By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will seek a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FAI Cup this Saturday as they host Dublin’s Terenure Rangers at the Showgrounds, with kick-off at 3pm.

Terenure Rangers arrive with strong confidence following their 2-1 victory in the Women’s FAI Amateur Cup final last Sunday, where they defeated Whitehall Rangers at the Belfield Bowl. This win secured back-to-back cup triumphs for Terenure, making them the first team to retain the trophy.

Sligo Rovers made a solid start at this stage of the competition last season with a comfortable win over Donegal’s Bonagee Utd at the Showgrounds. Conversely, Terenure’s 5-0 defeat to Cork City in the same round last year at Richmond Park was somewhat misleading, as Cork City scored the final three goals late in the game.

Terenure enters this match in excellent form, having secured victories over Home Farm (4-0), Marks Celtic (11-1), Killester/Donnycarney (4-2), and Douglas Hall (6-2) leading up to their recent cup win.

Terenure manager Caroline Kelly and her team—Paula Hamilton, Robert Fitzgerald, Alan Moore, and Ciara Smith—have carefully reviewed Sligo Rovers’ recent performances against Peamount Utd and Bohemian FC. Despite making five enforced changes in their last match, Sligo Rovers will benefit from the return of key players like Yvonne Hedigan and Keeva Flynn, which could strengthen their defence.

Although Sligo Rovers have struggled with scoring this season, they have consistently created chances. Facing a team from outside the Women’s Premier Division might be the catalyst they need for their first win of the season.

With Terenure Rangers in impressive form and aiming for victory, an exciting and closely contested 90 minutes is expected at the Showgrounds.

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New signings Jack Henry-Francis and Luke Pearce are available for selection as Sligo Rovers take on Cobh Wanderers in Sunday’s Sports Direct FAI Cup second round clash at the Showgrounds, kick-off 6pm.

Rovers will look to progress against the Munster Senior League side on the 30th anniversary year of the club’s second FAI Cup win, back in 1994. 

The Bit O’Red will be without the suspended JR Wilson who serves the second of a three match ban following his red card against Derry City. While John Mahon continues his recovery from a long-term achilles injury. Kailin Barlow will miss out following a knock he picked up in Friday’s friendly draw with Everton in Sligo. 

Stephen Mallon is available despite being sent off during last week’s win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park. He will serve his suspension in an upcoming Premier Division game. 

While Henry-Francis and Pearce will be in the match day squad, after recently agreeing to join on loan from Arsenal and Cardiff City respectively. 

Rovers have experience of coming up against the Cork side in recent FAI Cup history. A brace from Dinny Corcoran along with strikes from David Cawley and Raffaele Cretaro saw Sligo advance to the fourth round at the expense of Cobh at St Colman’s Park, back in 2015. 

Manager John Russell played the first half of that game and having won the cup with Rovers in both 2010 and 2011 as a player, he is aware of how much the tournament means to both the club and its supporters. Russell is also expecting Cobh to come to the Showgrounds looking to cause an upset. 

“There’s always a real excitement when it comes to the cup and the early rounds”, he says.

“I was there for two wins and was lucky to be involved. We all know how much the FAI Cup means to Rovers. We probably haven’t done ourselves much justice in the competition in the last few years but we’re going into this game in a really good place. 

“I would dearly love to bring this club to another cup final and win it but we can’t think about that at the moment. We have to win on Sunday.

“We have prepared in the same way as we would for any game. We know Cobh aren’t coming all the way to Sligo just to play a game of football. They have an experienced manager in Stephen Henderson who will know what it takes to get through and we have to be wary of them.

“We are in good form in the league the last few weeks but this stands for nothing when we kick-off. We know we have a real job on our hands on Sunday and that’s evident by the fact that we rested a lot of the lads for the Everton game.” 

David Goulden

Arsenal midfielder Jack Henry-Francis has joined Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of the 2024 season.

The Republic of Ireland underage international joins the Bit O’Red on a short-term loan deal subject to international transfer clearance.

The 20-year-old ‘box-to-box’ midfielder joined the Gunners in 2016 from Fulham when he was 13 and has regularly trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad. 

Henry-Francis, who qualifies for Ireland through his parents’ Mayo and Leitrim heritage, has played six times for the Irish under 19s and once for the U21s, against Kuwait last year. At the age of just 17, he featured as part of the Arsenal first-team squad which travelled to Scotland for a pre-season camp. A squad which featured a host of international stars.

Henry-Francis is the third new player to join Rovers this summer following Stephen Mallon’s move from Cliftonville, and Luke Pearce who joined on loan from Cardiff City. The London born starlet is hoping to make the most of his time at the Showgrounds, with senior football very much on the agenda.

