Author: David Conway

Team News: v Bohemians

Sligo Rovers will look to overtake Bohemians in the Premier Division table when the Bit O’Red host the Gypsies at the Showgrounds on Friday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers, in eighth, sit two points off Alan Reynolds’ side who occupy sixth. John Russell’s charges are in good spirits following Sligo’s win over St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds and a draw in Galway, keeping clean sheets in both games.

In team news, Rovers will again be without John Mahon (achilles) and Nando Pijnaker (ribs). While Will Fitzgerald (foot) and Simon Power (groin) will also miss out again this weekend.

Max Mata has returned to Shrewsbury Town following the end of his loan spell.   

Rovers played out an entertaining score draw against Bohs on the opening night of the season at Dalymount Park. Reece Hutchinson and Fabrice Hartmann the scorers for the visitors on the night. 

Looking ahead to Friday’s tie, Russell has praised his team’s resolve despite the number of injuries the squad has had to deal with recently. 

He said: “I was delighted with the player’s reaction over the last few games. Particularly considering all the players unavailable to us. 

“We’ve now kept back to back clean sheets and we’ve shown a real improvement in our general play. I do feel there is a lot more to come from us this year which is exciting.”

Russell acknowledged the large red army who followed the team to Galway last Friday and he’s hoping for a big attendance at the Showgrounds this Friday. 

“The support we had last Friday in Galway was just immense. Our fans didn’t stop singing all night and the players feed off that. With Bohs coming to the Showgrounds this weekend we will need them right behind us again. 

“I am sure the supporters can see the fight and desire in this group of players and we will need to show that again to get a result on Friday.”

Another clean sheet earns valuable point in Galway

Sligo Rovers kept their second clean sheet in a row and their seventh of the season as the Bit O’Red came away from Eamonn Deacy Park with a hard fought point, after an evenly matched game with Galway United. 

Both sides had chances in this one, with Ed McGinty’s wonderful late save from a Wassim Aouachria shot the highlight of what was a good evening for the Rovers number one. 

Wilson Waweru almost won the game for the visitors in the dying moments with a late, late chance. 

Rovers started the brighter in Galway in warm conditions. Stefan Radosavljevic worked a decent save from former Rovers shot-stopper Bredan Clarke, after fine work from Max Mata, on his last appearance for the club before his loan spell ended. 

The hosts gradually settled into this one and had chances courtesy of Killian Brouder and Patrick Hickey, but Sligo were in no humour to concede to their Connacht rivals.

John Caulfield’s side hit the woodwork in the second half. David Hurley’s header looped over McGinty and on to the top of the crossbar, while Stephen Walsh volleyed over on the rebound. 

The influential Connor Malley headed narrowly over from a Radosavljevic corner, before Mata had what looked like genuine calls for a spot-kick dismissed when Brouder seemed to have obstructed Mata inside the area. 

John Russell’s charges ended this game well on top but there was a late opportunity for Galway to steal the points. McGinty however got across in time to push away Aouachria’s blasted effort with both hands as time ran out.

Indeed, the aforementioned Waweru almost took the spoils in injury time. Against his local club, Waweru was crowded out as Clarke and friends just did enough to put the striker off his shot, the ball instead dribbling past the far post much to Clarke’s relief. 

Rovers’ next game is a Premier Division clash with Bohemians, this Friday, May 17th at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Jeannot Esua, Robert Slevin, Killian Brouder, Al Amin Kazeem (Wassim Aouachria 86); David Hurley, Conor McCormack; Aodh Dervin (Leon Gaxha 57), Patrick Hickey (Maurice Nugent 57), Ed McCarthy (Conor O’Keeffe 78); Stephen Walsh (Francely Lomboto 78)

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Oliver Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson; Fabrice Hartmann (Rein Smit 73), Connor Malley, Niall Morahan, Stefan Radosavlevic (Owen Elding 60); Ellis Chapman; Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 63)

Referee: Damien McGrath

Team News: Away v Galway United

John Russell will take his Sligo Rovers side to Eamon Deacy Park to face his home town club for the first time, as the Bit O’Red travel south to take on Galway United, kick-off 7.45pm.

