There will no capacity restriction at The Showgrounds for the first time in 18 months as Sligo Rovers play two matches at home in SSE Airtricity Premier Division matches in the next week.

Pre-booking seats in the main stand will no longer be necessary.

The stadium will be open seating. Away fans will be in the Jinks Avenue Stand as normal.

Fixtures:

• Friday 29 October, Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United, The Showgrounds, 7:45pm
• Monday 1 November, Sligo Rovers v Longford Town, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm

SEASON PACK HOLDERS

Season Pack holders must bring your season pack booklet and present one ticket at the turnstiles.

If your season pack has expired with no vouchers remaining, you can pay cash at turnstiles. The main stand will be open for all fans on a first come basis.

These are two of the final three home games left this season. If you still have tickets remaining in your pack, any remaining match passes can be used in 2022.

Tickets can be removed from the pack and given to friends or family for this season if desired.

GENERAL SALE FOR HOME FANS

All other home fans can gain entry by paying cash at turnstiles. There will be no online sale prior to the game for home supporters – they can purchase tickets at turnstiles with cash.

AWAY FANS

Away fans of both Drogheda United and Longford Town can buy tickets at the away entrance.

Away fans will be situated in the usual away section, in sections T, U and V of the Jinks Avenue Stand.

Sligo Rovers face Finn Harps on Saturday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in Finn Park as the Bit O’ Red face their north-west rivals.

Rovers sit in third place in the table and secured two wins over Harps this year, 2-1 in Ballybofey and 1-0 in The Showgrounds.

Johnny Kenny scored his first senior goal against Harps in that Showgrounds success, while Harps earned a single-goal success in Sligo

In team news, Niall Morahan returns from suspension while Greg Bolger serves the second of a two-game ban.

Robbie McCourt has recovered from a neck problem which forced him off during the 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last time out.

Colm Horgan is doubtful with a calf problem and will be tested pre-game, but the match comes too soon for Shane Blaney.

Liam Buckley: “It’s about results at this stage of the season. The race is hotting up, we don’t know if fourth is good enough or third but we do know we have to get a win to get us going. That’s what we care about on Saturday night and Finn Harps are in the exact same boat.

“It’s going to go right to the wire as expected, just like last season. Last season we were in a situation where we dug in and won games late in the season to get us fourth place.

“In the position we’re in now, which is third place and it’s important it’s remembered that we are in that position, we can look back at the end of the season on these six games and wonder did we just let it slip by or we can dig in and get the results we need.

“We’ve shown we can do it with the wins we’ve had this season. The results and some performances have not been what is needed recently and there is no one is more disappointed than us by that. We’re all fully aware of the situation in competing for the European spots and what comes with it.  

“We’re in this position with the six games, starting on Saturday night, and we’ll go to Finn Park looking to get the win. That’s what counts now.

“Robbie is back in training, as is Shane Blaney, but I don’t think he will be ready for this one. We have to check on Colm over a calf strain, while Greg is suspended. Niall Morahan comes back in which will help us and we go there with getting the win our focus and the race we’re in.”

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has met with Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins, with the €17m masterplan discussed and presented.

Sligo County Council chief executive Martin Lydon and chairman of the Bit O’ Red Higgins presented the plan to the Taoiseach and updated him on the background of the plans.

Higgins said: “In recent days we have spoken with Minister Catherine Martin and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. It is important to raise awareness of the masterplan as we look to bring it to fruition and we were delighted to speak with the Government officials on our vision for academy and senior football in the north-west

“We have been in dialogue with Sligo County Council who have been very supportive in these discussions. We will look to provide supporters with a further update when we can.

“As mentioned at the launch of the masterplan, this is not something we put on a shelf and wait for things to happen. We are seeking to bring elements of the plan to action as soon as possible.”

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley has admitted reflection is needed ahead of the final six games of season as his side were well beaten in Tallaght Stadium on Friday.

The Bit O’ Red remain in third place but slumped after a 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last night in a game where the home side dominated. 

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Buckley said: “It was definitely a bad night at the office. In fairness to Shamrock Rovers, they will be league champions for a reason, they’re the best team in the league and passed it very well tonight. 

“They’ve outplayed us in the first half by a mile. In the second half I thought we came into it a small bit better but nothing to warrant anything out of the game. They were worthy winners.”

The Bit O’ Red squad was disrupted for the game – as it has been for large parts of the difficult run in the second half of the season, with Robbie McCourt forced out early on last night.

Greg Bolger has one game left on a suspension while Shane Blaney could make the game with Harps on Saturday as he returns to training this week.

The Rovers boss has looked at the basic areas of improvement.

“From our point of view with six games to go, we have to play better ourselves, especially with the run in of games we have. We still have our eye on Europe along with Derry, Bohs and everyone else for that matter. But we’ll need to play better than we did tonight. 

“We have to be fundamentally play better. If we don’t we wont deserve to get (a European place).

