By Conall Collier

The countdown continues for Sligo Rovers to the 2025 League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division, with Bohemian FC set to visit the Showgrounds for the opening game of the season on Saturday, 8th March.

Steve Feeney will return to the sideline in the role of manager after taking
a year out in 2024 following the first two seasons at the helm in 2022 and 2023.

Tommy Hewitt took the reins for 2024, and the former Athlone Town manager
endured a challenging season as the Bit O’Red saw a number of experienced players depart.

However, that gave a number of players who came through the Sligo Rovers Academy an opportunity to gain regular first-team experience, none more so than Keeva Flynn, who scooped the club’s young player of the year award for 2024 and was also recognised with an FAI accolade.

Another player, Lauren Devaney, was the club’s under-19 player of the year, and along with Alice Lillie, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre, and Jessica Casey, they will all be eager to make an impact in 2025.

Looking forward to resuming his place in the dugout, where he will have Enda Scanlon as assistant manager, Steve Feeney said that he was pleased with preparations so far.

“We have had three friendlies against Treaty Utd, Athlone Town, and Bohemians, and a good run out last week against an Academy selection,” he
commented.

“The friendlies gave us a chance to give everyone some game time, and that was important, as was the opportunity for some of the younger players.

“We have made good progress on finalising a squad for the new season, and we have a few new players and some returning players.

“We will have another game this weekend, then we will start to concentrate on
preparations for the opening game against Bohemians.

“Hopefully, the supporters will turn up in big numbers for the first game on
Saturday week, and that will help us to make home advantage count before the trip to Cork the following week,” he added.

This Friday sees the Bit O’Red on the road for the first time this season as Sligo Rovers travel to Sullivan and Lambe Park to take on Drogheda United, kick-off 7.45pm.

Following a narrow defeat to Waterford on the opening night last weekend, Rovers will look to kick-start our Premier Division season at a venue which John Russell’s side haven’t won since 2022. 

Drogheda for their part, began 2025 with defeat to Shels in the President’s Cup. They recovered from that loss to pick up a valuable point against title-chasing St Pat’s in Inchicore on the first night of the league calendar. 

In team news, Rovers will be again without Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon. Otherwise, Russell has a full squad to choose from. 

Russell was unhappy with Rovers’ first half showing against Waterford at the Showgrounds on Saturday. But was hugely enthused by a second half performance in which the home side were extremely unlucky not to take at least a point. The Rovers boss believes his side showed more than enough to suggest things are heading in the right direction.

“We asked for a reaction at half-time and we certainly got it. We started with great speed in the second half and deservedly got the goal back through Owen Elding. I think if we score that penalty then we go on and win that game. 

“But it shows how tight this league is and how games are decided in those pivotal moments. Waterford go up the other end then and scored what ended up being the winner. But the momentum stayed with us and we kept creating, so we are really encouraged by that despite not taking anything from the game.

“The energy was there in abundance and we kept knocking on the door, so we’ve plenty to look forward to.”

Looking ahead to the Drogs game, Russell envisages another tight affair. 

“They’re at home for the first time since they won the cup and they’ve already sold out their gate and that’s great to see”, he says.

“They’ll be full of life and backed by a big and loud crowd coming off the back of an impressive draw with Pat’s. It’s a tough ground to go to. Our record could be better up there recently and we’re looking to change that. It’s a tight ground, compact and everyone’s on top of each other so it’s important not to get overwhelmed and enjoy what you’re doing. 

“But we back ourselves against anybody and we know we have to be at it from the first touch. We know what we can do and what we need to do to come away with a good result. We’ll certainly be going there looking for the win.” 

Now in his fourth year at the Showgrounds, Rovers’ recently appointed vice-captain Will Fitzgerald is full of optimism going into the trip to Louth. Always a determined performer, Fitzgerald was one of Rovers’ outstanding players against Waterford last week.

“We were disappointed to not come away with at least a point”, he reflects.  

