It has been a busy season for Mayo’s Luke McNicholas who started the year on loan with Cliftonville in Northern Ireland winning the League Cup and challenging for the League title before returning to his parent club Sligo Rovers and was thrust straight into first team action when Ed McGinty transferred to English League One side Oxford United:

“Yeah, thankfully it worked out well for me as when I coming back after my loan spell with Cliftonville, Ed was the established number one and I didn’t know what the story would be as regards game time. It did all work out with Ed getting his move and I am where I am now and have the number 1 jersey and want to keep that spot.”

McGinty had been Rovers hero in the penalty shoot-out win against Bala Town in the Europa Conference League with McNicholas then being thrust into action for the games against Motherwell which he approached with the same mindset as any other:

“Yeah it was but to be honest I didn’t let that factor in and didn’t treat it as a bigger game than any other. It is a bit of a football cliché but I treated it like any other match and they were my thoughts going into it. I knew I was going to get the opportunity to play at some stage and that thankfully that came about for me.”

McNicholas had played the European games last year against FH from Iceland when Rovers had arguably underperformed and he feels that they learned a lot of lessons from those games that served them well in this year’s campaign:

“We knew this year that we had to do better. We had a taste of European football last season with the FH games and knew that we could have done a lot better in both games. European football is ruthless and you have to take your chances along with putting in a good performance. We approached the games this year that way trying to be ruthless in both attacking and defending and I think the Motherwell away game was the best example of that.”

Rovers campaign came to an end against Norwegian side Viking with McNicholas again feeling that as with the FH games there are lessons that they can learn going forward:

“With the Viking games, well they are a very good team and it was different playing a side that was mid season as opposed to pre-season it took away an advantage that we might have had in terms of sharpness. As well we were caught on the hop in the away leg with them getting the two early goals. In the long run it could prove to be a blessing in disguise as no more than with the FH games last season it thought us a few lessons for going forward.”

After McGinty left, Rovers worked quickly to tie down McNicholas to a long term deal and he has signed a new contract up to the end of the 2024 season:

“It was great to get that offer and to know that the club had that faith in me to offer such a long contract. I was delighted to get the offer and to sign.”

McNicholas has had a rollercoaster couple of years after a disappointing loan spell with Finn Harps last season, playing in Rovers two European campaigns, a successful loan spell with Cliftonville and now being the established number one for the Bit O ’Red and he hoping for more stability going forward:

“It’s has been some journey for me in the past couple of years but that is football and I have learned how things change fast. I want to push on now that I am the number one at the club and become an established number one in this League and see where that takes me. Ultimately I want to win many things and play more European games with Rovers.”

McNicholas is currently sidelined with an ankle injury recently sustained while on International duty with Republic of Ireland Under 21’s. He will miss the rest of the 2022 season and will be back in action again for the start of pre-season.

By Keith O’ Dwyer

Friday night saw Sligo Rovers travel to Dublin to take on UCD at The UCD Bowl.

This would be the fourth meeting between the sides this season, with the hosts remaining unbeaten in the previous three fixtures having won at The Showgrounds in July, following on from two earlier season draws.

Rover were without long-term absentees Luke McNicholas and Garry Buckley who remain out with ankle and knee injuries respectively. Max Mata was also nursing a knock and wasn’t risked for the game.

Niall Morahan came into midfield for David Cawley, partnered by Robbie Burton who replaced Greg Bolger from our previous game against Shamrock Rovers. Will Fitzgerald replaced the injured Mata with Aidan Keena moving to a central position up front.

Both sides looked to get the ball down early and play through midfield to create chances. Rovers were patient in approach, with Burton and Morahan controlling the ball well and keeping the hosts to little or no chances.

The first chance of the game fell to Aidan Keena, the ball falling to him on the edge of the area and his shot stung the hands of the UCD goalkeeper.

Sean Brennan then had a chance for the students as he found space on the right and got a shot away but Richard Brush was equal to it on Rovers’ goal.

Keena was at the forefront again soon after, his goal bound effort was well saved by Moore in the UCD goal on 13 minutes.

Five minutes later, Rovers were deservedly in front. Jack Keaney lost possession and Keena broke forward. Adam McDonnell made a great run alongside him and Keena slipped it into the midfielder’s path, leaving him one on one with Moore before cooly dinking it over the advancing goalkeeper to give Rovers the lead.

The Bit O’ Red kept possession well after that and looked to create more chances before the half time whistle but UCD held out and Rovers went in 1-0 up at the break.

One negative for John Russell in the first half was the withdrawal of Colm Horgan through injury, the defender replaced by Lewis Banks on 36 minutes.

Nine minutes into the second half, Keena had another half chance but he couldn’t quite control Will Fitzgerald’s pass and the goalkeeper pounced to gather the ball.

