Author: David Conway

Team News: v Shamrock Rovers

John Russell has called on the Sligo public to again come out in their numbers in support of Sligo Rovers on Saturday night as we host Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Over seven thousand people packed the Church Hill Road venue for Rovers’ first two home games this season as – hoping for another bumper crowd this weekend – Russell’s men face into their biggest challenge of the season, against the Hoops.

John Mahon is Rovers’ only absentee as he continues to recover from a long-term injury. 

Speaking ahead of the game which gets underway at 7.45pm, Russell looked back on a fabulous five goal win in Dundalk on Monday, whilst acknowledging the dangers now posed by a Shamrock Rovers side chasing their fifth title on the spin. 

“It was vital to pick up the three points on Monday night in what is such a tight and competitive league”, he said. 

“We’ve shown a real hunger and desire in all our games so far but against Dundalk we managed to add that ruthlessness in the final third.

 “We know the quality Shamrock Rovers bring coming into the game this Saturday. They have players that can hurt you all over the pitch. They have set the benchmark for the past few seasons but it’s important that we focus on ourselves.

“I have such believe in this group of players and staff. If we continue to work hard and improve our connections we will get our rewards over the course of the year.

“I know our supporters look forward to this game every year so we’re expecting an electric atmosphere on Saturday. The players really feed off that energy in the stands so we will need them right behind us all night.”

Supporters are encouraged to purchase their ticket below, as it is expected to be another full house on Saturday night.

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

Tommy Hewitt looking forward to challenge of new season

BY JIM GRAY

Tommy Hewitt’s working day begins at 5a.m. On the Tuesdays and Thursdays when he travels to Sligo for night-time training it can be 18 hours before he sees home again. Saturday match days will be even longer. Family time is limited but precious. Welcome to the world of Sligo Rovers’ new League of Ireland women’s manager.

A postman in his native Athlone, Tommy took over the senior women’s team in November, replacing Steve Feeney, who had guided the team in its first two seasons in senior football before stepping aside for family reasons. He’s wasted no time putting his distinctive stamp on a new chapter in the fledgling history of women’s football locally.

He comes with a massively impressive CV in the women’s game, and a burning ambition to enhance it even further during his time at the Showgrounds. A UEFA A licence coach, Tommy was named SSE Airtricity Manager of the Year in 2022 after guiding Athlone Town to the FAI Cup final and a runners-up League position. He has also served as Assistant Manager with the Athlone Town’s men’s team and was head coach with the Irish Defence Forces team at the Military World Games.

Having been forced to retire from playing due to injury when he was only 25 years old – he has vivid memories of playing tough games for Athlone against Willie McStay’s treble-winning Rovers team – Tommy immediately immersed himself in what he calls ‘the next best thing’ – the pursuit of hard-earned coaching badges.  Initially working with local youth teams throughout the midlands, including exemplary work with Kennedy Cup (boys) and Gaynor Cup (girls) teams, he was invited to head up the underage women’s academy in the Midlands Schoolgirls League, thus beginning a twenty year relationship with girls and women’s football.

He was, therefore, the obvious choice to take charge of the first Athlone Town women’s team to enter the League of Ireland in 2018. Building a team from scratch obviously presented unique challenges — his early recruits included Sligo/Leitrim players, Aoife Haran and Muireann Devanney – but steady progress culminated in the FAI Cup final loss to highly-fancied Shelbourne in 2022 and a tantalising second to the same opposition in that season’s league chase. Some level of compensation came in victory over Shels in the inaugural Women’s President’s Cup, as well as his selection as manager of the year. In addition, one of his players won Player of the Year and four were included in the team of the year.

“The President’s Cup was Athlone’s first senior women’s title. Allied to the recognition for myself and four of our players it meant we’d really made a significant breakthrough. For a club like ours, outside of the traditional big three of Wexford, Peamount and Shels, to get that sort of recognition was massive. And it illustrated what could be achieved at the so-called smaller clubs”, Tommy recalls.

Little wonder, then, that when he decided to leave his post at Athlone in June 2023, there was no shortage of eager suitors.

“I had a few calls from National League teams, but once the call came from Sligo things progressed fairly rapidly. I met with Academy Director, Conor O’Grady and two club officials and we teased out what the future might look like. What impressed me was that they had a clear plan, an identified pathway for the future. This was not merely a box-ticking exercise for them. They were very serious about where they wanted the team to go, and I had similar ambitions, so the glove fitted perfectly,” he says.