“The nature of the goals we conceded was hugely frustrating for us. But there was enough from us to show that we’re on the right track here. There’s quality in this group and it shows when you look at the amount of chances we created. 

“We know what we are capable of and we’ll be giving it absolutely everything to try and pick up three points up there.

“We know what Drogheda will bring. They’ll be hungry, energetic, well drilled and organised. They are one of those teams that play to these strengths and get some deserving results because of it. 

“It’s up to us now to match all that. We need to play to our own maximum capabilities and it’s hugely important that we put in a 90 minute performance.”

The Limerick native appeared for the 100th time for Sligo towards the end of last season having signed three years ago. One of the first names on the team-sheet, the 25-year-old is thriving as one of the more experienced members of the first-team squad and was selected as vice-skipper in pre-season.  

“It’s an honour and privilege to have that role”, he continues. 

“I took on a bigger role in terms of responsibility last season and it’s something I am really enjoying doing. I’ve played in this league for a few years and this is my fourth year under John and his guidance. If I can use my experience gained through those few years and set an example to help get the team to where we want to get to, that’s something I’ll be very proud of.” 

David Goulden 

Competitive football returns to the Showgrounds this Saturday night as Sligo Rovers host Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Premier Division action resumes on Church Hill Road for the 20th consecutive season as John Russell’s Bit O’Red take on Keith Long’s Blues.

A number of new Rovers signings are in line for debuts including goalkeeper Sam Sargeant, defender Harvey Lintott and midfielders Ronan Manning, Matty Wolfe, Jad Hakiki and Oskar Van Hattum. While Jake Doyle-Hayes’ international transfer clearance has arrived in time for the club’s latest addition to feature on Saturday night. 

Strikers Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto are also hoping for a first competitive appearance for Rovers. 

In team news, Rovers will be without forward Wilson Waweru who isn’t expected to return until summer time as he continues his rehab following a serious achilles injury picked up last season. Winger Stephen Mallon also misses out. 

This will be manager John Russell’s third opening night in charge of Rovers. 2023 saw his side pick up a valuable point at home to then reigning and eventual league winners Shamrock Rovers. While last season, a 94th minute equaliser denied Sligo all the points away to Bohs. 

Excited to get the season underway, Russell is also hoping for a positive start to the new campaign. Last year saw Rovers perform well beyond the expectations of many, competing for a European spot right up until the final weeks. 

“Like last season, it’s going to be tough. 2024 was extremely competitive but this year I can see it being more-so. So it’s important we get off to a good start”, he says. 

“We’re maybe going into the unknown a little with Waterford given that they’ve made so many signings. 

“They possibly feel the same way about us. But we have them as well researched as we can and we are well prepared. After being on the road for our first game last year, it’s a big boost for us to be able to play in front of our own fans and on familiar turf on Saturday. 

“There’s a real buzz around the area for the opening game and I really hope we get a big crowd in to match that expectation and appetite. 

“We’re happy with the changes we have made both on and off the pitch in pre-season. There is a nice mix of youth and experience here. There’s plenty of competition for places which is vital as it was something we identified last season that needed to change. Players maybe knew they’d play every week regardless, but now we can mix it up.” 

Saturday will also mark John Mahon’s first game as club captain. Having grown up just a few short miles from the Showgrounds, this will be the Collooney native’s tenth season at the club having joined in 2015 from local side Ballisodare United. 

Mahon was a stand-out throughout his time in the AbbVie academy before making his first team debut in an EA Sports Cup win at Finn Harps in 2017. 

Establishing himself as one of the top centre halves in the country, Mahon’s form earned him a move to Scotland in early 2022 with the now 25-year-old returning to Rovers ahead of the 2023 season. 

2024 was a frustrating year for the former Coola Post Primary student as he missed the majority of the year with an achilles injury he picked up in pre-season. Long months of rehab resulted in John’s return on the final away day of the season in Galway. 

“It will be a hugely proud day not just for me as a supporter of the club but also for my family as we’re all Rovers fans”, Mahon says. 

