A superb finish from Owen Elding and an heroic penalty save from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ensured Sligo Rovers’ name is in the hat for the quarter-final draw of the Sports Direct FAI Cup, as the Bit O’Red beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park. 

In what was one of the most impressive showings of the season so far, Elding’s tenth goal of the season, in the 53rd minute was enough for Rovers to dump Bohs out of the cup and progress to the last eight. 

Will Fitzgerald, not for the first time this year, provided the assist before Elding unleashed a superb left footed drive from the edge of the area, well beyond the reach of Bohs keeper James Talbot. 

Sargeant’s superb save from Dayle Rooney’s penalty had arrived just moments earlier in an exciting cup game which saw both sides create chances.

Although Rovers restricted Alan Reynolds’ side in the second period, with Sargeant pulling off another wonderful stop when the ball took a wicked touch off Ollie Denahm. While the London-born stopper reacted with one hand to keep a Rhys Brennan effort out late on. 

The draw for the FAI Cup quarter final takes place on Tuesday. 

Bohemians: James Talbot; Niall Moraghan, Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh (Liam Smith 54), Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney (Adam McDonnell 67) Ross Tierney, Conor Parsons; Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74)

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Edwin Agbaje 52), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin, Sebastian Quirk; Ryan O’Kane (Daire Patton 81), Jadi Hakiki (Ronan Manning 81), Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

Focus reverts to the Sports Direct FAI Cup this Friday as Sligo Rovers return to the capital for the second time in less than a week to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

For the second week running, midfielder Jad Hakiki is the Bit O’Red’s only injury concern ahead of this third round trip to Phibsboro. The Dubliner is yet to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up against Shels at the Showgrounds recently and is doubtful to be fit in time to take part. 

Defender Paddy McClean is available for selection after the red card he was shown against St Patrick’s Athletic last Sunday, was overturned by an appeals committee. 

Friday will be Rovers’ fourth game against Alan Reynolds’ side this season and a third journey to Dalymount, with Friday’s visitors yet to pick up a win against Bohs this year. 

Manager John Russell returns to the scene of Rovers’ famous 2010 and 2011 FAI Cup semi-final victories. Russell was involved in both games as a player, both of which Rovers won by a goal to nil on the way to successive cup triumphs at the Aviva Stadium. 

With four all-Premier Division ties taking place in this round, the Rovers boss feels Friday’s knock-out tie could pose a favourable outcome for the winners. 

“It’s a massive opportunity for both sides”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“You have four top flight teams that are guaranteed to be knocked out this weekend and if you can make it through, with a bit of luck you might find yourself with a decent draw in a quarter-final.

“We are yet to beat Bohs this season but all three games between us have been extremely tight. The first game up here, they pulled away late on and at the Showgrounds they won it with a last minute winner. Our last game up there back in June, we defended for our lives after going one up, we deal with everything and they score in the fifth minute of added time. I expect Friday will be just as competitive.  

“We were hugely disappointed with how our last two games worked out. Against Shels, we created chances but didn’t take them and then against Pat’s, Paddy’s red obviously plays a huge part. Bu we didn’t see out the next 15 minutes or so of play and they hit us with a sucker punch early in the second half. 

“So we’re looking for a more settled performance on Friday. We know we have more than enough in us to get through and of course Bohs will be very strong at home. They’ll have a big, boisterous crowd behind them as they always do but I expect we’ll pack out the away end as we have done the last few years up there. 

“I don’t like the old cliches and that anything can happen. You need to be properly prepared and you need to make happen, what you want to happen. Bohs gave Shels all sorts of problems last weekend at Tolka and if we’re not set from minute one, they’ll do the same to us. 

“I have huge belief in this group and this a big opportunity for them. It’s not a secret around Sligo that we would dearly love to go far in this competition this year.” 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers were beaten in controversial circumstances at Richmond Park as the ten man Bit O’Red were beaten by St Patrick’s Athletic. 

Paddy McClean was sent off by referee Damien MacGraith just before half-time, a decision which has since been overturned by an independent appeals committee. 

While both MacGraith and his assistants David Connolly and Niall McLoughlin each failed to spot a clear hand-ball from Saints’ winger Jake Mulreany in the lead up to the hosts’ first goal. A brace from Mason Melia added to the scoreline. 

