second half possession and Hartmann looked bright on the right hand side, creating a couple of half chances and cutting in on his left foot and shooting straight at Corcoran on a couple of occasions.

Niall Morahan, Reece Hutchinson and Cawley all had long range efforts which didn’t trouble the City net minder and Rovers pushed everything forward leaving ourselves vulnerable on the counter attack where the hosts looked threatening throughout with Keating and Tunde Owalabi’s pace causing problems for the Bit O’ Red back four.

Daniel Lafferty and Lukas Browning were introduced late on in place of Johan Brannefalk and Liivak but it wasn’t to be and Rovers were narrowly beaten.

Next up is a home game with Derry City next Saturday evening at 7.45pm at The Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers will go for back-to-back victories when they host Shelbourne in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday,  5pm, as the campaign reaches the half-way stage of the season, writes Conall Collier.

Defending champions Shelbourne return to the Showgrounds this weekend sitting in third place, three points adrift of leaders Peamount Utd.

The Dublin side enjoyed a 2-0 home win last Saturday against DLR Waves with a brace of goals from Jemma Quinn, her first goals of the season, but she had to wait until the 87^th minute for the vital second goal against a side that has struggled for consistency.

Influential for Shelbourne were the duo of Alex Kavanagh and Christie Gray and they will both be aiming to deliver another positive performance at the Showgrounds this weekend.

The Bit O’Red emulated that 2-0 scoreline with a first win of the season away to Cork City last Saturday as they dominated the opening half and created numerous chances.

Casey Howe scored twice in that opening half for Sligo Rovers and a solid defensive performance after the break kept the lead intact as a first clean sheet of the season was achieved.

Shelbourne will pose a completely different challenge for Steve Feeney’s side, but the confidence that the victory in Cork will provide for the players will be a key factor for the Bit O’Red.

Noel King’s side will adopt an ultra-cautious approach to this test as they will be aware of what happened on the last occasion they visited the Showgrounds for what turned into a thriller and a nightmare for the Dublin women.

The action was live on TG4 last season and it all looked quite straightforward at the interval with Shelbourne leading by 2-1, but the hosts on that occasion quite literally produced the performance of the season with two sensational second-half goals to shade the verdict.

This encounter will be the 10^th of a 20-game campaign, and it’s one that Shelbourne cannot afford to lose if they want to hang on to the coat tails of the top two and keep the chasing duo of Galway and Bohemian FC at bay.

That will increase the intensity on the pitch in what promises to be an enthralling 90 minutes as Sligo Rovers will also be on the scent of another win as they bid to move out of the bottom two.

Kick-off is at 5pm and the action is on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers Academy have a full fixture list this coming weekend as all six teams are in action between Saturday and Sunday.

First up, our Under 17 Men’s team host Longford Town at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre.

The side come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Galway United away from home a fortnight ago.

Our Under 17 Women’s team host Galway United at 3pm at the same venue and are fresh off a 4-2 win over Longford Town last time out.

Our Under 14 side are in the Capital to take on Bohemians at 2pm in the Eddie Wallace Under 14 Cup. The cup consists of five games between now and July 1st in group B alongside Bohemians, Longford Town, Derry City, Klub Kildare and Finn Harps.

Sunday sees another three games down for decision.

Our Under 15 side travel to Finn Harps at 2pm and look to make it three wins on the bounce after recent victories over Athlone Town and Longford Town.

Our Under 19 Men’s side host UCD at The Sean Fallon Centre from 2pm and are looking to make it five wins in their last five games after hitting a purple patch over the last month. Last Sunday, the side won 6-1 at home to Klub Kildare.

Our Under 19 Womens team take on Athlone Town at Noon away from home and will look to continue their good recent form and extend an unbeaten run of three games, having only lost once in their last seven outings.

The Bit O’ Red are back in action on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division and it’s a trip to Turners Cross against Cork City that await John Russell and his Rovers side.

Rovers come into the game on the back of two home defeats against Dundalk and Shelbourne while the hosts have lost their last six fixtures in the League, most recently a 2-1 defeat away to Dundalk last Friday night.

The game is Live on LOI TV from 7.45pm and Bit O’ Red supporters travelling to the game can purchase tickets online in advance of travelling.

Former Bit O’ Red Manager Liam Buckley is currently in interim charge of the Rebels after Colin Healy left the club recently.

