Our Academy teams were all in action over the weekend apart from our Under 14 team who have a break in their fixture list.

First up on Saturday at The Sean Fallon Centre, our Under 17 men’s team were defeated 3-2 in an entertaining game against Galway United. Luke Mavrak and Lee Conway were on the mark for Rovers.

Our Under 17 women’s team had an impressive 3-0 win away to Bohs in Dublin at 2pm, also on Saturday. Goals from Alice Lillie, Orna Murphy and Heather O’ Sullivan brought Rovers a well earned three points.

In Letterkenny, our Under 15 side were well beaten by Derry City. Jayden Reynolds scored for The Bit O’ Red however the hosts ran out 8-1 winners.

On Sunday, our Under 19 teams were in action. Our men’s team were at home to Dundalk at The Sean Fallon Centre and ran out 3-2 winners, making it three wins in a row. Peter Maguire continued his good scoring form and Cillian Heaney and Patrick Montgomery were on the mark again to seal the points.

DLR Waves were the opposition for the women’s team and they ran out 5-1 winners on the day with Becky Doddy scoring Rovers’ only goal.

Sligo Rovers hosted Drogheda United on Saturday night at The Showgrounds in front of 2,125 supporters on a beautiful Sligo evening.

Rovers came into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Finn Harps on Monday night and our visitors drew 1-1 with in form Derry City also on Bank Holiday Monday at Head in The Game Park.

Liam Buckley made four changes to his starting team from Monday’s game, with Greg Bolger, Will Fitzgerald, Garry Buckley and Aidan Keena all coming into the starting eleven in place of Nando Pijnaker, Max Mata, Adam McDonnell and Karl O’ Sullivan.

It took just 57 seconds for the game to spark into life. Will Fitzgerald’s inch perfect through ball found Cawley who ran into the box and fired low past Sam Long in the Drogheda United goal.

The supporters were barely back in their seats when Cawley got his and Rovers’ second just a minute later, again firing past Long after another assist from Fitzgerald.

It was almost 3-0 on 17 minutes. Again Cawley found space and his shot flashed just wide of the goal but Long got a finger tip on it to push it around his post.

Ten minutes later, Drogheda had a chance to pull one back. Edward McGinty was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Brennan in the box and referee Damien MacGraith pointed to the penalty spot. McGinty was unhappy with the referee’s decision and replays suggest he did get a touch on the ball. McGinty saved Chris Lyons’ penalty but the ball rebounded to the on rushing Georgie Poynton who scored from 12 yards.

Rovers didn’t let this setback effect them and went in search of a third goal. Fitzgerald, Byrne, Keena and Cawley were instrumental in Rovers’ attacks and created some good openings all night.

Fitzgerald was hauled down in the area by a Drogs defender on 35 minutes and referee MacGraith had no hesitation and pointed to the spot for the second time of the evening. Keena stepped up but saw his kick saved by Long and it remained 2-1.

Cawley controlled a dipping volley brilliantly just before half time but Long tipped over for a corner, the resulting set piece was headed onto the bar by defender Shane Blaney who rose highest in the box.

It was 2-1 to Rovers at half time in what was a highly entertaining half of football.

The away side came out in the second half in search of an equaliser and they were rewarded on 54 minutes. A cross from the left wasn’t dealt with and Blaney knocked the ball into his own net with pressure from Chris Lyons who was closing him down from behind.

Less than a minute later, Drogs defender Evan Weir was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Colm Horgan and referee MacGraith showed him his marching orders.

Rovers rallied and Liam Buckley made a number of changes with Adam McDonnell, Lewis Banks, Jordan Hamilton and Karl O’ Sullivan all brought on in place of Horgan, Niall Morahan, Byrne and Bolger as Rovers looked for an equaliser.

Some good football from the home side produced some fine chances but a combination of good defending and good goalkeeping just about kept Rovers at bay.

There were chances for Banks, Hamilton and Keena but it was the 91st minute that brought the all important winner. Karl O’ Sullivan’s corner from the left found Lewis Banks. He couldn’t work a shot but it fell to Garry Buckley to slam home his first goal of the season to seal all three points for Liam Buckley’s men and send the home crowd into raptures.

Next up is Shamrock Rovers next Friday night at 7.45pm at home.

Experience was the key factor as hosts Wexford Youths negotiated first-time visitors Sligo Rovers with a hard-earned victory in the Women’s National League at Ferrycarraig Park on Saturday evening, writes Conall Collier.

Rovers travelled with some degree of confidence buoyed by a first home win last Saturday against Treaty Utd.

It was a first visit to Ferrycarraig Park for Steve Feeney’s team to tackle an experienced Wexford side that had won four FAI Cup finals and four League titles since 2015.

