Liam Buckley is hopeful that last night’s win over Waterford FC is a sign of things to come, as he admits the feeling of being bottom of the table cannot be forgotten in the wake of a positive restart by the Bit O’ Red.

Alex Cooper struck in the final seconds of an exciting SSE Airtricity Premier Division game at The Showgrounds.

It gave Rovers a third win in four matches.

Buckley said he felt his side earned the three points on the night and bounced back well from the defeat in Cork City.

He said: “I think we deserved it over the 90 minutes. The lads put in a serious shift over the second half. We had all the chances. They did hit the crossbar. But overall I thought we did well.

“It is important [for us to move up the table and off the bottom]. The optics for us on that have been a disaster. We’ve now pulled a few wins out.

“There is not a lot between Waterford, St Patrick’s Athletic, Finn Harps. There’s not a lot between us all so you do need to win a few games.

“Hopefully we can continue this sort of form. We were a little bit out of sync in Cork and this is a great response. We did have the better of the chances in Cork in the first half and didn’t take them.

“We were chasing it in the second half. It wasn’t a disastrous performance but it was a poor result albeit a bit flattering to them.”

The passing in the second half in particular pleased Buckley, who is still demanding more from his players.

Next up is Dundalk on Saturday in The Showgrounds.

“I thought our general play was far better and we moved the ball a lot quicker and better.

“Hopefully that is a sign of things to come. Individually we are very good. Collectively we need to improve.”

The Rovers boss thanked supporters for getting behind the team.

They will not be able to attend games against Dundalk and Finn Harps, but went out on a brilliant note.

“I’m disappointed for all of our fans. Even with the 50 that are in tonight, there is a little bit of an atmosphere.

“I’m delighted for them and hearing them encourage us on. Not to have anybody at games is disappointing but if it has to be, it has to be.”

An injury time winner from Alex Cooper saw Sligo Rovers pick up their third win in four as they beat Waterford at the Showgrounds.

A slow start from the Bit O’Red saw John Sheridan’s side deservedly lead at the break courtesy of Michael O’Connor’s opener.

But Sligo dug in and levelled proceedings through Ronan Coughlan before Cooper’s 93rd minute winner finally broke Waterford’s resolve.

A hesitant Rovers allowed Waterford plenty of space in dangerous areas in the opening period. Robbie McCourt’s speculative volley three minutes in was easy for Ed McGinty, but along with Will Longbottom’s early effort served as a warning to a slack looking Sligo.

All the play continued in the home side’s half and a Kurtis Byrne snapshot on the quarter hour had McGinty on his toes.

The focus on the Rovers left side in particular, paid dividends for the visitors on 16 minutes when they took the lead.

With Rovers pinned back, Byrne’s through ball easily found the roaming Tunmise Sobowale who squared for the waiting O’Connor.

The ex-Linfield marksman afforded ample time to pick his spot before firing past the sprawling McGinty.

Despite being on the back foot, Liam Buckley’s charges did have opportunities of their own.

Teemu Penninkangas could only head the ball into the ground after he met Regan Donelon’s set piece. The Finn’s effort bouncing in front of the Blues’ goalmouth with no Sligo takers willing.

While Coughlan should have profited on 27 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with Tadhg Ryan. The Limerick native unable to lift the ball over the Waterford goalkeeper.

Sligo went close again just past the half hour. Lewis Banks forcing Ryan into a save down low with an effort from distance.

The Munster men were responsible for the second half’s first shot in anger as the Yeats men still struggled to click.

O’Connor cushioning a ball from the back into the path of Byrne. But McGinty got in front of the former Dundalk man’s half-volley from the edge of the area.

The hosts had gotten to grips with their opposition at this stage and won’t know how they didn’t level the game on 61.

Coughlan and Jesse Devers combining as the former clipped the ball towards the back post for David Cawley. The Sligo captain left to look on in agony as his close range header came back off the woodwork.

