John Russell is urging his players to build on Friday’s dominative win over Waterford as the Bit O’Red face into crunch clashes with both Derry City and Cork City in the coming days. 

Rovers put in a superb showing despite inclement conditions at the RSC as goals from Gareth McElroy, Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto saw Rovers pick up a first win in six to lift themselves above the Rebels who now occupy bottom spot by virtue of Rovers’ better goal difference. 

Speaking to LOITV after the four goal victory, a proud Russell spoke of his pride in a real clinical performance from the visitors who kept a clean sheet for the first time this year. 

“We managed the game and did really well to get an early goal”, he said. 

“It was an outstanding move, real high energy and high pressing. We looked a threat all night and managed the conditions really well. It was touch and go whether the game would go ahead but we dealt with the surface really well. 

“They had a man sent off, which changed things for them but overall, we’re delighted with a clean sheet. To score four goals away from home in front of travelling support on the back of what’s been a tough few weeks for them and us is great. I keep saying it, we’ve great belief in this group. They keep working hard and a lot of our performances have been good. It’s just been about turning those performances into three points and we were able to do that tonight.” 

Rovers were irresistible in the middle, bossing the centre of the pitch and that didn’t go unnoticed by Russell who heaped deserved praise on his engine room generals. While he also acknowledged the influence and input of his centre halves and goalkeeper. 

“We have been playing well this year but we were guilty of giving away goals and making silly errors, but we didn’t do that tonight. Jake Doyle-Hayes, we missed him and it was great to have him come back into the team. I thought him and Ronan Manning were excellent along with Jad Hakiki. 

“We played on the front foot and we showed what we’re all about. The clean sheet is huge because we haven’t managed to do that yet this season. Sam (Sargeant) was very assured and made the big decisions very well. John Mahon and Gareth McElroy defended well and had to because everyone knows the quality that Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan have. It was a tough night for Waterford, but we still had to perform and play to our strengths which we did.

“We need to build on this now, we know there’s more in this group and we need to push on against Derry.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers moved off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a sublime four goal trouncing of Waterford at the RSC on Friday.

On a night of a few firsts, the Bit O’Red pocketed a maiden first clean sheet of the season courtesy of an assured defensive performance.

While a first senior goal for centre half Gareth McElroy was complimented by strikes from Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto as the visitors ruthlessly sentenced Waterford to their sixth league defeat on the trot. 

The hosts finished this game with ten men after Kyle White was sent off on the hour having committed a second bookable offence. 

Rovers made three changes from the defeat to Galway, with goalkeeper Sam Sargeant replacing Conor Walsh in nets. While attacker Cian Kavanagh and the influential Jake Doyle-Hayes returned following respective bans, both putting in impressive shifts.

John Russell’s side took charge of this game straight away. Teen defender McElroy stood his ground to get a head on Will Fitzgerald’s corner in the seventh minute, as the Donegal man nodded past Stephen McMullan for the first senior goal of his fledgling career. 

Sligo have been the victim of quick-fire goals a few times this term but were able to turn the tables on the Blues here and had their second within three minutes. 

The composed Doyle-Hayes tidied up the loose ball before Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson combined to tee up Elding who rose highest at the back stick to head his fifth of the year past a stunned McMullan. 

The pressure coming from the away side was incessant as Sligo purred in the south east rain. Jad Hakiki kept McMullan busy, forcing two stops from the young net minder as Keith Long’s side were carved open again and again. 

Elding, now the division’s joint-top scorer, sent a drive from the angle which had McMullan at full stretch on 33 minutes as a clinical Rovers sought to put this game to bed even before the break.

Waterford lost White on the hour after a challenge on Hutchinson produced a second yellow from referee Aaron O’Dowd. 

Things got worse for the Munster men on 62 when McMullan spilled a Fitzgerald corner as he looked to pick the ball from the sky. A scrap for possession ensued but Sligo were the winners of this duel as the ball landed at Kavanagh’s foot. The striker smashed home his third of the season against his old club from close range. 

