Ten-man Sligo Rovers were unlucky not to take all three points at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Monday evening.

A stunning Connor Malley strike in the first half had Rovers in a more than deserved lead against Derry City, however an unfortunate Reece Hutchinson own goal allowed the hosts slip back into this game.

Rovers were up against it for the last quarter of this tie when Luke Pearce was shown a second yellow card following a challenge on City goalkeeper Brian Maher. However, John Russell’s side remained a constant threat and looked the most likely to claim a winner which never arrived. 

The draw sees Rovers keep pace with the sides near the summit of the league, sitting just six points off leaders Shels. 

The away side hit the front on 34 minutes when man of the match Jack Henry-Francis teed up Malley for a sumptuous long range strike into the corner of Maher’s goal. 

Derry emptied their talented bench at the interval in an attempt to wrangle a way back into this one and were handed an equaliser on 53 when a mix-up between Hutchinson and Ed McGinty saw the former turn the ball into his own net. 

Now also up against a buoyed home support, Rovers steadied the ship with a few super saves from McGinty.

While both Will Fitzgerald and Ellis Chapman fashioned chances at the far end as Derry held on. 

Pearce was shown a second yellow on 75 for what looked like an innocuous challenge on Maher. 

Despite the disadvantage, it was a determined Rovers who looked most likely to produce a winner.

Fitzgerald fired narrowly over from an Owen Elding cross with seven to go. 

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Andre Wisdom (Colm Whelan, Ciaran Coll; Sadou Diallo (Sean Robertson 85), Adam O’Reilly (Patrick McEleney HT), Will Patching (Jacob Davenport HT); Michael Duffy, Pat Hoban (Daniel Mullen 36), Paul McMullan

Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty, John Ross Wilson, Niall Morahan, Oliver Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Jack Henry-Francis, Connor Malley; Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 73); Simon Power, Luke Pearce, Will Fitzgerald.

Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin)

There was cup final heartbreak for Sligo Rovers as they were beaten by UCD after extra time in the EA Sports Men’s U20 Enda McGuill Cup final. 

Centre half Gareth McElroy headed Rovers into the lead early on, but the Students, playing at their own home ground found an equaliser through Cathal McCarthy, forcing the game to extra-time. 

Rovers had what surely would have been the winner chalked off two minutes from time when the referee’s assistant on the stand side of the Bowl flagged Daire Patton offside, after he had run on to a through ball from Niall Kenny. Subsequent television replays however show Patton to have timed his run to perfection. 

The defining moment of the tie arrived five minutes into extra time when Roy Lawlor fired home Colin Bolton’s cross from out wide. 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh, Harry Whelan, Mark Flood (Lorcan Moore, 101), Niall Holohan (Don O’Toole, 46), Cathal McCarthy, Colin Bolton, Oran McLaughlin (Kyle Donoghue, 78), Callum Wynne (Jamie Ryan, 78), Roy Lawlor, Stephen Mohan (Hugh Parker, 46), Max Mason (Matthew Alonge, 46).

Sligo Rovers: Kyle Gabbidon, Colm Mooney, Gareth McElroy, Conor Cannon, Kyle McDonagh (Oisin Kelly, 95), Kevin Muldoon (James Lukau, 95), Daire Patton, Shea Malone, Thomas Morley (David Jonathan, 113), Michael Clifford (Niall Kenny, 62), Rasheed Yeboah (Luke Mavrak, 71).

Referee: John Walsh.

Ed McGinty registered his twelfth clean sheet of the season at Tolka Park as Sligo Rovers brought home a deserved point following an entertaining stalemate with league leaders Shels in Drumcondra. 

The Bit O’Red made two changes from the win over Dundalk six nights previous, with Jack Henry-Francis and Luke Pearce replacing Gareth McElroy and the injured Wilson Waweru respectively.

Shels arguably had the better of the play in the opening half but never really opened up Rovers for any sustained period, thanks to Ollie Denham and Niall Morahan who excelled at centre half. While Henry-Fracis put in his best performance since arriving on loan from Arsenal. 

Shels’ John Martin shook McGinty’s post in the first half, while the league’s top goalkeeper kept out Ali Coote with a smart stop with his legs after Harry Wood had spotted Coote’s exploratory run.