That was the enormity of the task facing a Bit O’Red side that has adapted quickly to the demands in a debut season at senior level.

Kristen Sample, Emma Hansberry and Amy Hyndman all started for Sligo Rovers as manager Feeney made three changes from the victory against Treaty with Amy Mahon, Sarah Kiernan and Amy Roddy all dropping to the bench.

Wexford dominated the early exchanges, but were unable to make any impact against a Sligo Rovers rearguard in which Orna O’Dowd and Leah Kelly were outstanding.

Kristen Sample handled confidently throughout and saved well from a Kylie Murphy header in the 22nd minute and again from the same player close to the interval.

However, Wexford grabbed the lead in the 38th minute when Becky Watkins displayed superb control in the penalty area before finishing to the net for the wind-assisted hosts.

Wexford continued to call the shots in the second-half with Ellen Molloy narrowly wide in the 49th minute and then Kristen Sample saved again from Kylie Murphy.

The Bit O’Red continued to battle with great determination and that had a frustrating impact on the hosts who, nevertheless, capitalised on some defensive hesitancy with nine minutes remaining to make it 2-0.

Sample saved spectacularly from Murphy, but Ciara Rossiter pounced on the loose ball and finished to the net to wrap up the victory.

Emma Hansberry limped out of the action for Sligo Rovers nine minutes from time while the hosts were denied a third goal when Sample denied Watkins in the 85th minute.

Wexford Youths – Maeve Williams; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Kylie Murphy, Teegan Lynch, Becky Watkins, Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter, Meabh Russell, Nicola Sinnott, Aoibheann Clancy.

Subs – Emma Donohoe for Sinnott 76 mins, Jess Lawlor for Murphy and Siun Murdiff for Lynch both 85 mins, Freya De Mange for Rossiter and Freya Roche for Molloy both 88 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Emma Hansberry, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Katie Melly. Subs – Fiona Doherty for Brennan 66 mins, Lauren McLellan for Melly 76 mins, Amy Roddy for Hansberry and Kerri O’Hara for Kelly both 81mins, Ciara Henry for F Doherty 88 mins.

Report: Conall Collier

Our Match Programme will as always be available just inside the turnstiles from 6.30pm this evening.

Our programme team have had a busy period of late with four home games already taking place in April, and another to come next Friday against Shamrock Rovers.

Manager Liam Buckley looks back at recent matches and welcomes tonights opponents in his usual Manager article.

Club Chairman Tommy Higgins also has his usual article inside the front cover.

Our guests this evening are Carrick Town FC from The Sligo Leitrim Youths League. We get some information on the club and have some photos from their Under 12 team. Bit O’ Red midfielder Niall Morahan is sponsored by Carrick Town for the last number of seasons.

There are articles from programme contributors Keith O’ Dwyer, Stephen McLaughlin, Conall Collier and Joe Molloy.

We get a look at both squads with information on players and management in our player bio sections.

Michael Melly was at our Women’s Under 19 fixture against Donegal last weekend and we have some action shots from the 4-0 victory as well as photos from our last men’s home game against UCD.

The LOI TV Roadshow was recently recorded live from The Riverside Hotel in Sligo and we get a look at how it went.

We finish off with our usual Rack Your Brains Quiz and a look at our fixtures and results for The 2022 season as well as a look at our Associate Sponsors.

Tonight’s Match Sponsors are The Snug Bar, Stephen Street Car Park in Sligo and we have an advert from the bar included in tonight’s programme.

Match Ball Sponsors are Oh Hello Clothing who are also official partners to our Senior Women’s team.

Thanks to both businesses for their support.

Programmes are just €4 and available from the programme team inside the turnstiles.

Sligo Rovers host Drogheda United at The Showgrounds on Saturday night in what will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season.

Last time out back in March, Rovers won 3-0 in Head in The Game Park thanks to goals from Lewis Banks, Jordan Hamilton and Will Fitzgerald.

Since then, The Drogs have been in good form and are currently unbeaten in their last six Premier Division games, winning two of those and drawing four.

Rovers are coming into the game on the back of a Derby win against North-West neighbours Finn Harps on Monday night after Karl O’ Sullivan scored his first goal for the club in the first half.

Manager Liam Buckley looks forward to Saturday’s game:

‘’It should be a good game on Saturday night. I am looking forward to it. We were happy to pick up three points on Monday night and are in fourth position going into the weekend. We have been working hard again in training this week and want to play well against Drogheda who have been in good form lately.

When we played them up there we did really well in the first half, going three goals ahead. We’ll be looking to make a good start again and try to keep improving.

The fans have come out in good numbers this season at The Showgrounds and it’s important that they come out again and get behind the lads as always. It should be a decent crowd on the night.