Admitting that he is excited about the prospect of guiding the team in the new season which kicks off against old adversaries Shelbourne on March 9th, Tommy is refreshingly realistic about the challenges ahead.

“The first thing to make abundantly clear is that this is a long-term project, a four-year development plan. I don’t have a magic wand, nor do the players.

“It’s new and exciting, and it will be challenging. The biggest thing is not to let results affect the long-term goal. I’ve discovered over the years that girls take defeats more to heart than men’s teams do. That’s a fact, so part of my job, win or lose, is to keep the mood steady and level-headed. There will be downs as well as ups, but we don’t get too down and we don’t get too up. We stay focussed and we make progress where we can,” he explains.

His immediate target is simply to win more games in a season than has been the case heretofore.

“It’s easier said than done,” he concedes. “Steve Feeney did a great job here, guiding the team in its inaugural seasons. That was a hugely important period and I’m sure it was never easy, but he built a foundation.

“My job is to build on that. I have a different mentality and perhaps a different approach on how I like my teams to play, but it will take time.”

His squad has been bolstered by a host of impressive signings, including Kelly Compton and Zoe McGlynn from Sion Swifts; Kelsey Munroe from Mayo; Muireann Devaney from Athlone and local centre-back, Yvonne Heddigan. Many of last season’s top players have also re-signed, including top scorer, Emma Doherty and experienced skipper, Emma Hansberry. In addition to the 24-strong senior squad, Tommy points out that emerging players from the under-19s and even under-17s will be given an opportunity as the need arises.

“It’s all about buy-in from the players, and while we won’t get an accurate assessment until the season proper gets underway, the early signs are really encouraging,” he reports.

“The girls are dedicating their lives to this. Apart from match day and training,  there’s gym work, recovery time, analysis. It’s frightening what they’re doing in terms of total commitment. It’s full on for them. I couldn’t ask for any more.”

He’s also fulsome in his praise for his back-room team of coaches James Fallon, Brendan Fitzsimmons, Ultan McKenna; physio Ciara Mulrooney and strength and conditioning coach, Sean Og Campbell.

“It’s a four-year development plan, and we know the level we need to get to. Ultimately, the aim is to be competing at the top end of the table. That’s the next logical step,” Tommy adds.

Overall, he has observed a massive improvement in the women’s game since he first became involved at senior level four years ago.

“The players are now real athletes in every sense of the word. The standard at every club has improved enormously. The teams are all well coached, well structured, and there’s terrific talent coming through.

“Obviously, the success of the national women’s team has improved the profile, but that needs to trickle down to the domestic league. We have to be asking how do we produce the next Katie McCabe or Denise O’Sullivan. There’s a lot of work to be done. I’d like to see our league eventually becoming fully professional, but that will need a meaningful support structure both from the government and the FAI. But the women’s game is definitely going in the right direction,” he maintains.

Hoping for increased support for the women’s team, Tommy assures supporters they will not be disappointed.

“I would say to anyone, if you’re able to get to a women’s game then go and see for yourself what’s on offer. The standard is really high, the games are always entertaining, and there are seriously talented players on show.

“It would be a great boost for us if we get good crowds at the home games. We’ll be playing our games at 7p.m. on Saturdays, and the players would get a massive lift from a big crowd, they would feed off the energy from supporters. Sligo has always been a real football town, so there’s loads of potential for us to tap into. I can guarantee supporters that our women’s team will always give of its very best, so come on down, you might be pleasantly surprised,” he enthuses.

*Rovers kick off their season with an away game against Shelbourne on March 9th. Their first home league game will be on Saturday, March 30th against Galway United, 7pm kick-off.

Team News: Away to Dundalk

Sligo Rovers are on the road for the second time this season as we travel to County Louth to take on Dundalk at Oriel Park, on Monday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red go into this game searching for their first win of the season following last Friday’s narrow defeat to Shelbourne. Rovers will be without defender John Mahon who continues to recover from a long-term achilles injury, while there is positive news with the return of JR Wilson to the squad.

Speaking ahead of the game, manager John Russell said: “Dundalk will be a tough opponent tomorrow night. They have brought in a lot of new players and even though they were beaten by Galway United in their last game they showed a lot of quality throughout, so we will need to be at our best to get a result.

