Sligo Rovers host Dundalk at The Showgrounds on Saturday night in a game that is eagerly anticipated by the Bit O’ Red supporters.

The Bit O’ Red come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win against St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday while the visitors Dundalk defeated UCD 2-0 at The UCD Bowl.

Performances over the Bank Holiday weekend against Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic were highly praised by supporters and Manager John Russell knows his side will need to perform like that again on Saturday:

”We all know the importance of this game against Dundalk.

”The league is so tight at the moment and our main focus is to start putting a run of results together.

”Our performances last weekend give us confidence going into this home game. We should have a few players back from injury and everyone is fully focused on getting another positive result”.

The game could see over 3,000 supporters attend The Showgrounds once again this year, a crowd which will bring over overall attendance so far for 2023 to in excess of 20,000 so far in the 2023 season.

Russell stresses the importance of a large home support to bring a good atmosphere to the game:

”The supporters have come out in their numbers so far this season and we’re expecting another big crowd this Saturday night. We need everyone to continue to get behind the team.

”This group of players relish playing in front of big crowds and they feed off the energy and noise created in the ground. Hopefully we can deliver a top performance on the night”.

In team news, Rovers once again must deal with some injury concerns going into the weekend.

Karl O’ Sullivan will be out of action for around 12 weeks after recent ankle surgery. Garry Buckley is progressing in his recovery from an ACL injury and is hoping for a return to full training within the next six weeks. Mark Byrne is expected back later in the Summer while Gary Boylan may miss the remainder of the season with his ACL injury.

Bogdan Vastsuk, Fabrice Hartmann and Eanna Clancy are back in training and should feature in the squad Saturday night while Greg Bolger and James Finnerty are both expected to miss the game through injury.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and tickets are available online at srfcidrect.com or at the turnstiles from 6.30pm.

Our Match Programme against Dundalk tomorrow is another content packed edition with 64-pages to read for supporters.

The game is sponsored by a Sligo Junction in Collooney who are big supporters of the club down the years. Sligo Junction Mace

The Match Ball is sponsored by John McDonagh and his family who will be in attendance on the night as guests of the club.

Foleys Bar and Off Licence are After Match Reception sponsors as always.

The Match Programme also includes all of the following great content:

– Notes from John Russell and Tommy Higgins

– ‘Join The Club’ by Conall Collier

– Kailin Barlow Interview with Conall Collier

– Ballymote Celtic feature (Guests from Sligo/Leitrim)

– Sligo Rovers Women update

– 50KM Challenge update and photos

– Rovers Summer Camps- Elvis Rocks Sligo

– Stars abroad, Irish Youngsters to light up the Premier League

– 20 Questions with Richard Brush

– Sligo Rovers Pen Pics and Quiz

– John Mahon pull-out poster

– Dundalk player profiles

– Joe Molloy’s feature on Sligo Rovers V Dundalk

– List of 2023 Associate Sponsors

– Oran Gethins tribute

– Lucky Envelope winners

– You reds- photos from UCD game and our Birthday Party pictures

Programmes are available inside the turnstiles from 6.30pm tomorrow for just €5

You can buy your programme online and have it emailed to you by clicking the link below 👇

BUY PROGRAMME: https://srfcdirect.com/dundalk-match-programme-may-6th/

SEASON PROGRAMME BUNDLE (€35): https://srfcdirect.com/2023-match-programme-bundle/

Programmes emailed later this evening and tomorrow.

Our 2023 Summer Camps are now sold-out.

Anyone looking to go on the club’s waiting list is asked to email shane@sligorovers.com

We wish to thank everyone for their continued support and we look forward to starting our Summer Camps in July.

Our Academy teams are all in action this weekend apart from our Under 14’s who have a weekend off.

Saturday sees two games down for decision at Under 17 level with our Men’s and Women’s teams both in action.

Our Under 17 Women host Longford Town at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre. The sides met earlier in the season in Longford with Rovers winning 1-0.

Anthony Elding’s Under 17 Men’s side take on Galway United away from home at 2pm. The lads had two games last weekend, picking up a win over Athlone Town and suffering a narrow defeat against Shamrock Rovers on Monday.

Sunday will see our Under 19 Men’s team take on Longford Town away from home at Midday. The side are in good form having won their last two games and are unbeaten since April 2nd.

Our Under 19 Women’s team host Galway United at 4.30pm at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday and are also in great form with four wins from their last five games.

Darryl Keaney’s Under 15’s host Athlone Town at 1pm on Sunday after two free weekends in the last couple of weeks. The game is also at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Three games to go for Sligo Rovers until the mid-point of the Women’s Premier Division is reached and the quest for a first win of the season continues, writes Conall Collier.

A trip to Dalymount Park on Saturday for a showdown with mid-table Bohemian FC will produce another challenge for the Bit O’Red.

In four outings last season against the Dublin women, Sligo Rovers didn’t manage a victory against the Dublin side – three times in the WNL as it was then, and also in the FAI Cup.

However, last weekend there was another encouraging display from the Bit O’Red as they hosted Athlone Town, but there was no reward in terms of points.