“Since I was a boy, I’ve been coming here (Showgrounds) and now being captain of the club means everything to me. It’ll be a special day for me, but we’ll be hoping to make it even more special with a good result.

“The atmosphere within the squad has been great all pre-season and we’re looking forward to getting going. There’s a real feeling of excitement around the Showgrounds heading into the game.

“Waterford are obviously a really good side but we’ve studied them well and we’ll be going into Saturday looking to beat them.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers have been handed a timely boost on the eve of the 2025 season with the news that Owen Elding has signed a new deal with the club. The attacker, who turns 19 in March, has agreed to extend his current deal to the end of the 2027 season.

A product of the Bit O’Red’s AbbVie academy, Elding followed in the footsteps of his father and FAI Cup winner Anthony when he signed his first professional deal with the club before the start of last season. Having played 29 times in two seasons for the first team, Owen’s journey at Rovers goes back to his childhood when he joined the club’s under 13 side when he was twelve. He has gone on to progress and impress in each of the following years and regularly finished as top scorer at the end of the year. 

Elding’s contract extension further rubber-stamps Rovers’ commitment to bringing our own young talent all the way through the academy to first team level.  

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Elding, who can also operate out wide or as a striker, spoke of his own personal pride having risen through the ranks to become a familiar face to the Showgrounds faithful.   “Signing my first pro deal last year was a proud moment but to add two years on to it is just very special”, he beams. 

“It’s nice to feel that the manager and club has the trust in me to offer me two more years. 

“Last year was a huge progression in my career. In 2023, I got a few minutes from the bench just to get used to first team football but last season, John Russell gave me a lot more minutes. I think both John and Ryan Casey have improved me as a player so much by working with them. I think when a young lad like myself signs on a two year deal, it shows what the club is trying to do in terms of bringing players through and trusting the youth in being good enough to progress. It’s becoming more and more the way here and it’s great to see. 

“Starting at Rovers when I was twelve and working my way through to the first team is something that makes me very proud. It’s a special feeling to be training day in, day out with the likes of Kyle McDonagh and Daire Patton who have come through the system with me and signed professional deals also. It shows Sligo Rovers is trying to produce its own and huge credit has to go to the coaches and Conor O’Grady as head of the academy.”

Elding has been in flying form throughout the 2025 pre-season campaign, scoring five times in six games. He is yet to mark a first senior goal off his card, but Owen knows that duck isn’t far off being broken.  

“I feel like a new player”, he continues. “I’m playing with a lot of confidence. I know I’m still chasing that competitive goal but I feel I’m in a great shape to do so now. I’ve managed five goals in pre-season so I’m hoping I’ll start strong in 2025 and be in the manager’s plans to start games.

 “I want to open my account as quickly as I can because once I do that, I feel my game can go to the next level.” 

As for 2025. Elding wants his team to look as high as possible ahead of this weekend’s Premier Division kick-off. 

“As a team we know we’re good enough to be challenging up towards the top of the table. The fans are desperate to see us back in Europe and we’re desperate to give them that. We’ve all come back in top shape and we’re buzzing now for Waterford on Saturday.” 

Speaking following the agreement between player and club, Rovers boss Russell says 2025 can be a big year for Riverstown native Elding.

Russell said: “Owen has progressed really well over the last 12 months and we’re delighted to reward him with a new deal. Along with the likes of Conor Walsh, Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, Conor Reynolds and Gareth McElroy, he is another product of our academy. Owen being signed up to a long term deal having progressed through our youth ranks shows that this club is serious about sustainability and bringing through our own. Huge credit must go to his coaches at all levels. 

“We feel Owen has more than enough potential to make a big impact in the coming season. He has all the attributes you want to see in a forward. He has pace, power, intelligent movement and a real eye for goal.” 

“We’re very excited to see how he develops over the coming years.” 

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers is pleased to announce that the 2025 Super Reds Open Day will take place on Sunday, 9 February, at The Showgrounds.