Unfortunate not to pick up the man of the match award from the Virgin TV studios, Denham was denied by a stunning finger-tip save from Shelbourne goalkeeper Conor Kearns who got across to keep out the former Cardiff man’s header. While Rovers’ Will Fitzgerald saw an effort whistle past the post soon after. 

With results in both the Shams and Derry games going their way, title-chasing Shels went direct in search of a winner but Rovers held on with reasonable comfort to earn a well deserved point on their final trip to Dublin this year. 

Rovers’ next league game is a visit to the Brandywell on 14th October as the Bit O’Red take on another title challenger, this time Derry City. This game follows the sold-out mid-season friendly with Glasgow Celtic at the Showgrounds on October 9th. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Shane Griffin, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Alistair Coote (Burt 70), Mark Coyle, John O’Sullivan (Caffrey 62), Harry Wood (Smith 82); Sean Boyd, John Martin (O’Brien 62).

Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson, John Ross Wilson; Ellis Chapman, William Fitzgerald, Jack Henry Francis, Connor Malley, Niall Morahan, Simon Power (McDonagh 88); Luke Pearce ( Barlow 78). 

David Goulden

Second half goals from Wilson Waweru and Ellis Chapman turned this game on its head as Sligo Rovers beat Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

Robbie Benson had given the Lilywhites the lead courtesy of a controversial first half penalty. But a battling Rovers fought back to record their seventh straight league win on home soil and were aided by a winderful last-gasp save from goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

The win sees the Bit O’Red move into fourth, level on points with Shamrock Rovers who occupy the final automatic European qualification spot. 

Dundalk’s cause was further hampered in the second half by the dismissal of defender Hayden Cann 15 minutes from time. 

The night was capped off by the news that the club had raised a record €130,300 in this year’s annual draw. 

On the pitch and despite their recent off-the-field woes, it was Dundalk who enjoyed the better of the first half.

Rovers boss John Russell welcomed club captain Niall Morahan back to the starting eleven after the Leitrim man had missed last week’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers through suspension. Morahan Sligo’s only change from that defeat at Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors for their part also made the one switch, Jad Hakiki replacing Scott McGill who had started the recent loss to Waterford. 

Despite their recent off-the-field woes, it was Dundalk who enjoyed the better of the first half.

Winger Daryl Horgan bent an effort over the Sligo crossbar from inside the area six minutes in, while Will Fitzgerald’s shot flashed past the far post at the opposite end three minutes later. 

The visitors had the lead on 24 minutes in controversial circumstances when referee Marc Lynch ruled that the ball had hit Connor Malley’s arm. A decision which enraged the home bench who argued both that the ball had hit Malley’s shoulder and that the former Dundalk man was outside the box when the incident happened.

Unfazed by the surrounding fuss, Benson knocked his spot kick beyond McGinty, although the on-loan net minder did get a touch to the ball. 

Rovers did manufacture chances in this period. Unmarked at the far post, Ollie Denham headed Simon Power’s set piece over Ross Munro’s crossbar on the half hour. While Power’s swerving drive from 35 yards out moved in the air before it smacked back off Munro’s post. 

The lively Horgan twice threatened before the break. His effort clipped Gareth McElroy on its way past McGinty’s post while the Galway man pulled an excellent save from Sligo stopper late in the first half. 

Chasing that seventh straight league win on home turf, Russell’s men almost leveled the game on 55 minutes only for a superb block from Munro who denied Fitzgerald from close range. 

The hosts restored parity on 69 when despite facing away from goal, Waweru managed to head Power’s cross from the left beyond the scrambling Munro for his tenth goal of the year. 

Waweru’s night was brought to a halt minutes later when he was stretchered off with what looked like an achilles injury but spiritis were lifted once more when Rovers hit the lead with 15 to go. 

A jaded looking Cann pushed sub Luke Pearce to the floor as the Cardiff loanee ran through on goal. Referee Lynch showed little hesitation in awarding the penalty and sending the stricken Cann to the stands. Chapman was then on target from the resulting penalty for his ninth goal of the season. 

Dundalk threw their lot at Rovers during the final moments. A world-class save from McGinty kept out a Robbie Mahon header from just yards out, while the same man kept out Jamie Gullan in the dying moments of those added minutes.  

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley (Luke Pearce 62); Will Fitzgerald, Ellis Chapman, Simon Power; Wilson Waweru (Kailin Barlow 74). 