Bit O’ Red boss John Russell hopes to get back to winning ways tomorrow:

‘’We know we need a big reaction after last weekend’s performance.

‘’We didn’t show enough energy, intensity or quality on the night. The players are eager to put that right on Friday night.

‘’Cork City were unlucky in their last game against Dundalk so we know we will need to be at our best to get a result down there’’.

In team news, Rovers have doubts over a number of players heading into the game with Gary Boylan (ACL), Garry Buckley (ACL), Conor Walsh (Ankle), Eanna Clancy (Hamstring) Mark Byrne (ACL) and Karl O’ Sullivan (Ankle) definitely ruled out.

Striker Max Mata has returned to light training alongside defender James Finnerty while John Mahon, Fabrice Hartmann and Niall Morahan are also back in contention to return on Friday.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that defender Reece Hutchinson will join the club on a permanent deal until the end of the 2024 season on completion of his current loan spell.

Hutchinson, who is currently on loan with the Bit O’ Red from his parent club Cheltenham Town, will now remain at The Showgrounds when his loan expires on July 1^st.

The defender has started in 14 out of 15 of Rovers’ League games so far this season and has quickly become a fan’s favourite with a string of good performances both defensively and offensively.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Manager John Russell expressed his delight at the news:

‘’I’m delighted we have secured Reece on a permanent deal.

‘’He is a really good guy who has fitted in so well with the group.

‘’His performances since joining us have been superb. He is such an attacking threat with his passing, dribbling and crossing ability.

‘’He has struck up a really good partnership with Will Fitzgerald down the left hand side of the team, where they have created a lot of goals so far this year.

‘’Reece is the perfect age profile for us. He is ambitious to do well and, I feel there is a lot more to come from him. I am sure the supporters will be excited by the news’’.

Hutchinson began his career at Burton Albion where he spent 4 years before joining Cheltenham Town in 2021.

He joined Rovers in February on an initial loan-deal, but his performances have made his permanent signing a priority.

Hutchinson is thrilled to join the club officially:

‘’I am very happy to have committed my long-term future with Sligo Rovers.

‘’There are a lot of reasons why I signed here, but the big one was purely the enjoyment of playing games and becoming the best version of myself again.

‘’It is a club full of ambitious people and I want to be a part of taking it forward and qualifying for European football.

‘’Over the next 18 months or so, I hope to bring my qualities to the team and reward the supporters with good performances and plenty of wins.

‘’I can’t thank the Manager and staff here enough for putting their full belief in me. This was another factor in signing as the people at the club have welcomed me so well since I came here.

‘’I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together moving forward. Up the Bit O’ Red’’.

The 23-year-old has settled into life in Sligo well and signs today ahead of our upcoming game against Cork City on Friday night in Turners Cross.

Rovers will be hoping to get back to winning ways as we enter a busy period with five SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division games before the mid-season break on June 9^th.

The next home game takes place a week on Saturday when Derry City visit The Showgrounds at 7.45pm.

There were just three Academy games at the weekend with our Under 15 side travelling to Longford Town and both Under 19 sides having home games against Klub Kildare (Men) and DLR Waves (Women) respectively.

Our Under 15 side had a good win at Bishopsgate with goals from Liam McLaughlin and Troy Kelly earning them three points over Longford Town.

These were first goals of the season for the pair and that is now two wins from two for the Under 15 team following last week’s home win over Athlone Town.

Declan Boyle’s Under 19 Men’s squad defeated Klub Kildare 6-1 at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday thanks to an Owen Elding hattrick as well as a double from midfielder Shea Malone and a first club goal for Ukrainian Nikita Hutsul.

Liam Lee’s cross was met by Elding in the first half to volley home and Elding got his second from the penalty spot moments later to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Rovers continued where they left off in the second half and Elding completed his hattrick, with Malone adding his second and Hutsul finishing the scoring with a late tap in.

Our Under 19 Womens team had won their previous five from six games including a 1-0 win in Dublin against DLR Waves back in April.

Sunday saw both sides have chances in a scoreless draw however as Rovers continued their good form.

While there is a growing national dialogue around mental health and wellbeing, people in Ireland remain hesitant to talk openly about their own mental health, and misperceptions about suicidal behaviour persist. The language relating to suicide and mental health is often stigmatising or misleading.

Irelands National Suicide Prevention strategy, Connecting for life, aims to reduce the suicide and self-harm rates in the whole population and among priority groups, including members of the Traveller community, people experiencing homelessness and LGBTQ+ people.

