The voting is now open for the Wehrly Bro’s Jewellers Sligo Rovers Player of the Month for August.

The games eligible for this vote are

8-0 win vs Glebe North
2-1 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic
6-2 win over Limerick
4-2 win over Cork

Vote by clicking here

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Dundalk continued their push for a fifth Premier Division league title in six seasons as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Dane Massey and Andy Boyle struck for the Lilywhites, who stretched their lead over second placed Shamrock Rovers to seven with one game extra to play.  

Returning to the scene of their last defeat on home soil back in April, it was Dundalk who hit the opener on the quarter hour after an opening which offered little in terms of chances.

Rovers did have an early penalty appeal turned down. Massey seemed to control an awkward Lewis Banks cross with his chest amid claims for a spot-kick.

This, before Vinny Perth’s team had the lead.

Michael Duffy’s cross, meant for Daniel Kelly was cut out by a Sligo defender. The ball landing only as far as Massey who showed wonderful technique to execute a superb volley past Ed McGinty from 15 yards.

Rovers were defending an eleven game unbeaten run on their home patch and had chances for both Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly to contend with.

Hoban lashed an effort from the edge of the Sligo area across the face of goal after sloppy play from David Cawley. While McGinty held Kelly’s header on the half hour.

Jamie McGrath wasn’t too far away six minutes from the break when he attempted to twist a placed effort into the far corner as the visitors remained on top.

Rovers’ Romeo Parkes pounced on a weak back-pass from Sean Gannon late in the half. But goalkeeper Gary Rogers read the situation in time to close down the Jamaican before he could get his shot away.

The second half was eight minutes old when the champions had their second.

Boyle’s dominant jump allowing him soar above two Rovers defenders to thump Duffy’s corner beyond McGinty.

Two almost became three on 57 when McEleney struck the crossbar from range as Dundalk looked well in control.

McGinty pulled off fine reaction save from a Massey shot which deflected off a Rovers defender on 65.

The visitors struck the woodwork again two minutes later when Duffy had McGinty beaten all ends up. The Derry man’s effort from the instep coming back off the Sligo crossbar as Dundalk continued their drive for that elusive third.

Hoban was next to strike the frame of the goal when his glancing header from a Duffy corner bounced off the top of the crossbar with ten to go.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 79); David Cawley, Sam Warde, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Watson 75); Romeo Parkes, Ronan Murray (John Russell 55), Kris Twardek.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Jamie McGrath (Cameron Dummigan 79), Patrick McEleney; Michael Duffy (Lido Lotefa 86), Daniel Kelly (Robbie Benson 72); Patrick Hoban.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 1,655.

We wish to remind supporters that under no circumstances will children under the age of 12 be allowed entrance to The Showgrounds on their own and without being in the presence of a parent or guardian.

From now until the end of the season and beyond we will be strictly enforcing this rule.

We want to allow all supporters an enjoyable and safe experience in The Showgrounds before, during and after our matches.

We will be taking measures to prevent large groups of minors congregating together during the game.

Children over the age of 12 are reminded that there is CCTV in operation throughout the stadium and any anti social behaviour will not be tolerated, with any individuals found to be behaving inappropriately will be ejected from the stadium and stadium bans may be enforced.

We are proud of our supporters and our stadium and we will not allow any poor behaviour to effect the majority’s enjoyment of the game and match night experience.

We also ask supporters to read our ground regulations here: https://www.sligorovers.com/ground-regulations/

Sligo Rovers’ next home league game against Finn Harps has been brought forward a day to Friday 13 September.

Kick-off is 8pm in The Showgrounds.

Our next home game after tonight is Saturday in the FAI Cup against UCD.

Sligo Rovers face Dundalk on Monday night in The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

The Bit O’ Red play their first league game at the grounds in five weeks and come into the game with back-to-back wins in all competitions – including last Friday 4-2 win over Cork City where Romeo Parkes and Ronan Coughlan both scored twice

In team news, Dante Leverock begins the first of a five-match suspension but will also be on international duty with Bermuda for the next two weeks.

Johnny Dunleavy and Danny Kane have late fitness tests ahead of the game.

Liam Buckley said: “Some of the goals we scored were great on Friday. We played very well. We created quite a few chances and passed the ball as we wanted.

“We want to grow our team into a slick passing outfit and we need to improve that. We are by no means the finish article by any stretch. That said , I’m really pleased with the effort and workrate and the players have shown that throughout the year.

“It was obviously a long trip but we tailored our schedule to try to manage the lads and I’m not worried about tiredness.

“We’ll be ready for the game on Monday and a big week. We’d like to produce more of what we saw on Friday and for the lads to have a right belt at Dundalk and see what we can get out of it. We know how hard it’ll be and what is needed to compete with them.     

“We have a small lead over the teams below us and we’d like to grow it and get as many points as we can.

“With two important home matches this week, I’d love The Showgrounds to be as vibrant and as difficult for the opposition as it can be. The support we’ve received this season has been terrific. “

After the elimination of over 300 players last weekend we are down to the last 63. The team selections for the remaining players for this weeks fixtures are as follows:

Sligo Rovers face Cork City for the final time this season at Turner’s Cross on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

The Bit O’ Red, fresh from a 6-2 win over Limerick in the Extra.ie FAI Cup, are currently two points ahead of Cork City in the table, with the Rebels having a game in hand.

Niall Morahan returns to the squad following injury. Johnny Dunleavy and Danny Kane are set for late fitness tests. There are no suspensions.