The first contentious moment arrived three minutes from the interval when McClean collided with Melia on the teen’s way to goal. Referee MacGraith brandishing a now successfully appealed red card to McClean despite Seb Quirk clearly being the covering defender. 

The erroneous decision heavily influenced the course of the game and the officials were again in the midst of the conversation on 49 minutes when Mulreany blatantly used his arm to alter the trajectory of Chris Forrester’s through ball before knocking it into an empty net. 

Melia made it two on 56, while he had his second and Pat’s third five minutes later. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Axel Sjoberg, Joe Redmond, Luke Turner, Jay McClelland; Jamie Lennon (Barry Baggley h-t), Chris Forrester (Darren Robinson 79); Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy 79), Brandon Kavanagh, Simon Power (Jordan Garrick 71); Mason Melia (Conor Carty 71).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Sebastian Quirk, Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin (Matt Wolfe 65), James McManus; Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding (Ronan Manning 80), Ryan O’Kane; Wilson Waweru (Cian Kavanagh h-t).

Referee: Damien MacGraith.

Jad Hakiki is Sligo Rovers’ only concern ahead of Sunday’s rearranged Premier Division clash with St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park, kick-off 6pm.

Hakiki was withdrawn at half-time having suffered a pull to his hamstring during last Saturday’s defeat to Shelbourne at the Showgrounds and faces a fitness test ahead of this weekend’s visit to Inchicore. 

Rovers boss John Russell will have goalkeeper Sam Sargeant available to him after the shot-stopper’s red card against Shels was overturned by the independent appeals committee.

There was further good news regarding the net minder this week with Sargeant agreeing to extend his current deal beyond this season and to the end of 2026. 

This game was initially due to take place on Friday, August 8th but was rescheduled due to Pat’s involvement in European competition both this and next week.

Stephen Kenny’s side have had the better of the previous two meetings between Rovers and the Dubliners this year, with the Saints narrowly defeating Rovers in both games in March and May. 

Rovers will be looking to return to form following that defeat to Shels last week and manager Russell wants to ensure the defeat is well forgotten about come Sunday night.

“We were hugely disappointed coming away from last weekend’s game”, the Rovers boss tells sligorovers.com. 

“There was nothing between the sides but Shels took their chances and that was the difference. We created two really good opportunities but didn’t take them and if you do that at this level, then you’ll always give the opposition a chance and the same goes for Sunday.      

“I feel our games with Pat’s this season, they’ve been really tight. We’ve lost to them by one goal in both games, 4-3 and 1-0 and on other nights, we win those games and that’s how tight games in this league are. 

“They had a tough time in the first half against Besitkas on Thursday, but improved a lot in the second half and they’ll look to bring that momentum into Sunday’s game. But we have our own plans. We are in good form at the moment and we’re looking to prove that the Shels result was just a blip. 

“We’re hopeful for Jad, but we’ll see how he gets on. He’ll be assessed over Saturday and into Sunday morning and we’ll see how he gets on.

“We’re still looking at the teams above us. Galway play just before us on Sunday and we know we can go level with them depending on results so that’s a huge carrot for us to chase. While Waterford are still within our reach and Cork picked up two great recently so it’s far from settled.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that the club has reached a deal with goalkeeper Sam Sargeant, extending his current contract at the club to the end of the 2026 season. 

The 27-year-old shot-stopper has been one of the Bit O’Red’s stand-out performers in recent months and Rovers have moved quickly to secure the Greenwich native’s services for another 12 months. 

Sargeant joined Rovers in January last, following a successful spell at fellow Premier Division side Waterford. 

He has played 21 times for the club to date and was recently rewarded for some stand out performances between the sticks when he picked up the Wehrly Brothers Men’s Player of the Month award for June. 

Sam has played an integral part in Rovers’ recent form, keeping two clean sheets in our last five games. 

News of Sargeant’s contract extension follows on from a successful appeal on Sligo Rovers’ behalf earlier this week, in relation to a red card picked up by the former Leyton Orient player against Shels last Saturday. 

An independent appeals committee over-turned referee Rob Harvey’s decision to dismiss Sargeant and therefore he will be available for Rovers’ next game which is this Sunday, against St Pat’s in Dublin. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Sargeant says he is thrilled to put pen to paper, crediting the coaching staff as a big influence in his decision to extend his current contract. 