In team news, Buckley expects to have a full squad to chose from and there are no suspension issues.

Turnstiles open at 6.30pm and supporters are encouraged to arrive early and park responsibly around the area.

Steve Feeney and his Sligo Rovers Women’s senior team face a long journey to Wexford on Saturday to take on Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park at 6pm.

The hosts are vastly experienced having played in the league for a number of seasons and will prove to be a tough test for Rovers, however The Bit O’ Red come into the game full of confidence following two strong performances against Shelbourne and Treaty Untied, the latter ending in a 3-1 win last Saturday at The Showgrounds.

Wexford are currently in third position in the Women’s National League table, one spot ahead of The Bit O’ Red and three points better off.

Manager Steve Feeney:

‘’It was fantastic to get our first win in the showgrounds last Saturday against Treaty United. It was great to see another good turn out and its brilliant to see how people are getting behind the team. 

The players put in another big performance showing the two sides of this team, two sides that will be very important throughout the season. In the first half we played some really good football at times and scored three very good goals with Aoife Brennan’s free kicks rightly being the highlight. In the second half the players showed a desire and togetherness to defend well and restrict Treaty to a few chances while still offering a treat on the counter-attack to see out the game and get the three points. 

This weekend we travel to Wexford to take on the reigning Cup champions, who are a very good side with some really talented players and I’m sure they will be hoping to challenge for the league title this year. We look forward to another exciting challenge and it’s another opportunity for the players to show their qualities against a top team.’’

In team news, Sarah Kiernan is out due to illness and Kristen Sample, Paula McGrory, Helen Monaghan and Emma Hansberry will all be assessed before the trip to Wexford.

The game will be Live on LOI TV from 6pm.

The Bit O’ Red Academy have another action-packed weekend upcoming with five games taking place between Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Our Under 17 men’s team host Galway United at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre on Saturday. Darragh Reilly’s side were defeated 4-0 in Derry last weekend and will be looking to pick up some points at home.

At 2pm in Letterkenny, our Under 15 team face Derry City. Rovers are currently in good form with four wins from the opening five games in the group in 2022.

At the same time in Dublin, Aaron O’ Connor’s Under 17 women’s team face Bohemians at Oscar Traynor Centre. The girls go into the game on the back of a scoreless draw at home to Athlone Town last Saturday and currently have seven points from a possible eighteen so far this season.

On Sunday, both our Under 19 squads are in action.

At 2pm at The Sean Fallon Centre, our men’s side host Dundalk. The lads enjoyed a 2-1 win away from home last Sunday in Athlone and can make it three wins from three games with a win on Sunday.

Our Under 19 women’s side face a long trip to Marlay Park in Dublin to play DLR Waves at 3pm. The girls won 4-0 at home to Donegal last weekend and currently have thirteen points from a possible eighteen this season.

As always, all home fixtures at The Sean Fallon Centre are free to watch and all support is welcome.

Our Academy teams were in action over the Easter weekend with both our Under 17 and 19 Men’s and Women’s teams all playing across Saturday and Sunday.

There were no fixtures at Under 14 or 15 level as both squads had a well earned rest after a busy period.

On Saturday, Our Under 17 Women hosted Athlone Town at MacSharry Park. Both sides created a number of chances but couldn’t take them, meaning the game ended scoreless.

At the same time, our Under 17 Men’s team travelled to The Melvin Centre to play Derry City. It was a tight encounter with the hosts leading 1-0 going into the last fifteen minutes. Unfortunately for The Bit O’ Red, Derry scored three late goals to add a gloss to the scoreline when in fact it was probably a tighter game than the score suggested.

Sunday saw both Under 19 teams in action with Declan Boyle’s Men’s side taking on Athlone Town away from home at 3pm. An early goal from Patrick Montgomery put Rovers ahead. The hosts levelled soon after but Peter Maguire scored from a corner in the second half to secure three points in a 2-1 victory.

At 4.30pm, our Under 19 Women defeated Donegal 4-0 at Sean Fallon Centre thanks to goals from Eimear McIntyre (2), Lara Swann and Ciara Henry. This leaves Rovers on 13 points from a possible 18 so far this season.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney was understandably delighted with the performance of his team in Saturday’s Women’s National League game against Treaty United at The Showgrounds.

The home supporters were treated to two superb goals from Aoife Brennan as the hosts recorded a first home win in their debut season, an achievement that the manager felt was important.

“It was great to get that first home win, we played well and we played some nice football, at times,” commented Feeney.

“I thought the Treaty Utd goal was against the run of play, but we had to respond to it and we did.

“It was a game I thought we could win, but when we conceded that own goal after about 10 minutes we had to work hard to get back into the game.

