It was Cup weekend at Academy level across the country with four teams taking part in their respective Cup 1/4 Final’s.

Our Under 14 side were in action in an earlier round and an entertaining game saw them eventually lose out 5-3 after extra time.

Conor Whittaker continued his good goalscoring form with two goals and Ryan Cunningham added another.

The game took place at the brand-new Summerhill College all-weather facility.

Our Under 17 Men’s team were defeated 7-0 at home to Shelbourne on a difficult afternoon in the Cup 1/4 Final.

On Sunday, our Under 19 Men’s team had a tricky tie away to Shamrock Rovers. The game ended 2-1 to the hosts. Our goal came from an OG and it could have been different if Rovers’ had taken a couple of good opportunities throughout the game.

Our Under 15 side lost 3-1 against Bohemians at Summerhill College, with our only goal coming from Daire O’ Connor.

Our Under 19 Women’s team were defeated 4-2 against Dundalk at The Sean Fallon Centre with goals from Eimear McIntyre and Katie McGuire.

There was a proud moment for Keeva Flynn on Sunday as she made her first start for our Senior Women’s team in their 11-0 win over Bonagee United.

Keeva now departs for Portugal to join up with the Republic of Ireland Under 17 Women’s team for three friendlies against Poland, Scotland and Portugal with the first game taking place on Wednesday against the Poles before games against Scotland (Saturday) and the hosts, Portugal on Tuesday week.

Five goals apiece from Emma Doherty and Casey Howe helped Sligo Rovers advance to the quarter-finals of the Women’s FAI Cup with an 11-0 victory against Donegal neighbours Bonagee Utd at the Showgrounds this afternoon, writes Conall Collier.

Substitute Amy Hyndman also found the net late in the second-half as the Bit O’Red completed a memorable afternoon in what was also a first FAI Cup win.

The victory and the 11-goal tally will provide an invaluable confidence-boost for the Sligo Rovers women who have found the going tough this season in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) as they now turn the focus to next Saturday’s live TG4 game against Wexford.

This was a historic occasion for the Bit O’Red, a first home game in the competition and a first victory following last season’s narrow loss to Bohemian FC at Dalymount Park in the club’s debut season at senior level.

It was also a notable outing for Donegal Women’s League champions and FAI Amateur Cup finalists Bonagee Utd as a mother and daughter featured in the starting 11, Catherine Fletcher between the posts and daughter Katlyn in an outfield role.

Bit O’Red manager Steve Feeney made one change to the team that started against hosts Athlone Town last weekend as the action resumed in the WPD.

Keeva Flynn came in to make her first senior start for Kate Nugent while Sarah Kiernan, who limped out of the action after 34 minutes against Athlone last week, was able to take her place in the starting 11.

The hosts made the best possible start with Emma Doherty finding the net inside a minute and it got better soon after from Casey Howe’s eighth-minute effort made it 2-0 to the Women’s Premier Division side.

The Sligo Rovers women continued to create chances and the effort and determination was rewarded before the mid-point of the half when Emma Doherty grabbed her second goal of the afternoon.

Howe claimed her second goal soon after and then Doherty completed her hat-trick in the 30^th minute.

Bonagee eased the pressure on a couple of occasions in the opening half and won a number of corners, but close to the interval they were almost caught out by a quick counter-attack from the hosts as Doherty brought a good save out of Catherine Fletcher.

Sligo Rovers resumed on the front foot and Doherty added two quick goals to take her tally to five and give the hosts a 7-0 advantage.

Howe then completed her hat-trick with a great strike before the hour mark while at the other end Bonagee’s Katlyn Fletcher was denied by a smart Bonnie McKiernan save.

The goal-hungry hosts continued to surge forward and Howe added two more for a five-goal haul and substitute Amy Hyndman also hit the target to make it 11-0.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Keeva Flynn, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Jodie Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Katie Melly, Keri Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. Subs – Lauren Boles for Lillie and Kate Nugent for Flynn half-time, Ciara Henry for Doherty and Amy Hyndman for J Loughrey both 60 mins, Michaela Burke for McKiernan 73m

Bonagee Utd – Catherine Fletcher; Siobhan Sweeney, Zara Shortt, Catherine Greer, Eimear Sweeney, Amanda Callaghan, Katlyn Fletcher, Mollie Page, Keevna Heron, Bronagh Gallagher, Deborah Kerrigan. Subs – Natalie McFadden for Kerrigan 59 mins, Rachael Bogan-Alison for Gallagher 70m.