Liam Buckley said: “After the slow start I thought we were comfortable for the rest of the game against Limerick and it was a good win in the end. The Cup is very much off the agenda now because we have two big games over this weekend that will be key for the rest of our season.

“We have that small lead over Cork and if we can get a positive result it will set us up to stay ahead of them. I want us to finish ahead of all of the teams below us in the table and we’ll need some good results to do so. We’d like to get as close to the teams above us as possible too.

“There is a bit of spring in the players after the win last week. It will be a busy period over the next few weeks and while we don’t have huge numbers that doesn’t bother me because the group we have are working extremely hard and relishing the training and the matches.

“Cork have a new manager and there can be a bounce but that makes no difference to us. The result will depend on what we do and our approach to the game and I’d like us to kick on for the rest of the season and turn a few teams over in the league.”

Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty has signed a new contract with the club to run until the end of the 2020 season.

McGinty, who turned 20 earlier this month, has become Rovers’ number one goalkeeper.

The Motherwell-born goalkeeper began playing with Rovers Under-19 team in the 2016 season.

He previously spent three years with the Celtic youth academy in his early teens and another with Hibernian before accepting an invitation to link up with Rovers at youth level.

He made his senior debut in 2017 and started this season as number one but missed out then because of injury.

But he has now established himself as first choice with competition from fellow youngster Luke McNicholas. Ed has played 15 matches this season in the Premier Division.

Speaking today, he said: “It is great to be signed for next season, I’m delighted. I began this year with an open mind and I didn’t know whether I’d be first, second or third choice at the start of the year.

“I started the first game against Dundalk and I got injured a while later and missed a good few weeks. But I got back in and I don’t want to give it up.

“When you are a youth goalkeeper or number two, you are looking on hungry, determined to get in that place and that is what consumes all of your focus. That’s how I viewed it. So it’s different when you get in there and you’re the number one.  You have to keep it.

“I’m setting myself new goals, new targets and I’ll keep doing that because that’s what motivates me. It works for me.

“Luke is a cracking goalkeeper, I see that in training every day. There is only four months between us. We have an excellent relationship and we talk through everything we do, good or bad, and go through what we should do in any situation.

“He wants that place and we will drive each other on and there’s a good trust there.

“Leo Tierney, the goalkeeping coach, has shown me how key mindset is. He is a calm influence and we start each week with positivity. I work with him each day and he’s a very good and experienced coach. There has been ups and downs sometimes and Leo has helped me through that with his guidance.

“Liam Buckley has been brilliant with me and I knew John Russell as a player, I think the set-up is very good. I feel myself progressing but you will see the best of me in times to come, that’s the way I feel.

“We wanted to get European qualification in the league and for as long as that is possible we will be keeping that as our target. We are looking at it still and going to Cork on Friday and getting that result.

“The Cup is still there but the gaffer has moved that aside, it’s not a factor until that next game comes around.

“What I do want, whichever ways it comes, is to be successful here. That is to get into the top four and win trophies. I’m very happy my future is here and I know what my goals are going forward.”

Liam Buckley said: “Ed has done extremely well, he has shown a fantastic level of maturity and produced some great performances for us.

“I’m delighted to have two outstanding young goalkeepers under contract now first and foremost, but for next season as well and as time goes on they will only get better and better.  

“As I said before, we are looking to build for next year and we are planning accordingly. But we have so much to play for in these next two months. The players know that and what we expect from them going forward.”

A world record attempt for the most models in a fashion show will hit the catwalk in Sligo in aid of Sligo Cancer Support, Sligo Rovers and EJ’s Sligo All Stars on Wednesday 16 October.

Organised by EJ Menswear, the fundraising night will be the official celebration of their 25th year in business and promises to be a night of glamour and glitz fitting for such a prestigious event.

The official launch for this record breaking fundraiser will take place live on Ocean FM in EJ Menswear’s iconic Grattan Street store from 9 – 11am this Thursday.

This fashion extravaganza will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo and a target of over 500 models has been set to ensure the world record is achieved. This once in a lifetime spectacle will be jam-packed with entertainment and excitement from music to celebrities.

Owner of EJ Menswear Eamonn Cunningham said: “Celebrating our 25th birthday with a World Record Breaking attempt gives us the opportunity to raise some much needed funds for local causes like Sligo Cancer Support”.

He added “We would hope everyone will get behind this once in a lifetime event and show their support.”

EJ Menswear will be featuring clothing ranges from the world’s top brands and will be accompanied by none other than their sister ladies store “EJ’s Little Sister”.

Click here to join the launch event on Facebook

To top it all off EJ Menswear have generously added a jaw-dropping prize into the mix.

As part of a draw to be held on the night there is an amazing €25,000 worth of clothing to be won for one lucky person.

A separate fundraising page will also be set up online and it is hoped that it will generate some much needed donations.

With models already signing up to hit the catwalk on the night, many of them household names, and tickets sales well under way it is a night not to be missed.

This officially amazing night will help to raise funds for Sligo Cancer Support, Sligo Rovers FC and EJ’s Sligo All Stars.

Tickets are priced at €20 with all proceeds going to Sligo cancer Support, Sligo Rovers and EJ’s Sligo All Stars.

Slgio Rovers will UCD in the quarter-finals of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

The match will be played in The Showgrounds on a date in September.

FAI Cup quarter-final draw:

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers v UCD

Waterford v Dundalk

Crumlin United v Bohemians