Sligo Rovers can confirm a capacity of 2,100 will be in operation for Tuesday’s re-arranged SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match with Dundalk at The Showgrounds.

SEASON PACK HOLDERS

Season Ticket holders can use their 13 digit barcode, which was emailed to them on August 11th to gain access to our ticketing system on this link.

Season Pack holders have until Tuesday morning (September 14th) to claim their tickets.

Our stadium seating plan will be in operation and supporters must use their assigned seats as per your E-Ticket. Season Pack holders must also bring one ticket from your season pack booklet and present it on the turnstiles.

While E-Tickets can be used digitally on a smart phone, we encourage fans to print them out where possible as this makes it easier for our scanning team and fastens up the entrance process for everyone.

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 on Tuesday for home supporters – they can purchase tickets at turnstiles with cash.

Please respect seating arrangements with assigned seating.

AWAY FANS – ONLINE ONLY

Dundalk will receive an allocation of 10% – which will go on sale online from Sunday via Sligo Rovers.

Away fans will be situated in the usual away section, in sections T, U and V of the Jinks Avenue Stand. Dundalk supporters can only enter through online sales with no tickets available at the stadium.

We look forward to welcoming our supporters to the ground on Tuesday.

The management committee wish to acknowledge the patience of supporters who missed out on games in the last 18 months and helped create such a special atmosphere at the game vs St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night. We are thrilled to be able to welcome back so many fans and ask to continue to follow Covid-19 protocols in order to make it a safe event for all.

Sligo Rovers put an end to their recent winless streak with an impressive win over a disappointing St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds.

Johnny Kenny netted an early penalty for the Bit O’Red, while Ryan De Vries followed up with Sligo’s second before the break with a thunderous drive from distance.

With no win in their last eight and looking to cut the gap to the top two to eight, Rovers started this game in the best fashion possible.

Homegrown hero Kenny confidently dispatching his third minute spot kick after John Mahon felt a push from a Pat’s defender as he tried to latch on to Lewis Banks’ flick on from Greg Bolger’s set-piece.

Kenny was the creator this time as Sligo nearly doubled their lead four minutes later. A defender’s finish from the roaming Banks saw the full-back totally miscue his first time strike from Kenny’s cross, after trojan work down the left from the Rovers youngster.

David Cawley’s corner bounced off the top of Vitezslav Jaros’ crossbar on 12 minutes. But the Dubliners, who suffered a sluggish start, should have levelled the game nine minutes later.

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty could only push Billy King’s effort into the path of Mattie Smith, but the ex-Waterford winger side-footed the subsequent effort over the Sligo crossbar from close range.

McGinty was called into action again when he had to shift his weight at the final second to get enough in front of an Alfie Lewis strike.

Liam Buckley’s charges then extended their advantage moments before the break. De Vries unleashed a mammoth effort from 25 yards for his second goal of the year to double Rovers’ lead.

Jaros scrambled to keep out De Vries 20 minutes into the second half as Sligo almost profited from a slick counter.

Kenny and Andre Wright were involved as De Vries, who could have gone one more and played the ball into the path of the incoming Adam McDonnell, decided to go it alone but could only smash the ball straight at the Czech stopper.

Pat’s turned up another great chance to put Sligo under the cosh with 19 to go. Darragh Burns fired over after from 10 yards having done all the hard work in the lead-up.

Chris Forrester, subdued up to this point, wasn’t too far off with his first-time effort from the angle after the ball fell to the Saints’ playmaker at the corner of the penalty area.

But Sligo ran out two-goal winners to move within eight points of tonight’s opponents.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt; David Cawley (Seamas Keogh 87), Greg Bolger (Niall Morahan 78); Ryan De Vries (Melvyn Lorenzen 71), Adam McDonnell (Colm Horgan 87), Johnny Kenny (Walter Figueira 78); Andre Wright.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros; Jak Hickman (Ben McCormack 67), Paddy Barrett, Sam Bone, Ian Bermingham; Darragh Burns, Chris Forrester, Billy King (Nahum Melvin 79), Mattie Smith; Alfie Lewis (Jamie Lennon 87); Ronan Coughlan.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Sligo Rovers meet St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.

Tickets are available at turnstiles.

The sides currently sit within the top three places in the table. Rovers earned a draw last week against Drogheda United with a first clean sheet since July.