This Premier Division clash will be Rovers’ first top flight tussle in Galway since 2017, following the Tribesmen’s promotion from the First Division last year. 

Rovers will again be without John Mahon and Nando Pijanker who continue their rehab on respective achilles and rib injuries. While wide men Will Fitzgerald (foot) and Simon Power (groin) are also set to miss this latest Connacht derby.

There is good news for Russell who welcomes JR Wilson back from suspension after he missed Rovers’ superb May Bank Holiday Monday win over St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds. 

Speaking ahead of Rovers’ first visit to Galway in all competitions since a narrow one goal win down there in the EA Sports Cup in 2018, Russell says his side are in buoyant humour following that defeat of the Saints.

“The players have rested well and it’s another quick turnaround to Galway. We know how big of a game this is for both clubs and sets of supporters and I’d imagine we’ll have a good crowd heading down there. It’s a massive game”, he said. 

“Galway have surprised a few since they were promoted. They’re on a great run of form at the moment so we need to maximise our performance levels to get a result down there.

“This league is so competitive and anyone can beat anyone on their day. We’ve seen that so many times since the start of the season with teams at the bottom picking up results against those towards the top.

“The win over Pat’s was important of course. But it is vital now that we go to Galway and continue to build momentum.” 

Chapman strike earns Rovers the points

Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic

Ellis Chapman’s 23rd minute strike gave Sligo Rovers a much needed shot in the arm as they saw off St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds.

Chapman’s strike from range, handed the Bt O’Red their first win in seven and moved the Connacht men to within a single point of their opponents in the league table.

Without a host of first team players courtesy of injuries and suspension, Sligo boss John Russell handed 18-year-old Conor Reynolds a first senior start in place of the suspended JR Wilson, while Fabrice Hartmann returned to the first eleven for the first time in three games.

The starting Saints, looking for a fourth win on the spin over their opponents, included Kieran Freeman, Jamie Lennon and Jake Mulraney each of whom missed Friday’s win over Drogheda.
Rovers led this game at the interval and although they impressed at times, it was the Dubliners who fashioned the majority of the play in front of goal.

John Daly’s charges should have been ahead on nine minutes when Chris Forrester and Brandon Kavanagh combined to find former Sligo youth Ruairi Keating. The striker, unmarked, fluffed his lines from a goal-scoring position as he somehow blazed over from ten yards out.

Conor Keeley’s header from a Kavanagh free landed on the roof of the Rovers net on the quarter hour as Pat’s issued another warning shot, Mulraney in particular causing concern down their left flank.

Chapman then fired the home side in front on 23 minutes when the midfielder struck for his fourth goal of the year. The former Cheltenham man steadying himself before lashing past Danny Rogers from 25 yards, somewhat against the flow of proceedings.

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty had to bat away an effort from the angle from Keating early in the second period, as Russell’s side looked to map a way to their first win over Pat’s since last year’s May Bank Holiday.

McGinty was in the thick of things again on 61 minutes when he executed a magnificent reaction save to deny Forrester’s stab at goal from a swerving Kavanagh set piece.

The home support thought they had a penalty on 71 when substitute Rein Smit went to ground following a challenge by Pat’s net minder Rogers. Referee David Dunne translated the situation differently however, awarding a free out and booking the Dutch striker for simulation.  

Connor Malley’s drive from 30 yards whistled over the Dubliners’ crossbar with twelve to go as Rovers, now the better side, sought to kill the game.
There was a late push from the visitors, who looked unconvincing going forward although Rovers did have to rely on a heroic late block from skipper Niall Morahan on Pat’s sub Mason Melia.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Conor Reynolds (Kailin Barlow 68), Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 57), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 84); Max Mata (Rein Smit 68).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Kieran Freeman, Conor Keeley, Luke Turner, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon; Chris Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Romal Palmer 68); Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy 73), Alex Nolan (Mason Melia 68), Ruairi Keating.  

Referee: David Dunne

Attendance: 2,548.

Team News: v St Patrick’s Athletic

Sligo Rovers are in action for the second time in four days this Bank Holiday Monday as St Patrick’s Athletic visit the Showgrounds. 

Supporters are asked to note the earlier kick off time of 5pm. 