Referee- Michael Connolly.

Assistant-referees – Alan Dunne, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Ryan Maher.

Conall Collier had a chat with Niall Morahan for an interview that was included in the match programme for Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne last Saturday evening.

Leitrim Village is home for Niall Morahan and by his own admission, it’s not a very big place.

However, Niall has made a little bit of history in 2019 as the first beneficiary of the innovative IT Sligo (as it was then) Scholarship Programme in conjunction with Sligo Rovers.

Fast-forward four years and Niall has completed his exams at the newly-branded ATU Sligo last May with a Level 7 qualification in Business Management.

“My parents encouraged me to pursue my education after I finished secondary school at Carrick-on-Shannon CS, I wasn’t particularly eager at the time, but now I’m glad they pushed me in that direction,” explained Niall.

“The initiative between the College (ATU) and the club (Sligo Rovers) was a tremendous benefit and it certainly helped me in my career choices.

“I wanted to play for Sligo Rovers, but I also was able to get good advice from my parents and from the club and also from the people in ATU.

“It was fairly demanding, combining study and football, doing it successfully, you have to be able to deliver on a couple of fronts. 

“I can say now that full-time football and full-time studying was a new experience, but I was able to adapt with assistance from so many people, for that I am very appreciative,” he added. 

Niall joined Sligo Rovers at 15 years of age in 2015.  He played for Sligo Rovers under-17s, captained the under-19 side and signed his first professional contract in 2018. 

Niall made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland under-19s in 2019 and was a member of the squad for the European qualifiers and European finals in Armenia 2019.  

He scooped the first Wehrly Bros Jewellers Player of the Month award for the 2020 season and in November 2021 he signed a two-year contract with Sligo Rovers that will take him up to the end of this season.

A full-time professional footballer from Leitrim with a mother whose brother won a Connacht SFC medal in 1994. All the ingredients for a successful career at the Showgrounds.

Niall takes up the story:

“Emlyn Mulligan was a Leitrim man who played for Sligo Rovers and I think Keith Byrne played a bit for Longford Town, but I might be the first full-time professional from the county, maybe someone will correct me on that, I’m not sure,” he suggested.

“There aren’t that many teams in Leitrim, there is Manorhamilton Rangers and then there is Carrick Town, they would be the main ones, but it’s great to see so many young players coming through now with the development of under-age football.

“The usual other sports provide alternatives, Gaelic football and hurling, rugby, and of course the population of Leitrim has to be taken into consideration also.

“I played with Carrick Town up until under-14 and then I made the move to Strand Celtic in Sligo.

“I had been going to Sligo at that stage anyway for the Emerging Talent Programme (ETP), I started that at under-12, Donagh Oates and Packie Lynch were the men in charge.

“Some of the other Leitrim lads were beginning to drift away, but I wanted to keep playing and Strand Celtic were good enough to give me the chance as there was a possibility that Carrick mightn’t have a team.

“I had played in the Kennedy Cup for Sligo / Leitrim when I was with Carrick Town, but then when I moved to Strand Celtic, I had the chance to play up an age group and that’s what I wanted to do.

“There were trials at the Showgrounds for Sligo Rovers under-age teams and I got the chance to go from Strand Celtic, I was 15 at the time and I made the selection for the under-17s, I was delighted with that.

“I made my debut for the under-17s against Mervue Utd, it was a real step up from the Sligo / Leitrim League, it was a great experience and I really loved it, just what I wanted at the time,” he recalled.

Regarding the urging by his parents about staying in education, Niall explained that he always got great support from his dad (Michael) and mum (Orla) and his sisters, Dara and Niamh.

“My sisters would have played Gaelic football with Allen Gaels in Drumshanbo, I also played with the club until under-14 level,” he said.

“Gaelic football was big on my mum’s side of the family, her brother won a Connacht SFC medal with Leitrim in 1994, but my dad (Michael) played for Carrick Town.

“I made my debut for the Sligo Rovers senior team against Limerick in 2018 as a substitute and my first start was a bit later that season against Shamrock Rovers in the Showgrounds.

“My first game in Europe, that was another step up in standard, it was against FH (Iceland) in 2021 and then there was the European games last year, great nights for the supporters and memorable from my perspective.