Rovers are 11 points behind the Saints, with two games in hand. The first meeting of the teams in Sligo was 1-1 draw, while Pat’s won the reversal.

There is just one absentee for Rovers this week, with Shane Blaney out with a foot injury. The defender is likely to miss the rest of the month with the injury.

Greg Bolger and Melvyn Lorenzen were ruled out late on last week but return to the squad. Lorenzen would make his debut if appearing.

With a 50% capacity, up to 2,100 supporters can attend, with the biggest attendance in the stadium in 18 months set to be achieved.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We came away with a point and a clean sheet in Drogheda. There wasn’t a lot in it as is the case in a lot of games. Overall it was a scrappy type of match. We have to hang in there and keep working. I think from now to the end of the season you’ll see a lot of games where results are ground out and they are decided with very fine margins.

“We’re looking for more in terms of an overall performance and we will get it I feel. It’s great to have Greg and Melvyn available for selection this week. Robbie McCourt came back against Drogheda and overall it makes us stronger. Greg has been an important player for us this season, as has Robbie, so it will certainly help us. Melvyn needed a bit more time to be ready to play and he has come through the week in a good fashion.

“St Pat’s have done well this season, they’ve a particular style of play and are up there at the head of the table. That said, I do feel we can get the result we’re looking for. It’s second against third as it stands and we want to be up there come the end of the season.

“It’s great to be able to have supporters back up to a couple of thousand. It has been a difficult couple of months and I’d love to be able to reward them for sticking with us when they couldn’t get into the stadium. That is something we’re aware of and we’ll be looking for the result on Friday night to make it a great welcome for them.”

Sligo Rovers can confirm a capacity of 2,100 will be in operation for Friday’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match with St Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds.

Season Ticket holders can use their 13 digit barcode, which was emailed to them on August 11th to gain access to our ticketing system on this link.

Season Pack holders have until Wednesday morning (September 8th) to claim their tickets.

Our stadium seating plan will be in operation and supporters must use their assigned seats as per your E-Ticket. Season Pack holders must also bring one ticket from your season pack booklet and present it on the turnstiles.

While E-Tickets can be used digitally on a smart phone, we encourage fans to print them out where possible as this makes it easier for our scanning team and fastens up the entrance process for everyone.

All other home fans can gain entry by paying cash at turnstiles. Please respect seating arrangements.

St Pats will receive an allocation of 10% – which will go on sale Wednesday. Away fans will be situated in the usual away section, in sections T, U and V of the Jinks Avenue Stand. Pat’s supporters can only enter through online sales with no tickets available at the stadium.

We look forward to welcoming our supporters back on Friday night.

Sligo Rovers return to league action on Friday night as the Bit O’ Red face Drogheda United at Head in the Game Park.

Rovers were last in action against Derry City as a late Ronan Boyce goal won it for the Candystripes.

Rovers sit in third place in the league and will stay there this weekend as the two sides below in the table will not play due to a postponed fixture.

Away supporters will be present for the first time this season with Drogheda allocating some of the stadium for Bit O’ Red fans. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

New signings Andre Wright and Melvyn Lorenzen are eligible to make their first appearances, while Jordan Gibson was sold to Carlisle United earlier this week.

In team news, Shane Blaney is the only confirmed absentee with a foot problem.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “It’s certainly a game we’re looking forward to. We’ve trained well the last two weeks and we’ve adapted the two new players into the group. It was good to have that time but mostly we’ve been looking to play a game again.

“I think we will be judged at the end of the season. We’re in the top three and we have to scrap it out for the next couple of months to stay there. We have a strong squad and we’re in that mix to finish the season well and finish high up the table. With the way the table is, every side is looking to get into the top three of four and it will take a fair share of points to be in there, we’re not under any illusions.

“Drogheda have had a tremendous year so far. We drew and were beaten against them so that shows you the difficulty of the game. That said, we are keen to play and it’s going to be a real test for us so we’ll dig in and look for a performance to win the game. That is what we’re looking for.

“We have the two new players who have been with us in the build-up this week. They will only make us stronger for the next 13 games.”  

Conor Walsh has signed his first professional contract with Sligo Rovers, penning a three-year-deal.

The 16-year-old from Westport is a Republic of Ireland underage international and is currently part of the Ireland Under-17 group having progressed through Under-15 and Under-16 level. He was also selected for a recent Under-18 squad.