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Rovers so much and having spoken to Richard Brush and the gaffer about their plans for the rest of the season and beyond, it was a simple decision.

“Brushy is a big part of my decision to stay, I love working with him every day. I’ve loved working with the manager, Brushy and Ryan Casey but not just the coaching staff, but the team as a whole. 

“I feel I’ve developed playing here and am looking forward to developing more over the next 18 months or so.”

By his own admission, Sam went through a patchy start to life at the Showgrounds. 

The current season started with defeats to Waterford, Drogheda and St Pat’s after which the imposing net-minder was dropped in favour of Conor Walsh. Sargeant spent the next six games on the bench, returning in Rovers’ first away win of the season, a four goal trouncing of Waterford at the RSC in April. 

He has been a vital mainstay ever-since and proven to be a pivotal part of Rovers’ post-summer break return to form, only missing out on those few minutes after he was sent-off against Shels. 

“It was mixed early on, to be honest”, he continues. 

“On a personal level, I feel I didn’t start the season as well as I could have but I feel as if I’m in a good place now. 

“Being taken out of the team made me realise I needed to do more and that’s what I did. I pushed myself and proved I was able to get back to the levels I previously was at. 

“It’s important to have competition for every position, it drives everyone. Conor is a great young goalkeeper and he’s a great lad off the pitch. We have a great relationship and drive each other.”

With ten league games to go, Rovers are still pushing to collect as many league points as possible in our mission to catch the likes of Galway, Waterford and St Pat’s. While the Bit O’Red are also still very much in the mix when it comes to the FAI Cup. 

“As a team, we had a slow start and found ourselves at the rear end of the table”, Sargeant says. 

“But we have proven since the break that we’re a very good team that can beat anyone. We now have to look to finish the season as strong as we can and build then for next year. We would love a cup run and that’s the aim. But we need to keep working hard, keep adding the points to the table and work our way up as high as we can go. 

“You can see we’ve gelled more as a team as the year has gone on. It has taken a while, but we are getting better and better as time has gone on. The window has been good for us as well, the likes of Paddy McClean, James McManus and Ryan O’Kane have added to the competition and that strengthens us.”  

Welcoming the news that his number one has agreed to a new deal, First Team Manager John Russell says he is delighted to tie down Sargeant’s services for another season.  

“Sam is a top-class goalkeeper who fits in perfectly with the way we play here at Rovers and he’s proved that over the last few months”, Russell says. 

“He is an excellent communicator, his passing range is exceptional and he has that great ability to make big saves when called upon. 

“He’s become an essential part of what we’ve built here so far and over the course of this season, he’s become a real leader. Even at 27, he’s one of the older heads in the group and he has been a big voice and big influencer in the dressing room and I only see that influence growing over time. The extension of his current deal is really great news for us, going forward.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday night as the Bit O’Red travel to Turner’s Cross to take on Cork City, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers make the long journey south looking for a third win and as many clean sheets on the bounce as John Russell’s men seek to put eleven points between ourselves and the Rebels at the bottom of the table.

Unbeaten in our last five, this will be Rovers’ third outing against Cork this season. Neither side have managed to beat the other this year so far, with both games between the teams finishing in one all draws. 

In team news, captain John Mahon will return having missed the last four outings through suspension. While Francely Lomboto is expected to be available having missed the cup win over Dundalk last Friday night. 

New signing Sean Stewart will also be available having attained his international clearance following the full back’s recent move from Cliftonville. 

Jake Doyle-Hayes misses out and serves a suspension having picked up his tenth yellow card of the season against Derry City. Cian Kavanagh faces a late fitness test. 

Manager Russell also makes a welcome return to the dugout having been absent for the game at Oriel Park with illness. 

“This is a huge game for both teams”, Russell says. “I expect Cork will have a huge crowd out to get behind them and as I said earlier in the season, Turner’s Cross is a tough place to go and even tougher when the crowd’s back is up. It’s akin to playing against 12 men. They’re scrapping for their lives and will see this a must win and we need to be prepared for an onslaught. We need to be able to wrestle the game from them and dictate the play.