Rovers will again be without the services of Simon Power and Will Fitzgerald. While Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon remain unavailable. 

JR Wilson will serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. 

While Wilson Waweru will be assessed before the game. 

Rovers are looking to recover from Friday’s defeat to Waterford as they face Pat’s for the second time this year. 

Manager John Russell wants his players to bounce back on Monday afternoon. 

“Friday was hugely frustrating for us and our supporters. We do not like losing games and the players were all hurting in the dressing room afterwards as they knew we had enough chances to win the game”, he noted. 

“Monday gives us an opportunity in front of our home fans to get a result and build some momentum again. We need everyone in the ground to get right behind us.” 

Pattisson goal decides Waterford encounter

Sligo Rovers 0 – 1 Waterford

Sligo Rovers were undone by Christie Pattison’s 46th minute strike as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Waterford at the Showgrounds. 

Following a 15 minute delay to kick-off due to an issue with the pitch, a competitive opening period ensued between two sides eager to take the spoils. 

Max Mata nodded a Reece Hutchinson cross wide after five minutes, while both Ben McCormack and Connor Parsons skied respective efforts at the opposite end.

The game’s first real chance arrived on 20 minutes when Pattisson found the roaming Parsons in space. The wide man pulled a superb save out of Ed McGinty at the goalkeeper’s near post.

A number of injuries to the Sligo squad meant Rovers were only able to name one experienced first-team player on their bench. 

It was the hosts who ended the opening 45 the stronger. Stefan Radosavljevic and Connor Malley going close to an opener. While Grant Horton managed to sweep Mata’s effort off the visitor’s goal-line after both Malley and Ellis Chapman had both threatened in the build up.

The second half was just seconds old when Waterford took the lead. Pattison crashing a thundering right-footed half-volley beyond McGinty after Rowan McDonald’s cross found the wide-man in space. 

Rovers pressed for the equaliser late on and went close again courtsey of Mata and Charlie Wiggett. While McGinty pulled off a wonderful late stop to deny former Rovers man Padraig Amond late on.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 71); JR Wilson, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Rein Smit, Max Mata, Stefan Radosavljevic (Fabrice Hartmann 71). 

Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy; Dean McMenamy (Niall O’Keefe 75), Ben McCormack (Connor Evans 84), Rowan McDonald; Christie Pattison (Maleace Asamoah 72), Connor Parsons; Padraig Amond. 

Referee: Gavin Colfer. 

Attendance: 2,087.

Team News: v Waterford United

Sligo Rovers have a number of injury concerns ahead of what is a busy May Bank Holiday weekend for the Bit O’Red. 

Rovers take on Waterford at the Showgrounds this Friday, kick off 7.45pm before St Pat’s visit Sligo three days later, on Monday. 

Simon Power will miss the meeting with the Blues, having picked up a knock against Galway recently. 

While Will Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Max Mata and Wilson Waweru will be assesed ahead of kick-off. 

Long term absentees Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon continue their recovery from long term knocks. 

Rovers beat Keith Long’s side by a single goal to nil at the RSC back in March. Ellis Chapman’s strike from range decided the contest on the night after what was an extremely closely fought encounter. 

Rovers boss John Russell is expecting similar again on Friday. 

“Our last game with Waterford was a very tight affair and I expect no different this time around”, he said. 

“The players are fully focused on getting a positive result in front of our home supporters. We need them right behind us in what is a big weekend with two home fixtures.”

Match Report: v Drogheda United

Drogheda United 3 -1 Sligo Rovers

Will Fitzgerald’s early opener wasn’t enough as an injury ravaged Sligo Rovers subsequently conceded three without reply to Drogheda United, who beat the Bit O’Red at Weavers Park.

The winger had Rovers in the ascendancy just seven minutes in when he picked out the opposite corner of the net after Wilson Waweru had laid Connor Malley’s forward ball into the path of the Limerick native.

Rovers, who were without a number of key players due to knocks, were on top for spells in the remainder of the tie, but goals from Darragh Markey, Frantz Pierrot and Aaron McNally turned the tide in United’s favour.

Markey sent an unstoppable placed effort from far out into Ed McGinty’s top corner on 24 minutes.

The sides were level until the 70th minute when Luke Heeney went to ground in front of McGinty. Pierrot dispatching the spot-kick.