Connecting for life Sligo Leitrim Implementation Plan 2022-2024 was launched in December 2022 coinciding with the official opening of the Adult Mental Health Unit at Sligo University Hospital. This implementation plan sets out a “whole of society” approach whereby all aspects of our health and social care system alongside our education, statutory and community partner’s work together to empower our communities.

Sligo Rovers is one of the few fan owned community clubs in the League of Ireland today. The club has shown remarkable resilience throughout the years since it was established in 1928 for it to remain a community owned club.

Sligo Mental Health Services (SLMHS) guided by the 7 National Goals within Connecting for Life look forward to working with Sligo Rovers to empower our communities.

Sligo Rovers look forward to engaging both our fan base and community in new and innovative ways going forward.

SLMHS and SRFC will join Sligo parkrun at 09:30 am on Saturday 27^th May.

We hope to see the bit of red fans come along in their club colours to walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. We hope this could be a record breaking parkrun attendance!

Each participant will receive a free limited edition Sligo Rovers Water Bottle to keep you hydrated through the summer months! This will operate on a first come first serve basis and we would ask all participants to register with parkrun Sligo.

What is Sligo parkrun?

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!

When is it?

Every Saturday at 9:30am

 Where is it?

The event takes place at Doorly Park, Cleveragh, Sligo.

What does it cost to join in? Nothing – it’s free, but please register at https://www.parkrun.ie/register/?eventName=sligo before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don’t forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode which you’ll receive when registering.

Former Man City and Blackburn Rovers player Nicky Reid was the player / manager 25 years ago when Sligo Rovers won the League Cup defeating Shelbourne 1-0 in the two-leg final.

Last Saturday night at The Showgrounds at the Premier Division game between Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne members of that squad were guests of the club.

Conall Collier interviewed Nicky Reid for an article in the match programme.

PINTS NOT POINTS NOW THE FOCUS FOR NICKY REID:

Nicky Reid was the first manager to guide the Sligo Rovers to a League Cup final victory 25 years ago and he also took the club on a record-breaking 16-game unbeaten run in his first season at the helm, from December 1997 to March 1998.

Nicky’s first game for Sligo Rovers was a friendly at the Showgrounds against a Micky Adams-managed Fulham side on 23rd July 1997.

His final game for Sligo Rovers and the final game of his career was in March 1999, an FAI Cup tie against Bray Wanderers at the Showgrounds.

He sustained an injury in that game that effectively forced him to hand up the football boots.

In a stellar playing career that lasted 22 years, Nicky played more than 500 games for all his clubs starting with 200 appearances for Manchester City which included the memorable 1981 FA Cup final, the 100th FA Cup final, with the first game finishing 1-1 and Spurs winning the replay 3-2.

He joined Blackburn Rovers in July 1987 and helped the club win promotion to what was the new FA Premier League in the 1991/92 season, he then joined West Bromwich Albion for the 1992–93 season helping the club win promotion from Division 2.

That was followed by spells with Wycombe Wanderers and Bury before he made the short journey across the Irish Sea and landed at the airport in Strandhill ahead of trials with Sligo Rovers.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Sligo, initially I went over to play a few games for Jimmy Mullen who was the manager at the time, my previous club, Bury, didn’t offer me a new contract,” recalled Nicky as he took a break from his duties as proprietor of the Masons Arms in Chorley, a town with a population of around 100,000 some 20 miles west of Manchester.

“I ended up with the manager’s job at Sligo Rovers by accident, we had played a few friendlies but Jimmy wasn’t kept on as manager, I was asked would I do the job and I said I’d have a go at it, at least it meant I’d get picked every week.

“I’m thrilled to be going over for this 25th anniversary, I know it’s probably not a major event for Sligo Rovers, but for me it was something special, to win a trophy as a player / manager, I was really pleased to get the invite.

“I’m travelling on the same flight as Marcus (Hallows) so that should be memorable on its own, but it will be wonderful to see all the guys again and I’m really looking forward to seeing Sligo again.

“I really enjoyed my time there, lovely people, a great place and it should be a great weekend, I know that Marcus does this Elvis act, I meet him from time to time, he lives in Bolton and I’m not too far from there,” he added.

And what did Nicky Reid do when he was told all those years ago that he wouldn’t be the manager of Sligo Rovers for the 1999 / 2000 season?