Schedule for the day:

• Registration: From 1pm in the clubhouse
• Activities: 2pm – 3pm on the Astro pitch
• Autograph session: 3pm – 3:30pm with first-team players and John Russell

All attendees are asked to enter via the Astroturf car park.

This event is exclusive to 2025 Super Red members. However, there is still time to join by purchasing a Super Red Season Ticket through the link below:

🔗 https://www.sligorovers.com/season-tickets/

Super Reds will receive their 2025 Season Ticket and training top on the day, provided their application is submitted before 7 February. New members are encouraged to sign up and take part in this exciting event.

As part of the day’s activities, Super Reds will have the chance to meet first-team players, take part in football activities, and enjoy a memorable experience at The Showgrounds.

A parent or guardian must accompany each child on the day.

The club shop will be open from 1:30pm for those wishing to purchase official merchandise.

For those interested in joining the Super Reds for 2025, applications are still open via the link below:

🔗 https://www.sligorovers.com/season-tickets/

Sligo Rovers are pleased to confirm that academy player Aidan Gabbidon has signed for Swedish top-flight side Malmö FF. The transfer has taken place with immediate effect, with the club receiving training compensation for the player.

The 16-year-old centre-half joined Rovers’ AbbVie Academy in 2023, having previously played schoolboy football with Sligo/Leitrim side Valley Rovers. A Geevagh native, Aidan has been a standout performer for both club and country, representing the Republic of Ireland at Under-15 and Under-16 levels. He was also part of the Rovers U14 team that won the Galway Cup two years ago.

Aidan’s brother, Kyle, is also a member of the academy. A talented goalkeeper, Kyle has been capped at international level and gained first-team experience over the past 12 months.

Head of Academy Conor O’Grady expressed his mixed emotions about Aidan’s departure from The Showgrounds. While disappointed to lose the promising defender, he was encouraged by the move, which he said highlights the dedication and hard work of both the player and the academy’s coaches and staff.

O’Grady also thanked Aidan’s family, particularly his parents Mark and Karen, for their cooperation and invaluable role in his development.

“We wish Aidan all the best with his move to Malmö,” said O’Grady. “He’s a superb defender with the potential to go as far as he wants in his career. He’s well-grounded, thanks in no small part to his mother and father.

“While it’s disappointing to lose him, this transfer demonstrates the quality of work being done in our academy. The fact that a top European club has scouted and signed one of our players is a testament to the efforts of his coaches throughout his journey—from Valley Rovers to the Rovers academy.

“This move underscores the clear pathway from local underage leagues to our League of Ireland academy and, ultimately, first-team football—whether here at Sligo Rovers or beyond. Aidan’s move proves that hard work never goes unnoticed.”

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that midfielder Matty Wolfe is the latest player to join the club. The 24-year-old has signed a one year deal with the Bit O’Red ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season which gets underway in just over three weeks time.

A native of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Wolfe joined League One side Barnsley when he was ten and made his debut for the Tykes against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship in 2020 before spending time on loan at both Notts County and Danish side Esbjerg. He returned to his parent club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, featuring for Barnsley in the Championship once again and in League One. He won Barnsley’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2022 season.

Wolfe has been training with Rovers since the return to pre-season and having impressed boss John Russell, has today signed a 12 month deal. Matty revealed that words from former League of Ireland players, in particular his old teammate and once Shamrock Rovers player Barry Cotter, played a part in convincing him that the Showgrounds was the place to be for 2025.

“I’ve spoken to a few players about playing here”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“Barry said ‘just go’ and that I’d enjoy it. The football seems to be very under-rated over here and the way the teams play in the League of Ireland should suit my style.

“Training has gone really well so far, so I’m really looking forward to getting started now.

“The gaffer was in touch with me through Zoom and I was really interested in what he had to say. The ideas he had, the way he wants this team to play and the ambition he shows really impressed me. I want to be a part of that.”

Wolfe has already tasted life in football away from his homeland following a successful time in the Danish league with the aforementioned Esbjerg.