Just two minutes later though and it was 2-0. McDonnell again ran clear in behind and rounded Moore to slot into the empty net after some good build up play.

It was all Rovers at this point and Keena again tested his luck after good work on the right from Frank Liivak. The strikers strong effort was saved by Moore.

Kailin Barlow, Seamas Keogh and Eanna Clancy were all introduced in the final ten minutes by John Russell in place of Niall Morahan, Shane Blaney and Robbie Burton and Rovers finished strong and secured three points thanks to those two McDonnell goals.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Casey’s Field to play Dundalk on Friday October 21st.

Senior Women’s team players Pixie O’ Hara and Emma Doherty are in action for Republic of Ireland Under 19 Women this afternoon against France in Poland (1pm Irish time).

The game is the final game of their group having drew with Poland last week and then defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 on Friday thanks to Emma Doherty’s winner.

The team still have a chance to progress to Phase Two of the Qualifying stage with a positive result today.

It was an important weekend for our Academy with two Quarter-Finals and a Semi-Final taking place across Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, our Under 17 Women advanced to their League’s Semi-Final with a great 3-1 away win in Wexford against Wexford Youths.

Goals from Rachel McGoldrick, Heather O’ Sullivan and Sorcha Feehily were enough to secure an important win.

Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Men’s team were defeated 3-1 away to Waterford with Daire Patton on the scoresheet for the Bit O’ Red.

Our Under 14’s visited Shamrock Rovers at Roadstone on Saturday afternoon and the game ended 3-0 to the hosts who move onto the Semi-Finals.

Sunday saw our Under 19 Men’s team host St Patrick’s Athletic at 2pm at The Showgrounds in The Enda McGuill Cup Semi-Final.

Rovers took the lead after 25 minutes when Kailin Barlow volleyed home but the visitors equalised just after half time.

Eanna Clancy then scored a wonder goal from distance to regain the lead for Rovers going into the last fifteen minutes.

St Pat’s equalised soon after however and then went on to score two more goals to seal a 4-2 win.

Our Academy season is into the final few weeks and we have four fixtures over the coming weekend, with three on Saturday and one on Sunday.

We are away from home in three games on Saturday, as our Under 14’s travel to Roadstone to take on Shamrock Rovers at 3pm.

Our Women’s Under 17 team are in League Quarter-Final action away to Wexford Youths at 2pm. Aaron O’ Connor will be hoping his side can progress through the game after a tight encounter between the sides at the same venue just a couple of weeks ago, the hosts winning 1-0 thanks to a last minute winner.

In Waterford, at 2pm our Under 17 Men’s side take on ‘The Blues’ in SETU campus.

Sunday sees our Under 19 Men’s team in Cup Semi-Final action against St Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds. The game kicks off at 2pm and admission is free.

Our final game of the 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division season away to Bohemians at Dalymount Park has been moved back 48 hours to Sunday November 6th.

The game will kick off at 7pm.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on Friday, November 4th.

All games in the league will take place at the same time on Sunday November 6th.

The club are also in discussions with The FAI with regards our final home game of the season against St. Patrick’s Athletic.

There is currently a clash of fixtures between the Senior Men’s and Women’s teams on Saturday October 29th.

The Men’s team are scheduled to take on St Patrick’s Athletic at 7.45pm and the Women’s team are due to play DLR Waves at 5.20pm on the same day.

An announcement will be made in due course with regards this situation.

Treaty Utd were within six minutes of a first Women’s National League victory at the Showgrounds yesterday, but Sligo Rovers struck a late equaliser when substitute Lauren McLellan finished to the net for the hosts.

Cara Griffin gave Treaty Utd the lead with a delightful goal in the ninth minute when she lobbed Bit O’Red ‘keeper Amy Mahon and the Munster side bettled with great determination for the remainder.

Prior to that conceding that early goal the hosts had chances with the best for Paula McGrory who headed over from almost under the Treaty crossbar.

There wasn’t too much excitement after that until assistant-referee Keenan Deering broke his flag and play was halted briefly while fourth official Mark Houlihan sourced a replacement.

Sligo Rovers eventually upped the tempo and were denied an equaliser in the 30th minute when the woodwork intervened and from the rebound Aife Haran was denied by a Treaty defender.

Fiona Doherty had a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 35th minute, but she blazed wide from about 12 yards.

Leah Kelly and Gemma McGuinness also had a chances clsoe to the interval, but Trish Fennelly saved both efforts as Treaty held on to lead at the break.

Six minutes into the second-half Gemma McGuinness fired narrowly wide of the Treaty post as the hosts went in search of an equaliser.

Soon after Trish Fennelly fumbled a high centre, but McGuinness couldn’t finish the loose ball..

Sligo Rovers continued to press and Amy Boyle-Carr went close on the hour while at the other end Treaty’s Shannen O’Donovan had a half chance that Amy Mahon saved.