“We’re only a few points ahead of them and we are still trying to catch the teams above us. We are looking up but we need to make sure we pick up results in these sorts of games and add a real buffer between ourselves and that bottom spot. There’s no better way to do that than by getting a result in Cork on Friday.

“The game’s on tv so that’ll add something to the event and hopefully we’ll have a big crowd coming down to get behind us. 

“We’re unbeaten now in five and we’re really pleased with how things have gone the last few weeks. But we must keep the momentum going and keep things ticking over in Cork. We’re in the midst of a busy period now and the players and staff are really enjoying it. We have turned things around somewhat but I knew we always had that in us. We need to keep this going and keep bringing our levels up. 

“It’s great to have John (Mahon) back and Sean Stewart in as that gives us options and allows us to move things around a bit more if needed. We will miss Jake (Doyle-Hayes) of course, but we have a squad now that can deal with knocks and suspensions.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers have been drawn to play Bohemians in the third round of this year’s Sports Direct FAI Cup. 

The Bit O’Red were paired with the Dubliners at today’s (Tuesday) draw which took place at FAI headquarters. 

The game will take place at Dalymount Park on the week-ending Sunday, August 17th.

Sports Direct FAI Cup third round draw in full:

Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers
Kerry FC v Cobh Ramblers
Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town
Cork City v Waterford FC
Salthill Devon v Galway United
St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne
Derry City v Drogheda United
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers

James McManus scored a goal to rival even Owen Elding’s catalogue of superb strikes this season, as the both the Dubliner and Jake Doyle-Hayes registered their first goals for Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park as the Bit O’Red sailed on to the third round of the FAI Cup. 

McManus’ goal on 51 minutes was followed up by an impressive headed finish from Doyle-Hayes three minutes later as the visitors settled this game in a short period of time at the beginning of the second half.

But it will be Bohs loanee McManus’ arrowed, mid-air half-volley for which this cup tie will be remembered. 

Both sides had chances in a first half which passed without much fuss. 

However, this game was jolted into action when Will Fitzgerald’s corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the ‘D’ where McManus ran on to the ball, catching it perfectly to volley a jaw-dropping effort right into Enda Minogue’s top corner. 

The hosts hadn’t time to settle as a relentless Rovers hit them again on 54 minutes.

Again it was Fitzgerald who supplied the cross for Doyle-Hayes, who expertly flicked the ball into the bottom corner of the Lilywhites goal with his head for his maiden goal for the club.

The draw for the third round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup will take place at a later date.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale (Conor O’Keeffe 22), Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 71); Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey (Andy Parashiv 61); Declan McDaid (Eoin Kenny 61), Harry Groome, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Dean Ebbe 61).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds, Ollie Denham, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald; Jake Doyle-Hayes (Daire Patton 66), James McManus; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 77); Wilson Waweru (Sebastian Quirk HT).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

Sligo Rovers’ search for a sixth Sports Direct FAI Cup begins this Friday evening at Oriel Park as the Bit O’Red face First Division leaders Dundalk, kick-off 7.45pm.

Premier Division matters are moved aside as John Russell brings his side to County Louth in search of a place in the third round of the knock-out competition. Rovers last won the cup in 2013 during a golden spell for the club which saw us appear in four finals in five years, lifting the famous trophy at the Aviva Stadium no less than three times in that spell.

Last season saw Rovers progress through the second round courtesy of a Wilson Waweru hat-trick and a three goal win over non-league Cobh Wanderers at the Showgrounds. Interest in the cup ended at the third round however, as UCD beat Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Rovers go to Oriel for the first time since June 2024 with what is expected to be a fully fit squad, barring the absence of the suspended John Mahon who serves his final game of a four match ban. Recent signing Seb Quirk, a late withdrawal ahead of the win over Derry City last weekend, is expected to be available to Russell. 

On a run of just one defeat in our last five games, Rovers will take on the Lilywhites as narrow favourites being the Premier Division outfit. However, Russell knows how difficult it will be against Ciaran Kilduff’s side who are sitting four points clear in their own division at the moment. 

“They’ve had a really impressive season so far”, Russell says. 

“Of course, as the team who came down from the Premier, they will be the favourites to go back up but that comes with a lot of pressure. Ciaran Kilduff has done such a great job over there and they’ll be looking for a scalp on Friday.