He’s now focusing on making his second spell away from home as enjoyable as the first.

“I really enjoyed Denmark, it was something new and a very different culture. I was out of my comfort zone, a little like coming over to Ireland, which is good. But everyone here is so welcoming and you can really feel that Sligo Rovers is one of those clubs that matters a lot to the local community.”

Adept at operating in the centre of the park, Wolfe explains his strengths.

He continues: “I can play anywhere in midfield whether that’s as a holding midfielder, securing the defensive side of things, keeping the ball moving. Or whether that’s playing higher and getting in and around the box. I’m happy to play anywhere really though.

“I want to help the team as much as I can and help us get as high up the table as we can.

“I’m looking forward to myself and the team putting in the performances and the rest takes care of itself.”

A recent knee injury affected Wolfe’s game time over the past few seasons. But speaking about his latest acquisition, Russell says he is confident the player is ready to make a big contribution at Rovers.

“It’s exciting to be able to bring a player of the calibre of Matty to the club”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.

“He’s a player with huge potential and is exactly the type of midfielder we need here.

“He’s aggressive and covers the ground as well as being comfortable in possession. A player like Matty really adds quality to the team.

“He has been unfortunate with injury which stalled his early promise at Barnsley. But he has fully recovered now and we want to get him back playing and enjoying his football again.

“I know from our conversations he is excited by the opportunity here and I’m looking forward to working with him this year.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that John Russell has secured the signature of goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season.

Sargeant joins the Bit O’Red on a one year deal having spent the last 18 months with fellow Premier Division outfit Waterford. 

The much coveted 27-year-old played a starring role in the Blues’ magnificent early season form last year, before his year was cut short with injury. 

Sargeant featured 30 times for Waterford in 2024 having signed up at the RSC mid-way through their 2023 promotion season. This followed spells with Leyton Orient, Wealdstone and Barnet amongst others. 

The net minder arrives at Rovers in time to take part in a full pre-season and is expected to compete with Conor Walsh for the number one shirt. Speaking to sligorovers.com, Sergeant says he’s ready to get to work. 

“I spoke with John (Russell) a few times over the phone and I had little doubt where I wanted to be after that”, he says.

“I was very impressed with his whole approach. We had conversations about how I will contribute to the team. I feel it’s a really good fit and I can’t wait to get working with the staff up here as I feel I can really progress along with the team. 

“There’s a lot of experience already here. The players that the gaffer has signed from last year’s squad have proved already that they are more than good enough for this league. I am looking forward to building relationships with all these players. 

“Sligo, the town and county is football mad and it’s all about Rovers here. It’s a big club and I want to build on what I’ve already achieved in Ireland and help bring some success to Sligo.

“We can go as far as we want next season. If we stick together as a group and give everything we have, we know we can compete with anyone in this country.”

The Londoner’s 2024 season was brought to a halt last July when he fractured a bone in his hand in training. Sargeant is hoping months of rehab, recovery and hard work pay off at the Showgrounds as he returns to play. He is also aiming to make experience count going into 2025.

“The injury came at an unfortunate time really. I was in really good form when it happened and it just happened out of the blue. As much as I hated being out injured, it did give me the chance to work on other aspects of my game in terms of strength and leadership and now I’m fully recovered and feel stronger than ever before.

“I want to be a leader both on and off the pitch and use my experience in as positive a way as I can. It’s become a big part of my game since coming into the league.”

Speaking to sligorovers.com following his latest foray into the transfer market, boss Russell says that he too sees Sargeant as a potential figurehead within his squad heading into the new campaign which gets underway against the Sam’s old club Waterford on February 15th. 

“I’m delighted to bring Sam to the club”, Russell says. 

‘He made a big impact in his time at Waterford during his 18 months there. We feel his attributes are perfect for the way we want to play. 

“Sam is a very driven individual and I know he will be a big influence both on and off the pitch. 

“His quality and experience will be a massive asset to our group. We’re all excited to start working with him.”

David Goulden