Dundalk: Ross Munro; Dan Pike, Andy Boyle, Hayden Cann, John Mountney; Aodh Dervin, Jad Hakikii (Dara Keane 71), Robbie Benson (Norman Garbett 84); Daryl Horgan (Robbie Mahon 84), Ryan O’Kane (Bobby Faulkner 77); Eoin Kenny (Jamie Gullan 71). 

Referee: Marc Lynch. 

Attendance: 2,754. 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers suffered a four goal defeat to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening. A brace each from former Rovers striker Johnny Kenny and defender Sean Hoare added gloss to a scoreline that reflected rather harshly on the Bit O’Red’s performance. Rovers played out the majority of the second period without the full quota of players after Jack Henry-Francis was dismissed for two yellow cards. 

Kenny’s first goal had Shams in the lead on 18 minutes, while the Riverstown native had his second two minutes before the break. 

The half-time scoreline didn’t tell the full story for Rovers who forced the hosts into plenty of mistakes at the back.

Hoops goalkeeper Leon Pohls was fortunate not to see red when he smashed into Simon Power outside his own area after making a total mess of an attempted clearance. Not for the first time against Sligo this term, Pohls was spared red for an error and a subsequent foul on winger Power when referee Kevin O’Sullivan deemed the German to have had cover from returning defenders. The lenient Cork official instead opted to show yellow. 

Rovers were again on the short end of a questionable refereeing decision when Wilson Waweru went down inside the area. The striker was then shoved to the floor by Hoare right in front of referee O’Sullivan who saw nothing of the incident. 

John Russell’s men began the second half the better team, but O’Sullivan made an already tough assignment even more difficult when having booked Henry-Francis for his first tackle of the game, then showed the Arsenal loanee the same colour again for his second challenge of the night. 

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty pulled off a string of fantastic saves, but Shams overloaded the visitors when they had their third and fourth goals on 54 and 83. 

Shamrock Rovers FC: Leon Pohls; Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Darragh Burns (Neil Farrugia, 45’), Dylan Watts (Markus Poom, 69’), Gary O’Neill, Jack Byrne, Trevor Clarke (Joshua Honohan, 45’); Danny Mandroiu (Conan Noonan, 69’), Johnny Kenny (Marc McNulty, 61’)

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Oliver Denham, Gareth McElroy 5, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Kailin Barlow, 75’), Jack Henry-Francis; Simon Power (Stephen Mallon, 75’), Ellis Chapman, William Fitzgerald (Kyle McDonagh, 89’); Wilson Waweru (Luke Pearce, 69’)

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)

Sligo Rovers recovered from that seven goal defeat at Drogheda United in perfect fashion as they saw off Waterford at the Showgrounds. A goal in either half from Wilson Waweru and Simon Power saw the Bit O’Red pick up their first win in three and propelled Rovers into third, behind title chasers Derry City and Shelbourne. 

With just goal difference separating them and three points meaning the victor would elevate themselves to that European spot, both camps were aware of the value of a win. 

The hosts made one change from a chastening trashing in Louth eight nights previous, with 19-year-old Buncrana native Gareth McElroy handed his senior debut in the heart of the Sligo defence, in place of Charlie Wiggett. 

With four defeats in their previous five league outings and without manager Keith Long courtesy of suspension, the visitors made one switch from defeat to Derry last week. Connor Parsons replaced Grant Horton as the RSC side chased a much needed result on the road.

The travelling Blues should have been ahead after just 90 seconds. 

Rovers allowed former striker Padraig Amon through on goal. The Carlow man’s initial effort was repelled by Ed McGinty into the path of Christie Pattison who failed to make contact with the ball from four yards out. 

Sligo certianly didn’t look like a side coming off the back of a seven goal trouncing as they came up with some of their best football of the year. 

Key to this was winger Power who twice went close with efforts from out wide, while Ellis Chapman was able to lift the ball over Waterford goalkeeper Louis Jones on 12 minutes. Chapman was left despondent however as his effort dropped wide of Jones’ goal. 

Both sides had chances in quick succession close to the quarter hour. Power again went close from a wide angle, while Amond’s header from a Ryan Burke cross hung in the air before falling wide of McGinty’s posts seconds later.