 “I’ve been very pleased with what the players have shown so far for such a new group. We have been very competitive in all the games and unlucky not to have more points on the board. We know we need to improve in the final third and I feel that will come.

“There is already a real connection between this team and the supporters. They can see the quality we possess as well as the effort and desire on display and they’ve really gotten behind us.

“We know the league is extremely competitive but we travel to Dundalk aiming for the three points on Monday night.”

Match Report v Shelbourne

Sligo Rovers 0 – 1 Shelbourne

A 12th minute John O’Sullivan goal was the difference between Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne as the Bit O’Red narrowly lost out to the Dubliners at the Showgrounds.

Damien Duff’s charges hit the lead early on when O’Sullivan deflected Sean Gannon’s effort following a short corner, beyond Ed McGinty.

There were chances at either end before this. McGinty keeping out Mark Coyle in the opening exchanges when the Shels skipper found a way past the Rovers back line. While Shels’ Paddy Barrett had to clear Simon Power’s cross off his own line from under the Shels crossbar.

Rovers looked the stronger side following the goal and applied the pressure in their search of an equaliser. Ellis Chapman twice denied by last ditch Shels defending. His shot from close range on the turn was held by Conor Kearns on 37. While the Shels net minder was caught outside his area 60 seconds later as he attempted to tidy up a long ball from the Rovers rearguard. 
Stranded, the ex-Galway stopper rescued by a recovering challenge from a Shels defender on Chapman in front of goal.  

Rovers were denied what looked like a legitimate goal when Wilson Waweru looked to have bundled the ball beyond Kearns. Referee Declan Toland signaled to give the goal, but was over-ruled by his assistant who had adjudged a Rovers player to have strayed offside, much to the dismay of the home side.  
McGinty then reminded the bumper crowd of over three thousand why he’s regarded as the league’s best shot-stopper when he pulled off a fantastic double save in the 63rd minute as Shelbourne found a second wind. McGinty keeping the hosts’ chances alive by denying both Will Jarvis and then Gavin Molloy.   

It was all Rovers late on, but Shels held out to take the points.  
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Nando Pijnaker; Simon Power (Will Fitzgerald 90), Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 90); Wilson Waweru (Fabrice Hartmann 61), Max Mata. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Gavin Molloy, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson; John O’Sullivan (Kameron Ledwidge HT), Mark Coyle, Jonathan Lunney, Will Jarvis (Shane Farrell 83); Matty Smith (John Martin 60), Liam Burt (Evan Caffrey 60). 

Referee: Declan Toland. 

Attendance: 3,087

Team News: Derry City at home

Our men’s team return to the Showgrounds for an eagerly anticipated first home game of the season.

John Russell has a full squad to choose from with John Mahon being the only absentee due to long term injury. Conor Walsh won’t also be available as he begins his loan spell with Finn Harps.

The team had an impressive performance in Dalymount Park last Friday night where they were a few minutes from taking all three points before a late Bohemians equaliser.

Tickets have been selling well with a large crowd and likely full house anticipated. There are still tickets available as things stand and supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets using the link below to avoid disappointment.

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

Season Tickets are still available and can be collected in time for the start of the game v Derry City. The Showgrounds offices will be open from 2-5pm tomorrow Saturday 24th February for Season Ticket purchase or collection.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Thank you for your support!

PHD Access become Diamond Partner for 2024

Sligo Rovers Football Club is delighted to announce PHD Access will become the club’s first Diamond Partner for the 2024 season.

PHD Access is an international award-winning scaffolding and access provider with operations in Ireland, UK, Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Dubai and the Bahamas.

Founded by Sligo native Bernard Dwyer, the company has been a consistent supporter of the club since 2015.

Sean Dwyer, International Director for PHD Access expressed his delight at the opportunity for PHD to continue their support for his dad’s hometown club stating:

“We are thrilled to be extending our support to the Men’s Sligo Rovers Football Club for the eighth consecutive year. 

“This long standing partnership reflects our shared values of dedication, excellence, and community engagement. We look forward to another exciting season of football and collaboration.”

While this marks the eighth consecutive year of collaboration, the company has committed to its most significant commercial partnership to date with the club.
The PHD Access logo will feature prominently on the back of the jerseys, while the company will also become the club’s first Diamond Partner announced under the club’s new tiered commercial partnership model. 

The partnership aligns with PHD’s dedication and commitment to fostering growth and development in both sports and construction.

