Sligo Rovers face UCD on Friday night in the UCD Bowl in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

The Bit O’ Red continued their good run of form with a 3-1 win over Finn Harps last week to make it four victories out of five games.

Rovers will play the Students for a fifth and final this season, with a 100% record so far. 

In team news, Dante Leverock and Sam Warde are suspended. Johnny Dunleavy is out a foot problem.

Liam Buckley said: “I was happy with the moments of quality we produced in the game last week and overall we did quite well.

“We switched a few things in terms of team selection and the players that came in took their opportunity.

“It showed that every player in this squad contributes. I’ve said it all year we wouldn’t have a player in the group that doesn’t make an impact in our season. I was very pleased with all of them and no doubt they are giving us something to think about.

“In football you are always playing for something and that can be for a place in the team for a big game like a semi-final, your future at a club, your next contract. It is the nature of it so there’s no dropping of levels or anything like that because of what is to come later in the season.  

“We have to see out the league in the right manner. We’ve put a lot of work into it and because of that there has to be a determination to get as many points as we can. As I’ve said we want that sixth place and we need a few more results to ensure we get it.

“UCD had a good result this week and they will be doing their all to catch Finn Harps so we expect a hard game as every game in this league is.” 

Children’s tickets for the FAI Cup semi-final with Dundalk will now be pre-sold.

Please note we are expecting a sell-out crowd for this game

Fans are ask to note that while we were initially going to only pre-sell adult and concession tickets and sell children’s tickets on the day, we will now sell pre-sell all tickets including children’s tickets due to expected high demand and Dundalk FC being due a large allocation of tickets.

Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday in the clubhouse in The Showgrounds at 12pm for members and season tickets holders.

We ask that fans go directly to the clubhouse and not the main office.

A general and online sale begins on Friday.

Sligo Rovers can confirm the club will host a 25^th anniversary celebration for the 1994 FAI Cup winning side on Friday 1^st November in the Clayton Hotel.

Willie McStay and members of the 1994 team will be guests at the dinner dance event which will include a complimentary drinks reception, two course meal with tea/coffee, music and more.

Among the guests confirmed so far are Eddie Annand, Riccardo Gabbiadini, Mark McLean, David Reid and Gerry Carr.

The night will also coincide with the Player of the Year awards for this season, from senior to underage and women’s team.

The awards will be presented on the night.

Sligo Rovers legends will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night as well as honouring a volunteer who has made a massive mark on the club.

Captain on the day of the FAI Cup victory to seal the treble win, Gavin Dykes, said: “It’s fantastic that the club are honouring the team and there is a great deal of excitement among all of us to catch up with the group.

“It looks like we’ll have nearly all the team with us and I know Willie is thrilled to be coming.

“The 1994 era was a special time in all our lives. For us it’s important to celebrate that time and we are delighted the club are organising this event.

“There’ll be a lot of stories, a lot of catching up and we hope to have a really memorable night.”

Tickets for the event are limited and will go on sale from The Showgrounds from Wednesday at 12pm, priced €50.

Tables of 10 are also available for corporate, please e-mail administrator@sligorovers.com

The 1994 team will also be honoured by the FAI at the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday 3 November.

The upcoming Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final will see Sligo Rovers meet Dundalk in The Showgrounds and with it a special offer for advetising in front of a national audience.

The area part of the TV arc – ie which will be broadcast for most of the game – will feature in front of a television audience of over 100,000 as well as an attendance expected in the region of at least 4,000.

We have three signs available in this area and the sign will stay in place for this game and the entire 2020 season as part of a special offer.

For more, e-mail administrator@sligorovers.com

Only 20 players remain ahead of this weekend fixtures. all players selections are posted below.

Sligo Rovers can confirm ticket details for the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final match with Dundalk in The Showgrounds.

The game is Sunday 29th September at 5pm. 

Tickets will be unreserved seating and not specific to any stand.

Pre sale: Season Tickets and members ONLY – Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th September from 12pm-7.30pm in The Showgrounds. Season tickets must be presented.

