Precious league points go on offer at Tolka Park this Friday evening as Sligo Rovers face Shelbourne in what is the Bit O’Red’s penultimate game away from home this season, kick-off 7.45pm. 

With three games to go, Rovers are level on points with Waterford and three ahead of Galway, who have one game in hand. 

The Blues host Derry at the RSC while United face Bohemians in Galway at the same time, as all three sides scrap to pick up enough points to avoid the relegation play-off. 

Cork City’s relegation was confirmed earlier this week following defeat to Shels. 

In team news, Rovers head to Dublin without club captain John Mahon who misses out with a foot injury. 

Winger Ryan O’Kane is ineligible due to the terms of his loan from last year’s league champions. 

Manager John Russell has an otherwise fit squad to choose from as of Thursday evening. 

Rovers are yet to pick up a point against Joey O’Brien’s charges this season. While the Drumcondra outfit are in good form ahead of this one following recent wins over champions elect Shamrock Rovers and struggling Cork. 

However, Rovers’ form has been solid recently with just one defeat in our last five. 

“This will be a tough one for us”, Russell says ahead of the game. 

“Shels have been excellent recently and like ourselves are doing all they can to pick up points to reach their targets and have hit some form. 

“Our form against them this season isn’t great but in all three games, we’ve either been level or ahead against them at half time. It’s about focus and concentration and I feel we have improved even further in that regard since we played them last in August. 

“We got caught with a late goal in Derry because we switched off. If we do that in Tolka, it won’t end well for us. 

“Everyone is fighting for points now and although we always want to entertain, it’s in our DNA, we know how critical it is to scrap and squeeze out results. We have huge belief in ourselves that we will be able to do that. 

“It feels a lot like it will all come down to the wire this season and we have to make sure we’re in with a chance of avoiding that playoff spot once the final day comes.”

David Goulden

An injury time winner from Derry City’s Michael Duffy saw Sligo Rovers beaten for the first time in five league games, as the Bit O’Red suffered late heartbreak at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Duffy’s 94th minute winner arrived following an even game in which Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant pulled off a number of decent stops. While the visitors did create opportunities through Cian Kavanagh and the ever-impressive Jad Hakiki.

John Russell’s side were on top throughout the opening half hour of this tie, played 48 hours or so after its initially scheduled kick-off time due to Storm Amy. 

Hakiki trickery bought him space at the edge of the Derry area, but his resulting shot was just off target. 

Sargeant, looking for a hat-trick of clean sheets, kept out an effort from Adam O’Reilly eight minutes from the break and kept Duffy out after the break.

Substitute Sean Stewart then somehow got in front of Danny Mullen’s shot as Rovers looked comfortable dealing with City. 

Cruelly however, Rovers were denied a much deserved point when Duffy headed a Robbie Benson cross to the net in injury time. 

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Hayden Cann (Gavin Whyte 57), Mark Connolly, Jamie Stott, Brandon Fleming; Carl Winchester (Robbie Benson 27), Sadou Diallo (Cameron Dummigan 79); Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy; Danny Mullen.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Edwin Agbaje (Conor Reynolds 86), Sebastian Quirk, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh (Sean Stewart HT), James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 65), Ryan O’Kane (Matthew Wolfe 86), Owen Elding, Gareth McElroy (Oliver Denham 65).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Sligo Rovers go to the Ryan McBride Brandywell to take on Derry City this Sunday afternoon with plenty on the line for both sides ahead of the fourth and final meeting between the two this season, kick-off 4pm.

Initially due to take place on October 3rd, this game was rescheduled following Storm Amy.

Unbeaten in five league games, Rovers will look to put further space between ourselves and both Galway United and Waterford who occupy eighth and ninth spot respectively.

Galway have no game this weekend and don’t play again until October 17th. While Waterford’s game with Drogheda was also postponed.

Rovers’ win last week over St Pat’s means the Bit O’Red cannot finish in the automatic relegation spot but are still tussling with both Galway and Waterford to avoid the relegation play-off.

Derry themselves will want to kick Shamrock Rovers’ now inevitable title celebrations down the road for a few days at least. 

The Candystripes know that anything but a home win on Sunday will confirm the Hoops champions. 

City, who haven’t won in two league games following draws with Drogheda and Shelbourne, will however want to strengthen their hold on second spot, as they sit just above the chasing pack. They are on a six game unbeaten run. 

In team news, Rovers are hopeful that Ollie Denham will return for selection following a few weeks out with a hip injury. 