Sligo Rovers Chairman, Tommy Higgins, warmly welcomed the new partnership with PHD Access. 

“We are excited to add PHD Access as a Diamond Partner for the 2024 season.

 “The company is hugely successful in the construction industry with global operations across a number of countries and are fantastic partners to have on board. 

“As a community owned club, it is becoming even more important to align with businesses such as PHD Access. They are exactly the type of partners that will help contribute to the continued success of Sligo Rovers on and off the pitch.

“We know that the club’s community focus is a big attraction for the company matching their own. We are really pleased to have the company’s support year after year and feel the partnership will only grow stronger ”

https://www.phdaccess.ie/

Feature Image: Ed McGinty with PHD Access logo on back of shirt

Supporter Information for the 2024 Season

OPENING HOME GAME THIS SATURDAY

We are looking forward to our return to the Showgrounds. Tickets are currently still available for our first home game of the season this Saturday night. We would encourage supporters to secure their ticket early to avoid disappointment. Ticket sales have been very strong and as last year’s opening home game sold out, we are expecting a large crowd.

This Saturday, 24th February 7:45pm v Derry City

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/?ftredirect=1

HOME GAME ENTRY PRICE

Ticket prices for our men’s 18 home games will be as follows:

  • Adult – €20
  • Concession – €12
  • U12 – €5

There will be no separate categories of games with the same entry price for the all home games of the 2024 season.

SEASON TICKETS

Supporters are encouraged to purchase a Season Ticket which remains, both the best value, and best way to support our supporter-owned club for the year ahead.

If you intend on purchasing a Season Ticket please allow enough time to purchase and collect should you intend to use it for our opening game this Saturday, 24th February. Season Tickets can be collected this week in the Showgrounds during normal working hours until Friday. There will also be a short collection period this Saturday from 2pm -4pm in the Showgrounds.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

SECURE YOUR SEAT

Seating is open in the Showgrounds except for those seats reserved through Adult Gold (Secure Your Seat) initiative. 

Season Ticket holders can reserve a specific seat for all home games for an additional cost of €60 with all funds going towards the cost of running the club.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

Should you have already purchased your Season Ticket and wish to secure your seat you can arrange in the Showgrounds by Friday 12am for it to be ready for opening game.

MATCH E-PROGRAMME

As part of entry to our home games the club will make a complimentary e-programme available to supporters. This will be accessible via QR codes at various points inside the entrance of the Showgrounds. 

To access the programme supporters can scan the QR code using their mobile phone camera. This will then provide a clickable link to download the e-programme. The e-programme will require internet access on supporters mobile phones to download. 

The decision not to undertake a physical programme for the season ahead was a difficult decision to make, with the printed programme becoming less viable year on year. As an alternative a complimentary e-programme was felt the best way forward for our supporter owned club.

HERITAGE NEWSLETTER

The Sligo Rovers Heritage group will provide a separate physical newsletter for collectors and supporters for a fee of €2, which can be purchased inside the entrance to the Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers Heritage Group was formed in 2012 with the objective of promoting and preserving the club’s history and heritage.
The Group has hosted local exhibitions, arranged, visits of former players, and has published two books, ‘Stories of the Showgrounds’ and the ‘Official Sligo Rovers History’, regarded as the most comprehensive history produced by a League of Ireland Club. The Group has also provided an outdoor museum display at the Showgrounds, the first facility of its kind in the country

The first edition will be on sale at the first home league game of the season against Derry City, and contains features on David Pugh’s time in America, former players Gerry McDaid and Danny Ventre, along with tribute to former Chair of the Heritage Group, the late Aidan Mannion.The newsletter is priced at a very reasonable €2 and supporters are encouraged to support.

JINKS AVENUE – HOME SECTION

The home section of the Jinks Avenue stand will become standing only for the season ahead. This was a condition as part of the club licensing process. We would like to thank Forza, BORST, and other club volunteers for their help in removing the seating. With the removal of the floodlight pylons the view from the Jinks Avenue has significantly improved and the return to terracing will offer our supporters an alternative to our seated areas.

NEW MEGASTORE LOCATION

The Megastore has been moved from the BORST club house to a new location on the left before the Tracey Avenue stand. We would like to thank BORST and other club volunteers for their extensive help in refitting the new shop which is a welcome addition to the Showgrounds.