General and online sale commences Friday morning 20^th September 10am until 6pm in The Showgrounds.

Capacity is restricted so we encourage fans to buy as soon as possible.

Weekend sales will be added if necessary but this is to be confirmed.

Children under-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult for the game and may pay on the gate. Children will otherwise not be permitted without an adult.

Dundalk FC will be given their allocation with details to be confirmed by the Lilywhites on how to purchase.

Sligo Rovers host Finn Harps on Friday night in the SSE AIrtricity League in The Showgrounds, kick-off 8pm.

The Bit O’ Red returned to league action after qualifying for the semi-final of the FAI Cup. Rovers are sixth in the table.

In team news, Lewis Banks, David Cawley and Dante Leverock are suspended. Johnny Dunleavy will have a late fitness test on an Achilles problem.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought we played well in parts last week and still could have been better certainly. I thought the application and desire to win was very good.

“We’re top of the bottom five and we’d like to stay there. Finn Harps have caused us plenty of problems this year.  

“They turned us over in the league and cup away from home and we just managed a late draw against them here. We’re in for a hard night.

“They will feel this game is vital in the year but my concern is how we get on and maintaining what has been a strong home record.

“We’ve lost four games here all season and we’d like to keep it that way for the end of the year. 

“We’ve a couple of lads suspended on Friday so there will be changes and for the lads that come in, they have an opportunity to show what they can do.” 

Sligo Rovers have been drawn to play Dundalk in the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-finals in The Showgrounds.

The match will be played on Sunday 29 September, kick-off 5pm.

More details will be announced shortly. It will be an all-ticket game.

Liam Buckley said: “We’re excited. It’s a tough one obviously and Dundalk will be favourites. They’ve got the big squad, this incredible unbeaten run domestically; they’ve been getting to the final every year. They’ve only lost twice this year so that tells you the challenge. We’ll have to be at our very best and when we did get the win earlier in the season I thought it was one of our best display of the year.

“We wanted a home draw and that lends itself to a great occasion in The Showgrounds. Somebody is going to win the Cup and we’d love to get a final to give ourselves that chance. It certainly won’t be easy but we’ve reached the semi-final so we’ll see where it can take us.

“I’ve experienced getting to a final with a couple of teams and I would love for this group of players to do it. Underdogs can do anything in a Cup game and while it’s going to be very hard, we’ll give it a belt and see how we get on.”

The Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final draw will take place on RTÉ Radio 1 on Thursday morning, as well as RTÉ News Now.

The draw will be live on Morning Ireland at 8.30am and will be performed by former Republic of Ireland international Keith Fahey.

It will be on TV on Saorview 21, Virgin Media 200, Sky channel 521 and Eir 500

Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers are all in the hat.

Crumlin United v Bohemians will be the final quarter-final to take place on Monday, 16 September, with kick-off at 8pm at Richmond Park. 

Sligo Rovers face UCD in The Showgrounds in the Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-final on Saturday night, kick-off 7:45pm.

Rovers last reached this stage in 2015 and take on fellow Premier Division side College with a big crowd expected.

In team news, Johnny Dunleavy is out with an Achilles problem.

Danny Kane and Ronan Coughlan have trained in the latter part of this week and could return. 

Dante Leverock is on international duty with Bermuda. 

Liam Buckley said: “UCD beat Pat’s in the last round and comfortably so on the night.

“We lost to Pat’s the week previously so that tells you the nature of this game and that we need to be at a very good level if we are to progress.

“Anything can happen in a cup game. You can play well and be knocked out or play poorly and progress. I’ve seen so much of that over the years. 

“We have to give ourselves the best possible chance to get through. That means getting a grip on the game, finding our rhythm and being up to speed from the start. 

“I’d love a bumper crowd here and for the supporters to be a big part of the night. We will need them. It’s not just any other game, it’s a cup quarter-final and an important game for everyone at the club. We’ve had games where we’ve been up and down and the fans stuck with us which you always need. 

“From our end we have to be focused on what we must do. Everyone would love a semi-final but we have to earn it and take the work we have put in this season and put it to good use.”