Ryan O’Kane was a late withdrawal before the Pat’s game with illness. The loanee is expected to be available for Friday. 

While Seb Quirk, also a withdrawal late last week, will face a late fitness test as will Ciaron Harkin, who is suffering with illness at the moment. 

Rovers’ last win by the River Foyle came during the shortened covid season back in 2020 but John Russell’s side will take confidence from a superb two goal win over Tiernan Lynch’s men back in July.

Goals from Derry local Paddy McClean and a Wilson Waweru strike in injury time at the end of the first half secured a massive result for Sligo at the Showgrounds. 

“We will look to keep this run going”, Russell tells sligorovers.com. 

“The players have been brilliant in the last few months, both on the training pitch and on the field in competitive games. Each one of them to a man has deserved the praise they’ve received for some big results in the league but we have to forget about what’s done now and keep the focus on getting something from Sunday.

“We can’t and won’t take our foot off the gas now for the last few weeks of the campaign. 

“We are nowhere near having the job done and we need to keep finding higher levels as the weeks go on. There’s so much football still to play. 

“Each and every point is massive for all the teams at this stage. Everyone is fighting for something at the moment, it’s a scrap. 

“If you lose focus or take your eye off the ball, you’ll be punished by the teams below you. The squad is very aware of this.”

Of Derry, Russell is aware of their many threats and has urged his side again to play on the front foot. 

“They have talent, pace and creativity all over the pitch”, he says. 

“They’ve punished us twice already this season but there wasn’t much in the games. 

“Last time we were in Derry, we left the game behind us after 50 minutes but we were actually the better side for the last half hour or so and deserved a goal or two. 

“We put in a great performance to beat them in Sligo then during the summer and we need to hit those high levels again if we want to get something from Sunday. 

“But if you go up there and you let them dictate things then you’ll suffer.” 

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers’ second win in the space of six days has further boosted the Bit O’Red’s survival hopes as an heroic performance from John Russell’s side saw them beat St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds. 

Jad Hakiki’s 19th minute strike proved to be enough for Rovers who moved three points clear of the play-off spot following a thrilling encounter in the north west.  

With two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five in all competitions, Rovers made two switches from the starting team who overcame Galway United in an absorbing Connacht derby five nights ago. 

Midfielders Ryan O’Kane and Seb Quirk were left out of the match day squad with illness and injury respectively, with Monday’s match winner Cian Kavanagh and midfielder Ciaron Harkin coming in for Rovers’ penultimate home game of the year. 

In the far corner, the division’s form team with eleven points gathered from a possible fifteen in their last five outings, Pat’s named an unchanged team to the one which put basement side Cork City to the sword earlier this week. 

With the win now guaranteeing Sligo avoid a last placed finish, they did have to deal with the best of the very early chances in what was a thoroughly absorbing opening 45.  

Rovers’ Gareth McElroy, so impressive in this week’s derby, did nod an effort from a Will Fitzgerald cross straight at Joseph Anang in the Pat’s nets 90 seconds in. 

But the next two efforts arrived at the home end as Joe Redmond’s header drifted narrowly over Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant’s crossbar on 4 minutes. This, before former Sligo wideman Simon Power went close for the visitors. 

A stand out performer in Rovers’ last two games, the in-form Hakiki struck for the opener on 19 minutes. 

The Dubliner’s initial strike, from a Paddy McClean cross, bounced off the floor in front of Anang who could only push the ball back into the path of Hakiki. The Republic of Ireland underage international left with a simple finish as he cannoned the ball into the roof of the Saints’ net from close range for his sixth of the season. 

Stephen Kenny’s charges did threaten again before the break. 

Power’s right footed set piece from the centre of goal took a deflection off the Sligo wall as the ball dribbled wide of Sargeant’s post on 28. 

Spurs bound teen Mason Melia then teed up Kian Leavy whose shot towards the bottom corner from 19 yards out, was well held by Sargeant. 

John Russell’s men had to deal with some early pressure at the start of the second half, but they fashioned the first real opportunity after the re-start.

Trojan work from full back Edwin Agbaje resulted in the Offaly man finding Fitzgerald whose shot on the spin inside the area flew past the Pat’s post as the effort took a nick off Jamie Lennon to force the corner. McClean’s header from the resulting set-piece lacked the power to worry Anang.

Melia then passed up a wonderful chance to level the score on the hour. McElroy’s error gifted possession to the 18-year-old who made a total mess of the opportunity as he wastefully rolled the ball to the grateful Sargeant. 