Bohemian FC made the trip to tackle second from bottom Cork City and got back on the winning track with a 3-1 victory. After a heavy defeat the previous week.

On the plus side for Sligo Rovers, the players can approach Saturday’s assignment without any fear as they will be well aware that the performances on the pitch merit more of a return than what’s reflected in the League table.

The pressure will be on the hosts who will be expecting to pick up another three points without too much difficulty and they will be looking to the likes of Mia Dodd, Lisa Murphy and Erica Burke for the goals.

That trio found the net against Cork City last weekend for a victory that made amends for that heavy defeat by Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in the previous outing.

For Sligo Rovers last weekend, Casey Howe hit a wonder goal against Athlone and Emma Doherty had a couple of half chances.

Keela Scanlon continues to impress for Steve Feeney’s side and will be buoyed by her selection during the week as ATU Sligo Women’s player-of-the-year accolade.

On the doubtful list for Sligo Rovers are the quartet of Katie Melly, Aoife Brennan, Fiona Doherty and Kate Nugent.

Kick-off at Dalymount Park is at 3pm and there will be another long journey the following weekend with a trip to Turner’s Cross to play Cork City.

Sligo Rovers got back to winning ways on Monday with a 1-0 win in Dublin against St. Patrick’s Athletic.

The Bit O’ Red came into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night at Tallaght Stadium, a game where they dominated for large spells.

Rovers were without a number of players due to injury for the game in Inchicore. Greg Bolger was ruled out with an injury he picked up on Friday and Eanna Clancy could only make the bench but John Mahon returned in time to start and Lukas Browning replaced Bolger in our two changes from Friday.

John Russell was without James Finnerty (Achilles), Fabrice Hartmann (Hamstring), Bogdan Vastsuk (groin), Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne (all ACL) and Karl O’ Sullivan & Conor Walsh (both ankle).

The game started with both sides looking to get forward and get an early opening goal in a sun kissed Richmond Park.

Rovers first opportunity came on ten minutes after good play from Niall Morahan who broke forward and found Will Fitzgerald who’s shot was deflected wide.

Kailin Barlow went close soon after and Pats’ Jason McLelland fizzed one just over the bar up the other end.

The first half played out evenly and the sides went in level at the break.

Stefan Radosavljevic replaced Kailin Barlow at half-time, the local man picked up a knock in the opening period.

It was Radosavljevic who was heavily involved in the game’s opening goal on 56 minutes.

John Mahon played a good pass into Max Mata who flicked it around the corner to Radosavljevic. The Faroese International sprayed a pass to Johan Brannefalk on the right who looked up and picked out Mata who continued his run and rose highest to power home his header and put Rovers in front.

St. Pats brought on a number of subs as they looked to get back into the game and John Russell introduced Daniel Lafferty and David Cawley instead of Johan Brannefalk and Mata.

St. Pat’s pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Rovers defended well throughout, with Luke McNicholas claiming some high balls into the box and a combination of Nando Pijnaker and Mahon heading everything that came their way.

The referee added on 5 minutes at the end of the game. Radosavljevic picked up possession on halfway on 92 minutes and slipped it inside for the tireless Frank Liivak who cut inside and almost doubled the lead with a left footed effort which skinned the post.

Eoin Doyle, a second half substitute, added to the home side’s woes moments later as he was sent off for a tackle on Will Fitzgerald.

Rovers saw the game out and claimed a valuable three points in front of around 400 travelling Bit O’ Red supporters.

Next up is Dundalk at The Showgrounds this Saturday night at 7.45pm.

You can buy tickets here: https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Tickets for our eagerly awaited League clash against Dundalk this Saturday night at The Showgrounds are now on sale for home supporters.

Away fans can also purchase online, with a link provided through Dundalk FC or on their social media platforms.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and both sides are on 19 points heading into the game after Bank Holiday Monday wins over St. Patrick’s Athletic and UCD respectively.

This is a Category A fixture with tickets starting at €5 for Under 12’s (must be accompanied by an adult), €12 for students and senior citizens and €20 for adults.

We look forward to seeing another huge Showgrounds crowd again this Saturday.

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

Sligo Rovers can confirm that striker Cillian Heaney has left the club by mutual consent.

Heaney was a member of the club’s Academy throughout his youth career, after signing from Westport United in Mayo, starting with our Under 15 side and progressing through to the first team squad.

Heaney signed his first professional contract last summer and moves on today with the best wishes of everyone at Sligo Rovers.

The Bit O’ Red travelled to Tallaght Stadium on Friday night to take on Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Both sides came into the game on the back of wins last weekend, the hosts defeating St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 and Rovers beating UCD 3-1 at The Showgrounds with goals from Max Mata and Fabrice Hartmann, scoring twice.

There were injury concerns for John Russell heading into the game with Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, Karl O’ Sullivan, Conor Walsh, Mark Byrne and Bogdan Vastsuk all definitely ruled out.

Eanna Clancy, John Mahon, James Finnerty and Fabrice Hartmann were all carrying knocks and Clancy was the only one to make it, starting in place of Finnerty who picked up and achilles strain in the win over UCD along with Hartmann who tweaked a muscle just moments before his second goal of the evening. John Mahon continues to recover from an ankle problem.

