Sligo Rovers travel to PRL Park on Saturday evening to tackle title-chasing Peamount Utd in a crucial Women’s National League (WNL) encounter having already lost twice on the pitch to the Dublin side this season.

However, that opening day victory for Peamount was reversed and the Dublin club forfeited three points over fielding an ineligible player.

That error could yet prove very costly for Peamount as they currently sit in third place some six points adrift of leaders Wexford with five games remaining.

The form of the Sligo Rovers players has been noted also with striker Emma Doherty playing twice for the Republic of Ireland Under 19’s against Portugal this week and captaining the team on Thursday.

The focus for the Bit O’Red will turn to the trip to Dublin to tackle a team that last Saturday knocked defending champions and leaders Shelbourne off top spot when they grabbed a 1-0 victory at Tolka Park with a 77th Stephanie Roche winner.

That’s the challenge facing a Sligo Rovers side that hasn’t won in the last four WNL outings, the previous victory was achieved against Shelbourne at the Showgrounds at the end of July.

Apart from that victory, Sligo Rovers also defeated Wexford when the current leaders visited the North West in June.

That type of form suggests that, on a good day, Sligo Rovers can compete with the best.

Scoring goals hasn’t been a major problem for Steve Feeney’s side, six in the last four games, but the concession of 14 goals tells its own story.

“We’ve conceded goals too easily, it has been a problem all season for us and it’s an area we have to improve on,” commented the Bit O’Red manager.

“If we can make it more difficult for teams to score against us, then we are going to have a chance, it’s as simple as that,” he added.

On a positive note, the form of Paula McGrory who has scored five goals in the last three games is one area where Sligo Rovers may pose questions for Peamount.

“It’s great to see Paula getting the goals, but her overall game shows that she is as good as anyone in the League,” said Feeney

“We have a decent squad of players, we have a decent tally of points, but we have been on 19 now for a while and it would be nice to get on to 20 or 22 with this visit to Dublin.

“If we can defend a bit better than we did last week against Galway in the second-half, then we won’t be too far off the pace,” he concluded.

Bit O’ Red defender Nando Pijnaker will join up with his New Zealand team-mates this week ahead of the upcoming International window where the New Zealanders will take on Australia in two friendly games.

The first game takes place on Thursday September 22nd in Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, three days before the sides meet again at Eden Park in Auckland.

Nando will return in time for our League fixture against Shamrock Rovers on October 1st.

Our Womens Under 17 player Emma Duffy is on International duty this week as she is part of the Republic of Ireland Under 16 Womens squad for two friendlies against Wales away from home.

The first game took place yesterday afternoon and The Irish side won 5-1 in Newport.

Emma was named on the bench yesterday and is expected to feature again in tomorrow’s game.

Well done Emma.

Womens striker Emma Doherty started in yesterday’s Republic of Ireland Under 19 Womens 0-0 friendly draw with Portugal.

The squad are preparing for upcoming UEFA Womens U19 Euro Qualifiers against Poland, Northern Ireland and France in Poland.

Report: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/wu19s-impress-in-draw-with-portugal

The two sides meet again tomorrow (Thursday) in another friendly.

The Bit O’ Red took on Derry City on Tuesday night at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as John Russell looked to make it three wins from three after recent wins over Drogheda United and Shelbourne.

Russell made just one change to the starting team from the Shelbourne game, with Max Mata dropping to the bench for Will Fitzgerald.

Derry were without the injured Ciaran Coll who was stretchered off on Friday night in their victory over Bohemians at the same venue.

The hosts started the game the brighter and created the first chance on nine minutes when Cameron McJannet got down the left wing and crossed for Ryan Graydon who headed into the ground and over from close range.

Just five minutes later and the hosts were in front. Will Patching showed some neat footwork on the edge of the area and he was fouled, with referee Rob Harvey giving a free kick in a dangerous area.

Patching picked himself up and his shot took a slight nick off the Rovers’ wall and the ball flew into the top corner. Luke McNicholas got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.

Rovers got into the game after that and kept possession of the ball and probed forward, most notably when Paddy Kirk was put through down the left by Frank Liivak, The Dubliner’s cross was deflected and needed goalkeeper Brian Maher to divert it away from goal.

Before half-time there was a series of yellow cards, with Rovers pair Robbie Burton and Shane Blaney carded to add to Derry’s Jamie McGonigle in between them.

Michael Duffy tested Luke McNicholas just before half time but the ‘keeper gathered his effort at the second attempt and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

Rovers came out in the second half with a higher intensity and Aidan Keena won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area on 47 minutes. Shane Blaney stepped up but his effort hit the wall and was cleared by the Derry defence.

