Sligo Rovers are giving a FREE Tony Fagan poster with every programme bought at the Finn Harps game on Friday night.
In tonight’s programme:
44 pages
Liam Buckley – his thoughts on tonights game
Conall Collier – any dream will do
Interview with Sligo Rovers supporter David Walsh
Sligo Rovers U15’s in action
Where are they now by Joe Molloy
20 Questions with Ronan Coughlan
Red Icon – Paddy Morahan
Sligo Super Cup
You Reds – some nice photos
Sligo Rovers meet Finn Harps on Friday night as the Bit O’ Red return to action in The Showgrounds.
Rovers face Harps on the back of Monday’s 0-0 draw with Cork City. The previous league meeting of the teams was a 2-1 win for Liam Buckley’s men in Ballybofey thanks to goals from Kris Twardek and Romeo Parkes.
Ahead of the game, Romeo Parkes and Dante Leverock have trained following injuries picked up at the weekend but will be tested pre-game. Daryl Fordyce has recovered from illness. Kyle Callan-McFadden has a hand injury and is also doubtful.
Ronan Murray returns following a four-game ban.
Buckley said: “We were happier with the performance on Monday. We put a few things right in terms of not giving away poor goals. I’d like to us to be better in other parts of the game but there is a tremendous honesty in the group and there is more to come in terms of what they can produce. We have had to cope with a lot of absentees and to be honest I had used every available fully fit outfield player by the time that game was finished. We had some decent moments and could have got the goal but the point was a fair result overall.
“We should have some players back on Friday although there are a couple of doubts that will need to be checked. Ronan Murray returns which is a boost for us. It says something about the fixtures at the moment that you can have a four-game ban and return in two weeks. That was one positive that he didn’t have to sit on the sidelines for a long period. It’s behind us now and Ronan can make a big impact for us.
“The game in Ballybofey could have gone a different way, Harps pushed us right to the wire like they have done against Derry and Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers up there. There was only a goal in all of those four games and we’re under no illusions, especially after the defeat in the League Cup. I risk repeating myself in saying that in each game you play in this league you have to be up for it because if you are not you will come unstuck. We’d love to get three points and get up that table. It’s a derby game, it’ll be extremely hard-fought and we’ll be giving it our all to get the win.”
The Sligo Rovers Heritage Group recently made a presentation of a Rovers gift to Julie Dean, granddaughter of the legendary Dixie Dean, as part of a visit to the UK and Ireland.
Julie was in England for the launch of the Dixie Dean Hotel in England, travelling from Australia and meeting with the Everton Irish supporters club in Dublin.
As part of it, Sligo Rovers were represented by Niall McLean of the Dublin Supporters Club who made a presentation of the History of Sligo Rovers book on behalf of the Heritage Group.
Joe Crosse, friend of Julie Dean, sent a message to our club: “I’d like to thank Niall and Sligo Rovers for this very special gift. I can honestly say that Julie was blown away by how special a book it is.
“I can’t thank you enough so a huge thank you to Aidan Mannion and Niall and all involved with Sligo Rovers. I wish you every success and you have a new Sligo Rovers fan.”
Julie Dean said: “I would like to thank the Evertonian Irish Toffees club , Aidan Mannion and Joe Crosse for all of their incredible kindness and generosity that they have shown towards myself and Mark .
“I am so humbled with your kindness and gifts that you have all presented to me which left me quite speechless.
“I would like to thank Niall and the Sligo Rovers for presenting me with this amazing book its absolutely gorgeous, thank you so much.”
Sligo Rovers are back in action on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as we welcome Finn Harps to The Showgrounds.
The game is Friday due to a fixture in Dublin next Monday with UCD.
Tickets are available at turnstiles or online below
Liam Buckley and Ronan Coughlan discuss the draw with Cork City.
Sligo Rovers earned a point against Cork City in Turner’s Cross on Monday evening in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
Liam Buckley made three changes to the Sligo starting 11 which lost narrowly to St Patricks Athletic at Richmond Park three days previous with Sam Warde, Kris Twardek and Liam Kerrigan taking the places of Daryl Fordyce, Jack Keaney and Romeo Parkes.
Rovers created the game’s first meaningful goal scoring opportunity in the eighth minute but Ronan Coughlan – on his return to the club he left in the off season – could only fire Kris Twardek’s cross over the bar.
John Caulfield made two alterations to his side that was beaten 2-0 by Waterford last Friday night with Garry Comerford and Karl Sheppard replacing Gearoid Morrissey and Darragh Crowley.
Sheppard had City’s first real effort on goal with 17 minutes on the clock but his weak header from Comerford’s cross was easily collected by goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney.
Following an uneventful opening, the game sparked into life midway through the first half as both sides squandered good chances to edge into the lead.
Graham Cummins could only blast over from a great position after the ball broke kindly to him in the area moments before Ronan Coughlan planted his free header straight at a relieved Mark McNulty.
Cummins had the final chance of a poor first half deep into injury time but the City number nine couldn’t find the net with his header from Karl Sheppard’s delivery.
The Leesiders received a roar of encouragement from the majority of the 2,302 crowd in attendance as they headed for the dressing room at half- time but it didn’t have the desired effect as their side remained sluggish in the second period.
They did almost break the deadlock in the 55th minute but Sean McLoughlin couldn’t connect properly with his close-range attempt after Beeney fumbled James Tilley’s inswinging free kick.