“The target has to be ‘more of that’ as playing in a European competition has so many benefits for everyone involved with the club.

“Looking at the current season, the morale in the dressing room is good, I can honestly say that we have a good group of players and it will come right, but we need it to come right fairly soon, we are all aware of that.

“It’s very frustrating, I can understand that it’s frustrating and disappointing for the supporters, but it’s even more so for the players. 

“I come away from a game and I know that we have played well and haven’t got a result. The only way I can deal with that is to not get too high when things are going well and not get too low when it’s not going well.

“We have to dig in and start grinding out a few results, it’s certainly not down to a lack of effort and determination, we have a good group of players.

“We have players coming back from injury and that will be a big boost for everyone and then we have Pedro (Martello) in as a striker.

“You have to take into account that it will take a few games before we are all on the same wavelength. Pedro’s a good guy and I’m sure he’ll start getting the goals which is just what we want.

“It was disappointing that Max (Mata) and Luke (McNicholas) left the club, but we would all like to see them doing well, that’s the way it is in football. If a player gets a chance, he has to take it as it’s a relatively short career.

“Conor Walsh stepped up and he’s a very good goalkeeper and we have Richard Brush there as well, he is very experienced and he also showed how good he was last season when he stepped in when Luke was injured.

“I have played in a few different positions this season, centre-back, right-back, left-back, all due to injuries to other players, it’s made it very difficult for everyone.

“On the other side of the coin, I’m just glad to get a jersey every week, if I have to play in a different position every week, I’ll take that and do the best I can,” he concluded.

Our 2023 Annual Draw will take place on Saturday September 16th at The Showgrounds during half-time of our fixture against UCD.

With three weeks until the draw, €47,000 has now been raised.

We wish to thank all our volunteer sellers who continue to go throughout the county and surrounding areas selling our €10 tickets.

The top prize is €5,000 followed by a €2,500 voucher for West Coast Orthodontics.

There are a number of other top prizes including a voucher for Petstop Discount Warehouse and hotel stays or match tickets.

We’d like to thank all our supporters and the general public for their support so far.

If you’d like to enter the draw, you can do so here:

https://srfcdirect.com/annual-draw-ticket/

Sligo Rovers lost 1-0 to Shelbourne at The Showgrounds on Saturday night in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Manager John Russell made four changes to the side that were narrowly beaten by the same scoreline two weeks ago against Dundalk with Kailin Barlow, Fabrice Hartmann and Reece Hutchinson coming into the team in place of Lukas Browning and the ill Johan Brannefalk and David Cawley.

Karl O’ Sullivan missed out with a minor calf issue and Richard Brush was back among the subs having missed the previous three games through suspension.

Rovers started well and could have been in front inside the opening minute with Frank Liivak crossing for Pedro Martelo who directed a shot just wide.

Moments later, Shelbourne goalkeeper Conor Kearns clearance landed at Kailin Barlow’s feet but the midfielder couldn’t direct his effort on goal.

Shelbourne grew into the game following the opening spell and had their first chance as Jack Moylan’s shot was parried away by Conor Walsh and Evan Caffrey put the rebound wide.

They were in again soon after but Walsh did well to deny them with a one-on-one however on 39 minutes they did take the lead.

Midfielder Mark Coyle picked up possession around thirty yards from goal and shot toward goal. Walsh looked to have it under control however the ball squeezed in between his legs and into the net.

There were no more chances in the first-half with Shels keeping their lead at half-time.

Garry Buckley was introduced at half-time for Barlow as Rovers went with three at the back in a change of shape. This saw a better balance to the side and Stefan Radosavljevic almost equalised early in the half with a curling effort, saved by Kearns.

Fabrice Hartmann had a couple of efforts from the right hand side both saved by Kearns during the second period as Rovers pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Robbie Burton was brought on for the last 25 minutes in place of Greg Bolger and the former Welsh underage International looked to get on the ball as frequently as possible to help Rovers break forward.

Frank Liivak had claims for a penalty waived away by the referee around 15 minutes from time and five minutes later, Shelbourne broke forward and Moylan was taken down in the area by Niall Morahan and the referee pointed to the spot.

Moylan scored the penalty however referee MacGraith whistled as an attacking player had ran into the box too soon and the spot kick had to be retaken. This time, Walsh saved Moylan’s effort and Rovers survived.

