Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the re-signing of Fabrice Hartmann on loan until June 30th 2024 from German Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig.

Hartmann had spent the first months of the 2023 season at The Showgrounds before returning to Germany to undergo a rehabilitation programme at his parent club after sustaining a hamstring injury in May.

Hartmann is now returning to full fitness and will go straight into John Russell’s squad for next Friday’s crunch game against St. Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds.

Rovers boss John Russell is happy to have the German back in Sligo:

“I’m delighted to bring Fabrice back to the club again.

“He is a player of immense quality. I felt he was just getting into his stride before his injury so to have him back with us is exciting.

“He makes the difference in the final third with his ability to create chances and score goals.

“I’m sure our supporters will be excited by this news”.

The 22-year-old winger has said he’s excited to be back at The Showgrounds:

“I am really happy to extend my loan at Sligo Rovers.

“I want to thank the manager, John Russell for the trust that he’s given me.

“Im looking forward to getting more minutes and helping the team as much as I can for the rest of the season and next”.

Hartmann will once again wear the number 11 jersey for the Bit O’ Red for the rest of the season.

Sligo Rovers made the trip to Drogheda to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division on Friday night.

Manager John Russell was without the suspended Daniel Lafferty and Richard Brush who were both sent off in last week’s FAI Cup defeat at the same venue.

Frank Liivak was replaced by Lukas Browning and David Cawley captained the side in his 300th competitive appearance in place of Lafferty.

Rovers started well and kept some good possession in the opening spells with the hosts looking dangerous on the counter attack.

Just as Drogheda looked to get a foothold in the game, Rovers took the lead on a break of their own.

Kailin Barlow found space on the right hand side before prodding the ball in behind toward the on running Cawley who fired off the upright with goalkeeper Andrew Wogan beaten.

The shot came back out into the danger zone and Stefan Radosavljevic did well to keep the rebound down and fire in the opening goal.

The home side again looked to get forward at every opportunity but chances were few and far between and the Bit O’ Red lead at the break.

John Mahon was replaced at half time due to illness and Barlow picked up a minor ankle injury and both were replaced by Garry Buckley and Frank Liivak respectively.

Rovers started the second half well and looked to take control of the game when Johan Brannefalk’s cross from a wide free kick was headed into his own net by defender Conor Keeley on 58 minutes to double Rovers’ lead .

It looked as if Rovers were handling anything that was thrown at them comfortably until a defensive mix up on 70 minutes let in Adam Foley to pull one back with twenty minutes to go.

It got worse for Rovers eight minutes later when a cross from the left hand side was nodded down for Dayle Rooney to nip in and equalise for the home side.

Pedro Martelo replaced Radosavljevic for the final ten minutes or so and both sides were eager to go and get a third goal.

The game ended with both sides having half chances to get a winner but neither side would go on to do so meaning a the spoils were shared.

James Finnerty returned late on for Cawley in his first game back from injury which is a welcome addition for John Russell.

Next up is a home game with St. Patrick’s Athletic next Friday at The Showgrounds at 7:45pm.

Our Academy has four games this weekend between Saturday and Sunday afternoon as the season continues to progress through the Summer months.

On Saturday, our Under 14 side are in Cup action as they take on UCD away from home at 3pm.

The lads have had a couple of weeks with no competitive fixture so, will be rearing to go in Dublin.

The squad take part in the Galway Cup next week so it is a busy week ahead for the squad.

Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Women take on Dundalk at Oriel Park at 2pm. Rovers sit on top of the table with two wins from two in the opening games of Phase Two.

Our Under 15 side host the same opposition on Sunday at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Admission is free and all support is welcome for this young side.

Later on Sunday, our Under 19 Women host Shelbourne at The Showgrounds with a kick-off time of 2pm and again, all support is welcome.

Sligo Rovers return to League action tonight against Drogheda United at Weavers Park

The sides met last Friday night in the FAI Cup with Drogheda winning 2-1 and progressing to the next round.

Max Mata scored his 12th goal of the season in the first half but, the hosts drew level early in the second half and went on to win the game from a penalty of their own.

Manager John Russell is looking for a reaction from his side:

‘’We were very disappointed with the performance, and ultimately the result last weekend.

Our performance levels and results have been good in the league lately so we can’t let one bad performance impact our mindset’’.

The game is Live on LOI TV from 7:45pm and Ocean FM will provide updates.

Russell is keen for his side to continue their decent league form, winning two from the last three games:

‘’The staff and I have such belief in this group of players. They have the ability and mentality to put a run of results together.

We are now entering the business end of the season so a big performance is needed in front of our away supporters this evening’’.

In team news, Garry Buckley is now fit and available following his return to action from the bench last Friday.

Karl O’ Sullivan could return to the match squad after his long lay off with an ankle injury and James Finnerty is also fully fit again.

Will Fitzgerald will be sidelined with a groin injury while Mark Byrne and Gary Boylan remain out.

Daniel Lafferty is suspended.

Our Academy had another hectic weekend this past week with four games down for decision between Saturday and Monday.

Our Under 17 Women left it late to secure three points at home to Longford Town on Saturday lunchtime as goals from Kya McKenna and Tess Longworth were enough to get the home win on a terrible afternoon for football.