“I’m looking to get some exposure to first-team football really and when I get the chance, I want to put in some really good performances”, he says.

“I think I can do that here. I’ve spoken a lot to John and about his plans for me and the squad for the rest of the year and it’s been very exciting. I know a fair bit about the league and have watched a fair bit of it since I knew I’d be moving over. There seems to be a lot of togetherness in the team and a lot of fight along with some really good technical players.”

Henry-Francis, who turns 21 in September, is already familiar with being around players at the very top of the game having been around the Arsenal first team. He feels this will only help him as he looks to settle in at the Showgrounds.    

“It’s always a great experience being with Arsenal’s first-team as it’s always intense as there are a lot of demands, but I feel that will stand to me at Rovers. The trip to Scotland was incredible as you were playing alongside players with lots of Premier League and international experience. The last few years, the level I’ve trained at has really made me play up a level as you’re training with players who are chasing Premier League titles.”

Speaking about the move, Rovers boss John Russell says he feels he has found a player who will easily fit into his plans for the team between now and the end of the year.

“I am delighted to bring Jack to the Showgrounds”, he says.

“He is a tenacious midfielder who plays the game with real energy and aggression. It’s important now that we continue to add real quality to the group and Jack fits that profile. We are all excited to get to work with him and I know he’s looking forward to making an impact between now and the end of the season.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers can confirm that striker Luke Pearce has joined the club on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the 2024 season. The 20-year-old joins the Bit O’Red subject to international transfer clearance.

Pearce began his career at Walsall before being picked up by Southampton where he spent three seasons as a regular in both the B and U21 teams. The young attacker also spent time on loan at Torquay and Eastbourne before joining Cardiff earlier this month. 

Pearce has been capped by both the Irish under 18s and 19s and qualifies for the Republic through his mother who hails from County Sligo. 

“I know quite a bit about Sligo and Rovers already through my mum’s family. It’s a really big deal for my family for me to be joining on loan for a while”. he says. “I cannot wait to get out there and play in front of the fans.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how I can do in the League of Ireland. I know it’s a very competitive league and Rovers are doing well at the moment based on recent results. I’ve only been here a short while but I can feel the positivity around the club, both on and off the field. I am really looking forward to picking up some first team experience here and helping Rovers kick on in the league and of course there’s the FAI Cup to come very soon so I’ll be looking to make an impact.”

Commenting on his latest acquisition, Rovers boss John Russell says Pearce is a player he has tracked for some time.

“Luke is a player I’ve been keeping an eye on for a while”, he said. 

“I feel he will bring energy and aggression to our front line. He has really good movement and has the ability to score different types of goals. It’s important we added to our squad in this window. There are a lot of important games coming up so securing Luke on loan is really good business for us.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers has formally submitted its application for funding under the Government’s Large Scale Sport in Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) for the redevelopment of the Showgrounds.   

Multi-sport stadium
The Sligo Showgrounds Masterplan provides for a new multi-sport stadium in the lead up to the Club’s centenary in 2028. If the application is successful, the Showgrounds will be the first UEFA Category 3 Stadium outside Dublin, and as well as hosting our own major fixtures, it can be a prime venue for other clubs’ European games. With a capacity of 6,100, stadium facilities will include new grass based hybrid pitch, which will accommodate other sports and activities, new stands on the Church Hill and Jinks’ Avenue ends, upgrades to the Treacy Avenue and Railway end stands, (including roofing the latter), hospitality areas, fan zones, meeting rooms, gymnasium, club merchandise shop, media area and a new club museum. The stadium will also meet the requirements for modern TV broadcasts. Our objective is not just to improve the sporting facilities, we also want our fans, and visitors, to have the best Showgrounds experience possible.

Sligo Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins said ‘Today sees the culmination of two years of intensive work to prepare this detailed application. Within our own community, our local authority, local TD’s and nationally with the FAI and Senior Government Ministers, we have experienced nothing but cooperation and encouragement, and for this we are very grateful. It feels a bit strange to be getting this major application over the line without the presence of our colleague Tommie Gorman, who worked tremendously hard on this project, his energy and the respect in which he is held at the highest levels opened so many doors for us. Due to his efforts, we were able to present detailed briefings in the Showgrounds to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Ministers Catherine Martin, Heather Humphreys, Jack Chambers and Thomas Byrne and local Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan. Other very significant contributors were Sligo County Council’s Chief Executive, Martin Lydon and Director of Services Dorothy Clarke..