Frank Liivak started in place of Hartmann and the winger was a constant threat down the Rovers right hand side, picking up possession time after time throughout the 90 minutes.

The game started well for the Bit O’ Red with long spells of possession causing problems for the Shamrock Rovers defence. Kailin Barlow picked up some good positions in the final third and wingers Will Fitzgerald and Liivak were always available when needed.

Greg Bolger and Niall Morahan bossed the midfield battle and Rovers forced a few corners which came to nothing.

Against the run of play, the home side took the lead. Markus Poom played a ball in behind the Rovers back four and Johnny Kenny raced onto it to finish past Luke McNicholas to give his side the opening goal on 19 minutes. Kenny, a Riverstown native and a former Bit O’ Red player was muted in his celebrations against his former club.

John Russell’s side didn’t let the goal effect their approach and minutes later Niall Morahan’s shot was deflected behind for a corner and Will Fitzgerald’s cross was headed wide by Max Mata.

A minute later, Frank Liivak broke clear and when it looked like Mata was in behind, the Estonian’s pass evaded him and away to safety.

Mata went close again soon after with a stinging shot, saved by Alan Mannus and Barlow then robbed Poom of possession and teed up Mata who almost scored from distance, with his effort going just wide.

It was 1-0 at half-time.

The second half started as the first half ended, with Rovers dominating possession for long periods and looking to get forward at every opportunity.

Stefan Radosavljevic replaced Kailin Barlow on the hour and against the run of play, the hosts doubled their lead on 64 minutes when Jack Byrne played a lovely pass to Trevor Clarke and he made no mistake, blasting it past McNicholas.

Eanna Clancy was forced off before the restart and Daniel Lafferty replaced him in the back four.

Almost straight from the restart, The Bit O’ Red were back in it. Frank Liivak again broke down the right and cut inside and found Bolger around 25 yards out and his low, powerful shot took a slight deflection of Roberto Lopes and into the net for his first Sligo Rovers goal.

Rovers were pushing everything forward for the last twenty minutes. Russell threw on Lukas Browning and David Cawley for Bogler and Johan Brannefalk and the midfield pair continued to keep possession and probe forward.

Two minutes from the end was Rovers’ best chance to equalise. Radosavljevic’s corner was headed just over the bar by Mata from about 8 yards with Mannus beaten.

Five minutes of injury time couldn’t bring an equaliser and Rovers would head back down the N4 to Sligo frustrated by what could have been.

Next up is an away game with St. Patrick’s Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday at 3pm.

Athlone Town took the Women’s Premier Division points home from the Showgrounds this evening with a 3-1 victory against hosts Sligo Rovers, writes Conall Collier

The defeat leaves the Bit O’Red still searching for a first win of the season as Athlone moved up the table with a third victory in-a-row.

Fiona Doherty and Jodie Loughrey were both handed starting roles by Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney after appearing from the bench last weekend against Galway.

Athlone Town manager Tommy Hewitt made a couple of changes from the previous week’s victory with Nausica Costantini and Lucy Jayne Grant coming into the starting 11.

Athlone had a lot of early possession and forced a number of corners that were well dealt with by the home defence while ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan also handled confidently on her second start for the Bit O’Red.

McKiernan advanced smartly to avert danger from an Athlone Town breakaway in the 21^st minute and soon after finger-tipped a speculative Roisin Molloy effort around the post.

At the other end, Emma Doherty had a glimpse of goal, but Athlone recovered smartly to clear the danger.

Athlone maintained the pressure and McKiernan saved again, but in the 35^th minute the Westmeath side made the breakthrough when Madison Gibson got on to a long ball from Nausica Costantini, and finished well.

Athlone remained in the ascendancy early in the second-half and Jodie Loughrey cleared off the line for the Bit O’Red in the 51^st minute.

The Sligo Rovers players knuckled down to the task and posed a few questions for the Athlone defence with Casey Howe going close to the hour mark, but the ball shaved the outside of the post.

With 17 minutes remaining Roisin Molloy gave Athlone a 2-0 advantage when she found the net from over 30 metres and soon after Gillian Keenan made it 3-0 for Athlone.

The hosts kept battling and Casey Howe found the back of the Athlone net with a fine long-range effort in the 83^rd minute. Then, Kerri Loughrey tested the quality of the woodwork close to full-time as the Bit O’Red went in search of a second goal, but Athlone prevailed.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Katie Nugent, Keela Scanlon, Amy Roddy, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Casey Howe, Fiona Doherty, Jodie Loughrey, Emma Doherty. 

Subs – Keri Loughrey for F Doherty 70 mins, Sarah Kiernan for Nugent 71m, Aoife Brennan for Boles and Ciara Henry for J Loughrey 86m

Athlone Town – Nyla Peterkin; Nausica Costantini, Kayleigh Shine, Chloe Singleton, Kellie Brennan, Laurie Ryan, Scarlett Herron, Roisin Molloy, Lucy Jayne Grant, Madison Gibson, Julia Weithofer. 

Sub – Dana Scheriff for Grant 54 mins.