Waterford then struck the frame of the Sligo goal when Tyreke Wilson’s free-kick bounced off the crossbar before Ryan kept Cawley out at the other end just moments later.

Tails up, Rovers finally found their leveller on 72. Devers the architect as he picked out Coughlan who tucked the ball past Ryan for his third of the season.

Both McCourt and Coughlan saw shots sail across the respective goalmouths as the game hung in the balance.

But Rovers were to have the last say as Cooper’s magnificent strike from the angle left Ryan flat-footed three minutes into added time.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks (Darragh Noone 62), Teemu Penninkangas, Danny Kane, Regan Donelon; David Cawley, Niall Morahan; Jesse Devers (Alex Cooper 82), Junior, Ryan De Vries; Ronan Coughlan.

Waterford: Tadhg Ryan; Tunmise Sobowale, Jake Davidson, Sam Bone (Niall O’Keefe 45+4), Robbie McCourt; Matthew Smith, Will Longbottom (Will Fitzgerald 88), Tyreke Wilson; Robbie Weir; Michael O’Connor (John Martin 88), Kurtis Byrne.

Referee: Damien MacGraith

Sligo Rovers are set to finally face Waterford FC in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Tuesday night in a re-arranged fixture at The Showgrounds. Kick-off is 5:45pm.

The match has been postponed twice this season, before and after the restart, and is our penultimate match in the first round of games.

Last Friday’s defeat to Cork City leaves Rovers in ninth place in league. A draw or win would move the Bit O’Red above City, but Waterford secured another impressive result against Dundalk in an unbeaten restart to play, and a tricky encounter awaits Liam Buckley’s men.

The match will be streamed live on WATCHLOI and in front of a small number of Rovers fans who were successful in the season ticket ballot.

In injury news, Will Seymore, Garry Buckley, Johnny Dunleavy and John Mahon are unavailable due to injury.

Kyle Callan-McFadden is an injury doubt, Alex Cooper is available.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought the scoreline was harsh on Friday. We didn’t take our chances and Cork punished us. It’s a reminder you have to make the most of the opportunities you get.

“We see in the league that teams will get beaten and we’re looking to move on from Friday and get the right outcome in this match. It is an important game but in truth every game is in this type of season.

“We have to be better in possession and get our general play better. We’ve regrouped over the last couple of days.

“Lewis got through it well on Friday, Teemu also got some minutes and a few more days of training and Alex Cooper is available again. We’re without the lads that didn’t make it on Friday but they’re all not too far away.

“We’ve got to be a bit more creative in our play and get our focus right on Tuesday. We’re looking for the performance and result.”

Sligo Rovers are on the road on Friday as they travel to take on Cork City at Turner’s Cross, live on WATCHLOI from 7:45pm.

The Bit O’ Red make it back-to-back wins last week, beating Shelbourne 2-1, and moved above Cork in the table.

Two points separate the teams going into Friday’s game, a place where Rovers hold a good record, including a 4-2 victory last season in which Ronan Coughlan scored twice.

Ocean FM will also broadcast live commentary on the game, with the first half online on OceanFM.ie and the second half on FM.

In team news, John Mahon (broken leg) and Johnny Dunleavy are out (knee).

Will Seymore (hamstring) and Garry Buckley (groin) face late fitness tests. Lewis Banks is recovering from a groin problem and will also be assessed pre-game.

Teemu Penninkangas returns from a back injury

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has finished his quarantine process and is now part of the group. He is in the squad on Friday.

Liam Buckley said: “I think when you look at the table and where the teams are then it is a six-pointer. We’re expecting a very hard game. There’s very little between seven or eight sides in the division. Cork got through in the FAI Cup which will lift them and they haven’t conceded a goal in consecutive games as well. Neale is trying to impose a style of play, it doesn’t happen overnight and they will improve throughout the year.