Sligo opened the scoring on 18 minutes and went on to dominate the remainder of the half. Jones got a hand to a Connor Malley header from a Will Fitzgerald corner but could only bat the ball onto the foot of Waweru who rifled the ball to the roof of the net from close range. 

Power had a looping header taken off the Waterford line in added time at the end of the half. While McElroy had to get in front of Amond’s effort at the front post eight minutes into the second period. 

Waweru went close to Rovers’ second on 55. Jones produced a decent two-handed stop to deny the former Galway man’s header from a wonderful Power cross. 

Power himself threatened that second goal twice in the space of a few minutes. He first tested Jones from 25 yards, before firing over from the angle four minutes later. 

Debutant McElroy then nodded narrowly wide from a Power corner on 68 as Sligo again pressed although Pattison wasn’t too far away at the far end on the following attack, slipping a shot beyond McGinty’s post.

Power was finally rewarded for his impressive showing on 73 minutes when he nodded Fitzgerald’s ball into the bottom corner of Jones’ goal. 

The former Shamrock Rovers winger was then denied his brace. Malley forced the ball towards the Wicklow native who was stopped by Jones’ outstretched leg. 

The home support were sure Chapman had their third seven minutes from time when he picked up Fitzgerald’s through ball. Chapman had the hard work done when he rounded Jones but Waterford defender Kacper Radkowski somehow recovered in time to pull off a magnificent last ditch block to deny the former Cheltenham attacker. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan (Jack Henry-Francis 88), Connor Malley; Will Fitzgerald, Ellis Chapman, Simon Power (Stephen Mallon 77); Wilson Waweru (Luke Pearce 64).

Waterford: Louis Jones; Darragh Power (Dean McMenamy HT), Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Ryan Burke; Barry Bagley, Sam Glenfield (Grant Horton HT), Rowan McDonald (Ben McCormack 81); Conor Parsons (Joseph Forde 71), Christie Pattisson (Gbemi Arubi 71); Padraig Amond. 

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,432

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers suffered one of their heaviest defeats in several decades on Friday night as Drogheda United put seven past the Bit O’Red without reply at Weaver’s Park.

Rovers found themselves three down at half-time. Douglas James-Taylor, Andrew Quinn and Franzt Pierrot with Drogs’ goals. While Kailin Barlow had the visitor’s only shot of the game late in the half when his long range effort was tipped over the bar by United goalkeeper Luke Dennison.

The evening didn’t get any easier for the travelling support. Pierrot struck again early in the second half and this was followed up by further goals from Conor Kane, Elicha Ahui and Adam Foley.

Rovers’ will look to put what was a chastening night for the club behind them on Saturday 31st August when Waterford visit the Showgrounds, kick off 7.45pm. 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, David Webster (Jack Keaney, 75), James Bolger; Elicha Ahui (Aaron McNally, 85), Luke Heeney, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan, 75), Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey 41), Conor Kane; Frantz Pierrot, Douglas James-Taylor (Adam Foley, 75).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Ollie Denham, Charlie Wiggett (Jack Henry-Francis, 64), Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley (Luke Pearce, 64), Ellis Chapman (Daire Patton, 71); Kailin Barlow (Simon Power, 64) Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding, 63); Wilson Waweru.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

Sligo Rovers’ Wilson Waweru has been rewarded for his recent excellent form in front of goal having been awarded with the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for July.

Waweru has netted six times in his last six games, including his first senior hat-trick against Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. To date, Waweru has scored eight goals in all competitions this year.

He is the first Rovers player to win the award since Aidan Keena back in 2022.

Second half goals from Luke O’Regan and Adam Wells saw UCD progress to the last eight of the FAI Cup at the expense of Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

On a frustrating night for the Bit O’Red, the first half offered little in terms of goal scoring chances, while Ed McGinty was largely untested. 

The second half produced more entertainment as both sides fashioned opportunities. 

Will Fitzgerald was inches away from giving Rovers the lead early in the second period when his volley struck the crossbar. While UCD’s Adam Verdon went close with an ambitious effort from inside his own half. 

Rovers sub Owen Elding was denied by a sensational stop from College ‘keeper Dara Kavanagh on 75 minutes, moments before UCD took the lead. O’Regan’s cross took a wicked change of direction, floating over McGinty’s head for the opener. 

While Wells settled the tie eight minutes from time when he tapped home at the far post from a corner. 

