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.”

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

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!

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

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!