WOMEN’S TEAM

The women’s team’s season begins on Saturday 9th March away to Shelbourne in Tolka Park at 2:00pm. There will be 10 home league games in the Showgrounds with a new regular start time of 7:00pm on a Saturday night, unless otherwise advised. 

Supporters are encouraged to show their support by purchasing a Season Ticket or attending home games for 2024. The cost of a Season Ticket is €50 and helps fund the growth of our Women’s team which is in its third year. Season Tickets can be purchased below:

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

VOLUNTEERING WITH OUR CLUB

Our supporter-owned club is built on the dedication and hard work of our committed volunteers. If anyone is interested in becoming involved as match-night volunteer for 2024, they are encouraged to contact: shane@sligorovers.com

Our match-nights are made possible by volunteers and we appreciate any new volunteers willing to assist for any number of our 18 men’s home league games or 10 women’s home league games. 

As always volunteers are free to choose which games they are available to help. Match-night roles include security, half-time raffle, BORST clubhouse, club shop.

If anyone would like to volunteer in any capacity with the club, we would encourage you to please let us know by email to: shane@sligorovers.com

THANK YOU

Thank you again to all our supporters, volunteers, commercial partners and sponsors who keep our supporter owned club strong. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Showgrounds as the 2024 season gets underway!

Ellis Chapman signs permanent contract

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce Ellis Chapman has signed for the club on a permanent basis to the end of the 2024 season. The former Cheltenham midfielder had joined the club on loan until the end of June but this has now been made permanent.

John Russell expressed his delight at getting the deal done:

“We have had Ellis in since the start of preseason, obviously the plan was to have him on loan until the end of June. He has done really well since he came in, we’re delighted to get him on a permanent contract. 

“I feel his is an exciting addition, he is a box to box player, he’s had a really good preseason scoring goals, and he fits the profile of the type of player we want at this club. 

“He is a quality player who has settled in really well with the group as well. 

“It is great that he see his future at the club and we’re delighted to get the deal done”

Match tickets for our first three home games are now available below:

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

Supporters who have not yet ordered their Season Ticket are encouraged to order it in good time to collect it from the Showgrounds before our first home game of the season on Saturday week v Derry City 24th February.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Team news for Bohemians away

Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park for opening game of the season against Bohemians tomorrow, Friday night at 7;45pm.

The game is sold out with a large crowd travelling up from the north west.

Manager John Russell has a full squad to choose from except for John Mahon who is out with a long term injury, and Max Mata who is awaiting clearance following his signing back with the club on loan.   

“We’re looking forward to getting started tomorrow, we have a lot of new players in and I’m happy with where we are in terms of  how they have integrated as a group.

“It is a real boost to get Max back to the club. We know there is a big crowd travelling up which is great to see, and we’re excited to get going”

Our supporters will get a first chance to see our new arrivals in competitive action.

The preseason saw the Bit O’ Red add new arrivals Wilson Waweru, Ellis Chapman, Simon Power, Connor Malley, Charlie Wiggett, JR Wilson, Ollie Denham. In addition Ed McGinty and Max Mata have returned to the Showgrounds on loan, with Owen Elding singing his first professional contract.

The new look Rovers team return to the Showgrounds on Saturday week 24th February against Derry City with a large crowd expected.

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

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Max Mata Returns on loan

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce the return of striker Max Mata on loan from Shrewsbury Town. The New Zealand international was top scorer in the SSE Airtricity league when he left for the League One side last year, and will add firepower to the Rovers squad ahead of the 2024 season.

The New Zealand international will rejoin on a short term loan, when he will return in line with English preseason. The transfer is subject to International Transfer Clearance and work permit and all going well it is hoped he will be available for our first home game v Derry City.

John Russell:

“I’m absolutely delighted to get Max back in. When he left he was top goalscorer in the league, and in my opinion the best centre forward in the league too.

“To get him back into the fold for start of the season is a real boost.

“Max is a modern centre forward, he can link play, run in behind and he’s a real threat. He knows the environment, knows the players, knows the way we want to play, and we feel he can hit the ground running.

Tickets for our first home game v Derry City on 24th February are selling well and as detailed in our recent club update we would urge supporters to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment . We also encourage our supporters to introduce a friend or family to come along to experience the Showgrounds atmosphere.

We are expecting a large crowd to attend and look forward to welcoming supporters back to the Showgrounds.

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

Season Tickets https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/