Hakiki again caused concern in the Waterford ranks and tested McMullan once more with ten to go. The roaming Dubliner seeking out the space before sending a low shot into the arms of the young goalkeeper. 

Three became four with two of the 90 minutes left. Substitutes Connor Malley and Francely Lomboto got in on the act when the former found the latter with a simple through ball. Lomboto firing past McMullan, completing the rout with his second goal in three outings. 
Rovers are away from the Showgrounds again this Tuesday as we face Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Waterford: Stephen McMullan, Navajo Bakboord (Andy Boyle, 46), Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Kyle White, James Olayinka (Ben McCormack, 71), Grant Horton, Trae Coyle (Sam Glenfield, 75), Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan (Dean McMenamy, 68), Padraig Amond (Maarten Pouwels, 71).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton, 70), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe, 82), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Connor Malley, 70), Jad Hakiki (Francely Lomboto, 81), Owen Elding, Reece Hutchinson, Cian Kavanagh (Stephen Mallon, 70).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

David Goulden

Despite a battling second half showing, Sligo Rovers were unable to come from two goals down as Galway United took the spoils in Saturday’s Connacht derby.

Cian Byrne struck twice, a goal in each half before Owen Elding netted his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot with just under 20 minutes to go.

Unfortunately, Rovers were unable to find an equaliser despite throwing everything at it late on. 

Rovers boss John Russell made three changes from the defeat to Bohs with John Mahon and Jad Hakiki returning. While Conor Reynolds made his first start of the season.

A well-organised United went ahead after 21. Their typically direct style of play paid off somewhat as Killian Brouder’s long throw into Conor Walsh’s penalty area was only cleared as far as Byrne who lashed home, first time.

The visitors doubled their lead with a well hit set piece from the same player.

Elding went close from seven yards out before he smashed the crossbar with a vicious volley as Rovers worked our way back into this one.

Perseverance was rewarded on 72 minutes when Ronan Manning was hacked to the ground inside the area. Elding had little trouble slotting the ball beyond Evan Watts. 

Despite hard work, Rovers failed to produce a leveller and now move on to Friday’s visit to the RSC to face Waterford. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Conor Reynolds (Oskar Van Hattum 54), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley (Francely Lomboto 86), Matty Wolfe (Stephen Mallon 54); Will Fitzgerald, Ronan Manning, Jad Hakiki; Owen Elding. 

Galway United: Evan Watts; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Greg Cunningham; Jeannot Esua, Rob Burns (Stephen Walsh 72); Vincent Borden, Cian Byrne, David Hurley (Sean Kerrigan 80); Jimmy Keohane; Patrick Hickey. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin. 

Attendance: 2,786.

An injury and suspension hit Sligo Rovers came away from Dalymount Park with nothing despite coming from two early goals down to level this game at the break. 

Strikes from Colm Whelan and Ross Tierney had Bohs ahead with just five minutes elapsed, but a gallant Rovers fought back to deservedly level this Premier Division courtesy of Francely Lomboto’s first goal for the club on 24 minutes before Owen Elding registered his third of the year five minutes later. 

Already without eight players, the Bit O’Red were hit further with an injury to Ollie Denham early on, while both Harvey Lintott and Ryan Manning had to be withdrawn due to knocks in the second period. 

This took its toll on a hard working Sligo who found themselves going behind again on 74 minutes when Tierney hit his second, while Dawson Devoy secured the points for the hosts in the sixth minute of added time. 

John Russell’s charges found the going tough in the opening minutes. A third minute set piece from Conor Walsh’s right side was initially repelled at his front post, but the Mayo man and his defence could do little to stop Whelan who finished into an open goal from the rebound. 

Worryingly, Bohs doubled the lead on five. Devoy the supplier as Tierney provided a classy finish into the opposite corner of Walsh’s net. 

Hit by the loss of Jad Hakiki, John Mahon, Cian Kavanagh and Jake Doyle-Hayes due to suspensions and Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon through injury, Rovers didn’t dwell on the negatives and roared back into this game on 24. On his first start, Ronan Manning teed up former Galway teammate Lomboto with a well weighted through ball. The striker keeping calm to slot the ball under Bohs goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka to halve the deficit. 