Sligo Rovers Development Officer Mark Cummins acknowledged the contribution of the many individuals and agencies involved in the project. ‘We had an exceptional support team in place at every stage of the very detailed application process, Design Team lead Gavin Phelan of Rhatigans Architects, Enda Candon of First Western Consultants, the legal teams, and within the Club, Shona Heffernan, Jamie Murphy and David Kearins. Tom Kelly on our Project Team coordinated all the various elements of the detailed submission with great professionalism’. We have an excellent working relationship with Chair Albert Higgins and the Showgrounds Trustee Board. They have a hugely important remit in preserving the Showgrounds as a sporting and community facility, and they shared our conviction that this development will be a major boost for the Club and the people of Sligo.’

Sligo Rovers Secretary Brendan Lacken acknowledged the support of the FAI and Special Olympics Ireland, who committed their support for the project by awarding it a priority ranking within their respective strategies for the development of their sports. It also enhanced our application to receive letters of support from the two organisations, along with Cairn National Community Games, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) and Sligo Volunteer Centre.

We are also pleased to confirm that a number of local community organisations have entered into licence agreements with the club to use the new facilities in the Showgounds when they are completed: Sligo Schoolboys and Girls League, Sligo Leitrim and District Soccer League, ATU Sligo, Ballinode College, Mercy College, Sligo Grammar School, Summerhill College, Ursuline College, Sligo Community Games, Sligo Rugby Club and Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership . We greatly welcome their interest in being part of our new era.’

Reflecting on the traumatic week for the Sligo Rovers family, Tommy Higgins said ‘If this funding application is successful, our development will be a fitting legacy to the tireless work of Tommie Gorman on behalf of his beloved Rovers, not just on this project, but throughout his lifetime,’

Oh, the delightful exuberance of youth!  Two young sisters living their dream, viewing their world through a kaleidoscope of fun and laughter, adventure and achievement. Planning their future with giddy excitement, serious intent laced with just the precise measure of teenage abandon. 

Sligo Rovers’ Loughrey sisters, Keri and Jodie, are on the precipice of an odyssey of a lifetime – the chance to represent Ireland at the under-19 UEFA European Championships in Lithuania in July. The younger, 17 years old Jodie, has been an important member of the Irish squad which cruised through the qualifying series. She is now joined in a 27-player pre-tournament training camp by her older sister, 19 years old Keri. Fingers are tightly crossed that both will make the final squad. 

For Keri, there’s another consideration in a crowded calendar. This week, she will begin her Leaving Cert, hoping to accumulate enough points to earn her a college place to study PE Teaching or Occupational Therapy.  Jodie is a 5^th year student at the same school, Scoil Mhuire, in their native Buncrana, Co. Donegal. 

But crammed in between the books, the study and the revision, the sisters somehow find the time, energy and commitment to play in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers and international football for Ireland. It’s a daunting schedule, made tougher by awkward mid-week commutes from their family farm at the tip of Donegal to the Showgrounds for two nights training every week. 

School days start at 8.50am and finish at 4.30. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Keri and Jodie barely have time to catch their breath before jumping into Keri’s car for the two- and-a- half hour trek to Sligo. By 9.30pm, they’ll be setting off on the return journey, arriving home as the clock ticks towards the last hour of the day.  There’s just about time for the required eight hours sleep before a new school day begins. 

“It’s hectic alright,” Keri confirms. “But we have each other’s company and good music in the car, so time passes quickly.” 

“Och, it’s grand,” Jodie agrees. “The teachers give us a wee bit of leeway, so it’s fine.” 

The girls have been playing football for as long as they can remember, initially kicking a ball around their parents’ farm, and later embarrassing the local boys with their natural ability. 

“We grew up playing football with boys. Maybe that was an advantage,” Keri recalls. “It would have been under-12s before we started playing with an organised girls’ team at our local club, Buncrana Hearts.” 

Young girls honing their skills against older boys is a common back-story for many of the women currently blazing an exciting new trail in the female game. The Loughreys’ skipper at Rovers’, Emma Hansberry, has a similar experience.  

She is Sligo’s most decorated footballer. Her bulging trophy cabinet includes three National Womens’ League titles and two FAI Cup winners’ medals; she’s played in a World Cup and Champions League, and represented her country at all under-age levels before winning senior caps, culminating in being named the under-19 FAI Player of the Year. 

Yet, her formative years were spent playing street football with neighbouring boys, simply because there were no girls to play with or against in those days. She was nearly 10 years old before she first played in an organised girls’ team.  

“I remember young lads calling to the door, my brother’s pals, but they weren’t looking for them, they were asking if I’d join them for a game of football. That’s how it all started for me,” Emma told me during an interview for the book, “Local Heroes: A Celebration of Sligo Sport.” 