Derry went close a couple of times soon after when a well worked corner routine found Cameron Dummigan inside the box but McNicholas got down well to save. Ronan Boyce tired his look on the half volley from distance moments later but his strike flew over.

Niall Morahan and Max Mata came on in place of Greg Bolger and Adam McDonnell after an hour as John Russell tried to turn the screw in the attempt to find an equaliser.

Rovers had big claims for a penalty which were waved away by referee Harvey on 79 minutes. Frank Liivak was in on the left, his cross from the byline seemed to have hit Mark Connolly’s arm but the referee said no.

It was all Rovers by now and on 89 minutes Robbie Burton’s free kick from the left landed in the six yard box in a dangerous area but Patrick McEleney cleared before Max Mata got to it.

Four minutes of added time were shown by the fourth official and Rovers best chance of the night came on 93 minutes.

Aidan Keena’s perfect lobbed through pass found Mata in behind. He got a touch on it but the ball wouldn’t come down enough for him to be able to keep his effort on target and it went over and Derry held on for an important home win.

Rovers are not in action until October 1st when we host Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds at 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers face a second away game in four days when we take on Derry City tonight in The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Both sides come into the game on the back of wins on Friday night.

Derry defeated Bohemians at home thanks to Michael Duffy’s strike from distance while John Russell’s Sligo Rovers won 2-0 away to Shelbourne thanks to goals either side of half time from Frank Liivak and Aidan Keena, the same duo who scored in a win over Drogheda United the previous weekend.

The Candystripes sit in second position in the league table, four points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers but with one game more played than the Dublin club.

Rovers are in fifth spot and another result away from home tomorrow night would continue good recent form.

John Russell:

‘’We’re now coming into the business end of the season and every point matters. I was pleased by the character shown last weekend. We grew into the game and got a good result away from home.

‘’Tonight will be another tough test. Derry are in decent form and have some good attacking players so we know we will have to be at our best.

‘’The players are ready and we’re hoping for a big performance’’.

In team news, Rovers continue to be without long term absentees Garry Buckley and Seamas Keogh. Keogh is improving every week and hopes to return soon. There are no other concerns ahead of the game.

The game is live on LOI TV from 7.45pm and Ocean FM will also be covering the game.

Galway took the Women’s National League points at the Showgrounds following today an exciting 5-2 victory against hosts Sligo Rovers in a seven-goal encounter that was very competitive in the opening half.

Galway won the previous encounter with a 5-2 victory at Eamonn Deacy Park last time out and they repeated that feat again.

The sides shared four first-half goals with hosts Sligo Rovers twice in the lead from some fine Paula McGrory finishing in the eighth and 15th minutes as she took her tally to five goals in the last three games.

Galway claimed the first equaliser through Jamie Erickson in the 10th minute and after 38 minutes Shauna Brennan had Galway back on level terms for a second time.

Sligo Rovers had chances in the 25th minute when Emma Doherty hit the post and the same player was denied by a smart Abbiegayle Ronayne stop in the 35th minute at the expense of a corner as the teams went into the interval at 2-2.

Five minutes into the second-half Galway forged ahead when Bryce Reynolds finished to the net from a corner as the ball bobbled around the six-yard box.

Almost immediately Sligo Rovers had a chance of an equaliser when Emma Doherty was denied by another smart save from Ronayne while at the other end Amy Mahon was kept busy by a potent-looking Galway attack.

Galway continued to press and in the 62nd minute Chloe Singleton glanced a header to the net at the far post to give Galway a 4-2 advantage.

However, the best goal of the game arrived in the 70th minute when Galway’s Jenna Slattery rifled to the net from about 35 yards to effectively finish the game as a contest.

Both teams used all their substitutes and Galway played out some added time with 10 players after goalscorer Jenna Slattery sustained an injury and had to be assisted from the pitch.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Amy Roddy, Fiona Doherty, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle-Carr, Sarah Kiernan. 

Subs – Katie Melly for Kelly 73 mins, Kerri O’Hara for F Doherty 73m, Aoife Brennan for McGrory, Amy Hyndman for Kiernan, Lauren McLellan for E Doherty and Aife Haran for Boyle-Carr all 83m.

Galway – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Nicole McNamara, Shauna Brennan, Chloe Singleton, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Elle Rose O’Flaherty, Aoibheann Costelloe, Bryce Reynolds, Jamie Eereikson, Kate Thompson. 

Sligo Rovers Annual Draw is now just 3 weeks away and we can confirm a total of €34,000 has been raised so far with our volunteer sellers continuing to go out and about in the community selling tickets to local supporters.

We launched this year’s draw back on July 10^th and since then, sales have been increasing online and through physical sales door to door or by our ticket sellers within the community.