The FAI Cup semi-finalists returned to the well again on 67 when the ball bounced around the Sligo area but Tom Grivosti volleyed wide.

McElroy and Owen Elding both had chances as Rovers looked to put this one to bed before time. 

Sargeant pulled off an heroic two-handed stop at full stretch to deny Redmond’s powerful drive five from the end during a hectic closing period in which Pat’s did have the ball in the net. The assistant referee cutting Pat’s joy short as he raised the flag for offside. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje (Conor Reynolds 76), Gareth McElroy, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart (Kyle McDongh 68); James McManus (Matty Wolfe 77), Ciaron Harkin (Daire Patton 82); Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Wilson Waweru 68). 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Axel Sjoberg (Jake Mulreany 68), Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti (Luke Turner 88), Jay McClelland (Amin Kazeem 88); Barry Baggley (Conor Carty 80), Jamie Lennon; Jordon Garrick (Brandon Kavanagh 68), Kian Leavy, Simon Power; Mason Melia.  

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan. 

Attendance: 2,786.

Sligo Rovers welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to the Showgrounds this Saturday for what is our penultimate home game of the season, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers go into this weekend’s round of fixtures in seventh position, with five games to go and plenty yet to play for. 

In team news, Ollie Denham is again the Bit O’Red’s only injury worry ahead of the visit of the Saints. The centre half continues to try and shake off a hip injury he sustained in the lead up to the Drogheda game last week. 

Last Monday’s win in a tense Connacht derby with Galway United has lifted Rovers three points above the Tribesmen who now occupy the playoff position ahead of Friday’s games. 

Rovers are along with Derry City, the Premier Division’s form team since the summer break back in June having taken 22 points from our last 13 outings. 

Manager John Russell was delighted with his side’s victory by the Corrib and wants to push on as we meet this year’s final set of hurdles. 

“The job is nowhere near done yet, but we’re happy with how the last week went”, the Rovers boss tells sligorovers.com

“We created the better of the chances against Drogheda, tested them more than they tested us. We were unfortunate to not get the win here, truth be told. 

“Then we go to Galway and pick up the points in a real pressure game. A six-pointer, a big crowd and a game we needed to win. The players did really well to deal with the pressure that was on them. 

“To a man, the players gave everything and put their bodies on the line when they had to. First half, we weren’t happy and we changed things around before the second half in which we did really well. We defended heroically when we had to and were a constant threat on the counter and could have had one or two more goals.”

Looking to Saturday, Russell is expecting a tough test against Stephen Kenny’s men who have won four of their last six and wants another big Showgrounds crowd backing his boys.

“It’ll be different to the Galway game in terms of what we’ll be up against. Pat’s like to draw you out. They’re patient and calculating in what they do and they have players all over their front six who can really hurt you. 

“But we have tremendous belief in what we’re doing and we back ourselves in any two horse race. We’re at home so we’ll hopefully have a big crowd. The numbers we had in Galway really forced us across the line and we can multiply that on Saturday.

“We’re looking for everyone to get in well ahead of kick-off to make that big atmosphere we had against Drogheda. We only have two home games left and we really need to make the most of them.

“Every advantage we can get counts at this stage and every point we can pick up is huge. 

“It’s so tight where we are in the league, but we’ve given ourselves that shot in the arm by putting ourselves ahead of the bottom three before Friday’s games. It’s in our hands at the moment and the players are doing and will do everything they can do to keep it that way.”

David Goulden  

Sligo Rovers moved out of the Premier Division’s bottom two for the first time in over six months following victory over Galway United in an energy-sapping Connacht derby at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Substitute Cian Kavanagh headed the game’s winner on 54 minutes to hand Rovers the points and a third win over the Tribesmen this season. 

Victory moves Rovers to seventh ahead of Saturday’s league clash with St Pat’s at the Showgrounds. 

John Russell made one change for this one. Gareth McElroy, one of the visitors’ stand-out performers on the night, came in for John Mahon at the heart of the Sligo rearguard. 

The hosts produced the best chance of the first half in a relatively tight affair as Rovers dealt with John Caulfield’s direct approach. 

McElroy headed Rob Slevin’s goalward header away from danger on 22 minutes, the closest either side came to an opener in the first period.