Sunday saw two Under 19 games taking place, with our Under 19 Men’s team in Enda McGuill Cup action as they hosted Athlone Town at The Sean Fallon Centre.

A tight first half saw Rovers lead 1-0 at the break after Eli Rooney’s early goal on his return from injury but Rovers pulled away in the second half with Owen Elding’s penalty three minutes in followed by the third goal from midfielder Ultan O’ Grady three minutes later to seal Rovers’ passage into the third round.

Our Under 19 Womens team hosted Cork City at Ballisodare United on Sunday afternoon and goals from Alice Lillie and Katie McGuire were good enough to secure the win in a tighly contested game.

Monday evening saw the final game of the weekend at The Showgrounds as our Under 15 side were taken to extra-time by visitors Galway United after an end to end game in the opening 80 minutes.

Rovers got the winner in extra-time through Troy Kelly and this means we progress to the next round.

On Wednesday night, Rovers Under 17 side take on Longford Town away from home at Bishopsgate in the League.

Kick off is 7pm.

Sligo Rovers get back to Premier Division action this Friday night with a trip to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

It is the second meeting of the sides at the Louth venue in a week as the hosts defeated Rovers 2-1 in last Friday’s FAI Cup First Round tie.

Tickets for Sligo Rovers supporters are available via the link below:

https://eventlist.store/droghedaunitedfc/dufcawaytickets?ftredirect=1

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the signing of goalkeeper Caoimhe O’ Reilly who joins from Hounslow Women in England.

O’ Reilly was born in Castlebar and had spells with Peamount United, Castlebar Celtic and UCD Waves before making the move to the U.K. where she played with Watford, Enfield Town and Hounslow Women.

The 26-year-old will join up with Steve Feeney’s squad when they return to training following a mid-season break in early August.

Feeney is thrilled with the latest addition:

‘’Caoimhe is a top quality goalkeeper and someone we’ve had our eye on for a while.

‘’She is a good age and brings good experience to the group having played in the U.K.

‘’We are looking forward to working with her between now and the end of the season’’.

Rovers will return to League action on August 19^th when they travel to take on Athlone Town.

A week later the Bit O’ Red host Bonagee Celtic in the First Round of the Sports Direct Womens FAI Cup at The Showgrounds.

O’ Reilly is looking forward to getting started:

‘’I am delighted to have signed for Sligo Rovers today.

‘’It is a team with a lot of youth but also some good experience and players with lots of talent and a supportive backroom team.

‘’I am looking forward to getting started and hopefully have a good FAI Cup run and finish off the League season strongly as well’’.

Our next SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division home game against St. Patrick’s Athletic, scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 5th at 7.45pm at The Showgrounds has been brought forward 24 hours.

The game now takes place live on RTE 2 at 7.45pm on Friday, August 4th.

Tickets for the game are available here:

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

Supporters can also pay on the night at the turnstiles which will open at 6.30pm.

Sligo Rovers are in Sports Direct FAI Cup First Round action on Friday night with a trip to Weavers Park to take on Drogheda United.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Games with Drogheda United always prove to be tightly contested ones and tomorrow’s game is expected to be no different in front of a large crowd at the Drogheda venue.

Rovers Manager John Russell is excited to begin a new Cup campaign:

”We are up against a very difficult opponent in Drogheda United.

”We have yet to beat them this year in the league and their home form is always good.

”However, we come into the game on the back of three good performances”.

The game will be live on LOI TV and Bit O’ Red supporters travelling to the game can buy tickets online now here: https://eventlist.store/droghedaunitedfc/dufcawaytickets?ftredirect=1

Russell says his side must be ready for a tough game and bring recent performances into Friday’s tie:

”The players know the importance of this game and what a cup run means for the team, the club and the supporters.

”The FAI Cup is a special competition and we’re expecting a big away support on the night. Hopefully we can give our fans a top performance”.

In team news, Rovers will be without the injured Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne and Reece Hutchinson. Boylan is expected to be out for the season while Byrne is a few weeks away and Hutchinson due to return to training in the next fortnight.

Garry Buckley is nearing a return to the matchday squad after his ACL injury and James Finnerty is also close, after returning to training following an achilles problem picked up in April.

We wish all Sligo Rovers supporters a safe journey to the game.

Our Wehrly Bros Player of the Month award for May and June were announced in the last 24 hours.

The famous Sligo jewellers sponsor our awards each month for our Senior Men’s and Women’s teams, with the winner receiving a prize on behalf of Wehrlys.

The Men’s Player of the Month for May was Will Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was a key member of the side that defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic early in the month and scored the winner at home to Derry City later on.

Casey Howe picked up the award for the Women’s team as her brace at Turners Cross against Cork City ensured Rovers picked up our first win of the season. Howe also showed good performances throughout the month against Shelbourne and Bohemians.

Niall Morahan won June’s award after some fine displays in John Russell’s midfield. Morahan scored the equaliser away to Shelbourne on June 9th and was part of the team that defeated Bohemians at home at the end of the month.

The Women’s Player of the Month for June was Emma Doherty. Doherty was unavailable to pick up here award this week but will be presented with it in due course. Doherty scored a brace against Treaty United in early June and had some other strong displays also.