For the final ten minutes or so it was all Rovers with plenty of possession however no major chances of note other than John Mahon’s effort from a corner which was well saved by Kearns and a Robbie Burton volley flew wide.

The game ended and Rovers now go to Cork on Friday to take on Cork City at Turners Cross.

Sligo Rovers host Shelbourne on Saturday night at The Showgrounds in our next SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture.

Last time, Rovers were defeated away to Dundalk in a game where more points were probably deserved after a narrow 1-0 loss.

John Russell’s side had plenty of possession and opportunities in the final third in the game and Russell is eager to put those chances away on Saturday night:

‘’I felt our performance level was good against Dundalk in our last League game.

‘’It was a tight affair and we were disappointed we didn’t leave with a result as we had some good opportunities.

‘’It’s important we continue to work hard and believe in what we’re trying to do’’.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and tickets are available on srfcdirect.com or of course, on the turnstiles from 6.30pm.

Tickets are €15 for Adults, €10 for Seniors/Over 12’s and €5 for Children who must be accompanied by an adult.

Russell wants a vocal home support to get behind the team as we look to make it 12 points from a possible 18 available at The Showgrounds since May:

‘’We now have some key players back in full training which will strengthen us for the last nine games.

‘’Our home form has been good in recent games so hopefully we can bring our attacking threat on Saturday night.

‘’I know the players are relishing playing in front of another vocal home support. Hopefully we can give them a big night in The Showgrounds’’.

In team news, Rovers are without Gary Boylan, Will Fitzgerald and Mark Byrne through injury while Daniel Lafferty serves one more game following on from his red card in July against Drogheda United. Lafferty will return next Friday night in Cork.

Reece Hutchinson, Fabrice Hartmann and Conor Walsh have all shaken off recent injuries and all are in contention for starting places however Karl O’ Sullivan is a doubt and Johan Brannefalk will miss the game through illness.

James Finnerty departed the Club earlier but Garry Buckley is back in the squad following his recent ACL injury and in turn not being risked away to Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Richard Brush is also available following a recent suspension.

New signing Robbie Burton is cleared to play and could feature at some point in the game.

Sligo Rovers can confirm the signing of midfielder Robbie Burton on a short-term deal until the end of the 2023 season.

Robbie played at The Showgrounds on loan from Dinamo Zagreb in 2022 and returned to his parent Club at the end of last season.

The former Welsh underage International arrives back at The Showgrounds to bolster John Russell’s options for the remainder of the season, with Rovers having an option to extend Burton’s contract for the 2024 season if desired.

Manager John Russell:

‘’I am delighted to bring Robbie back to the Club.

‘’Robbie is an intelligent footballer who will bring a lot of creativity to our team.

‘’He knows the Club and the League as well having spent the second half of last season here.

‘’He will go straight into the squad and we’re all excited to be working with him again’’.

Burton could go straight into Saturday’s squad for the home game against Shelbourne at The Showgrounds.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and supporters can purchase tickets at srfcdirect.com or at the turnstiles from 6.30pm on the night.

Burton impressed last season with some good passing ability and with his ability to control games in midfield and we could see the Player playing higher up, in a more attacking position for the remainder of the season.

The former Arsenal youth player is delighted to return to Sligo:

‘’I am really happy to be back at Sligo Rovers.

‘’I can’t wait to put the Rovers kit back on and play again at The Showgrounds, hopefully from tomorrow night.

‘’I enjoyed my last spell here so, hopefully this time we can achieve bigger and better things at the Club’’.

Saturday’s Match Programme will be available to supporters inside the turnstiles from 6.30pm for our clash with Shelbourne at The Showgrounds.

You can also buy your programme online now and we’ll email you your copy before the game.

There is a huge 64-pages available with all the following content:

Match Sponsor: Applegreen, Mailcoach Road, Sligo

Ball Sponsors: Quay Fitness, Ballina

• Notes From Our Chairman Tommy Higgins

• Notes From Our Manager John Russell

• Academy Review

• It’s Always Further From Dublin Than To Dublin By Conall Collier

• 20 Questions with Pedro Martelo

• Quiz

• Sligo Rovers Pen Pics

• Interview With Niall Morahan by Conall Collier.