Rovers went close through Simon Power and Nando Pijnaker as the home side threw everything at it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as Rovers’ 2024 cup run came to an end. 

The Bit O’Red’s next outing is a crucial league clash away to Drogheda United at Weavers’ Park on Friday August 23rd. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Ollie Denham (Wilson Waweru HT), Nando Pijnaker, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Jack Henry-Francis, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 83); Stephen Mallon (Owen Elding 59), Will Fitzgerald; Luke Pearce (Simon Power 72). 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luke O’Regan, Niall Holohan (Alex Dunne 98), Eanna Clancy, Harry Curtis (Adam Wells 74); Sam Norval (Sean Brennan 64), Ronan Finn (Colin Bolton 96), Adam Verdon, Stephen Mohan (Hugh Parker 64); Michael Raggett (Donal Higgins 96), Jake Doyle. 

Referee: Damien McGraith

Attendance: 1,862. 

Sligo Rovers made it four wins from five in all competitions as they saw off league leaders Shelbourne at the Showgrounds. 

A win for Damien Duff’s side would have sent the Tolka outfit five points clear with a game extra to play. But the Bit O’Red had different plans as goals from Will Fitzgerald and Wilson Waweru either side of an Evan Caffrey strike gave Rovers their eleventh league win of the season, sending them level on points with third placed Waterford. 

Looking for their fifth home win on the spin, Rovers were forced into one change with Jack Henry-Francis handed his first start since his summer move on loan from Arsenal. The Londoner replacing Conor Malley who picked up a knock late on in the defeat to St Pat’s last Sunday. 

The hosts were also without manager John Russell who watched the game from a small press box in the Treacy Avenue stand. The Galway man was serving the first of his three match ban following a red card handed to him by referee Rob Hennessy in injury time in that game against the Saints. 

The visitors began life without top-scorer Will Jarvis who returned to parent club Hull City this week, following a shock recall to the Tigers. Damien Duff made three changes to his outfit which played out that less than inspiring scoreless draw with Derry City on Monday last. Jarvis, Shane Griffin and John Martin stepping out in place of Caffrey, Ali Coote and Paddy Barrett. 

Shels started this one on the front foot with an early Harry Wood set piece deflected wide by the Rovers wall. While Caffrey hacked an effort from the edge of the area six minutes in. 

Shels’ goalkeeper Conor Kearns showed some rustiness early on when he was sloppy in coming to deal with a JR Wilson set-piece on 18 minutes. The ball falling to Henry-Francis who fired Rovers’ first warning shot of the night narrowly over. 

Rovers then made the most of poor judgement in the Shels rearguard on 24 minutes. Sam Bone’s pass across the face of his own goal was easily cut out by Fitzgerald who steadied himself before finding the bottom corner of Kearns’ goal. 

Paddy Barrett’s innocuous header from a Wood free-kick was easily held by McGinty before the break, while Henry-Francis again threatened early in the second period. The Irish underage international sweeping an effort on the half volley over the bar from 19 yards. 

The Drumcondra men levelled proceedings in dubious circumstances on 56. 

There was more than a hint of offside when Caffrey ran free of the last Sligo man to pick up Wood’s through ball. Referee David Dunne and his assistant Shane O’Brien on that side, saw nothing wrong with the timing of the run however as Caffrey kept his cool to slot past the oncoming McGinty. 

Parity lasted just ten minutes. Kearns and a handful of his defenders somehow managed to keep out substitute Luke Pearce’s initial drive at goal, but could do little about the quick reactions of Waweru who fired into the net on the follow up from five yards out for his eighth goal of the year. 

Duff reacted to this set-back by introducing Martin, Rayhaan Tulloch and Matty Smith from his reserves all at once as the Dubliners pressed high. But the closest Shels came to a second was two minutes from time when Liam Burt hammered well over from the angle during a tense finish.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Nando Pijnaker, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Jack Henry-Francis (Luke Pearce 63), Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman; Will Fitzgerald, Stephen Mallon (Owen Elding 72); Wilson Waweru (Kailin Barlow 81).

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Sam Bone (John Martin 73), Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge (Tyrieke Wilson 63); Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney; Harry Wood (Mark Isong 87), Ali Coote (Rayhaan Tulloch 73), Evan Caffrey (Matty Smith 73); Liam Burt. 

Referee: David Dunne. 

Attendance: 3,056

David Goulden