Sligo Rovers travel to face Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Monday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Tickets for the game must be bought online in advance here.

The Bit O’ Red won on their first appearance of the new season for the first time since 2014 when sealing a 2-1 success over St Patrick’s Athletic.

Aidan Keena scored his first Rovers goal – as did Colm Horgan – as Rovers made it consecutive wins in Richmond Park.

Derry City were the only side Liam Buckley’s side failed to beat in 2021, with the team finishing in third and fourth respectively.

In team news, Rovers will have their entire squad available. Shane Blaney missed the opening game due to illness but he has recovered in time for this fixture.

Rovers boss Liam Buckley said: “It was a good win on Friday night. I was very pleased with the work rate and how we created lots of chances over the course of the game. I felt we deserved the victory.

“In the last 15 minutes we did have to dig deep and the fact we were playing a side who had a couple more games than us made it more difficult. The games bring you on and that one last Friday will help us.

“It’s been important to recover and we’ve done as much as we can in the last 48 hours or so. Both teams are in the same position from that end. They have a squad where they can make changes if necessary and likewise we have that option with everyone fit and available.

“We’re looking forward to it. It’s a tough game certainly. Derry’s recruitment is well-known in bringing in the Dundalk players and from elsewhere. There’s an expectation there really to try to win the league this season and it was a very good result for them last Friday.

“That said, we’ll go there with the onus on ourselves and look at how we can improve again. We know that you have to turn up in every game to get results in this league. It was just three points last Friday, a start, and something to build on. We’d love to add to it on Monday night.

“I’ve no doubt there’ll be another packed house and we’ll have the great support with us like we had in Dublin last Friday. We look forward to all that comes with this game and we’ll go there looking for the result again.”

Sligo Rovers will finally get the new season underway on Friday when facing St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

Rovers missed out on the opening weekend of the season when the match against Bohemians was postponed due to an unplayable pitch following a long period of inclement weather in the region.

Now, with seven new signings in contention, Rovers will begin the campaign with the first of two away matches over a three day period.

There is a clean bill of health with every player available this Friday night.
Paddy Kirk (Longford Town), Aidan Keena (Falkirk), Karl O’Sullivan (Finn Harps), Will Fitzgerald (Derry City), Nando Pijnaker (on loan from Rio Ave), Jordan Hamilton (Indy Eleven) and Max Mata (Real Monarchs) are the new Rovers signings this campaign.

Rovers won on their last visit to Richmond Park on the night third place was sealed last season, enjoying a 3-0 win.

Bit O’ Red boss Liam Buckley said: “It was unfortunate last week. We all wanted to play but there was nothing that could be done.

“The first game brings a nervous energy which is useful and we retain that for Friday night.

“St Pat’s have played two matches when you include the President’s Cup. That stands to any team because the competitive games bring you on.

“We look at it that we have had one more week to be patient and work hard and get ready for what will be a very difficult game. We’d love to get a result like we did at the end of last season and we’ll be doing our utmost to get one.

“I like the balance we have in our squad. It allows us some flexibility and we’ll take each game on an individual basis over the season. We’re pleased with the players we’ve brought in. They’ve got a desire to excel at the football club for themselves and the group. We’re looking forward to seeing them starting on Friday.”

New strikers Jordan Hamilton and Max Mata have trained with the Bit O’ Red in the last 10 days.

“We’ve really enjoyed having them with us. They’ve settled in and they’re two great lads. The extra week has given them the time to train more and like everyone else it’ll be game time which will help. All of the new players are going to add to us and the quality we have here.”

Sligo Rovers host Bohemian FC on Saturday night in The Showgrounds as the new SSE Airtricity Premier Division season gets underway for both clubs.

The match is subject to a 10am pitch inspection. Tickets will be on sale on match night at turnstiles as well as online at srfcdirect.com. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

The teams last met on the final night of the 2021 season, playing out a 1-1 draw. Rovers enjoyed two wins over the Gypsies during that season, while Keith Long’s side also had a home success. 

The Bit O’ Red have not won the opening game of the season since 2014 with a 2-1 win over Athlone Town the last victory.

Rovers achieved their highest finish (third) since 2013 last season. 

Paddy Kirk (Longford Town), Aidan Keena (Falkirk), Karl O’Sullivan (Finn Harps), Will Fitzgerald (Derry City), Nando Pijnaker (on loan from Rio Ave), Jordan Hamilton (Indy Eleven) and Max Mata (Real Monarchs) are the new Rovers signings this campaign.

In team news, Liam Buckley will have a full squad to choose from with no absentees. 

Buckley said: “It is great to get to the point where the season is about to begin. Pre-season has involved a lot of hard work and commitment from the players. 

“It’s a period of trying to be as best prepared as you can for the first game and the next nine months that come with it. It’s only the competitive matches that truly bring you on and test you. Every pre-season brings its own challenges and while we had the occasional setback, I’m happy we’re able to go into the game with all of our players available. We’ll assess the group and picks the team we feel best equipped for Saturday.  

“It’s fantastic for everyone at the club to be getting ready for a game with The Showgrounds at maximum capacity and the atmosphere and occasion that comes with it. I want the players to experience that and get a feel for the support that will be with them. 

“Bohs have a fine squad assembled and a very good management team. I’ve no doubt they’ll be setting their sights on at least a European finish and have equipped themselves with that in mind. We put the focus on ourselves.

“I’ve been delighted with the players we’ve retained here. They’ve done fantastically well and now we’ve brought in some new faces who we also feel are driven and ambitious and want to bring us forward again. That’s the challenge and one that excites us all. 

“We’re looking forward to the game and getting the season underway.”

Saturday night sees Sligo Rovers men’s team begin the new season at home to Bohemians. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Tickets:

Home fans:

Tickets are on sale online here and will be up to kick-off. They will also be available are on match night at turnstiles.

As well as cash, a credit card system option will also be available this season.

Supporters are encouraged to use the tap facility to avoid delays.

Seating:

Seating is on a first come basis with the exception of golden season tickets where they are reserved in the Treacy Avenue Stand. Please note the names on seat and respect the reservation. Anyone sitting in a seat that has a name will be asked to move.

Away fans:

Tickets are sold out. No more will be available.

Any Bohemians fans attempting to gain access via home turnstiles will be refused entry. There is no access to the away end from the home entrance.

Parking

The Showgrounds car park is for players, staff and officials and will close to the public at 6:30pm.

Public parking is available around the area but it’s limited. Please respect the local residents. Sligo Rovers fans arriving after 7pm and Bohemians supporters unfamiliar with the area have the option of parking in Sligo town which is just a 5-10 minute walk away.

This includes Summerhill College, Wine Street, Adelaide Street.

Coaches will be permitted in the stadium.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the signing of striker Max Mata from US outfit Real Monarchs for the 2022 season.

Mata, 21, has been capped by New Zealand and has previous experience in Europe with Swiss side Grasshopper and a loan spell with Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju.

The striker had a prolific run of form with Kalju, scoring nine times in 11 league starts and playing in their Europa League qualifier against Celtic.

His overall record was 12 goals in 20 appearances. During that spell he was a team-mate of former Rovers player Sander Puri.

Having shone at academy level in New Zealand as a youngster, he joined Wellington Phoenix where his form in the reserve league and appearing in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with New Zealand led to an initial move to Grasshopper.

At 20 he joined the Monarchs in the USL Championship, the second tier of the US, in 2021 and scored twice in 11 starts.

His international debut came against Lithuania as he appeared as a substitute along with recent Rovers signing Nando Pijnaker.

He joins subject to work permit and international clearance.

Mata said: “I’m very happy to join Sligo Rovers. When the chance came up I didn’t have to think long about it. I want to play games and I want to score goals and Ireland was very appealing. I’ve played in Europe before and done well and I definitely think I can do it again.

“I enjoyed the experience in America last season, with a regret of not playing as much as I would have liked. I’m very motivated to come to Sligo, play games and score goals.

“I don’t think integration will be a problem being an English-speaking country. I’m excited to experience the League of Ireland and play here.

“It’s just a matter of being focused and I’ll be totally committed to succeeding here.

“Sligo Rovers have been doing well in Ireland, I’ve spoken with the coach about what he wants the team to be and it all added up to me wanting to be in Sligo and achieving both my own targets and those of the team.”

One familiar face for Mata will be Pijnaker as the duo link up again.

“I was with Nando in Switzerland and with New Zealand obviously so it’ll be a help for sure. It’ll also be good for settling into training and the team so that’s great. I’m looking forward to meeting all my team-mates and making my debut as soon as I can.”

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We’re delighted to get Max. He’s another really good footballer and a forward player to compliment Aidan Keena, Jordan Hamilton and Cillian Heaney who has done well this pre-season.

“He’s done well in Europe beforehand. From a career point of view he’s on the up and we can see how driven he is and how much he wants to do well in the game.

“He’s still only 21 and played in the USL Championship last season so he’s coming here with good experience already.

“He’s most certainly a number nine and can also play in a two. It’s good to have that option. Max is in a very good physical condition, and it’ll just be about getting him up to speed from a match point of view and settling into the league. Both Jordan and Max will be with us this week hopefully and be part of training before the Bohemians game.

“The squad is close to completion but we remain in the market certainly. There are players out there who are of interest. It’s important to have a squad to get us through the season and that it is balanced. It’s a long season with 40+ games in all competitons and we want to make sure we’re covered.

“Bringing in Nando, Jordan and Max really compliments the players we have at our disposal. I’m happy with where we’re at, the players are working very hard to be ready for Saturday night and we’re looking forward to getting underway and particularly in front of our own supporters on Saturday night.”