“They have experience in their squad and have plenty of players with Premier Division quality and experience. So there will certainly be no gulf in standard between the teams. 

“We’ve been in good form lately and we’ll be looking to continue that and bring our levels up even higher. At the moment, it looks like we have everyone available to us except John (Mahon) who will be back in the squad for Cork and that’s a big boost. We’re going up there in a good place. 

“We love playing in cup games although we’ve been disappointed with our showing in the last few years where we learned that if we don’t show up, we will be beaten. So we need to be fully switched on and be ready to play on the front foot from the off on Friday night. 

“It looks as if this year’s cup winners will be rewarded with a place in the Europa League next season, so that’s a huge incentive for a club like ours who can’t rely on a benefactor or an inflated budget to prop us up. 

“We’ve been followed by big numbers away from home this year and hopefully we’ll get another big crowd travelling on Friday.”

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Paddy McClean scored against his hometown club as Sligo Rovers extended the buffer between themselves and bottom side Cork City to eight points in almost tropical conditions at the Showgrounds in Sligo.

Wilson Waweru scored the Bit O’Red’s other goal as Rovers deservedly handed Derry their first defeat in six league outings. The result means the Candystripes remain nine points off leaders Shamrock Rovers with one game extra to play.  

Looking to maintain their unbeaten home run since the summer break, Rovers boss John Russell stuck with the same eleven that drew with Shamrock Rovers seven nights previous. Midfielder Ronan Manning recovered from injury in time to make the bench. 

On return to the scene of where their 2023 title challenge came to an end, City boss Tiernan Lynch made one change from his side’s trouncing of Waterford last week. Full back Shane Ferguson came in for Kevin Holt, who is understood to be close to a move away, as Derry looked to extend their winning run to five. New signing Dipo Ankinyemi’s international clearance didn’t arrive in time for the former York City striker to take part.

The Brandywell side have had the better of the recent meetings between these two sides with eight points taken from the previous five meetings, while Sligo only managed just the one win over City in that same period.

In the sizzling Sligo heat, it was the hosts who were the more impressive from the off. 

Loanee Ryan O’Kane fired over from 25 yards eleven minutes in, while Rovers should have taken the lead six minutes later, but centre half Ollie Denham nodded Elding’s cross from the left past Brian Maher’s post from two yard out. 

Sligo did make the most of their next visit to the well as Derry switched off at a 19th minute corner. Jake Doyle-Hayes’ set piece landing on the foot of Derryman McClean who unmarked, finished past Maher for his first goal since his return to the Showgrounds last month. 

Elding kept his side ahead on 23 minutes when the young attacker swept Hayden McCann’s header from Michael Duffy’s corner off his own line moments before the water break.  

The visitors again went close eleven minutes from the break as Derry looked like they might wrestle control of this contest back in their favour. Carl Winchester’s header towards the back post bounced in front of goal before trickling beyond Sam Sargeant’s goal.

Rovers managed two first half goals last week against the Hoops and did it again here courtesy of another defensive mishap when Maher spilled Ryan O’Kane’s cross at the foot of Waweru who was left with a simple finish into an open net. 

Sligo called on goalkeeper Sam Sargeant early in the second period. The club’s player of the month for June, Sargeant met Duffy’s low drive with a strong left fist after the in-form Duffy’s run brought him all the way into the opposing penalty area, having robbed Denham on the half way line.

Lynch’s men went at Rovers in waves but robust defending from a young Rovers outfit kept last year’s FAI cup finalists at arm’s lenght. 

Denham again went close with a headed effort from another Elding assist on 64 minutes while Elding himself pulled a simple save from Maher 90 seconds later.  

Derry had introduced some of the league’s best attacking talents with the likes of Adam O’Reilly, Danny Mullen and Robbie Benson sent on throughout the second half. But a Mullen effort on the turn which Sargeant tipped over, was the closest they came to a consolation. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 90), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus, Jake Doyle-Hayes; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 76); Wilson Waweru (Francely Lomboto 61). 

Derry City: Brian Maher; Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce (Sean Patton 84), Shane Ferguson (Danny Mullen 61); Sadou Diallo (Robbie Benson 72), Carl Winchester; Gavin Whyte (Adam O’Reilly HT), Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (Alex Bannon 61). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy. 

Attendance: 2,877