Caulfield introduced Daire O’Connor just past the hour as he looked to give his side a bit more creativity in attacking areas.
The winger went close to scoring not long after emerging from the bench but he drilled his shot into the side net from a difficult angle.
Coughlan rattled the woodwork from a tight angle – although McNulty looked to have it covered – moments later but Cork soon regrouped as they went in search of a winner.
Garry Buckley saw his header saved with 16 minutes remaining but their best chance of grabbing the game’s crucial first goal and securing their second home win of the campaign fell to substitute Darragh Rainsford in the closing stages.
The attacker expertly controlled Shane Griffin’s ball over the top of the defence but he blasted his shot straight at Beeney when through one on one with the shot-stopper as Rovers hung on to claim a point.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Conor McCarthy, Dan Casey, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; James Tilley (Darragh Rainsford 77), Conor McCormack, Garry Comerford (Daire O’Connor 66), Garry Buckley; Karl Sheppard, Graham Cummins (Darragh Crowley 72).
SLIGO ROVERS: Mitchell Beeney; Johnny Dunleavy, Dante Leverock (John Russell 51), John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Sam Warde, Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Liam Kerrigan (Jack Keaney 70); Ronan Coughlan, Kris Twardek (Brian Morley 88).
Referee: Ray Matthews
Sligo Rovers are on the road again on Monday to play Cork City in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, kick-off 5pm.
The Bit O’ Red were beaten 2-1 by St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park, a late goal from David Cawley proving not enough on the night.
Ronan Murray serves the last of a four-game ban. Kyle Callan-McFadden is out with a hand injury while Romeo Parkes has a hamstring problem meaning he is doubtful and will be tested pre-game.
Liam Buckley said: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb with the goals on Friday. We had some defensively poor moments and we have to improve on that.
“We’ll look to be a lot better on Monday, we switched things around a bit in the second half on Friday and got a bit more of what we were looking for but overall we need to do more to get results.
“It’s all about recovery at the minute for the players that played on Friday. Then we have five or six doing a bit more and then lads with knocks or suspended or whatever. It’s tricky trying to manage that.
“Going to Cork; it’s a great place to play in, a good pitch and atmosphere, and these are two teams that really want to get up that table. I think it’s going to be a real scrap given where the teams are and where they want to be.
“We’re looking for three points and looking forward to going down there and trying to put in a better performance overall.”
Sligo Rovers are back in action on Friday night as we travel to Dublin to take on St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park.
Rovers drew 0-0 with Waterford last Monday and go in search of a second away win of the season. The previous victory was against Finn Harps.
In team news, Ed McGinty has returned to training following a finger injury.
Ronan Murray serves the third of a four-game ban.
Liam Buckley said: “I think in recent matches the signs have been better. The weather scuppered it for both teams last Monday. We were looking for a performance again as in the first half of the Bohs game and beating Dundalk we have seen an improvement.
“The point on Monday was a fair result and the conditions made it difficult so on Friday we’d like to show what we can do a bit more.
“It’s great to have Ed back to add to the competition because there are three very good goalkeepers within our ranks and I want them all pushing each other for every game.
“This is an important game for both sides, we’re a point behind Pat’s and getting up the table is our priority.
“You can’t ask players to play Friday-Monday three times or eight games in a month, however you look at it, so over this period you will see changes by managers.
“That said, we’re adapting our training so we’re planning as best we can and the lads are really bought into what we’re trying to do. They are looking forward to this game and in the first meeting there was nothing really in it.
“I had great years at Pat’s. But going back there isn’t really on my mind on at all or a distraction because my only priority is getting the victory. That is all I’m focused on.
“There are a lot of people that I will be happy to see because of friendships built up over the years, but the challenge here is all that matters. It’s something I’m really enjoying; we’ve got a really good group of lads that want to bring success to this club and three points is all I’m concerned with.”
Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Annual Draw – the key fundraiser for Sligo Rovers in the season.
There is €5,000 to be won among a host of prizes. 6,400 tickets were sold last year in the most successful staging of the draw since it began.
Tickets are priced €10 and are available online here , home games and from members of our committee.
The prizes:
1st prize: €5,000
2nd prize: One Night B&B for two people at the 5 Star Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin
3rd prize: Two tickets for Rod Stewart for his 4th December Concert plus One Night B&B and Evening Meal in The Croke Park Hotel.
Buy tickets here
4th prize: One Night B&B and Evening Meal for two people at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast
5th prize: One Night B&B for two people in Hotel Westport, Co Mayo
6th prize: €200 voucher for 4 Star Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare
7th prize: €150 Gift Voucher for The Cat and The Moon
8th prize: Sligo Rovers season ticket for 2020
9th prize: 2 Premier Level Tickets for the Republic of Ireland versus Switzerland on 5th September in Aviva Stadium Euro 2020 qualifer
10th prize: Signed Sligo Rovers jersey
The draw takes place on Monday 1st July
Sligo Rovers were saddened by the recent passing of people connected to the club.
Tom Calpin, a lifelong fan who died on 6th April. From Enniscrone and lived in Ballyshannon where he was stationed as a Garda and retired some years ago.
His Sligo Rovers scarf was part of the service to mark how Rovers feature in his life.
Maureen Mullen from Collooney, mother of loyal and dedicated Rovers fan Deirdre Mullen.
We extended sympathy to Deirdre and all her family, friends and those who knew Maureen.
May they rest in peace.
