Sligo Rovers wish to update supporters on plans for 2019.

Season tickets:

Season tickets 2019 have been finalised, including a new Super Reds offer that is among our best ever and price freezes on all regular priced tickets. A new two adult and two children ticket has been introduced.

Adults are €220 standard and €300 gold which is reserved seating. Students are €135 and OAP €140. Second level is €70.

The Super Red offer is a ticket for the unchanged price of €50 and the child will receive a complimentary new jersey that will be released for 2019! This is valued at €40 so in effect offering a season ticket for just €10.

These are early bird prices and offers are valid until Christmas Eve. Terms and conditions apply.

The formal launch with all details will take place later this week and they go on sale shortly afterwards.

Merchandise:

Jerseys for 2019 have also been chosen, including a planned early December release.

An announcement will be made shortly in conjunction with our supplier. Merchandise will be on sale online and in our Christmas store in Barton Smith’s which opens Saturday 3rd December.

Squad:

Manager Liam Buckley has told www.sligorovers.com that the 12 days he has been in the role have, as expected, been consumed by squad-building.

Buckley said: “We made initial contact with the players that were here in 2018 when the season ended. It’s a priority to get the players that we want to stay on under contract. That is being worked on.

“Obviously we’re also looking at players from elsewhere. It’s a busy time, every other club is speaking to players and often it’s the same ones other managers are targeting. We’re speaking to players with the view Sligo Rovers is the right place for them to flourish. The committee have given me the budget and we’re going to give it a good go next year to improve the club’s position.”

Buckley, who will speak to Ocean FM, Sligo Champion and Sligo Weekender in a series of interviews to be published from Friday, Tuesday and Thursday week, also spoke about his backroom plans.

“I already have Dave Campbell with me. He works in the area of helping identify players and opposition analysis. Between Dave and I we have a good idea of the players we want to bring here and knowledge of the current squad.

“In terms of a backroom, I’ve met with some of the underage staff on working with them which is important. I’ll be discussing the overall coaching staff when there’s finalised news.”

More will be published on www.sligorovers.com as it happens

Incoming Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley watched on from the stands as his new side beat Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Mikey Drennan’s wonderful first-half opener was followed up by youngster John Mahon’s maiden goal for the club, as Brian Dorrian picked up his first win as Bit O’Red boss. Continue reading “Rovers beat Hoops in The Showgrounds” →

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to confirm that Liam Buckley will be our new manager.

The former St Patrick’s Athletic boss will join the Bit O’ Red on a one-year contract having won two Premier Divisions, two FAI Cups and two League Cups in his management career so far.

The new Rovers boss will meet supporters for the first time tonight as he attends the game against Shamrock Rovers and will be presented to the crowd at half-time.

He will officially join on 1 November.

Buckley said: “I’m really happy to be here. It’s great opportunity for me and I’ve always loved my games at The Showgrounds.

“It’s a footballing town. I think there is players here that are technically good. I want to improve them and the club and see where it can take us.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty said: “From the outset Liam was our number one choice for the role. His record is outstanding in the League of Ireland and the brand of football he brings with it is renowned. We’re delighted to reach agreement for him to join us.

“It’s our intention that 2019 is a big year for Sligo Rovers. We know this appointment will excite our supporters and the committee encourages everyone at the club to get behind Liam.

“To attract a manager of Liam’s ability shows the potential at our club and we really feel he is the man to help us improve our league position for 2019 and bring exciting nights to The Showgrounds again.”

Liam’s coaching team will be confirmed at a later date.

Sligo Rovers host Shamrock Rovers in The Showgrounds on Friday on the final night of the 2018 SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

In team news, Regan Donelon and Gary Boylan are out injured.

Lee Lynch is doubtful. Adam Wixted returns.

Brian Dorrian: “I was pleased by our display on Monday night. We competed really well, we were organised and the disappointment was not winning the game. We probably needed to create a bit more in the second half but overall it was good. The young player acquitted themselves well. The ovation Liam Kerrigan received was telling for his performance for example.

“These three games we faced the champions and the two form teams in the country. You only have to look at the run Shamrock Rovers are on to know what a test it’ll be. But that’s good because I think these are great matches to find out about our players and for our young lads to develop. They’re coming up against the best.

“I’d love to see a big crowd for the final game. There’ll be another chapter for Sligo Rovers in 2019 with a new manager and many these players will be part of it. I’d really love to finish the season with a big performance and a win. It’s a game for the players to express themselves.”

Dorrian said as his caretaker spell gets set to end: “It has been a hectic 10 days, but I’ve enjoyed it. Leo Tierney and Danny O’Leary have been with me. The three of us work jobs, as well as our involvement with the club, so it has been a lot of juggling. It has been an honour for us and as I say, these players can finish on a positive. It’s in them to do so.”