Rovers began the second half on the front foot, Owen Elding testing Brendan Clarke on 53 when man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki cut out a loose ball from Bobby Burns. Hakiki fed Ryan O’Kane, who in turn set Elding through. But the club’s top-scorer was denied by Clarke who spread himself well to deflect away Elding’s low effort. 

There was joy in the away end from the resulting corner however. 

McElroy headed Will Fitzgerald’s out-swinger towards Kavanagh, who beat Clarke to the ball as he nodded over the former Rovers ‘keeper and to an empty net. 

Galway threw everything at Rovers for the final half hour, but Russell’s charges limited United to mostly shots from distance.

Slevin fired over, while Sergeant and Paddy McClean did enough to deny Patrick Hickey from a Dara McGuinness cross. 

The tireless Hakiki had Clarke at full stretch twelve minutes from the end when the midfielder sent a beautifully struck, bending effort towards the top corner. Clarke’s finger-tip save was just enough to push the ball beyond for a corner following a superb Rovers counter strike. 

McGuinness could only fire straight at Sargeant from three yards out as the Tribesmen spurned their chance to level the game on 82. While the same player headed into Sargeant’s arms in the third of the six minutes added on at the finale. 

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Jeannot Esua, Killian Brouder (Vincent Borden 84), Garry Buckley, Bobby Burns; Aaron Bolger (Jeremy Sivi 64), Jimmy Keohane, Rob Slevin, Ed McCarthy (Stephen Walsh 64), Patrick Hickey; Dara McGuinness.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje, Patrick McClean, Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart (Ciaron Harkin 63); James McManus (Matty Wolfe 63), Seb Quirk (Cian Kavanagh 46); Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 83), Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.

Referee: Paul Norton.

Ollie Denham is Sligo Rovers’ only injury worry ahead of Monday’s huge Connacht derby with Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

The centre-half was withdrawn from the starting eleven ahead of last Friday’s draw with Drogheda having picked up knock to his hip in the warm-up. 

Rovers boss John Russell is expected otherwise, to have a fully fit squad as the Bit O’Red look to climb ahead of Galway with a win and out of the relegation zone. 

Both sides are deadlocked on 31 points each, with John Caulfield’s men ahead of Rovers based on their superior goal difference. 

Rovers have had the better of the three meetings between the clubs this season, with two wins over the Tribesmen from three attempts. While United beat Sligo at the Showgrounds in the first match between the sides in 2025 back in April, their first league win on Sligo soil in decades.

Rovers go into this game with two wins from their last five in all competitions. Galway have taken just one win from their previous five. 

Looking ahead to this much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, re-arranged due to recent FAI Cup games, Rovers boss John Russell is looking for his team to take the points which would push us out of the bottom two for the first time in over six months. 

“We’re hugely looking forward to this one and we’re looking to bounce straight into it after the Drogheda game”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“I thought we were the better side on Friday. You only have to look at how many times we worked their ‘keeper in comparison to how much Sam (Sargeant) had to do. We’ve also hit the post twice.

“Our shape and our energy was good. We created plenty and it’s a harsh handball decision that gets them back in the game. We just couldn’t crack Drogheda a second time. So we got that reaction we asked for from the boys after the Kerry game.”

Facing his home-town club, Russell is excited by the prospect of the occasion itself.

“It’s a derby game with a lot on the line. You have two sides looking to pick up points for the same reasons so it’s all set up to be a big atmosphere and a big occasion. I’m sure they will have a big crowd backing them and our fans will travel well. We packed out the away end last time out and that really pushed us on. We know it’s a Monday night and not ideal for supporters but we hope we bring big numbers and I know our fans will get right behind us. 

“It’ll be a real test for us. We’ve got to stick our chests out now and be counted as it’s so tight at our end of the table, every point counts and everyone is running out of games. As a club, we have massive belief in these players to go out and get results and perform for us. We need to make the most of the occasion.” 

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Sligo Rovers go into Monday’s Connacht derby with Galway United on Monday level on points with the Tribesmen after they were pegged back by Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. 

Ryan O’Kane had fired the Bit O’Red into the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the Boynesiders leveled the game early in the second half courtesy of a Paul Doyle penalty. 

It was John Russell’s Rovers who took this game to their opponents early on. Golden boy Owen Elding struck the Drogheda post after eleven minutes, while O’Kane fizzed a driven effort wide of Luke Dennison’s post on the follow up.

Finding joy down their left side, Rovers went close again on 25 minutes when from defending their own penalty area, the hosts hit Drogheda on the counter. 

