There are five academy games taking place this weekend, with three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Up first are our Under 14’s who finish their season at home to Longford Town at 12 Noon at The Sean Fallon Centre. The team have made great strides since the beginning of the season and found their form during the summer and will be happy with their season overall.

At 2pm on the same venue, The Under 17 women’s team host Greystones, having won the return fixture a fortnight ago in Wicklow. The girls are in a great position in the table and know that a win here will set up the end of the season nicely.

At 5pm, in Balldonnell, Dublin, Our Under 17 men’s team face UCD. The team currently lie in second position in the group and will be looking to pick up all three points in a tough away fixture. Daniel Kelly misses the game as he is on international duty.

On Sunday, our Under 15 team wrap up their season against Longford Town at 2pm on the Sean Fallon Centre All Weather pitch. The lads have had another steady season and can be proud of their efforts ahead of the end of season break.

At the same time there is a crucial clash in St Aidans College, Dublin as our Under 19 men’s team face a tough test away to Bohemian FC. The lads are currently 5 points clear at the top of the table with 4 games remaining. Conor Walsh is on international duty in Cork and will miss the game.

Our Under 19 women have a weekend off as they prepare for their end of season games in the coming weeks.

There were just the three fixtures down for decision at the weekend with our Under 17 men and both Under 19 sides in action across Friday and Sunday.

Ryan Casey’s Under 17 men’s side welcomed north west neighbours Finn Harps on Friday night under the lights at The Sean Fallon Centre. The game was evenly contested with Daniel Kelly scoring for The Bit O’ Red to earn a draw. Kelly now joins up with the Ireland Under 17 squad in Cork this week for three European Qualifiers against Andorra, North Macedonia and Poland.

Our Under 19 sides kicked off together at 2pm on Sunday, with the men’s team playing Galway United at home. Seamas Keogh and Josh Mulrennan, who continues his fine scoring form were on target for Rovers who remain top of the group after the halfway point. Next up for Declan Boyle’s men is a tough trip to Bohemian FC on Sunday in Dublin.

Darragh Healy and Scott Lynch took their Women’s Under 19 side to Greystones and ran out convincing winners on a 6-2 scoreline. This result leaves Rovers 3 points clear on top of the group after five games. The final group game takes place at home against Carlow/Kilkenny in a couple of weeks.

It’s a big week for some of our Academy players who join up with their respective Republic of Ireland teams. Under 17 & 19 players Conor Walsh & Daniel Kelly join up with the Under 17’s in Cork while academy graduates Niall Morahan & Johnny Kenny will travel to Montenegro with The Under 21 squad. Best of luck lads.

There are three games down for decision at Academy level this weekend, with our Under 17 men and Under 19 men and women all in action.

Tonight, Friday sees our Under 17 men host Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre at 7.30pm. The lads lost to Shelbourne last Saturday but are still in a good position in the group table.

On Sunday afternoon, our Under 19 women’s team travel to Woodlands to take on Greystones at 2pm. The girls picked up a rare defeat last Sunday in Donegal and will be looking to bounce back this time around in another tricky away game.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, our in form Under 19 mens side host Galway United. This will be a crucial match as the lads sit on top of the group table and will be hoping to maintain that position with victory over the Tribesmen.

Admission to all our home games are free and we encourage all Bit O’ Red supporters to get out and show support to our teams.

Aaron Heaney, Kailin Barlow and Sean McAteer fired our men’s Under 19’s to a fourth consecutive win in the league last Sunday evening at Baldonnell, Dublin. Heaney gave Rovers a deserved lead just before half-time with Barlow adding a second two minutes after the restart. Midfielder McAteer made certain of victory in the 86^th minute before the hosts netted a late consolation. The 3-1 victory over the Students maintains our 100% record and sends the boys five points clear of Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Elite League as we approach the midway point of the season. Up next, we welcome Galway United to The Sean Fallon Centre this coming Sunday. Galway’s opening day 8-2 win over Derry City was their only win so far, losing their next three games.

