Friday night’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Dundalk will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 from Oriel Park.
Rovers face their 34th league game of the season against the champions, who will be receiving their league trophy on the night.
Kick-off is 7:45pm and the game will also be on RTÉ Player
A Patrick McClean own goal along with Christian Mbulu’s superb second half strike, saw Sligo Rovers exit the Irn Bru Scottish Cup at the hands of Motherwell’s Under-20 side at Fir Park.
Rovers, who had only arrived in Scotland hours before kick-off, were flat throughout and fell behind 12 minutes in.
David Turnbull and Jake Hastie combining down the Rovers left. The latter’s cross catching out McClean who could only turn the ball into his own net.
A jaded Rovers never imposed themselves on this game, and almost allowed the Scots a second on 22 minutes.
James Scott’s initial drive at goal was blocked by Jack Keaney, before the ball fell to full back Kyle MacDonald who rattled Ed McGinty’s side netting.
Sligo did show signs of life when Rhys McCabe tested Rohan Ferguson ten minutes from the break. The Colts net minder grabbing the Rovers skipper’s attempt at the second ask.
Ferguson denied McCabe again shortly after with a save at full stretch.
Sligo had their best chance of the half three minutes from the break. Mikey Drennan’s header dropping past the far post from a Regan Donelon cross.
McGinty was called back into action after the re-start to tip Turnbull’s effort over his crossbar.
There was further worry for the away side when McClean was stretchered off after a heavy challenge on the half-way line.
Rovers men could have been further behind on 66. But McGinty was comfortable in holding Broque Watson’s tame effort from close range.
Mbulu had the Colts two ahead on 70 minutes. The centre half showing neat feet before clipping the ball into the top corner from 15 yards.
Motherwell Colts: Rohan Ferguson; Kyle MacDonald, Barry Maguire, Christian Mbulu, Adam Livinsgton; Broque Watson, David Turnbull, Liam Brown, Jake Hastie; Akeal Rehman (Jordan Armstrong 67), James Scott.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Kyle Callan-McFadden, John Mahon, Patrick McClean (Seamus Sharkey 54), Regan Donelon (Raff Cretaro 75); David Cawley, Rhys McCabe, Jack Keaney; Kris Twardek, Caolan McAleer (Lewis Morrison HT); Mikey Drennan.
Referee: Richard Hulme.
Sligo Rovers travel to Scotland on Saturday for an Irn Bru Cup match with Motherwell Colts at Fir Park.
A comfortable 4-1 win over Livingston Colts saw Rovers through to this stage as Mikey Drennan bagged a hat-trick and Player of the Round.
In team news, Lee Lynch is ill and misses out, while Gary Boylan is out for the season (ACL).
Gerard Lyttle said: “Lee picked something up so we sent him home on Thursday to try to get better but it has got worse overnight. There’s no point pushing it now. Apart from him and Gary we have our full squad.
“This is a step up from Livingston. We’ve been able to get some research on Motherwell. We know how they set up from that and looking through their squad there is a lot of 19 and 20-year-olds who are on the cusp of a breakthrough. This is a game they’ve been crying out for because they become centre stage at their club this weekend and the chance to play against a senior side. That’s a big thing for any young player.
“We’ve a lot of young players too, as is well documented, along with our few older lads and really our focus is on ourselves and what we can do.
“We got the win we wanted last week, we’ve had a really good week of training and we’re travelling in good spirits. I expect the Fir Park pitch to be like a carpet and when we’ve gone to places with a top class surface you’ve often seen the best of us and a lot of good results.
“That’s the type of team we are. The lads are looking forward to it and we’re under no illusions that we have to be at it. Progress in this competition is what we want. That’s what we’re going over to try to do and I know we have a good support coming with us so it’s important to give them something to cheer as well.”
The team departed from Derry Airport this afternoon and will return immediately after the game on Saturday.
Kick-off: 3pm
Meet-up: Cooper Bar, Knowetop Avenue, Fir Park stadium (next to the Well Shop) is the meet-up area for our fans. It will open at 12pm and supporters will meet from then.
Food and drink will be served until kick-off with the bar opening again following the match. It is a ten minute walk from both train stations in Motherwell.
Match tickets: Adults £8, concessions £4 and £2. These are available at the stadium. Rovers fans should not buy online via Motherwell.
For more e-mail media@sligorovers.com
Our Under-19 team face Shamrock Rovers this Sunday at Tallaght Stadium in the SSE Airtricity League Under-19 quarter-final.
The Bit O’Red left it late in Derry last week to ensure qualification for the last eight.
Rovers needed a win and also needed northwest neighbours Finn Harps to drop points away to Bohemians.
As it turned out, going into the last few minutes in both games, it looked as if the Ballybofey men had done their job.
Rovers were level at 2-2 and Harps were ahead in Dublin. However, all was not lost.
A short time after Jack Hever scored a stoppage time winner for Brian Dorrian’s under 19’s, Bohs levelled late on to swing things our way, much to the delight of Dorrian, who speaks about his side’s chances this Sunday:
“We know it will be a tough game. Obviously, one of our toughest this season so far.
“The lads dug really deep last week against Derry and finally we got the crucial late goal to take us into the quarter-finals”
It has been a good year for our under 19 squad with six players featuring in the first team, with John Mahon and Jack Keaney becoming regulars,
Edward McGinty made his full debut recently against Waterford FC as well as debuts for Liam Kerrigan, Niall Morahan & Darren Collins.
Luke McNicholas is also part of the first team squad, something Dorrian is certainly pleased with.
“That’s what they’re here for. If you play well at underage level, especially Under-19 you get your chance. That’s what Gerard has told them, and that’s what has happened. In fairness to the manager, he has had no problems throwing them in, and when they have played, they’ve been excellent. We will miss some of those lads on Sunday but fingers crossed they’ll play for the first team Saturday night instead.
“We will go there with nothing to lose and see where it takes us”
The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, with updates via our Facebook and Twitter.
Sligo Rovers welcome Bray Wanderers to The Showgrounds on Saturday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the club celebrates its 90th birthday.
The Bit O’Red are aiming to secure their place in next year’s top flight against the Seagulls. Continue reading “Team news for Bray game on Saturday”
Rhys McCabe’s ankle injury is not as bad as feared.
With swelling now reduced we can confirm he’ll miss training this week but it’s not long-term.
Regan Donelon & David Cawley are also injured this week.
A further injury update will be issued next week. Rovers face Bray Wanderers in The Showgrounds on Saturday week.
Sligo Rovers travel to Waterford on Friday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
In team news, David Cawley misses out with injury while Rhys McCabe returns from suspension. Continue reading “Team news for Waterford game”
Sligo Rovers host St Patrick’s Athletic in The Showgrounds on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
The Bit O’Red go into the game in their best form of the season with three away league wins in August and last week’s home victory in the IRN-BRU Cup against Livingston Colts. Continue reading “Team news: Rovers host Pat’s on Saturday”
It’s that time again to see who is the August Player of the Month, sponsored by Wehrly’s Bros jewellers.
There were wins over Derry City, Limerick, Cork City.