Buoyed by this, it was all Rovers for the rest of the half despite the loss of Denham. Manning and Elding both had Chorazka concerned before the former got himself another assist as Rovers had their second.

A beautifully struck volleyed past from inside his own half, Manning set the ball into the path of Elding who guided the ball around Chorazka before finishing into the gaping net.

Walsh pulled off a stunning reaction save to deny Whelan a brace early in the second period while the same man got down to deny Tierney again in the lead up to the hour mark.  

The pressure and loss of further men due to injury, finally told when Tierney’s smart touch inside the Rovers area provided him with the space to rifle a shot into the corner of Walsh’s net. While a tired mis-touch from Gareth McElroy allowed Devoy the time to negotiate a well hit chip over the stranded Walsh.

Rovers are back at home on Saturday, April 12th with the visit of Galway United for a much anticipated Connacht derby. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; John Mountney, Alex Lacey (Liam Kavanagh 37), Sean Grehan (Liam Smith, 90), Jordan Flores (Lys Mousset 58); Niall Morahan, James McManus; Dayle Rooney, Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney (Keith Buckley 90); Collie Whelan (James Clarke 90).

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar van Hattum (Harvey Lintott h-t; Daire Patton 51), Ollie Denham (Conor Reynolds 20), Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Mattie Wolfe, Connor Malley; Ronan Manning (Kyle McDonagh 67), Owen Elding, Will Fitzgerald; Francely Lomboto.

Referee: David Dunne (Dublin).

Attendance: 4,289.

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Despite a commanding second half performance, ten-man Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in three at the Showgrounds by league champions Shelbourne.

Two goals from the visitors in the opening twelve minutes had Shels ahead following an apprehensive start from Rovers. But a strike late in the opening half from Reece Hutchinson gave the Bit O’Red hope going into the second period.

John Russell’s charges were well on top in this second half and even after Cian Kavanagh was shown a somewhat contentious red card on 72 minutes, Rovers continued to cause Damien Duff’s charges plenty of issues. 

Even with ten, Rovers continued to press their opponents and almost equalised in injury time through a late Harvey Lintott header which looped wide of Conor Kearns’ goal. 

Searching out that first victory in five, the visitors made the same number of changes to the starting eleven which were held by Cork before the international break. Even without regular starters like Paddy Barret, Sean Boyd and Sean Gannon, Shels were still able to name a strong side. Mark Coyle, John Martin, Mipo Odubeko, Lewis Temple and Evan Caffrey all made their way back into Damien Duff’s plans. 

Sligo welcomed back Matty Wolfe and Owen Elding, both of whom missed the recent narrow defeat to Derry. 

It took just three minutes for the champions to take the lead when Martin profited from an under hit back pass from Oskar Van Hattum. The former Dundalk striker rounded Conor Walsh before finishing into an empty net. 

The hosts fell further behind on twelve minutes. Easily moving the ball from right to left, possession eventually fell to Shels’ Martin who turned provider, teeing up Kerr McInroy who lashed the ball beyond Walsh courtesy of a cultured first time finish. 

Facing the deficit, Sligo did steadily find a footing in this one.

Connor Malley struck Kearns’ post with a long-range effort on 27, while man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki along with Owen Edling both went close before Hutchinson provided reward for effort when he fired home from inside the area in added time at the end of the half. 

Rovers’ intention looked far more meaningful in the opening moments of the second period with Shels forced to soak up Sligo pressure. But Kearns’ goal was well protected as the Drumcondra side had to scramble to clear the danger on several occasions as Rovers battled to find their second goal. 

Malley screwed wide, an effort off the outside of his boot shortly after the hour mark as the hosts looked to be coming closer to breaking the Shelbourne resolve.  

The wind was temporarily taken from Sligo sails on 72 when Kavanagh was shown red after he caught Coyle on the follow-through immediately after he sent a shot goalwards, much to the dismay of the home support. 