He joined Rovers as a 15-year-old from Westport United where he excelled in the high-quality academy set-up at the Mayo club and was already an Irish underage international.

He has also progressed through the age groups in the Rovers academy, having passed Under-15 and Under-17 level and is now the Under-19 goalkeeper.

Walsh has been part of first-team training this year and was on the bench for one game.

He previously attended Rice College in Westport where he was coached by Gearoid Duffy and Brendan Clarke, as well as Joe Kelly, Kieran O’Hora, Michael Gibbons and Padraic Burns at Westport. 

Conor Walsh said: “I’m very proud to sign my first professional contract today.

“It’s been a dream of mine to become a professional footballer. I’d like to thank everyone at Westport United for their help during my years there and all of the coaches at Sligo Rovers I’ve worked with so far, as well as my family. 

“I’ve loved every minute here in The Showgrounds and I’m just very excited to be here as a pro now. 

“I know that this is only the beginning and I’ll keep working hard both with Rovers and Ireland.”

Sligo Rovers head of academy Conor O’Grady said: “We’re very pleased for
Conor and his family as he signs his first professional deal.

“The length of the deal reflects the talent and dedication Conor has shown in his time at the club.

“Conor is a year ahead at Republic of Ireland grade and two years within our academy. At Under-17 level we felt he needed to be tested further and that has been vindicated as he is more than comfortable with the Under-19s.

“Conor’s former club Westport and his school Rice College have developed his talent and that has been carried on by Brian Morahan and Ultan McKenna here with us at the moment.”

O’Grady added that Walsh will follow a path taken by current Rovers goalkeepers, as well a new development in local education. 

“Conor will now attend Summerhill College in Sligo now as part of our partnership with them. He has to ensure his academic future remains a key part of his life, even as a professional, and this is a pathway we wish to extend to more players. I’d like to thank the Summerhill Principal Paul Keogh for his support. 

“His footballing development will continue within our academy and in time we hope he progresses to the senior team. Ed McGinty and Luke McNicholas have led the way and I have to say the young goalkeepers at the club are fantastic people as well as players. Conor certainly fits that description. 

“We’re extremely fortunate as we also have Richard Brush there as someone all of the lads can learn and benefit from and Leo Tierney as senior coach. The future for Conor is laid out and knowing him for the last two years, he’ll work hard and keep showing the great application and attitude which has earned him this opportunity.”

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley said: “Conor has a very bright future ahead of him. 

“As we have shown, if we feel the time is right, academy players will get their chance at first-team level. Conor has experienced the environment and I have no doubt he will become more involved over these three years. 

“We have outstanding goalkeepers on our books and the likes of Ed and Luke have come from within the club which is brilliant. For now Conor will continue to play academy football to develop his game. The hard work by players, coaches and parents is hugely appreciated because the club is seeing the benefit in so many top quality young footballers being produced. I congratulate Conor on an important day in his career and hope there are many more great days to come.”

Sligo Rovers can confirm Jordan Gibson has joined EFL side Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee. 

Gibson joined Rovers for the 2021 season from Patrick’s Athletic and played 25 games in all competitions, scoring seven goals.

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley said: “Jordan has made a good contribution since coming to the club. 

“At the end of last season with St Pat’s, he wanted to return to England and we did convince him to stay in the league and move here with us.

“As we look back, that was a good move for both Jordan and Sligo Rovers. 

“We did say at the time we would help him to get that move home if something arose and a suitable offer came in. 

“Jordan has that desire to go back to England and from our point of view the deal with Carlisle was a good one for all parties. 

“We’re preparing for a real fight over the next three months to finish the season as well we can and push on. It’s going to be a battle over the coming games and it’s important that it is our total focus without any distractions. 

“We have added to the squad with four players in the window and I do feel we are quite strong for the remainder of the season. 

“We wish Jordan well back in the Football League and thank him for his contribution at the club.”

Sligo Rovers have completed the signing of Ugandan international Melvyn Lorenzen for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Lorenzen, formerly of Werder Bremen, ADO Den Haag and Karpaty Lyiv, joins subject to international clearance.

The attacking player could make his debut in the next game for the Bit O’ Red against Drogheda United.

The 26-year-old played over 50 games between the German and Dutch top flights earlier in his career.

Born in London and having grown up in Germany, Lorenzen has been seeking an opportunity in the UK or Ireland after leaving Ukraine and having a short spell in Indonesia which was curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions cancelling the season.