Jad Hakiki’s through ball found Elding who was denied by Dennison who did just enough to take the pace of Elding’s shot as he looked to sneak the ball under the Calfornian.

Dennison showed his value again on the half hour when he went down low to scoop Seb Quirk’s pot-shot over his crossbar. 

Doherty reacted to his side’s struggles by bringing on the experienced Ryan Brennan on and this affected the flow of the occasion straight away. 

Brennan, Conor Keeley and Darragh Markey all went close for Drogheda as they chased the lead. 

Sligo wrestled back control of this tie and went ahead in added time. Having pulled another impressive stop from Dennison, O’Kane was not to be disappointed with his next effort as he dragged his strike beyond O’Kane from the edge of the Drogheda box. 

The Louth men, who made a trio of changes at the break, were then gifted a way back into the game early in the second period. Paddy McClean handled the ball inside his own area, allowing former Sligo midfielder Doyle to dispatch the resulting spot-kick.

Quirk’s determination resulted in him blasting over again on 73 minutes, before Hakiki lashed an effort from distance off Dennison’s crossbar 90 seconds later in what was a tense second period. 

Both Drogs’ Thomas Oluwa and Rovers’ Matty Wolfe spurned great chances to claim the spoils late on for their sides. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje (Matty Wolfe 78), John Mahon, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart (Cian Kavangh 62); James McManus (Conor Reynolds 88), Seb Quirke; Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane; Owen Elding. 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger (Frank Cooper 66), Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley; Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise HT), Owen Lambe; Warren Davis (Shane Farell HT), Paul Doyle (Thomas Oluwa 76), Darragh Markey (Fuhad Kareem HT), Luke Heeney; Josh Thomas (Ryan Brennan 34). 

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Attendance: 2,357

John Russell hopes to have the luxury of a full squad to choose from as his Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Drogheda United will provide the opposition for this rearranged clash, rescheduled to accommodate Rovers’ visit to Galway on Monday. 

Will Fitzgerald returns having missed the defeat to Kerry last week through suspension. While Cian Kavanagh is available again having missed that game due to illness. 

An even contest will be expected, as both Rovers and Drogs have matching records in their last five league outings, having taken seven points from a possible 15. This is a huge game for Rovers, as a positive result for the hosts could move us ahead of Galway in eighth depending on the Tribesmen’s result against St Pat’s on Friday. 

United have the better head to head record between the clubs this term, with two wins over Sligo and a draw. They go into this game having too suffered FAI Cup disappointment having been beaten on penalties by Shamrock Rovers last weekend. 

Reflecting on that galling night for the Bit O’Red in Tralee, Russell tells sligorovers.com that although his players want to quickly move on from that result, they will use the memories of the disappointment to fuel themselves in the coming games. 

“Sometimes in sport it’s hard to make sense of a defeat when you are in a position of such dominance”, Russell says. 

“What unfolded last week in our cup exit against Kerry hurts and will continue to hurt for a long time. We had a huge opportunity to put ourselves into a semi-final, but we didn’t take it.

“It was a tough dressing room after the game and an even tougher journey home. We all knew the importance of the game and what was at stake. I very much understand the frustration of our supporters and the backlash. We as a group must take our medicine after such a defeat. 

“However, it’s important not to lose perspective after a defeat and to remember the transformation of our team since the mid-season break. 

“We have such a talented group of players who are giving everything for the club. I and everyone at this club have such belief in them. We have clawed back a lot of points over the last two or three months and the boys deserve all the support they get along the way.” 

Russell wants both players and supporters to show togetherness once more as Rovers look to continue our march up the table. 

“We are now entering the last seven games and we need our supporters more than ever on Friday”, he rallied.  

“You support your team in good times and bad times. We had a bad night last week. But Friday is another opportunity for us all collectively, to show our resilience and strength, not only as a team but as a club. 

“Drogheda have performed above all expectations this season, but all our games have been close and now it’s up to us to get that win which we know would be huge for us. We’re ready to go and are really looking forward to the game and getting back on track.” 

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers’ hopes of a first Sports Direct FAI Cup Cup success since 2013 were dashed by Kerry FC in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. 

Rovers dominated this opening half, leading by two following an Owen Elding brace. 

Elding had his hat-trick and his 14th of the season early in the second half. 

However, Kerry struck three times in the second half before finding a winner two minutes from the end of extra-time courtesy of Daniel Okwute. 

Attention turns back to Premier Division duties on Friday September 19th, as we face Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm.