Sligo Rovers begin their Extra.ie FAI Cup campaign on Sunday when taking on UCD at the UCD Bowl, kick-off 7:45pm and live on WATCHLOI.

The teams met last year at the quarter-final stage. A place in the last eight is on offer when they clash on Sunday night.

Rovers won 2-0 in both games in the UCD Bowl last year. College have three former Sligo Rovers players in their ranks in Jack Keaney, Liam Kerrigan and Paul Doyle.

They are one of the form teams in the First Division, including a 3-0 win over leaders Cabinteely last week.

Rovers, meanwhile, made it four win from five when seeing off Dundalk last Saturday.

The 3-1 success moved Liam Buckley’s side to fourth in the table.

The Bit O’ Red were beaten at the semi-final stage last year against the Lilywhites.

In team news Danny Kane (ankle) is the only player unavailable.

Regan Donelon (calf), John Mahon (broken leg), Will Seymore (hamstring) and Garry Buckley (groin) have trained this week and are all available to be part of the matchday squad.

Liam Buckley said: “We are chuffed to have a bigger group of players available again. Some players are coming back from long spells out. We have decisions to make in terms of the matchday squad, and keeping in mind match-fitness, but it’s a welcome scenario for us. We’ll be making some tough choices not just in terms of the XI but the overall squad and that’s a situation we want. The more options we have, the better.

“It was a fantastic result for us last week. I felt we played well in patches and created lots of chances. We’re still looking to get that better. As I look at the league, in the blink of an eye you can be at the bottom of the table or you can find yourself fourth. We’ve found a bit of form so we’ve moved up but it’s all to play for with every team. We’re going to need to continue the work-rate, the effort and all of that to keep it going or we’ll quickly find ourselves being overtaken and back down again. We’re all aware of that.

“The focus is on the FAI Cup this week, the competition is wide open and anyone can win it. That may sound like something you hear all the time but I really believe it is the case, because particulary in this type of season, anything can happen where a team can go on a run and it doesn’t matter what division they are in.

“We’d love to be in the mix late in the competition, and I feel we can be, but the only way that is going to happen is if we start by overcoming UCD. That is the only objective. We’ve studied them, Dave Campbell has been to see them live, we’ve given them due respect and they are your typical UCD side in terms of style and playing out. I think Andy Myler will be pleased with how they are shaping up and undoubtedly they will be looking for at least a play-off spot, if not trying to get that automatic place. Their result last week certainly showed that.

“We were able to condition the players correctly this week given the eight-day gap from the last game, it’s always more preferential to coming off a midweek fixture. We’re under no illusions and we have to produce a similar performance to some of our previous games if we are to get through. It’s a one-off game where anything can happen so we have to be prepared for it. The FAI Cup is a big part of any season so we have to go out and get the result we need to progress in it.”

Congratulations to Ed McGinty on his call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their upcoming training camp. #bitored

Ed is one of three goalkeepers in the 25-player group for the camp to take place in Northern Ireland.

It is a four-day training camp in Northern Ireland from 31 August – 3 September.

He will be back for training with Rovers from Friday 4 September ahead of the game with Finn Harps three days later.

Liam Buckley said: “I’m delighted for Ed. He is an outstanding goalkeeper. From my first days here I could see what a talent he is and I’ve been delighted with his progress and his contribution to the team.

“He has just turned 21, we know he has a great future, he has established himself as number one goalkeeper and this is a deserved reward for all of his efforts.

“We’ve a host of good young goalkeepers at the club. They work Leo (Tierney, goalkeeping coach) every day in training and with the group, as well as the underage as well where we see even more talent coming through. Ed is proving himself as an example to all.

“They are the present and the future of the club which is great for everyone.

“Ed will be in the squad this Sunday, he can then join the Ireland camp and be back in time to prepare for the Finn Harps game which is important.”

Ireland U-21s have three crucial qualifiers in October and November against Italy, Iceland and Luxembourg and the training camp will provide crucial preparation time.

Republic of Ireland U-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers).

Defenders: Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Danny McNamara (St. Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (QPR), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers), Luke McNally (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Thomas O’Connor (Southampton).

Midfielders: Dan Mandroiu (Bohemians), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United), Will Ferry (Southampton), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Connor Ronan (Grasshoppers Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Attackers: Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Jonathan Afolabi (Celtic), Zach Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Ryan Cassidy (Watford).

Sligo Rovers were saddened to learn of the death of former Rovers and Celtic footballer Pat McCluskey at the age of 68.

The Scottish footballer was a member of the Sligo Rovers team that reached the 1970 FAI Cup Final  -the club’s first for 30 years.

He arrived as a 17-year-old, with Sean Fallon instrumental in the loan move to Rovers.

He also played 115 times for Celtic.

We send our condolences to his family and remember Pat for being part of our history. May he Rest In Peace.

WATCHLOI have launched the half-season Pass for the 2020 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season run-in.

Supporters will be able to watch the Premier Division for just €39 in Ireland and €45 for the rest of the world which works out at less than €1 per game with 50+ matches available on the platform.

The streaming service was launched by the FAI, RTÉ Sport and GAAGO for the restarted SSE Airtiricty League. 

The half-season pass announcement is made ahead of the Extra.ie FAI Cup second round weekend with six of the eight matches available.

Our FAI Cup match with UCD will be broadcast on Sunday from 7:45pm in the UCD Bowl.

WATCHLOI has also launched FAI Gold as part of the half-season pass package. FAI Gold is a new section of the service which will have selected Republic of Ireland matches available to watch from the RTE Archive, starting with Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in 1987.

“We’re delighted to launch the half-season pass for WATCHLOI,” said League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon.

“WATCHLOI has been a fantastic success so far with supporters able to enjoy every match on the platform and it has also led to a greater awareness of the SSE Airtricity League in Ireland and overseas.

“We’re determined to build on the success with the Half-Season Pass and we’re hoping supporters will sign up for the rest of the campaign as it is the best way to support the clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It should be a really exciting end of season run-in at both the top and bottom of the table, and the half-season pass offers incredible value for supporters to be able to enjoy every minute of it.”

Click here for more. 

Illustrator Annie West has teamed up with Sligo Rovers to create an iconic portrait of generations of supporters of the club.

The image shows countless Bit O’ Red characters that created the spirit of Sligo Rovers and show the support behind the club for the coming months.

Annie West is an award-winning illustrator and cartoonist, her work was recently added to the National Library of Ireland’s permanent Cartoon & Illustration Archive.

The image, created in recent weeks, are available to purchase for €12 in local retail outlets and also available online, plus postage. 

They are available in Barton Smiths, Eason’s, Carraig Donn, The Record Room, Centra Maugheraboy and more to come.

Buy online on srfcdirect.com here

There will also signed special limited edition high resolution  museum grade print, signed and numbered by Annie West, which will be processed directly via www.anniewest.com. A small number of these posters remain.

It was unveiled on social media in recent weeks to widespread praise and huge demand to purchase, and will be a souvenir item for Sligo Rovers fans to treasure for years to come.

Explaining the inspiration behind the project, Annie West said: “I’m not really a football fan, I just got a sense of something bad happening for Sligo Rovers because of Covid-19 and I just thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice to do something’. 

“I’ve passed by The Showgrounds after a game and I’ve always been struck by the colour and the energy. And the banners. Lots to work with. 

“I didn’t have a lot of time but with lockdown it was that bit easier to find it. I spoke to Tommy Higgins and he was very positive about it.

“I spoke to some well-known veteran Rovers supporters, discovered more and more about these mad characters, stories I didn’t know. These people were just so committed to Sligo Rovers. I saw all the banners, the flags. It quickly all added up.”

Annie, who has donated the picture to Sligo Rovers as a fundraiser, was taken aback by the response.

“Well what I discovered what was there are Sligo Rovers fans everywhere firstly because I was getting messages from all over the world. 

“And then I just wanted to look more and more into the people who have followed the club and just what an impact it makes. I saw that mural of Nancy Callaghan, but I never really knew the story.

“The more I read, I discovered what an amazing woman she was, with her chair. Johnny Chadda. All the people who dedicated all their time to keeping Sligo Rovers going.  At first I thought we could do this and just post it online for a bit of a lift for people. 

“But with the situation of no crowds being allowed to attend games, I thought let’s do it as a fundraiser for the club. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “I’d like to thank Annie showcasing Sligo Rovers with her incredible talent 

“This wonderful piece captures so much of our people and our club in a way that only Annie can do. 

“We are simply thrilled to have it available to us and for our supporters to cherish.” 

Liam Buckley was pleased with the fitness and application of his players as they secured a shock win over Dundalk FC in The Showgrounds on Saturday evening in The Showgrounds.

The Rovers manager saw his side move inside the top half with a terrific team performance – something the Rovers manager was seeking in the run-up to the game.

He said: “We’ve done well in fairness. We sat back quite a bit in the second half – probably a bit too much for my liking. Nonetheless it is a great result.

“We took our goals very well. We had one or two other good chances to nail it. I’m just delighted we’ve picked up a win against Dundalk. Not too many teams will do that

“I thought Ed’s penalty save was critical. 1-0 and 1-1 at half-time is very different. We wanted to build on it. To bag a second and third goal was great. To be honest with you I was still nervous at 3-0 because it is Dundalk.

“Themselves and Shamrock Rovers have gigantic squads where they can juggle things around and change things in a heartbeat.

“They did have one or two chances in the second half. Nonetheless the lads have worked hard and deserved their win.”

Buckley is quick to play down the current form, saying if Rovers are to repeat the success, it will take continued application.

“We’ve done well in the last few games. That said, I’ve said this before, there are no easy games in this division. There is very little in a lot of teams. You have to turn up every week and in fairness we have turned up every week and put in a shift.

“Even losing in Cork, I thought the lads worked extremely hard and were a little bit unlucky. Outside of that we’ve done really well, we’ve worked extremely hard and their fitness has been really good. Long may that continue.”