Our Women’s Under 19 side lost their own 100% record on Sunday afternoon at Leckview Park against Donegal and slipped to second in the group, albeit only on goal difference. Ella Vahey scored for the second week running but this time it was merely a consolation as Donegal hit five to take revenge for their 2-1 defeat in Sligo last month. We travel to the Woodlands this coming Sunday to face Greystones United in a repeat of the game two weeks ago (a 3-1 home win for Rovers) hoping for a similar outcome. Victory in Wicklow, in our penultimate game, would almost certainly guarantee a top two finish and a subsequent post-season Semi-Final spot for the girls.

The blueprint for that result was outlined by our Women’s Under 17 on Saturday evening as we went top of the group with a 2-0 win over Greystones. Rebecca Doddy did what she always does – score for Sligo Rovers – and became the highest scoring player amongst all the academy teams this season. Katie McGuire was on the scoresheet also as Rovers pulled three points clear at the halfway stage. Winless Athlone Town visit the Showgrounds in two weeks (Saturday Oct. 9) with the pressure all on the visitors. Athlone’s only goal in the group so far came in their 2-1 home defeat to Rovers in early September whereas our girls have scored almost double the next highest scorers in the group. A place in the Semi-Finals looks a distinct possibility even now.

The second of three 100% records went by the wayside this weekend as our Under 17 side were beaten 3-2 by Shelbourne at the AUL Complex. Both sides are tied on nine points along with UCD at the summit, Rovers in second by way of goal difference. Aaron Heaney matched Eimear McIntyre’s fantastic efforts from last week as he too scored at two different age levels over the weekend, Conor Cannon netting Rovers’ second. Rovers (14 scored, 5 conceded) face Finn Harps (8 scored, 9 conceded) this Friday night at The Sean Fallon Centre in what could be a goal fest with 36 goals scored in their 8 combined matches so far. And with just two games remaining after this, a win is vital before a trip to UCD in two weeks.

Finally, after terrific wins over Athlone and Galway our Under 14s bowed out of the cup on Saturday at the Quarter-Final stage. A strong Finn Harps won 5-0 in Killygordon to progress to the final four and leave us to turn our attention to the final group game of the season on October 9^th at home to Longford Town. A 3^rd place finish is within sight and potentially another Quarter-Final place, this time in the league’s post season.

Richard Mullan

There are five academy games down for decision across Saturday and Sunday as we approach the business end of the season.

If we enjoyed home comforts last weekend, with all games taking place at The Showgrounds, this weekend is the opposite, with all teams bar The Under 15 men’s team who have the weekend off facing tough away assignements.

Tomorrow, Saturday sees our Under 17 men’s team face Shelbourne at 2pm in Dublin’s AUL Complex. The lads enjoyed a break last weekend after victory over Cabinteely a fortnight ago.

Also tomorrow, Our Under 14 boys team face Finn Harps in the Under 14 cup. Kick off is at 2pm for the ever improving side.

Our Under 17 women’s team travel to Woodlands in Dublin at 4pm to take on Greystones. The girls had an entertaining 3-3 draw against DLR Waves last Saturday.

Both Under 19 sides are in action on Sunday. Declan Boyle’s Men’s side face a tough game in Balldonnell against UCD at 5pm while in Donegal, 30 minutes later, our Women’s team kick off in against Donegal Ladies.

Both Under 19 sides won last weekend and will be looking to continue their good form this weekend.

Thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of the Bit O’ Red Academy.

EJ Menswear

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Both our Under 19 sides maintained their 100% records this past Sunday at the Showgrounds and stretched their lead at the top of their respective league tables.

Josh Mulrennan scored the game’s only goal against Shelbourne, his second in consecutive weeks since returning from injury, to make it three wins from three at the top of the Elite league. Rovers’ Under 19’s have conceded just once in those three games and boast the 2^nd best defensive record (after Bohemian FC) in the country since the initial campaign got underway at the end of June. The lads next face a trip to Dublin on Sunday to take on the current bottom side, UCD. The students drew 1-1 at home to Cobh Ramblers this weekend to pick up their first point after successive defeats to Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.