Shels almost capitalised instantly on the numerical advantage only for Rovers net minder Walsh, who kept his side in the reckoning courtesy of a full-stretch save to deny substitute John O’Sullivan. While fellow change Boyd tested the Mayo man with a pot-shot on the turn which Walsh was equal to minutes later.  

Rovers almost found what would have been a well-earned late equaliser from the most unlikely of sources in injury time. Having ventured forward for a corner, a cleared ball fell to goalkeeper Walsh whose cross was met by Lintott. The full back’s header sailed across the face of Kearns’ goal. 

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Phibsboro to face Bohemians on Friday, April 4th, kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar Van Hattum (Harvey Lintott 61), John Mahon, Ollie Denham (Gareth McElroy HT), Reece Hutchinson (Francely Lomboto 81); Connor Malley, Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning HT); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Evan Caffrey, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Kerr McInroy, Mark Coyle; JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 64); Ali Coote (Ellis Chapman 53), John Martin (Sean Boyd 78), Mipo Odubeko (Harry Wood 64).

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,857.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Michael Duffy scored the only goal of the game as Derry City beat Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds for the first time since 2021.

The game’s deciding goal didn’t come without controversy however as the referee’s assistant had initially ruled the goal out for offside before changing his mind.

The results sees Rovers two points adrift heading into the international break. 

Manager John Russell made two changes from the draw in Cork. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Oskar Van Hattum replacing Matty Wolfe and the injured Owen Elding respectively.

Despite an aggressive start from Rovers, it was the visitors who led this game at the break courtesy of match-winner Duffy. 

The multiple league and cup winner was involved eleven minutes in when he crossed for Liam Boyce who nodded wide. City then had to rely on a clearance from Sam Todd, their only change from their draw with Galway. The former Finn Harps man swept away the danger after Jad Hakiki had lobbed the ball over the oncoming Brian Maher after Reece Hutchinson’s ball had opened up the City rearguard. 

Tiernan Lynch’s men opened the lead on 20 minutes when Sligo’s Oskar Van Hattum conceded a set-piece to Duffy for what may have been interpreted as fair challenge. 

The ex-Dundalk winger’s right-footed free-kick from the left drifted into the opposite corner, untouched. Referee’s assistant Darragh Keenan had initially lifted his flag to rule out the goal, before quickly changing his decision.

Without a win at the Showgrounds since 2021, a record which stretches back to the early days of Ruaidhri Higgins’ reign, City then lost midfielder Sadou Diallo to an arm injury nine minutes from the break, after Duffy’s corner had sliced Conor Walsh’s crossbar.   

Sligo’s main threat came from Hakiki who fired well over on 69 minutes as the sides struggled to create much in a second period without many talking points until the dying moments. 

Substitute Stephen Mallon might have done better with his opportunity on 88 but could only fire straight at Maher who had closed the angle. While the Derry stopper easily dealt with John Mahon’s headed effort from a Hutchinson cross on the stroke of full-time.

Jake Doyle-Hayes was then shown a red card after the final whistle.  

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Stephen Mallon HT), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Ronan Manning 78), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Oskar Van Hattum, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald (Francely Lomboto 78); Cian Kavanagh.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Mark Connolly, Hayden Cann, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Ciaron Harkin 36), Adam O’Reilly; Dom Thomas (Shane Ferguson HT), Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (Danny Mullen 69). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy.  

Attendance: 3,712. 

Owen Elding scored Sligo Rovers’ only goal of the game as the Bit O’Red took a point from Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

Elding netted his second strike of the season on 25 minutes when he expertly nodded Harvey Lintott’s pin-point cross across the front of the City keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Leading at the break, Rovers then had to rely on a string of superb stops from goalkeeper Conor Walsh in the second period and found themselves playing the last twenty minutes of this tie with ten men, after substitute Conor Reynolds was shown a straight red for a late challenge on Malik Dijksteel.

Cork had leveled the game six minutes previous courtesy of Kitt Neslon.

Fresh from a convincing win over Shamrock Rovers the Monday previous, Rovers began this game the brighter.