The top prize of €5,000 is just one of a number of special prizes up for grabs this year when the draw takes place on October 1^st at our home game with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds.

We have a €1,000 PetStop voucher with thanks to John McKeon and his team. There are two separate hotel stays up for grabs at both Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley and the 5 Star Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin City.

Music fans will be delighted to see four Westlife tickets for their Wild Dreams tour in Belfast in December available as well as 2 Rod Stewart tickets for Dublin in November.

There is a trip to Anfield to see Liverpool at a home game also there to be won not to mention €200 Kate’s Kitchen and Intersport Elverys vouchers (2 x €100).

With just 3 weeks to go until the draw, we encourage supporters who have not entered to do so now to be in with a chance of winning.

All proceeds from this year’s draw will go directly towards our Stadium development plans for The Showgrounds with the club continuously working on our Masterplan which will see The Showgrounds transformed into a modern sporting venue for the North-West region.

Our Masterplan was launched back in May 2021 and you can take a look at our Stadium Development plans via the following link:

There is also a special Business draw which allows businesses to enter a draw by purchasing a book of tickets. Each company will then be placed into a draw to win a pitch-side advertising sign at The Showgrounds for the entire 2023 season, worth over €1,200.

Buy online:

One ticket: https://srfcdirect.com/annual-draw-ticket-2022/

One book of tickets: https://srfcdirect.com/annual-draw-book-of-ten-2022/

How can you help?

Take a book of tickets to sell to your friends, family or work colleagues. Books have ten tickets and can be got by emailing administrator@sligorovers.com or by contacting someone from the club at tonight’s match.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that our Women’s team striker, Emma Doherty has agreed a long-term deal at the club through a scholarship with Atlantic Technological University.

The newly formed university teamed up with Sligo Rovers to sign the eighteen-year-old forward.

Each year, the university offers a limited number of Sligo Rovers players a fee-waiver scholarship which is matched by the club with support to the player throughout the seasons they are studying. Following the establishment of the Senior Women’s team at Sligo Rovers in September 2021, this is the first year the university will offer scholarships to both Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s players.

Doherty joined The Bit O’ Red last January ahead of our inaugural Senior Women’s season competing in The SSE Airtricity Women’s National League. The young striker has impressed throughout the season so far scoring nine goals in our opening 21 games.

ATU is one of Ireland’s largest multi-campus universities with campuses across Sligo, Donegal, Mayo and Galway. The new university is built on the foundations of over 50 years in higher education and offers academic excellence and the opportunity to participate in sport at a national level.

The Donegal native completed her Leaving Certificate in June and will commence studying an honours degree in Health Science and Physical Activity at ATU Sligo as part of the club’s long-standing partnership with Atlantic TU.

Bit O’ Red Women’s Team Manager Steve Feeney:

‘’Emma has been a fantastic player for us so far this season. She is a real threat for defences in the league and she has shown that so far, scoring a goal almost every other game.

‘’The partnership the club have with ATU Sligo is a real help in us attracting top level players here as they can gain a high-level qualification while also playing at a high level with us on the national stage.

‘’I know Emma is keen to do well both on the field and at university. I feel this is a perfect match and one which will grow and develop over the coming seasons’’.

Doherty will now be part of ATU Sligo’s Senior Women’s team who will compete in the Third Level Colleges League and Cups throughout the academic year.

President of Atlantic TU, Dr Orla Flynn commented

“ATU is pleased to support Sligo Rovers, as the club seeks to grow and retain talent within our region. This partnership ensures families can be confident that their sons and daughters can not only further their sporting ambitions, but also achieve academically by attending the university.

“Our Schools Liaison team work closely with sports partners, ensuring our talented students can avail of the breadth of opportunities available on their doorstep. Our communities nurture talent at a young age, and we at ATU continue to support players like Emma as they grow and progress as young adults. Sligo Rovers are also to be commended for their tangible commitment to women’s sport, and on behalf of everyone in ATU I wish Emma every success with Sligo Rovers.”

FAI football facilitator at ATU Sligo, Colm Jinks, is delighted with the new addition to the Women’s club at the university:

‘’The partnership works for everyone – It is great to have a player of Emma’s ability here with us, not only at ATU Sligo but to continue their development at Sligo Rovers.

‘’The Senior Women’s team have done so well this year in their first ever season competing in The Women’s National League and Emma has been a big part of that.

‘’This shows that young girls coming through the club’s academy system will be given an opportunity at senior level and may also enhance their skills by gaining an excellent education at the same time’’.

Emma will be part of the Bit O’ Red squad for tomorrow’s home game with Galway at The Showgrounds. The game kicks off at 2pm and supporters can pay on the gate. Gates open from 1pm.