“The quality in our play has dropped off. We have been down different players, every week we’re down some. Greg Bolger is missing this evening, Robbie McCourt started the game but he had a neck issue and didn’t hold out. Every week it seems to be the case where we’re down players and the squad is fairly tight. That said, I do expect them to play better to be honest.”

Rovers play three of the teams in the top half of the table to close the season, while the next three matches are teams at the bottom.

Form tables give a different story to the league in this competitive season and Buckley knows his side are in the mix.

Looking back on the run, he defended the players and said he believes they have the desire to secure the points needed for Europe.

“This will go right through to the death, to the final three games of the season, where for us we’re at home to Bohs, away to Pat’s and away to Derry. They’re all going to be critical games.

“They (the players) all want it. They’re all trying. The quality needs to be far better, it needed to be far better this evening and for the last few weeks to be honest. We haven’t done enough except for a couple of games when we got a couple of wins a while back. 

“That quality of play hasn’t been good enough and we have to change that. We do need to reflect on where we’re at and see where we go from there.”

The next match for the Bit O’ Red has been rescheduled.

Sligo Rovers will travel Finn Harps next Saturday 23rd October, moved forward from the Bank Holiday fixture. Kick-off will be 8pm.

Two Sligo Rovers home matches have also been rescheduled.

The SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Drogheda United will now take place a day earlier and will be on Friday 29 October at 7.45pm in The Showgrounds.

Tickets will be available at cash turnstiles for all fans.

The postponed match with Longford Town will now take place on Monday 1 November at 7.45pm.

Tickets will also be available at cash turnstiles.

Season pack holders should bring their book to turnstiles with no pre-booking needed.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin has today visited The Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers work on plans to form a senior women’s team with a view to joining the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League from the 2022 season.

Minister Martin met with club officials – chairman Tommy Higgins, vice-chairman Andy Dodd and assistant secretary Mark Cummins.

Minister Martin was also briefed on the progress of academy football at Sligo Rovers by head of academy Conor O’Grady and on opportunities a senior women’s team could bring to women in the region.

A masterplan unveiled last year to show a proposed €17m redevelopment of the club’s facilities was presented on by chairman Higgins to the Minister as well as a walkthrough of the current facilities in Sligo.

As Sligo Rovers await news on their application to join the Women’s National League, IT Sligo have partnered with their local club to set up a scholarship team where female players who join Sligo will receive sponsored third-level education as a benefit of playing League of Ireland football.

Minister Martin said: “Today’s visit to The Showgrounds allowed me to see first hand the potential of League of Ireland clubs like Sligo Rovers and what they are delivering for sport overall in the country.

“I was particularly encouraged by the plans to join the Women’s National League. The FAI have shown they want to grow the women’s game on and off-the-pitch and there must be parity for men and women on the opportunities they receive in the game.

“Sligo have a huge catchment area with a large support base and I have no doubt they will be a huge asset to the ever-improving Women’s National League. Furthermore, tying in education with sport is a wonderful initiative and I must commend IT Sligo and Sligo Rovers for providing sportswomen with such a wonderful scheme.”

Minister Martin also spoke about the work done by League of Ireland clubs in developing future Irish internationals.

The Bit O’ Red had Irish underage internationals call-ups at men’s Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level this month and over half of their senior men’s squad has graduated from the club’s academy.

The Irish Under-17 team which enjoyed great success in the last week in European Championship qualifiers was largely make up of Irish-based players as well as some in Europe.

Stephen Kenny’s exciting young Republic of Ireland team are filled with former LOI players and the victories over Azerbaijan and Qatar in the last week has brought a wave of optimism.

It is hoped Sligo Rovers are now coaching future stars – with links already to the current team.

She stated: “We’ve seen first hand that schoolboy and League of Ireland clubs are developing the future of the Irish national team.

“Chiedozie Ogbene, Gavin Bazunu and Jamie McGrath were three outstanding performers for Ireland last week – all of whom came through the underage systems in Ireland in recent years.

“The experienced players still in the squad such as James McClean and Seamus Coleman started their careers in the League of Ireland over a decade ago and how proud Derry City and of course Sligo Rovers must be.

“I am heartened to see the potential already being acted upon here and the volunteer coaches and staff are quite clearly working tirelessly to give young footballers every opportunity.

“It shows me that there is enormous potential for the League of Ireland and it must be supported in order for it to grow.”

The event was also attended by local representatives from Sligo-Leitrim, including Frank Feighan TD of Fine Gael, Martin Kenny TD of Sinn Fein, Marc MacSharry TD of Fianna Fail and Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Paul Taylor, as well as an endorsement from Marian Harkin TD.

Sligo Rovers wish to thank Minister Martin and all officials for visiting The Showgrounds today.

Sligo Rovers return to action on Friday night in Tallaght Stadium as the Bit O’ Red play match 30 in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.

A 1-1 draw against Waterford FC moved the Bit O’ Red to 46 points two weeks ago. 

Derry City remain four points behind Rovers, with Bohemians a point further back with a game in hand.

As the race for Europe hots up, this game will be the fourth and final meeting of the season with the Hoops.