Conor Malley wasn’t too far away with an early header from a Will Fitzgerald set piece before Elding headed Rovers into the lead. 

Cork had half an opportunity through Charlie Lyons who fired well over from an improvised overhead kick, while the ball was in the Sligo net moments later. The goal was ruled out however, after a City player had fouled Walsh on the Mayo man’s goal-line. 

Walsh produced the goods early in the second period, going full stretch to keep out another Lyons effort, this time with the head. While the pressure eventually told on 62 when Nelson’s seemingly innocuous looking effort took a wicked deflection off John Mahon as the ball fumbled past the helpless Walsh. 

Reynolds was dismissed when he crashed into Dijksteel one minute after he was introduced from the bench.

The incident rallied the Rebels, but player-of-the-match Walsh denied Milan Mbeng, Alex Nolan and sub Josh Fitzpatrick with a trio of absolutely stunning saves in added time.

Next to come for Rovers is the visit of Derry City to the Showgrounds this coming Saturday, kick off 7.45pm. 

Cork City: Tein Troost; Darragh Crowley, Milan Mbeng, Charlie Lyons, Benny Couto; Rio Shipston, Seán Murray; Alex Nolan, Kitt Nelson (Harvey Skieters 80), Malik Dijksteel (Josh Fitzpatrick 71); Ruairí Keating.

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Conor Reynolds 67), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning 67), Connor Malley; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki (Stephen Mallon 78), Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 46) (Gareth McElroy 90+1).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers picked up our first points of the season with a superb win over Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds. Reece Hutchinson had given Rovers the lead in the first half before substitute Graham Burke found an equaliser for the Dubliners on 68 minutes. 

A disciplined and determined Sligo weathered a short Hoops storm and a skipper’s goal from John Mahon, his third for the club, won this game with twelve minutes to go. The victory lifted Rovers off the foot of the table ahead of a crucial league fixture with Cork City this Friday. 

Chasing their first points of the season, Rovers made two changes from the team who were narrowly beaten in Inchicore last Friday. Conor Walsh was handed his first start for the club since the final day of the 2023 season, while winger Owen Elding returned to start in place of Matty Wolfe who didn’t make the match day squad.

The Hoops arrived in Sligo without a win at the Church Hill Road venue in two years, with three changes following a draw with Shels at Tolka last Friday. Aaron Greene, Cory O’Sullivan and Gary O’Neill back in while goalkeeper Ed McGinty returned to the ground he made his name on, starting between the sticks for the visitors. New signing Sean Robertson made the bench.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the opening half. It took 46 minutes for the Dubliners to test Walsh, the Westport man holding a flashed Roberto Lopes header from a corner in added time at the end of the opening half.

The Connacht men missed penalties in two of their opening three outings and had a shout for another spot-kick turned down on 29 minutes. Lopes looked as if he had pulled back Will Fitzgerald inside the area, but referee Rob Harvey saw otherwise, instead electing to award a free-kick from which Jake Doyle-Hayes landed the ball on the roof of McGinty’s net.

Cian Kavanagh struck twice against the Saints last Friday and the Showgrounds was on its feet on 32 minutes when he nodded a Hutchinson cross beyond McGinty only for the referee’s assistant to raise the flag for offside.

Sligo arrived again six minutes later for the opener. Gareth McElory nodded Fitzgerald’s set piece across goal towards Elding and although McGinty managed to scramble away the attacker’s initial effort, he was unable to stop Hutchinson’s follow up as the full back hammered an effort past his former team-mate for his first goal for the club since netting at the Brandywell last May. 

The away side’s frustration continued up until the 68th minute when Burke levelled the tie shortly after he came on. The former Aston Villa youth’s influence was instant as he picked out the far corner of Walsh’s net from a tight angle just 60 seconds after coming on. 

Stephen Bradley then sprung both Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney from the sidelines as Watts’ fizzed drive had Walsh at full stretch as he shot narrowly wide. 