Ella Vahey, Sarah Kiernan and Eimear McIntyre helped Rovers U19 Women to a 3-1 win at the Sean Fallon Centre also on Sunday evening, as they too made it three wins from three in the Shield Group A. Rovers lead the 4-team group by three points at the halfway stage and only need a further four points to guarantee a place in the Shield Semi-Finals. Next up for our women is a Sunday trip to Donegal, a repeat of the group opener that Rovers won 2-1 in August.

Eimear McIntyre had a weekend to remember as she was also on the scoresheet some 26 hours earlier, this time in a frantic 3-3 draw between Rovers U17 Women and DLR Waves. Rebecca Doddy hit her 8^th in as many weeks and Brigit O’Reilly scored her first of the season to keep Rovers top of the table on goal difference ahead of Greystones. Rovers meet Greystones away in the Woodlands next Saturday where the hosts have yet to taste victory this summer, drawing two and losing the other three.

Gary Farren scored once again for Rovers U15, his 5^th goal in five games, but it wasn’t enough as the lads were beaten 2-1 by Klub Kildare at the Sean Fallon Centre early Sunday afternoon. It was the second 2-1 reverse in succession and leaves the boys with just one point from three games. Rovers are back in action in three weeks time (Oct. 10^th) at home to Longford in a must-win game, while hoping for a favour in the other games, if we are to stand any chance of qualifying for the Quarter Finals.

A similar but less daunting prospect faces the U14 side after a 1-1 draw with Kildare on Saturday afternoon at the same venue. Cillian O’Neill scored Rovers only goal for the second week running to add to his equaliser last week in Athlone. It means Rovers sit 3^rd after three games and must beat Longford at home (Oct. 9^th) on the final day of the season to reach the Quarter Finals. Athlone and Kildare are the only sides who can prevent Rovers from finishing top 3 but they face each other in Westmeath on the final day to leave our fate in our own hands.

Richard Mullan

There are five academy games taking place over Saturday and Sunday, with the unusual scenario of having a full list of home fixtures.

Starting off on Saturday afternoon will be our Under 14 team who host Klub Kildare at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Across town at 2pm Aaron O’ Connor’s Under 17 Women’s team host DLR Waves in Cleveragh.

On Sunday afternoon The Showgrounds will be busy as we host three fixtures.

Kildare are again the opposition, this time for our Under 15 team at 1pm on The Sean Fallon Centre All Weather Pitch.

Our Under 19 men, managed by Declan Boyle host Shelbourne at 4pm on The Showgrounds pitch.

30 minutes later our Women’s Under 19 team kick off against Greystones on the all weather.

It promises to be another entertaining weekends action. Admission is free to all our Academy games and all support is welcome.

All six of our academy sides were in action over the weekend as the men’s U19s opened their Elite League campaign with a win at home to Cork City.

Kailan Barlow and Josh Mulrennan were named as substitutes on their respective return from injury and it was their introduction in the second half that swung the game in Rovers favour. Cork were marginally the better side for the first hour, their captain Luke Desmond standing out in particular as a real talent in centre midfield, however, clear cut chances were at a premium as both sides were restricted to shots from outside the box. The best chance fell to Cork on 52 minutes as Desmond found striker Bradley Walsh on the edge of the area but his effort was pushed wide by James Robinson in the home goal. That prompted a change in personnel and Rovers assumed control. On 72 minutes, the best move of the match led to the only goal. Cillian Heaney and Barlow played a neat one-two in the middle of the pitch to open things up before spreading it wide left to Mulrennan. The winger raced to the byline and cut the ball back towards the onrushing Jason Devanney – whos effort was brilliantly blocked by a retreating defender but the ball squirmed loose and rolled into the path of Barlow who had the simple task of tapping home from 6 yards with the keeper already committed. Rovers sat a bit deeper as the clock ticked past the 90 minutes and Cork forced a succession of corners. One such cross found substitute Kyle Cuddy unmarked 8 yards out but his goal bound header was superbly tipped over the bar by Robinson. The subsequent clearance brought with it the final whistle and 3 points for Rovers.

The U14 and U15 sides were on the road for their respective Shield openers this past weekend. The U14s travelled to Pearse Park to take on a tough Bray Wanderers side (won 4 of their last 6 games) and were beaten by three goals to nil. The U15 side had a shorter commute and drew their opening game 1-1 in Castlebar. Gary Farren scored the goal for Rovers, his third goal in his last three games.