Keith Ward’s penalty cancelled out Mikey Drennan’s opener as Sligo Rovers and Bohemians played out a 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds in a tame affair.

Drennan seemed to spot Colin McCabe trying to keep his balance after three minutes, tamely shooting at goal, only to see it slip past McCabe for a Sligo lead.

The visitors went on the attack, with Dan Casey dragging his shot wide before Dinny Corcoran’s effort floated across the face of goal. Bohs continued to threaten and could have equalized on a number of occasions, but Ed McGinty was proving hard to beat in the Sligo goal.

That was until the 32nd minute when the Dubliners were awarded a penalty as the high boot of Kyle Callan McFadden appeared to make contact with Corcoran.

Ward’s powerful penalty beat McGinty, and Bohs were back in the game.

Kilkenny native Drennan came close to scoring his second of the game just before the interval, but his volley was just forced wide by McCabe.

The home side were calling for a penalty in the second-half when Liam Kerrigan went down in the Bohs box, but Paul McLaughlin waved play on.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Kyle Callan McFadden, Seamus Sharkey, John Mahon, Patrick McClean; Jack Keaney, Lee J Lynch, David Cawley (Caolan McAleer 63), Rhys McCabe; Liam Kerrigan (Darren Collins 75), Mikey Drennan.

Bohemians: Colin McCabe; Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Ian Morris, Robbie McCourt; Danny Grant, JJ Lunney, Oscar Brennan, Keith Ward (Kevin Devaney 67) Eoghan Stokes; Dinny Corcoran (Christian Magerusan 84)

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

The Halloween holidays are this weekend, with the booking process well underway for our 2018 Halloween Camp which will take place in The Showgrounds.

The success of our children’s camps in recent years has been unprecedented, with high demand expected once again at Halloween.

Prices remain capped from Summer, representing one of the best valued camps in the region. Places are limited and booking advised asap

The camp itself runs from 10.30am until 3pm, starting on the bank holiday Monday (October 29th) and will finish on Friday November 2nd. The cost of the camp is €60 for one child, €100 for two children from the one family and finally €135 for three children from the one family.

Every child that participates in the camp will receive and official Sligo Rovers training top, a participation certificate and a picture with members of the Sligo Rovers first team.

An optional breakfast club is also taking place each morning which opens from 8.30am daily. The cost of the breakfast club is €25 per child for the week or €10 per morning. Breakfast includes a choice of cereal, toast and Juice each morning which is then followed by fully supervised indoor and outdoor activities. Parents are advised that the Breakfast Club is limited to a maximum of 25 per week and is likely to sell out. Therefore, pre booking is strongly advised.

The camp is open to boys and girls, between the ages of 5 & 15. Only vetted and experienced coaches will be provided.

For more information on the Halloween Camp, you can contact Shane at the club on 071-9171212.

Alternatively, you can secure your place on the camp by booking online here 

Sligo Rovers host Bohemians in our penultimate home game of the season on Monday night.

Rovers were well beaten by Dundalk on Friday night but will be looking to finish the season on a high with two home games this week.

In team news, Caolan McAleer returns from suspension while Raff Cretaro is also available. Regan Donelon, Adam Wixted and Gary Boylan are injured while David Cawley is doubtful.

Brian Dorrian said: “We faced an exceptional Dundalk team on Friday while we had seven teenagers on the pitch over the game.

“As I said, these matches are to show that there is programme in place of young players with a lot about them. It was a tough night where we were stretched to the limit.

“This isn’t about putting in your players because I’m Under-19 manager. We have 16 or 17 senior players when fit and among them are young players and when you add injuries, you have no choice. We didn’t fill the bench for that reason. I do like giving them the chances even if the scenario isn’t ideal where you have to use so many.

“My hope is in the future that the more inexperienced and younger lads will take a lot from that game. All the lads in the squad are good enough to get better. You hurt when you’re defeated but it can drive you on and they should look forward to another opportunity now on Monday.

“Bohemians are one of the form teams in the country and they had another big win on Friday. We’d like to bounce back from last week and get a positive result. I’d say to our supporters to get behind the boys as any lift you can get will make a difference and remember that it can impact them especially coming off Friday night.

“We have senior players in our ranks too who will be looking to show what they are about. There’s no doubt the next full-time Sligo Rovers manager will be looking at DVDs of these games or whatever and futures are decided. We’re determined to finish this week well so that’s our intention from the first whistle on Monday. “

Sligo Rovers can confirm that Under-19 manager Brian Dorrian will take charge of the team for the final nine days of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Dorrian, who has been part of the club’s underage management for several seasons, will take training from this morning and the games against Dundalk on Friday, Bohemians in The Showgrounds on Monday and Shamrock Rovers on Friday 26 October, also in The Showgrounds.

The club are grateful to Brian for agreeing to the role and encourage all our supporters to get behind him and the players as they have done throughout this season for the final three games of 2018.