Canadian striker Jordan Hamilton has signed for Sligo Rovers for the 2022 season.

The 25-year-old has joined subject to work permit and international clearance.

Hamilton was a member of Toronto FC’s historic 2017 treble-winning team and also won three Canadian Championship trophies.

He scored 11 goals in 54 MLS regular season games. In 2020 he joined Columbus Crew where he was again part of an MLS Cup winning-squad and was last with Indy Eleven in the USL as he scored five goals in 18 matches.

In the USL his total record is 21 goals in 61 games, having scored regularly with every club he has joined.

Hamilton is also a former international having been capped twice at senior level by his country.

Rovers boss Liam Buckley: “Jordan is a technically good and talented footballer with not just strong MLS experience but also having done really well in the USL. We feel Jordan is a good signing for us and he can bring his form in the US to the league here.

“There will be a period he has to acclimatise to the league and a new season, but I think he will show to be a really good addition to the group.

“He can score goals and as a footballer he’s very accomplished as well as in the air. He joins subject to a work permit which we hope to process as soon as we can.

“We are in the market for more attacking players, bearing in mind we have lost Johnny Kenny. Aidan Keena and Jordan are great signings for us and when we finish the group in the next week or so I think it’ll show we’ll have some fantastic players at our disposal.”

Jordan Hamilton said: “I’m very pleased to join Sligo Rovers. It’s exciting to play in a new league and in Europe and I can’t wait to experience it. I want to help the team achieve its goals this season and show what I can bring.

“The team has been in the top four of the table for two years and the manager has told me about what a competitive league it is. I’m excited for the challenge and to play in front of all the Sligo Rovers fans.”  

Sligo Rovers today welcome the news of the awarding of a sport capital grant of €211,674 for redevelopment work in The Showgrounds.

The announcement was made by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sports and Media and the Bit O’ Red wish to thanks Minister Catherine Martin, Minister of State Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, for their support.

Today’s announcement is a crucial next step in the Sligo Rovers Masterplan that allows for Phase 1 of it to begin.

This includes new floodlights in the stadium which will see The Showgrounds achieve the minimum requirements set out in both UEFA Category 2 and UEFA Category 3 stadia as well and other ground improvements.

The Masterplan vision for Sligo Rovers is a new 6,000 stadium to achieve all the needed all the requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium.

This week Sligo Rovers invested €100,000 of the club’s funds in a planning process and will spend a further six-figure sum later in the year to bring the project forward with the support of the club’s fans and members through the club’s renowned fundraising mechanisms.

The club also acknowledges how all four of the constituency TDs are providing cross-party support of Sligo Rovers. We also thank all of the elected members of Sligo County Council and its management team who are backing the club’s development plan.

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “It’s very heartening for a community-owned club to have practical encouragement as we strive to create the facilities the region deserves.

“In our discussions with ministers and elected representatives on a local and national level, we feel they see the vision we have but also the results we are producing. That is through investing in footballers and giving a pathway, both male and female, and being a focal point within the region providing facilities and a place of inclusivity.

“I wish to thank Ministers Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers for this allocation which will bring great improvements to The Showgrounds. Through our application we have demonstrated the ambition of so many stakeholders to take Sligo Rovers to a new level. 

“We have the FAI being fully supportive, describing Sligo Rovers as the standard-bearer in community work. Sligo County Council are very much behind us and on a national level we believe there is an understanding that football, and in particular the League of Ireland, must grow in order for the game as a whole to thrive in years to come.

“There is no time to waste and we will bring forward the next phase of our plan as soon as possible. We want to develop more international footballers in our academy, male and female, and have our facilities utilise the incredible talent in a huge catchment north-west area while we generate increased revenue to invest more in trying to achieve our overall target.

“Our centenary is just six years away and we want to bring the plan forward with that in mind.

“Finally, I wish to thank the ministers again and my colleagues at Sligo Rovers for their fantastic work in reaching a new stage of this plan.”

Following a query at our Annual General Meeting last night, the club can issue the following update on gambling advertising.

“Sligo Rovers have taken the decision not to accept sponsorship from gambling companies.

“The Bit O’ Red have turned down two large sponsorship offers from gambling companies in the last number of months as we move to formalise this policy.

“As a community-funded club, we believe it would be irresponsible to accept these proposals.

“Sponsorship is a critical aspect in the running of Sligo Rovers and turning down five-figure sponsorship offers is not a straight-forward decision, particularly given the club is self-funded with no individual benefactor like many others in the League of Ireland.

“The ethos of our club is to be inclusive and open to welcome all ages and demographics. We feel such advertising, directly aimed at our supporters and particularly to our young fans, could have a detrimental outcome going forward and not in the spirit of the football club.”