Conor Cannon smashed a hat trick for our U17s in Longford on Saturday lunchtime and Aaron Heaney netted a brace as Rovers hit 6 and made it two wins out of two. Adam Nugent continued his excellent run of form also, scoring for the third consecutive weekend and sending the boys top of the early standings.

Our U19 women also went two for two and to the top of the league as they won a six-goal thriller in Wicklow. Kate Nugent scored for the second Sunday running to give Rovers the lead. Katie McGuire, Nola Eivers and Ciara Henry also got on the scoresheet as our women ran out 4-2 winners.

Finally, our U17 women were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to a really strong Donegal team in the opening round of the cup. Donegal came in to the game as favourites having stormed the league along with Shams this season but Rovers fought hard and, on another day, could have forced extra time but it wasn’t to be.

Sligo Rovers in partnership with IT Sligo have announced new plans to form a senior women’s team with a view to joining the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League from the 2022 Season onward. 

IT Sligo has been a long-term partner with Sligo Rovers offering support in training and sports scholarships to the senior men’s team over the past two years. 

Now the Institute of Technology Sligo will extend sports scholarships to women players giving them the opportunity to play at senior level at Sligo Rovers. 

Announcing the new plans, Sligo Rovers Chairperson, Tommy Higgins said the partnership will allow elite women soccer players to participate at the highest level and gain an excellent academic qualification while playing:

‘’We are delighted to enhance our partnership with IT Sligo which has seen us create scholarships for our players over the last two years. Women’s football is something we are passionate about and we want to add to our existing Under 17 and Under 19 teams and incorporate a Senior team to compete in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League. This is a big step for women’s football in the North West region and we hope it gives female footballers in the region something to work towards both educationally and in sporting terms’’

Vice President Academic Affairs and Registrar of IT Sligo, Dr Michele Glacken said it offers equal opportunities for female soccer players;

“IT Sligo is delighted to support the development of a Women’s National League team for the North West region. This partnership builds on our current successful Scholarship programme with Sligo Rovers, and offers equal opportunities for female soccer players to succeed in their sporting and academic pursuits. As an Institute, our aim is to help attract and retain talent in the region. By supporting this initiative, we are helping provide a level playing field for girls, ensuring they don’t have to compromise when it comes to furthering their education and pursuing their sporting careers”

Sligo Rovers have an Under 17 and Under 19 team currently playing in the Women’s National Leagues in those age groups and are now planning on establishing the first national league senior women’s football team in the Northwest region. Sligo Rovers U17 Women’s coach and former Irish international, Emma Hansberry said the announcement will enhance women’s football in the Northwest;

‘’This is great news for all female footballers in this region. Coming from Sligo, there was always massive potential in the area and the North West region in general but there was no pathway or women’s senior team to look towards. This is something that has been missing and now with the partnership between Rovers and IT Sligo it will enhance the women’s game all over the North West. The current group of players within the club are very excited and I know all female footballers in the region will be too’’.

From 8th September, the institute is opening up additional places on a limited number of courses and encourage elite women’s soccer players, who are seeking an academic qualification to consider applying, with opportunities to avail of sports scholarships from IT Sligo.

Pictured at the launch of the partnership at IT Sligo’s Knocknarea Arena are Keela Scanlon (Sligo Rovers Women’s player), Emma Hansberry (Sligo Rovers Women’s coach) and Ciara Henry (Sligo Rovers Women’s player)

Under 19 goalkeeper Conor Walsh and Under 17 defender Daniel Kelly are both representing Ireland Under 17’s this week in Cork as part of a double header of International friendlies against Mexico at Turner’s Cross.

Walsh, who signed his first professional contract with the club last week, played 90 minutes for Colin O’ Brien’s side in a 2-1 victory last night. Kelly was an unused substitute.

The pair from Mayo will once again be part of the squad tomorrow afternoon as the two countries meet at 12 Noon at the same venue before returning to the club for training this week ahead of games this coming weekend.

You can follow updates from the game on The FAI’s social media platforms and we will also have information on our Academy social media pages.