The pattern remained  as Sligo continued to press and Treaty defended with great determination.

Treaty created a good opening in the 73rd minute, but Griffin dragged her shot wide and at the other end McGuinness also blazed wide.

Six minutes from time Sligo Rovers got the equaliser when substitute Lauren McLellan finished to the net with her first touch from about four yards when she pounced on a loose ball.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Aife Haran, Sarah Kiernan, Amy Roddy, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Gemma McGuinness, Fiona Doherty, Lauren Boles, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle-Carr.  Subs – Katie Melly for Doherty 75 mins, Lauren McLellan for Hansberry, Orna O’Dowd for Kiernan and Ruth Monaghan for Haran all 81m,

Treaty Utd – Trish Fennelly; Alex Mendez, Laoise Browne, Alannah Mitchell, Grace McInerney, Jessie Mendez, Kelsey Wing, Kaiesha Tobin, Cara Griffin, Rosie Young, Shannen O’Donovan.
Subs – Megan Brennan for Tobin 68 mins, Shannon Parbet for A Mendez 73m, Naoise Griffin for O’Donovan 90m.

Our 2022 Annual Draw has now come to a close after the draw took place last night at our game against Shamrock Rovers.

A record breaking total of €106,690 was raised by our supporters this year.

It was decided by the club before the draw, that all proceeds would be put towards our Showgrounds Development Plan and we wish to thank everyone for supporting this and making it our best draw in our history.

This year we had the biggest team of sellers throughout the county, well up from previous years. This was down to dedication from our volunteer Management Committee and supporters, who called door to door around the region.

The more people we have to sell tickets the more we are able to raise for the club.  We thank our volunteers who have been working so hard for this draw for the past number of weeks.

Mark Cummins, Annual Draw co-ordinator and Sligo Rovers Vice Secretary:

“I would like to thank all our ticket sellers who put in such a huge effort this year. 

‘’There was great team spirit amongst the sellers and it was their enthusiasm to set a new record this year that made it possible.

‘’We have set a big target for next year but with a few more volunteers we can surpass this year’s total.

‘’As announced the proceeds of the annual draw are going to the development of the showgrounds.  We hope to be in a position to give an update on our development plans in the next few weeks.

‘’A massive thanks also to the supporters and general public for getting behind the draw from the start’’.

Sligo Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins:

‘’It just goes to show the sheer commitment and dedication of my fellow Committee members and volunteers for getting such a magnificent result from this year’s Annual Draw.

‘’We decided to put all proceeds from the draw towards our Masterplan, which we hope to see transform The Showgrounds into a state of the art sporting venue for the future.

‘’I want to thank Mark and all the sellers for their unbelievable contribution and of course all our supporters who bought or sold tickets for us.

‘’I also wish to thank those who bought tickets to the draw who may not particularly follow the club. It just goes to show the great respect the people of the region have for our great club.’’

Full list of Winners:

1st Prize: €5000: Donal Kilcullen

2nd Prize: €1,000 Petstop Discount Warehouse Voucher: Bernie Maye

3rd Prize: Shelbourne Hotel Voucher: Gerry Nicholson

4th Prize: Liffey Valley Clayton Hotel stay: Eamonn Rushe

5th Prize: Westlife Tickets for Belfast: Adrian Coen

6th Prize: €200 voucher for Kate’s Kitchen: Jason Mills

7th Prize: 2 tickets to Liverpool FC: Calvin Flynn

8th Prize: 2 Rod Stewart Tickets for Dublin: Brid Doherty

9th Prize: €100 voucher for Intersport Elverys: Joe Gilroy

10th Prize: €100 voucher for Intersport Elverys: Lorraine Miller

Our 2022 Annual Draw concluded tonight with an amazing €106,690 raised for the club from the draw.

This record-breaking total could not have been reached without the dedication of our Management Committee and supporters, who sold tickets throughout the region since the launch of the draw back in July.

The winner of the top prize was Donal Kilcullen from Skreen in Sligo. Congratulations to him and all our other prize winners who are listed below:

Full list of Winners:

1^st Prize: €5000: Donal Kilcullen

2^nd Prize: €1,000 Petstop Discount Warehouse Voucher: Bernie Maye

3^rd Prize: Shelbourne Hotel Voucher: Gerry Nicholson

4^th Prize: Liffey Valley Clayton Hotel stay: Eamonn Rushe

5^th Prize: Westlife Tickets for Belfast: Adrian Coen

6^th Prize: €200 voucher for Kate’s Kitchen: Jason Mills

7^th Prize: 2 tickets to Liverpool FC: Calvin Flynn

8^th Prize: 2 Rod Stewart Tickets for Dublin: Brid Doherty

9^th Prize: €100 voucher for Intersport Elverys: Joe Gilroy

10^th Prize: €100 voucher for Intersport Elverys: Lorraine Miller