The result was secured four minutes from time when McNally found a way around the Rovers rearguard.

Up next for Sligo is a home meeting with Waterford on Friday night, while St Pat’s round off a busy May bank holiday weekend with their visit on Monday 6th May, kick-off 5pm.

Drogheda United: Jethren Barr; Luke Heeney, Jack Keaney, Hayden Cann, Conor Kane; Gary Deegan, Oisin Gallagher; Adam Foley (Aaron McNally, 65), Darragh Markey (Dave Webster, 90+1), Warren Davis; Frantz Pierrot (Ryan Brennan, 84).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Oliver Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan Rein Smit, 78), Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman; Stefan Radosavljevic (Owen Elding, 78), Will Fitzgerald (Kailin Barlow, 46); Wilson Waweru.

Referee: Mark Houlihan

Team News: Away v Drogheda United

Sligo Rovers will hope for a first win in five this Friday as they travel to the north east to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park. 

The Bit O’Red will be without defensive duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker who remain sidelined for a number of weeks, while winger Simon Power will miss out having sustained a knock in last Monday’s stalemate with Galway United.

Rovers have already recorded victory over Drogheda this season when they beat Kevin Doherty’s charges by three goals to one back in mid-March. A quick-fire Max Mata double was followed by a sensational back-heel finish from Wilson Waweru late on, after Andrew Quinn had halved the deficit. 

Speaking ahead of the game, manager John Russell says he is satisfied with the way his team are gelling as the weeks go by. 

“I was pleased with how we played even though we only managed two draws last weekend”, he said.  

“You can see the players are starting to make good connections on the pitch which was evident in the build up to Fabrice Hartmann’s wonder strike against Dundalk. 

“I felt we deserved a penalty in each of the games which was frustrating. I’m hoping these decisions balance themselves out over the course of the season. 

“The players have recovered over the last few days and are ready to go again. As always, we must focus on ourselves and play to our strengths.”

Kick-off at Weavers Park is 7.45pm. 

Match Report: v Galway United

Sligo Rovers 0 – 0 Galway United

Sligo Rovers kept their fifth clean sheet of the season as they were held to a scoreless draw by Galway United at the Showgrounds.

Both sides created chances throughout but both defences and goalkeepers were on top in this one as the spoils were shared. 

Without a win in Sligo since Spring 1996, it was the away side who carved out the better of the openings early on although United may have been lucky not to have conceded an early penalty when Al-Amin Kazeem connected with Ellis Chapman inside the Galway area. 

McGinty had to parry away a curling effort from the inside of Ed McCarthy’s right foot while there was a great chance for Killian Brouder who nodded over from all of five yards.

Simon Power was withdrawn with a knee injury in the second half but did have time to knock an effort off Brendan Clarke’s far post. Chapman blasting over on the follow up.

Both Rovers’ Mata and Galway’s Stephen Walsh went close to opening the scoring late in the half. Mata heading Hartmann’s corner into the ground at the back post, while Walsh blasted his shot across the face of McGinty’s goal. Both players might have done more with their respective efforts. 

Rovers had lost the services of both Hartmann and Power by the time substitute Stefan Radosavljevic fired over from a Will Fitzgerald cross on 64 minutes during a second period in which the chances were at a premium. 

McGinty had to react to keep out a Maurice Nugent header from a Hurley set-piece five minutes later. While the on-loan stopper was called upon again to tip another Hurley header over his crossbar with four to go as the Tribesmen threatened late on. 

There were further opportunities in the eight added minutes. Kazeem blocking Wilson Waweru, while McGinty reached far into the bottom corner to get behind Hurley’s strike on the 98th minute. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Simon Power (Stefan Radosavljevic 57), Ellis Chapman (Rein Smit 79), Fabrice Hartmann (Will Fitzgerald HT); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 73).

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Maurice Nugent (Conor O’Keefe 76); Jeannot Esua, Al-Amin Kazeem; David Hurley; Ed McCarthy (Aodh Dervan 67), Karl O’Sullivan (Francely Lomoboto 83); Stephen Walsh, Wassim Aouachria (Vincent Borden HT). 

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attedance: 2,627.