But Sligo were steadfast and went ahead again with twelve to go. Skipper Mahon forced the ball past McGinty after Hutchinson had laid possession back across the goalmouth from another Fitzgerald set-piece to the delight of the majority of the four thousand in attendance. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Oskar Van Hattum 60), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Ryan Manning 77), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki (Ollie Denham 89), Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 77). 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary, Cory O’Sullivan (Aaron McEneff 72); Josh Honohan, Danny Grant (Rory Gaffney 72); Matt Healy, Gary O’Neill (Graham Burke 66); Dylan Watts, Michael Noonan; Aaron Greene (Victor Ozhianvuna 60). 

Referee: Rob Harvey. 

Attendance: 4.023

Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in seven at Richmond Park as St Patrick’s Athletic pipped the Bit O’Red to the three points following an intense battle in Inchicore on Friday night.

An exciting encounter didn’t just feature seven goals, but also a missed penalty and a red card for Saints midfielder Barry Baggley late on.

Rovers soaked up plenty of pressure early on but finally caved nine minutes from the break when Zak Elbouzedi fired the home side into the lead. Former Rovers striker Aidan Keena had Pat’s second 60 seconds later but Rovers fought back to half the deficit before the interval. 

Will Fitzgerald supplied the first of his three assists for the evening when his cross was turned into his own net by a disoriented Baggley. 

Stephen Kenny’s side looked like they might boss the remainder of the tie when sub Chris Forrester bashed one past Sam Sargeant on 52 minutes to make it 3-1. But again, a defiant Rovers battled back into contention. 

Cian Kavanagh saw his spot kick saved by Joseph Anang on 56 after the same player was grounded inside the Pat’s penalty area. Kavanagh however returned with intent ten minutes later to nod another Fitzgerald assist, this time from a floated set-piece towards the back post, beyond Anang who couldn’t react in time. This was Kavanagh’s first goal for the club.

On a night for strikers to score against their former clubs, Kavanagh repeated the trick on 78. The once Saint stretched to meet Fitzgerald’s cross following a typical determined run from the Limerick wide man.

Rovers were to leave Dublin with nothing however as Keena struck at the far end 60 seconds later. 

Next up for Rovers is our league clash with Shamrock Rovers, this Monday at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Ryan McLaughlin (Axel Sjoberg 16), Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Anto Breslin: Romal Palmer (Chris Forrester, 27), Barry Baggley; Zach Elbouzedi, Brandon Kavanagh (Mason Melia 70), Jake Mulraney (Jay McClelland 70); Aidan Keena

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Oskar Van Hattum 81), Gareth McElroy, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Matty Wolfe (Owen Elding 60), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Ryan Manning 81); Jad Hakiki, Connor Malley, Will Fitzgerald, Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 81)

Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin)

David Goulden

Drogheda remains an unhappy hunting ground for Sligo Rovers, after the Bit O’Red extended their winless run at the newly named Lambe and Sullivan Park following a three goal defeat on Friday night.

Goals from United’s Josh Thomas, Darragh Markey and Luke Heeney means Rovers haven’t won at the County Louth venue since 2022. 

Manager John Russell gave first starts to two recent arrivals. Midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes and full back Harvey Lintott both in the starting eleven for the first time, his only changes from the opening night against Waterford. While Ronan Manning made his first team debut as a second half substitute.

Drogs had the lead three minutes from the interval. Shane Farrell assisting Welsh striker Thomas for the opener. 

Rovers looked more settled in the early period of the second half but fell further behind on 74 when Markey had United two up. 

Sligo thought they’d halved the lead when Cian Kavanagh finished from the angle, only for the referee’s assistant to rule him offside although replays suggest the decision may have been harsh. 

Heeney finished the evening with a drilled effort past Sam Sargeant late on. 

Rovers’ next game is our Premier Division clash with St Pat’s at Richmond Park on Friday, February 28th. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Owen Lambe, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan (Luke Heeney, 89), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Zishim Bawa (Thomas Oluwa 62), Josh Thomas (Warren Davis, 72).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Oskar Van Hattum, 69), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Jad Hakiki (Ronan Manning, 84), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Francely Lomboto, 69), Conor Malley; Will Fitzgerald, Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh.

Referee: David Dunne