“Obviously, I was disappointed with the decision, but that’s football and that’s they things go,” he reflected almost a quarter of a century later.

“I did a two-year diploma is sports injuries during the time was in Sligo and when I returned to England, I was offered a role as the reserve team physio at Burnley,” he said.

“I took on that role and was there for five years during which I also went to university to upgrade my qualifications, a degree in Chartered Physiotherapy.

“After Burnley, I was at Bury for three seasons and I was also with Macclesfield Town, Preston and a few other clubs, that kept me fit but the knees started to complain and I had to do something else.

“Myself and my partner (Cheryl) bought a public house, the Masons Arms in Chorley, it’s a small, local pub.

“Most of the customers wouldn’t exactly remember me as a footballer, but occasionally there would be a request for a photo.

“The pub, well, I suppose I had lots of practice visiting the pubs when I was in Sligo, to make sure that the players weren’t out when they shouldn’t be, that’s my line anyway.

“Occasionally I get invited back to Man City or Blackburn Rovers as a former player and that’s something I appreciate, just like this invite back to Sligo, I really appreciate it and it will be great to see the old stadium, there was so much to like about Sligo, the people of the area and the supporters, hopefully I’ll get a good welcome,” he concluded.

Some 25 years ago Sligo Rovers won the League Cup defeating Shelbourne 1-0 in the two-leg final.

Last Saturday night at the Showgrounds at the interval in the Premier game between Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne members of that panel were guests of the club.

Team captain Steve Birks spent seven years with the club and was interviewed by Conall Collier for an article in the match programme.

THE INTERVIEW

Mention the name of former player Steve Birks and many Sligo Rovers supporters will instantly describe the man from Fleetwood in England as a wholehearted and genuine footballer who gave his best for the club for almost seven years.

Apart from a brief spell with Tommy Cassidy’s Glentoran in the Irish League, as it was at the time, Steve had six seasons with Sligo Rovers and played close to 150 times for the Bit O’Red, his initial contact with the club was through Gerry Cassidy.

There would be unanimous agreement that when Steve pulled on the Sligo Rovers jersey, supporters were guaranteed 100 per cent commitment on the pitch and a battling performance.

Steve captained the Bit O’Red to that memorable League Cup final victory against Shelbourne in 1998 and it was a battling performance in the second-leg at Tolka Park that kept a 1-0 first-leg lead intact and brought some silverware to the Showgrounds.

Those battling qualities that were so evident from 1995 to 2001 will have to surface again as Steve faces into another battle now with serious illness on the radar.

Steve takes up the story:

“Initially, the prognosis from the medical people was a major shock, there was palliative care mentioned, I just couldn’t believe it and then I decided that I’m going to fight this as best I can,” he explained.

It’s just like when I was playing for Sligo Rovers, I always gave my best, did the best I could regardless of the odds.

“Now, that I have this health challenge, I’m hoping that the same attitude will help me in the battle.

“The people of Sligo accepted me and welcomed me when I joined the club and I have never forgotten that, now they are welcoming me and my family back to celebrate the 25th anniversary of what was a great night, both for the club, and for me personally, I really appreciate that.

“I’m really looking forward to visiting Sligo with my wife, Emma, our two children will be mascots at the game.

“It was always my plan to go back to Sligo and we had originally decided to go for my 50th birthday, that’s in July, but then this invitation came along and, with all that’s going on, I suppose I look on it as an early 50th birthday present.

“I spent nearly seven years in Sligo and the place really means a lot to me, I was actually very close to staying there, but it’s amazing the way things work out.

“My wife is also from Fleetwood, but we didn’t know each other beforehand, if you understand what I mean, we met at a social outing

“We have a young family, a two-year-old and a six-year-old, that alone was an incentive for me to tackle this health issue head on.

“There was some new medication suggested, which I tried, and all I can say is, so far, so good, but like all these things, nothing is certain, I’m currently in the process of retiring from the Fire Service and ready for the fight of my life,” he added.

Looking back at his time with Sligo Rovers and that magical night at Tolka Park some 25 years ago, Steve identified that success as one of the highlights of his football career.

“Winning the League Cup for the first time with Sligo Rovers, that was one highpoint for my football career, it was very important as two years earlier we had lost to Shelbourne in the final and I had a penalty saved in the shoot-out.