“Overall, the first-half, I felt we deserved to be ahead at half-time, we got the goals and that was important.

“Two brilliant frees by Aoife (Brennan) and a great effort from Emma (Doherty) gave us that 3-1 half-time advantage.

“We knew, after the break, that it would be difficult against the wind, a lot of long balls from Treaty.

“Our back four, and particularly Amy Mahon making her first start bewteen the posts, they were all excellent

“The overall workrate of the team was superb, we played football in the first-half, but it was the commitment and desire that got us through the second-half.

“We were missing Emma Handberry today, she scored that great goal from a free a few weeks ago here against Bohemians, but today Aoife took the responsibility.

“We also have Sarah Kiernan and Emma Doherty who can also take the frees, but they decide amongst themselves.

“It was also a first start for Amy (Mahon), she only turned 18 a few weeks ago and she came in there today for her first senior game.

“She’s new to the squad, one of the last players we signed, she was superb today, that’s the best way I can describe her performance,” he added.

Looking ahead to the next outing, Sligo Rovers will travel to play a Wexford side that beat Cork City 5-1 on Saturday.

That will present another big challenge for this improving Sligo Rovers team that pushed champions Shelbourne all the way to added time at Tolka Park a fortnight ago.

“We have Wexford next Saturday and that will be a tough game for us,” admitted Feeney.

“We will prepare as best we can and see if we can get something from the game.

Now, after six games, I think we actually have a stronger squad that I realised at the start.

“The togetherness in the team, it’s a great boost and it was evident against Treaty from the players who came in.

“There is great determination amongst the players and there is also lots of ability and that’s starting to come though now,” he added.

PHOTO: SLIGO ROVERS MANAGER STEVE FEENEY AFTER THE WIN AGAINST TREATY UTD. PHOTO: MICHAEL MELLY / BIT O’RED PHOTOGRAPHY

Sligo Rovers made the short journey to Ballybofey on Easter Monday as we met Finn Harps for the second time this season.

The sides met back in March at The Showgrounds with Rovers winning 3-1 thanks to an Aidan Keena hat-trick.

Both sides were away from home on Friday night. The hosts coming back from a goal behind to draw 2-2 with Bohemians in Dalymount Park and Rovers defeated narrowly 2-1 against Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Liam Buckley made five changes to his starting eleven from that game in Dundalk with Greg Bolger, Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, Aidan Keena and Will Fitzgerald all replaced in the team by Niall Morahan, Colm Horgan, Shane Blaney, David Cawley and Mark Byrne.

The Bit O’ Red started well and forced a number of early corners. The was good attacking play from Rovers particularly down the left with Mark Byrne, making his first start of the season, causing problems for the Harps defence along with Max Mata and David Cawley with Paddy Kirk also getting forward from left back.

On 18 minutes, the first real chance of the game fell to Cawley who forced Mark McGinley into a fine save with his feet after working space in the area. Just two minutes later Cawley was instrumental again as his perfect through ball found Byrne in behind but McGinley produced another big save to deny him. The ball fell to Mata in the box but he couldn’t quite get control of the ball and his shot was also saved by the Harps’ goalkeeper.

Rovers weren’t to be denied for long however and were rewarded on 25 minutes. Kirk’s ball found Mata who held it up well before turning and feeding it to the left to Byrne. His pass in behind the defence found the on rushing Cawley who dinked it over the Harps keeper toward goal. Regan Donelon, facing Rovers for the first time since his move to Harps, got back and cleared it off the line but his clearance hit Karl O’ Sullivan and fell into the net for the winger’s first goal for the club.

Referee Paul McLaughlin had his card out moments later. Bastien Hery was booked for a poor tackle on David Cawley and as both teams came together in the aftermath, Ethan Boyle and Shane Blaney were both carded.

Rovers went in 1-0 up at half-time and in truth it could well have been a couple more.

The second half started slowly with Harps having long range shots from Donelon and Mark Timlin sail over Ed McGinty’s crossbar early on. Max Mata was replaced by Jordan Hamilton on the hour for Rovers as Liam Buckley made his first change of the evening.

Harps pushed forward in the last quarter of an hour and forced some corners. McGinty stood tall for Rovers and claimed some high balls sent in from the Harps wingers with little in way of real chances being created.

One big chance did fall to Timlin however as a clearance was charged down by Harps and Mihaljevic got in down the right. His cross found Timlin but somehow a Rovers defender got back to block his effort and put it behind for another Harps corner.

Liam Buckley introduced Will Fitzgerald and Greg Bolger in the last ten minutes and Rovers saw out the game well with Harps pushing forward and McGinty again claiming some high balls to see us through and earn a vital three points.

Next up is Drogheda United on Saturday evening at The Showgrounds. The game kicks off at 7.45pm.