• Celebrate Your Birthday With Sligo Rovers

• Will Fitzgerald Poster

• Shelbourne Player Profiles

• Under 16 International – Kya McKenna

• Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne by Stephen McLaughlin

• Match Programme Memory Check

• New Red – Eimear Lafferty

• Charity Soccer Competition in aid of Sligo Cancer Services

• Photos: David Cawley Testimonial/Sligo Rovers Camps

• Benny The Bull storms to victory

• You Reds Photo Gallery

• Results and Fixtures

• Brexit and Ferguson give Irish football a much needed boost – Johnny Ward

BUY PROGRAMME:

https://srfcdirect.com/programmes/

Sligo Rovers can confirm that defender James Finnerty has departed the Club today by mutual agreement.

James made his Rovers’ debut back in April in a home win over UCD at The Showgrounds and suffered a heel injury in the game which saw him out of action until late July.

James returned to the squad in recent weeks and leaves Sligo Rovers today with the best wishes of everyone at the Club.

Manager John Russell:

‘’I would like to thank James for his commitment and effort over the last nine months or so.

‘’James was terribly unlucky after impressing on his debut to suffer an injury in the same game which kept him out for three months.

‘’James was a top professional and I wish him well in his future career’’.

There is history-in-the-making on Sunday with a first Senior Women’s FAI Cup tie at the Showgrounds when Sligo Rovers welcome Bonagee Utd with a place in the quarter-finals on offer for the winner, writes Conall Collier.

As the League of Ireland side, Sligo Rovers will be expected to win this encounter, but manager Steve Feeney is well aware of the threat that the Donegal women will pose.

“While Bonagee aren’t in the League of Ireland, they are a very successful team and were presented with the Donegal Women’s League trophy last week following another successful season,” suggested the Bit O’Red boss.

The Letterkenny side will bring plenty of support to the Showgrounds on Sunday as it is a relatively short 70-mile journey in comparison to the marathon trip last season when Bonagee Utd played Cork City in the Women’s FAI Cup at Turner’s Cross.

Cork City won that game by 7-0 and Bonagee conceded the first goal after only nine minutes, but they will approach Sunday’s encounter with a reasonable amount of confidence.

Central to the belief that they can win will be the fact that striker Bronagh Gallagher is in top form with some 26 goals to her credit for the season just finished.

“It’s another great opportunity to go out and test yourself against that type of opposition,” Gallagher told donegallive.ie earlier this week.

“We have to set the tempo, this is a step up, so you really have to be on guard for the initial 10 to 15 minutes.

“They’ll have their homework done on us, but we’re looking forward to going up there, it’s a great ground and the commute isn’t too far,” she added.

Bonagee clinched the Donegal Women’s League title with a 5-1 win against Drumbar Utd which left them nine points clear at the top with two games remaining. They scored eight goals against Letterkenny Rovers last week when they picked up the silverware.

The ingredients for an exciting encounter for the spectators are enhanced by the inclusion of the Bit O’Red trio of Emma Doherty, Jodie and Keri Loughrey, all from the Buncrana area.

That trio featured as Sligo Rovers returned to action last weekend in the Women’s Premier Division with a narrow defeat away to Athlone Town.

“The game against Athlone Town last week was encouraging and we finished strongly, hopefully that will stand us in good stead,” stated Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney.

“I also have to believe that we are good enough to progress to the next round, we are playing a higher standard of football and that has to count for something as well.

“Bonagee lost to Cork City in the FAI Cup last season at Turner’s Cross, but they will have learned from that experience so, as I said, we will have to produce our best form if we hope to get to the next round.

“Bonagee have already played in the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup final a few weeks ago in Galway against Dublin side Terenure Rangers.

“They lost that final, but then they won the League in Donegal quite comfortably and I am under no illusions that if we are not at our best then it won’t be an easy outing for us,” added the Bit O’Red boss.

Feeney’s claim that Sligo Rovers “finished strongly” against Athlone last weekend is valid and certainly offers signs of encouragement.

Two goals down at half-time and under incessant pressure for a large part of the second-half, the Bit O’Red players came more into the game in the final 10 minutes and, while they never looked like overhauling that two-goal deficit, they can take positives from the closing minutes.

However, Bonagee showed some good form to get to the FAI Amateur Cup final despite losing the decider (6-1) to Terenure Rangers in Galway.

The Donegal women achieved a notable victory in the semi-final when they defeated top Dublin side Killester/Donnycarney by 2-1 after extra-time.

A tight contest is on the cards for Sunday. Kick-off at the Showgrounds is at 2pm and the game is also on LOITV.