“Paul Tovey also missed one and it was really disappointing as a few minutes before the end of extra-time, I had a shot from about 30 yards that rattled the woodwork.

“Lawrie Sanchez was the manager when I was signed, but then he was gone and Steve Cotterill came in, at the end of that first season Steve wasn’t going to renew my contract and I ended up going to Glentoran for pre-season where Tommy Cassidy was the manager

“I missed the European games with Sligo Rovers in the Inter Toto Cup, that was really disappointing, I had an offer from Glentoran, but it wasn’t really what I wanted.

“Glentoran wanted me to fly in from England on a Friday night, play the game on a Saturday and then go home again, they had arranged that I could train with Blackpool.

“But then Steve (Cotterill) left the club and Chris (Rutherford) got in touch and asked me to come back, I had to tell Tommy (Cassidy) that I was going back to Sligo, he wasn’t too happy.

“Jimmy Mullen came in as manager of Sligo Rovers and I knew him well, he was the manager at Blackpool when I was a schoolboy there, but it didn’t work out for him and next thing I knew Nicky Reid had the role.

“That was a good sign as far as I was concerned, it showed that the club was serious about making progress with a man of that calibre.

“It was a bit of a challenge for Nicky, his first job as a manager and made more difficult as he took on the role of player / manager, he achieved a 16-game unbeaten run for the club while he was the manager.

“Nicky did a good job, but I always felt he didn’t get the credit he deserved, he got the best he could out of the players he had.

“But football can be, as they say, a funny old game, and after Nicky departed, he was replaced by Jim McInally, but that was a fairly brief tenure.

“The next manager was none other than Tommy Cassidy, he came into the dressing room and he just looked at me and we had a laugh, we became good friends,” he added.

Both Steve and Tommy Cassidy departed from the north west in 2001, but the paths of the man from Fleetwood and the former Northern Ireland international player would cross again, as Steve explains.

“When I finished with Sligo Rovers, I briefly played for Lancaster City while I was waiting for my international clearance to come through.

“Once I got that I went to Holland and played for Leonidas for three seasons, but then I came back to England and joined two of my brothers at the Lancashire Fire & Rescue, I and was based in Blackpool.

“That suited fine as I am from Fleetwood which was only 15 or 20 minutes away and I continued to play semi-professional for about another seven years.

“Tommy Cassidy was the manager at Workington and he signed me, I won the Cumbria Cup with Workington when we beat Carlisle Utd in the final.

“Then Tommy moved to Newcastle Blue Star, he signed me again, they were in the Northern Alliance League as far as I can remember and at the end of that season I went to Blyth Spartans,” he concluded.

25 YEARS AGO – 1998

STEVE BIRKS QUOTE

Sligo are often criticised for their policy of bringing in English players who don’t bother too much when they get here. I took a wage cut to come her. I want to play full-time football. I could have a job in England and play part-time in the Conference. But I wouldn’t be able to do myself justice so I’m prepared to accept less money here. Some of the supporters think we are on huge money, but we’re not.

Sligo Rovers suffered a second home defeat in the space of a week as Shelbourne won this SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division tie 3-0 at The Showgrounds on Saturday night.

John Russell was without a host of first team players through injury as Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, Karl O’ Sullivan, Mark Byrne, Max Mata, Fabrice Hartmann, Conor Walsh, John Mahon, Eanna Clancy and James Finnerty all missed the game.

Greg Bolger returned in midfield following a recent knock and Bogdan Vastsuk filled the void for Max Mata in attack.

Shelbourne, unbeaten in their last six games were in front after just ten minutes. Matty Smith broke down the right hand side and crossed for Tyreke Wilson who cut inside on his right foot and shot toward goal. His effort was blocked but the ball bounced into the path of Jack Moylan who tapped into an empty net.

Stefan Radosavljevic went close soon after for Rovers after good build up play ended with him inside the area and his low effort was cleared away.

It was 2-0 at half-time as in the 40th minute, Moylan got his second after a corner wasn’t dealt with by the Rovers defence.

It was 3-0 on 65 minutes when Johan Brannefalk fouled a Shels attacker in the area and Moylan completed his hattrick from the penalty spot.

Kailin Barlow was introduced in place of Vastsuk and he almost pulled one back with a free-kick from 40 yards, where he saw goalkeeper Conor Kearns off his line but the ball went over.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Turners Cross on Friday to take on Cork City.