“I see more improvement in this group as well. We’re doing very well individually and it’s collectively of a passing game and ball retention that we’re looking to get up to speed. I do see it coming, especially since the restart, but it can get better. We’re asking for more because we know it is in us. We’ve won two games, this league will grant you no favours so we have no choice but to improve if we want to get up the table and be consistent in our performances and results.”

With Junior joining the squad, it means more competition up front for the manager.

“It is important. I look to every player we put out on the pitch that I want them to have a desire to win.

“I know that whoever starts a game will bring a lot to the team. Ronan Coughlan, Ryan De Vries and Jesse Devers have done well but we also have Ronan Murray back to fitness, Junior in with us now and young Mark Byrne and Darren Collins have done really well. It gives us options. We’ll also be tested squad-wise throughout the year so every one of those players is going to play their part.”

Buckley also spoke about the policy of bring in academy players to first-team training days.

“We’ve introduced some of the academy players to the first-team squad. It gives them a feel for it and what they are aspiring to. We’ve invited quite a few in over the last month or so.

“Johnny Kenny for example is a very bright prospect. He has a lot going for him in many aspects of his game. Rossa McAllister and Darragh Reilly played in friendly games as well. They’re all bright prospects in truth.

“They’ll be playing in their underage teams and they’ll see the levels to get to. The opportunities are there for the young players at the club. There’s lots of great talent and I have to give credit to the coaches because they are nurturing it very well.”

Injured: John Mahon (broken leg), Johnny Dunleavy (knee)

Doubtful: Garry Buckley (groin), Will Seymore (hamstring), Lewis Banks (groin)

Sligo Rovers will face UCD in the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup following the draw this afternoon.

The match will be played in the UCD Bowl.

We await final date and time but ties are to be played on the weekend of 28-30 August.

Second Round draw

• UCD v Sligo Rovers
• Bray Wanderers v Finn Harps
• Bohemians v Cabinteely
• Shamrock Rovers v Cork City
• Drogheda United v Derry City
• Athlone Town v Wexford
• Cobh Ramblers v Dundalk
• Galway United v Shelbourne

Ties to be played on the weekend of 28-30 August

View a selection of images from training today as John Mahon continues to progress.

Teemu Penninkangas, Ryan De Vries and Lewis Banks also took part in training this afternoon.

Images by James Fallon Photography

The postponed SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Waterford FC has been re-arranged for Tuesday 18th August.

Kick-off is 5:45pm in The Showgrounds. A limited number of season ticket holders can attend, they will be contacted in advance.

The match will be streamed live on WATCHLOI.ie.

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley hailed an “important win” for his side as the Bit O’ Red moved up to eighth in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Saturday.

Rovers picked up their first points of the season in The Showgrounds thanks to goals from Jesse Devers and David Cawley against Shelbourne.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the 2-1 success, Buckley said: “I was delighted with the effort put in again. It was a bit scrappy at times but nonetheless it was an important win to get us up the league table.

“You couldn’t ask for more with the goal early on. Ryan De Vries did fantastically on the left and in fairness to Jesse he took up a great position to score.

“You feel more comfortable with the second goal, but you knew they weren’t going to sit back. Ian Morris was changing bits and pieces, went 3-5-2 and made their five substitutes. It was important we stuck at it. They scored late and we just needed to see it out. It was a really good win for us.”

Rovers were set for a second clean sheet since the restart until Gary Deegan struck a spectacular finish in added-time. Buckley was disappointed for Ed McGinty, who turned 21 this week, but was pleased with his netminder overall.

Ahead of next week’s game with Cork City, the Rovers boss is envisaging the competitive nature of the league continuing.

“It would have been nice, especially for the goalkeeper. It’s like a centre forward with goals and we do challenge them for that end of it. Nonetheless it was an important win.

“There isn’t an easy game in this league, honest to God. I’m sure other teams are looking at us and saying ‘we are bottom of the table’. We’ll be competitive as will Shels, Waterford, Cork, Finn Harps.