The landscape has changed dramatically since then, of course. The recent success of the Katie McCabe inspired international team and the emergence of academies at League of Ireland clubs has given talented young girls a target to aim for, an opportunity to fulfil ambitions. 

And the Loughrey sisters have fuelled their dreams from that rich well. 

“It’s such a great feeling pulling on the Irish jersey,” Jodie exclaims. “It’s an unreal sense of pride. I’m inspired by people like Katie McCabe, I’d love to meet her some day and maybe even get the chance to play with her.” 

Keri, who ‘s represented Ireland from under-16s through to the 19s, is equally ambitious, but you get the sense she sees a world beyond football. 

“If ever an opportunity arose for full-time football, then obviously, you’d have to consider it. But I want to go to college, get my degree, and see if anything happens then. For the moment, I’m aiming to be a PE teacher or an Occupational Therapist. If football is still a possibility, well and good,” she says. 

Jodie is far more to the point, though. 

“One hundred per cent, I want to be a footballer. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. All I still want,” she beams. 

The sisters exchange a knowing glance and a hearty giggle. 

This is their second season with Rovers, having been signed by Steve Feeney after a series of trials. Despite the gruelling travelling schedule involved in match days and training, they’re loving every minute of it. 

“It was a big jump from the Donegal League, particularly from a physical point of view. But it’s such a great opportunity to play for a big club like Sligo Rovers, and hopefully we’re improving all the time,” Keri says. 

Jodie is equally happy with progress, and feels there is more to come from this Rovers’ team. 

“We started off really well with a 0-0 draw against Shels and then played well but lost narrowly against Galway, who are now top of the League, so it’s very competitive, and we’re not far off finding a winning run. We’ve had to adjust to a new playing style and structure under Tommy Hewitt, which takes a bit of time, but we’re getting there. Hopefully, we’ll have a good cup run,” she says. 

The girls are blessed with parents, Sean and Mary, who have been totally supportive every step of their football journey. 

“They travel all over the country to watch us,” Jodie relates. “I can’t remember a game they haven’t been at over the years.” 

Keri confirms: “They’re hugely supportive, but they’re not shy about a bit of criticism. I wouldn’t say they’re harsh, but they’d let you know if they thought you could have done better.” 

 Cue another combustion of riotous laughter. By now, their colleagues have begun arriving for the two-hour training session, so the sisters bounce off happily to the changing room. Ahead of them, a tough session and a long drive home, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Three cheers for the contagious exuberance of youth! 

By Jim Gray 

Tommy Hewitt is embracing the managerial challenge of improving the fortunes of a fledgling Sligo Rovers team, now in its third season, as he explained to CONALL COLLIER after last Saturday’s Women’s Premier Division (WPD) game against Peamount Utd.

The former Athlone Town boss had little time to relax after the 2023 mid-season break before he received a call from the Showgrounds, which he was happy to answer, taking over the role vacated by Steve Feeney at the end of last season.

“I have to say that it has been a breath of fresh air for me since I took on this role, and I have been welcomed by everyone at the club: the players, the committee, and the supporters,” he commented.

“But I’m not here for the compliments or anything like that. I know what’s required, and my long-term target, and that of the club, is to get results and to win silverware,” he added.

Saturday’s outing at PRL Park against the defending WPD champions marked the midpoint of the season, and the Bit O’Red is still searching for its first win of 2024.

“We have a plan in place. I’m only six months into this journey with Sligo Rovers, and I know what is required to produce a competitive team that will challenge at the top end of the table,” he stated.

“I did something similar with Athlone Town. They are top of the table now after the weekend results, and they also won the FAI Cup last season.

“Despite our league position, it’s reasonable to suggest that the Sligo Rovers players aren’t too far off the pace, although we haven’t won a game so far this season.

“You could see that on Saturday. Against a quality team like Peamount, they had to work hard for the victory, but they scored two excellent goals.

“We had a game plan, and for the most part, it worked well. We had a couple of chances but just didn’t take them.

“Basically, that was the difference over 90 minutes. Not wishing to take anything away from Peamount, but we weren’t outclassed in any way, and you are always in with a chance when it’s a one-goal game.

“Peamount only made it safe, from their perspective, with a second goal near the end,” he added.

And what about the challenges that have to be negotiated this season? Is there a remedy in the short term?

“We have two options: we either work with the players we have and those coming through from the under-age teams at the club, or we bring in some experienced players,” he suggested.

“We have to bridge that gap, but that’s something that will take time, to mold a young and inexperienced side into a winning side.

“This is a long-term project, and we are making progress in developing the best talent in the region.