New signing Lorenzen said: “It feels great to officially sign today. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, to be in a professional environment and play games.

“Things did not work out with the disrupted season in Indonesia and I have had time to consider my future. I wanted to come to a club where I could make a difference.

“I know the team did very well for the first half of the year and this last while has not been so good. I’m here to help the team and to show my ability.

“The welcome I have received is the best I’ve had at a new club, all of the players and the people here are very friendly.

“In the two weeks I’ve been here, training in a group has already made a difference to my fitness. As a player I’m physically strong, I like to attack the channels and help the team with assists and goals.

“When the offer came from Sligo, I have always been a person who loves to travel and experience something new. I hope this works out for all parties and I really am excited to play for the club.”

Rovers boss Liam Buckley said: “Melvyn has a very good pedigree. He’s played in the Bundesliga and in the Dutch league. He’s been with us for a couple of weeks in training and he’s done well. He can play across the front three in any position and strengthens us further.

“He’s big, quick and technically good on the ball. In the time he’s been with us we can see he’s fit and just needs games from that perspective.

“We have a couple of weeks for our next game and both he and Andre Wright will be part of that preparation.

“It’s important we stay calm in regards to the rest of the season. Robbie McCourt and Greg Bolger are on the way back and overall we look strong when you look at our group.  

“It’s going to be an extremely competitive race for the top four. We feel we can get there despite the run we’ve been on. We’re going to win games and we want it to come in the next one.

“With the commitment we showed on Saturday, it will turn for us. When you put in that effort, luck will change. We’re determined to make it happen, Melvyn is another addition to us and the next 10 days or so will be all about gearing up for the Drogheda game.”

Sligo Rovers host Derry City at the Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League on Saturday night, kick-off 7.45pm

The SSE Airtricity Premier Division encounter between the sides in third and fifth place is a third meeting of a season.

Derry claimed the points in Ruaidhri Higgins’ first match in charge Derry earlier in the season, while there was 1-1 draw at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Rovers have endured their worst run of the season in recent weeks but continue to sit in third place and will remain there regardless of the weekend’s results.

With 11 wins from 22 matches so far, Rovers remain in their best league position since the middle of the last decade.

However, the chasing pack are closing in the race for Europe with 14 matches to play in the league campaign.

In team news, Greg Bolger and Robbie McCourt are out. Bolger has a knee injury and this game will come too soon.

McCourt is set to come into contention for Rovers’ next game against Drogheda United on 3 September after over two months out with a wrist injury.

Shane Blaney is doubtful and will be checked pre-game.

New signing Andre Wright will not be available this weekend. He will also come into consideration for the game in Drogheda.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “Looking back on the Bohemians game, there’s not a lot in it again. For the best part of 65 minutes we were competing well and had chances. We didn’t take them and Bohemians got the goal.

“Overall we didn’t too badly but we didn’t score and it has cost us. It is difficult as we have shown we can find form and win any match in this league and back it up again. We know we can create chances, score goals and when you’re on a run like we are it affects confidence. You have to keep working as hard as you can.

“We know it will turn for us by giving it our all and each game we face brings its own importance. We’re in a strong position to finish the season well. There are six or seven sides with an eye on Europe for next season. We showed last season that you can charge up the table and get in there.

“Derry have had a few good results so we know how hard it is each week in the league. That said, it has to be a case of bring it on now and we face it head on.

“We have had high points and low points in the season and there is no doubt this is a difficult one. We have to face the next 14 games with a mindset that there is a lot to achieve in the season because there certainly is that.”

Once again 800 fans will be in The Showgrounds for the game.

Buckley said: “Throughout the pandemic our supporters have been fantastic and it was greatly appreciated by everyone. We wanted them to come back to a situation where they really had something to shout about.

“Unfortunately that hasn’t happened and it’s coincided with the run we’ve been on. We really want to give them something and for them to stick with us. They’ve done it before and we are all in this together. We’d love to be able to give them a good night on Saturday, a win can turn things for us and the harder you work the more chance that will happen. We’ll be doing our utmost to get it on Saturday night.”

Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Luke McNicholas has joined Cliftonville on loan until January 2022.

Rovers boss Liam Buckley: “We’ve seen Luke progress and this move will help him further. Our goalkeeping options are strong and Luke will continue to flourish in the Irish League.”

McNicholas played 90 minutes in a friendly last night for the Northern Irish Premiership side.