There has been one win each, as well as a draw, both victories coming on a 1-0 scoreline.

In team news, Greg Bolger (two games) and Niall Morahan (one game) serve suspensions. Shane Blaney is set for a return to training next week. There are no other injury concerns.

Liam Buckley said: “We put in a decent performance last time in Tallaght and the game in Sligo a few weeks ago was very close which Shamrock Rovers edged.

“They’re a top quality side, they’re looking to retain the title and are in a great position to do so and they’re top of the league for a reason.

“We took three points in the away fixture, a draw in The Showgrounds, a narrow defeat in a game Shamrock Rovers played quite well in, so we know we’re capable of getting a result and we go there with that in mind.

“The second half against Waterford, we were a little bit disappointed because we didn’t do enough to win the game. Waterford a good side with the form they’ve shown in the second half of the season, they’ve proven very difficult to beat.

“We have known for the last two weeks that we’d be without Greg and Niall for this fixture. They’re brilliant midfielders but we do have a squad with lots of quality in it and we’ve kept in mind the changes we’d have to make as we’ve prepared for this game. Shane Blaney is going to return to training next week so he’s very close.

“Nothing has changed from our end in terms of our ambitions, in terms of our overall goals, and in terms of the quality we have within our group.

“We know teams are trying to chase us down, we have that lead with seven games to go and the number of rivals is only increasing. It’s no surprise with the way the league is and we’re in the better position compared to last season. We’ve got to dig in and show what got us this far in the season.”

This Saturday’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Longford Town has been postponed to international call-ups.

Rovers have two underage call-ups in the window.

The match will be refixed for a later date.

The Bit O’ Red are back in action against Shamrock Rovers on Friday 15 October in Tallaght Stadium.

Sligo Rovers return to action on Saturday night in The Showgrounds as Waterford FC visit in the SSE Airtricity League. Kick-off is 7.45pm,

The team will meet, on the pitch, for a third time this season and the first in Sligo as the earlier home meeting was not played due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Waterford squad. Rovers were awarded a 3-0 win in that fixture.

Rovers claimed 2-1 victory in the first away match but the Blues secured the points in the other match in a 1-0 success.

Match ticket are available at turnstiles for all supporters with no pre-booking needed.

Rovers were hit with a number of absentees last week as Garry Buckley, Greg Bolger, Robbie McCourt, David Cawley and Shane Blaney were ruled out for the game in Dundalk.

Buckley returns from a one-match ban while Bolger and McCourt have trained this week and look set to be available, but Blaney is still out with a foot problem.

Cawley and John Mahon will serve suspensions on Saturday so they miss out.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We were disappointed with how things went last week. I do think the scoreline flattered Dundalk somewhat but it wasn’t enough from our point of view over the course of the 90 minutes.

“We were down a couple of players late in the week and that certainly didn’t help as we had to juggle a few things around. We lost the game and we move on from it.

“It will happen, you’re not going to win every game, particularly with the way the league has panned out this season. Ultimately what matters is how you respond, how consistently you can find results over the year, and I can see the players are looking forward to this week’s game.  

“Waterford are a good side, desperate for points like every other side in the league, and they’ve won six out of their last nine league games and qualified for the FAI Cup semi-finals. The matches they did lose were narrow defeats away to Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic, so it tells you how they’ve been doing in the last few months.

“We’re not setting targets because I think it’s entirely unpredictable how the rest of the league season will turn out. It’s the old expression of one game at a time but it really has to be that way because one result makes a difference. Our approach all season has been to battle for every result we get and that every three points is the same.

“We were the rising team last year, getting better as the season went on, and got into the top four on the final day of the season. I know there are teams out there looking to emulate what we did last season.

“This season we’ve given ourselves a better platform. We feel we have improved as a group, we’re right in the mix battling it out for that European finish. It would be fantastic to get it over the line but it’s going to be a fight to the wire to get there and there is any number of teams chasing it.

“As we look to Saturday, it’s a home game with the great support we get here and we did pick up a couple of wins last month. We would like to replicate that if we can.

“John and David will serve suspensions but we do have Robbie, Greg and Garry back with us. The game will come too soon for Shane and he’s working hard to be back soon.  

“As much as it will be a challenging six weeks from now to the end of the season, it’s also an exciting one as well and we’ll go into this game looking for the result and performance that we desire.”

The Chilean Ambassador to Ireland Her Excellency Carla Serazzi  visited Sligo on Tuesday to lay a wreath at the O’Higgins  monument in Stephen Street Car Park. Bernardo O’Higgins is regarded as the founding father of Chile and is the son of Sligo native Ambrose, a Spanish officer who was Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru.

The name of Bernardo O Higgins lives on in Chile through the football team that bears his name.  It is a connection recognised and valued by Sligo Rovers., and the Ambassador called to the Showgrounds to unveil a new plaque at the Outdoor Museum presenting the story of the O’Higgins Club.

The Ambassador was presented with a copy of Sligo Rovers Official History, and made a presentation to Chairman Tommy Higgins on behalf of the O’Higgins Club.