“Looking at the league table at the moment, it could suggest that Sligo Rovers have declined from last season.

“However, that would not be a fair assessment because all the teams have improved. The standards are improving, and overall, that’s a positive development.

“Take the likes of Treaty Utd and Cork City, both ahead of us now. They have brought in some very experienced players, and that’s reflected in their results this season.

“We played Cork in the Showgrounds, and it’s a game I felt we could have won, but we lost narrowly. We got a point away against Treaty, and in our opening game of the season, we got a point away to Shelbourne,” he added.

Can Sligo Rovers find some improvement for the second half of the season, starting with a home game against Shelbourne on Saturday week?

“We are now at the midway point of the season. It has been a little frustrating; we should have beaten Cork and Bohs, but you will always have inconsistencies with a young team,” said Tommy.

“We certainly have the talent coming through, but I don’t like throwing the girls in at the deep end. We have players coming back from injuries, and that will help us.

“It’s also a great boost to see Keri and Jodie Loughrey in the Republic of Ireland under-19 squad for the UEFA European Championships in Lithuania in mid-July.

“We also have to acknowledge the performances of a player like Keeva Flynn. She is a 16-year-old in central defense on a team that hasn’t won a game this season.

“Keeva wouldn’t look out of place on any other team in the league, but she is still learning. She’s learning on the job, and that’s a big challenge for her.

“I’d prefer to ease her into senior football, but circumstances dictate differently, and she will be a very important player for the club.

“What I admire about all the players is the fact that they retain both confidence and belief in themselves, and that’s hugely important.

“We have Terenure Rangers in the FAI Cup at the beginning of next month, and that will bring a different type of pressure. We will be expected to win that game.

“We will approach the second half of the season with the initial objective to get a win in the league, get more points on the board, and move away from the foot of the table,” he concluded.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that the club have agreed a deal with Oxford United to extend Ed McGinty’s loan deal to the end of the 2024 season, subject to international transfer clearance. The Rovers goalkeeper has been in superb form for the Bit O’Red this year, keeping eight clean sheets in this year’s Premier Division to date. 

A firm fans’ favourite since he broke through to become the Bit O’Red’s first choice net-minder in 2019, the Motherwell born shot stopper is widely regarded in League of Ireland circles as one of the best in the country. 

McGinty joined Rovers in 2016 following spells in the youth academies of both Hibs and Glasgow Celtic. He made his Rovers debut from the bench against Drogheda United in late 2017, replacing the injured Shaun Patton at Weaver’s Park in a scoreless draw which saw Rovers secure their status as a top flight club for the following season. 

The now 24-year-old acted as back-up to Micheal Schlingermann the following year and subsequently Mitchell Beeney, before making the number one shirt his own in mid-2019.  

McGinty went on to put in a number of memorable performances for Rovers, most notably his penalty shoot-out heroics against Bala Town in the Europa Conference League first round in 2022. McGinty stopped two of Bala’s spot-kicks to see Rovers progress to face and subsequently knock out Ed’s home-town club Motherwell. 

His performance didn’t go unnoticed and a short number of days later, he signed for Oxford United. McGinty returned to the Bit O’Red on loan earlier this year and has gone on to re-establish himself as the top goalkeeper in Ireland. 

“I’m delighted to get it done”, McGinty said. 

“It can be a weird time when the window opens so it’s nice to have the peace of mind and security. It’s great to be able to move on now and stick with Rovers and with John Russell. 

“John spoke to me about extending the deal quite a while back. I’m ambitious and I want to challenge myself and it felt right to stay in Sligo. There was interest from here and there but for me everything nicely fell into place and it just felt right to stay here. 

“I feel the love from the supporters and the people of Sligo and the club is in my heart at this stage. I learned the game during my first few years here and got into the team and learned a lot. My first stint here gave me a lot of great memories and this time around, it’s all about pushing on and creating more moments. Europe is there for us and we want to really push on now. John has recruited very strategically so it’s just about keeping players on the pitch. If we have our best eleven fit, we can do anything. We’ve already beaten the champions Shamrock Rovers and the league leaders Shels this season. If we can stay consistent, then who knows where we’ll end up.”  

Speaking about McGinty’s decision to extend his stay, manager Russell says: “We have the best goalkeeper in Ireland. 

“He has been a big presence for us both one and off the pitch so I’m delighted he has agreed to extend his loan to the end of this season.

“Understandably, there was a lot of interest in Ed. But we worked very hard to keep him. What’s most exciting for me, is that there is more to come from Ed. He has the right mentality and is driven to succeed.

“This is a deal I know will delight our fans.”  

David Goulden