Sligo Rovers made it four wins from their last five matches as they impressed against a struggling Dundalk at the Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. 

The Lilywhites missed a first-half penalty as the Bit O’Red led at the break courtesy of a superb Regan Donelon set-piece.

The champions, on their first time out without former boss Vinny Perth, fell further behind in the second period when Ryan de Vries and Junior both registered their first goals for Rovers.

Stefan Colovic did notch a reply for Dundalk from another spot-kick, but Sligo held on for what was their fourth victory of the season.

Under the stewardship of caretaker duo Alan Reynolds and John Gill, it was the visitors who should have gone ahead early on.

The unmarked Daniel Kelly shot wide despite being left unmarked at the back post after the winger latched on to a Michael Duffy cross from the left.

Rovers’ late winner against Waterford four days previous came from a set-piece, and Liam Buckley’s charges were to profit from another well struck free-kick as they hit the lead 13 minutes in.

Darragh Leahy tangled with Ronan Coughlan at the edge of the area before Donelon sent his bending effort around the wall and beyond Gary Rogers.

Rovers nearly doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Junior showed strength to hold up play, finding De Vries, with the New Zealander flashing his effort across the face of goal.

Sligo had to rely on bravery from the returning Kyle McFadden just short of the half hour, with the Ramelton man diving to take Kelly’s volley off Ed McGinty’s goalline after the Rovers goalkeeper had misjudged Daniel Cleary’s cross.

The visitors had accumulated plenty of possession at this stage and were gifted an opportunity to level proceedings on 33 minutes when Teemu Penninkangas was adjudged to have handled Cleary’s cross inside his own penalty area.

Hoban was favourite as he faced McGinty from 12 yards, but the young Scot pulled off a magnificent save as he got in front of the Galway native’s powerful drive.

The second half was just five minutes old when Rovers had their second.

Skipper David Cawley started the move with a neat one-two between himself and Coughlan. The former’s cross from the end line reached De Vries on the far side, who arrowed a low drive past Rogers for his first goal for the Yeats men.

Incredibly, Sligo had their third on 62 minutes. Rogers came to meet Cawley’s outswinging free, only for Junior to make the most of the space behind the netminder, heading the ball over Rogers’ reach for what was his maiden goal for his new club.

Dundalk pulled one back with 14 minutes to go as they threw everything at their opponents, with substitute Colovic converting from the spot after referee Rob Hennessy saw a push from McFadden on a Dundalk player.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, Teemu Penninkangas, Regan Donelon (Alex Cooper HT); David Cawley, Niall Morahan; Jesse Devers (Darragh Noone 69), Junior, Ryan De Vries (Sigitas Olberkis 86); Ronan Coughlan.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Daniel Cleary (Dane Massey 61), Brian Gartland (Nathan Oduwa 54), Sean Hoare, Darragh Leahy; Chris Shields, John Mountney; Michael Duffy (Sean Murray 83), Patrick McEleney, Daniel Kelly (Stefan Colovic 54); Pat Hoban (David McMillan 83).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Sligo Rovers will conclude their first series on matches in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Saturday when Dundalk visit The Showgrounds, kick-off 5pm, live on WATCHLOI.ie.

Rovers made it three wins in four matches last Tuesday when beating Waterford FC. The previous win was another 2-1 success over Shelbourne.

The Bit O’ Red enjoyed a 2-1 victory over the Lilywhites in 2019, one of just four defeats in the season.

Dundalk avenged that defeat in the FAI Cup semi-finals in front of a sold out Showgrounds crowd. This game will be played in front of no supporters due to the latest Covid-19 preventative restrictions.

In team news, John Mahon, Johnny Dunleavy and Garry Buckley are ruled out with injury.

Will Seymore will have a late fitness test because of a hamstring problem.

Kyle Callan-McFadden returns from injury.

Liam Buckley said: “It was a pleasing result on Tuesday night. The manner of the victory obviously made it even better. I thought we got what we deserved, the players kept at it and the performance was one we can really build on. We’re looking for more of that. It gives everyone confidence and after a difficult few months where we had to sit with that poor start, it is good we’ve put a few wins on the table. There’s still a lot to be done.

“We knew we would improve when some of our injured players returned. We have had the likes of Lewis Banks come back in, Danny Kane has done well and Alex Cooper made his mark on Tuesday. We’ll be calling on all of our players over time I’ve no doubt. It’s going to take a collective effort and we want the team performing well in that manner.

“This is one of the hardest games you’ll get in an ultra competitive division.

“I’m sure Dundalk are hurting from Wednesday and obviously now there is a change of manager. They’ve a fantastic squad so it doesn’t change a lot for us, it’s going to be a massive challenge. They’ll be looking to prove a point I’m sure. To be honest we’re focused on what we can do in the game.

“We’re only going to give ourselves a chance if produce our best. We passed and moved the ball better on Tuesday and we’ll look to do that again. It’s almost the halfway point so it would be good to get a result and tee ourselves up for the rest of the season.”

View photos from last night’s game.