“We’ll all be competitive because we are fighting to get out of the bottom end of the table. That said, we have another difficult game going to Cork now, we’re looking forward to that. We’ll have another one or two players back from injury I think. We’re getting closer to our full quota.”

Buckley is hopeful Will Seymore can feature against Cork, describing it as a slight hamstring strain that the midfielder didn’t report to be too bad. He added it would need further assessment.

One player that did overcome an injury was Danny Kane, making just his second appearance in 10 months, and slotting in superbly.

Buckley said injuries contributed to the start Rovers made this season and as more players come back, he would like to improve on their team display.

“We had so many defenders out. I thought Danny had a fantastic game. I had intended to take him off at one stage, but he got through the game well.

“Some of them were tight. We were down six defenders and we have a squad of 20. That said, there wasn’t a lot in those games. I know we won last week and tonight, but there is still improvement in this group.

“We still have a couple of players to come back in. We need to find our way of playing. It was a bit scrappy at times with not a lot in it. There is much more in this group. Hopefully we can grow into it and push on.”

The Rovers boss also confirmed Junior will join training this week after being isolated for the last 14 days.

“Junior will be available for us. He was top scorer last year. We’re looking forward to getting him in and he will be a big addition to the group going forward.”

Sligo Rovers struck early in both halves as they claimed their second win on the spin with victory over Shelbourne at the Showgrounds.

The 50 supporters in attendance had barely reacquainted themselves with their surroundings following an extended period without football on Church Hill, when Jesse Devers headed Liam Buckley’s men into the lead.

While captain David Cawley secured Sligo’s second win of the season when he struck on 51 minutes.

Gary Deegan replied for Shels deep in injury time, but the points were to stay in Sligo as the home side held on.

Without a win at the Showground since September 2019, Sligo started this tie in ideal fashion, hitting the lead after just 30 seconds.

Ronan Coughlan linked up with Ryan De Vries down the left before the New Zealander found Devers from the end line. The Ballina native nodded De Vries’ cross past Shels goalkeeper Colin McCabe from six yards for his first goal for the club.

Sligo’s early pressure almost told again on six and nine minutes respectively. Again, Devers kept the opposition defence busy. His first effort flashing across the face of goal, while McCabe had to scramble to keep the winger’s shot from squeezing between him and his front post three minutes later.

Looking for their second win from the north west this week, Ian Morris’ charges spurned a great opportunity to find themselves level on eleven minutes. Target man Ciaran Kilduff latched on to Dale Rooney’s ball from the left, but was unable to stab the ball home from close range having muscled off the attention of the last Rovers defender.

Sligo remained on the front foot for the remainder of the half. Devers twice going close, while Coughlan’s header sailed narrowly over the Dubliners’ crossbar at the stroke of half-time.

The second period was less than one minute old when the visitors spurned another glorious opportunity to level proceedings. Jaze Kabia blazing over whilst right in the face of Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

Kabia’s misfortune was compounded five minutes later when Rovers pounced again.

Coughlan redirected Regan Donelon’s corner into the path of skipper Cawley who rifled past McCabe for his first of the year.

The game became somewhat scrappy as the second half wore on. De Vries wasn’t too far away with a powerful drive from the angle after the wide man robbed Daniel Byrne at the corner flag eleven minutes from time.

Shels had their reply in the fourth of the six added minutes. Deegan lacing the ball past McGinty who couldn’t get a strong enough wrist to the midfielder’s viciously struck volley.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Darragh Noone, Kyle McFadden, Danny Kane, Regan Donelon; Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Will Seymore (John Russell 59); Jesse Devers, Ryan De Vries (Alex Cooper 85); Ronan Coughlan.

Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Aidan Friel (Oscar Brennan 80), Daniel Byrne, Luke Byrne (Daniel O’Reilly 60), Alex O’Hanlon; Gary Deegan, Sean Quinn (Alex Cetiner 80); Dale Rooney, Ryan Brennan (Georgie Poynton 53), Jaze Kabia (Aaron Dobbs 53); Ciaran Kilduff.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.