The SSE Airtricity League have announced that our next home fixture against Shelbourne has been brought forward to Friday April 1st with a 7.45pm kick off time.
The match had originally been scheduled for Saturday April 2nd.
The game will be the first of three home games in eight days as we host Bohemian FC on Tuesday April 5th and UCD on Saturday April 9th, both at 7.45pm.
You can buy tickets to The Shelbourne game here: https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/
Our 2022 Academy season is well and truly up and running after game week three is now complete in almost all age groups.
On Friday, our Under 17 men’s team took to the road to face Treaty United at University Limerick in a friendly. The game ended scoreless but both sides created plenty of chances and it proved to be a useful workout.
Saturday afternoon saw our Under 14 team host Derry City at The Sean Fallon Centre. The sides met a week previous in Derry with the Candystripes winning 2-1. This was another tight game with some nice football played by both sets of players. A first club goal for Jamie O’ Malley wasn’t enough to seal the win as the game ended 1-1.
Our Under 17 Women’s team hosted Shamrock Rovers at the same venue later in the day and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Heather O’ Sullivan and Katie Heaney. This victory made it two wins from two for Aaron O’ Connor’s side after another win last week over Peamount United.
Our Under 19 Men’s team hosted Shamrock Rovers on Sunday at The Sean Fallon Centre. The Bit O’ Red were behind against the run of play early in the game but Kailin Barlow’s header drew Rovers level going into half time. Shamrock Rovers scored twice midway through the second half to race into a 3-1 lead. Shane Rooney’s cross come shot evaded the visiting goalkeeper on 75 minutes to make it 3-2. The Bit O’ Red threw everything into the closing stages but couldn’t find an equaliser.
At 3pm on Sunday our Under 19 Women’s team faced Athlone Town away from home after two wins from two to start the season. Lauren McLellan scored early to give Rovers the lead but this was pegged back in the second half and both sides had to make do with a point each. The girls remain unbeaten after wins over Bray/Greystones and DLR Waves on game week’s one and two.
Fixtures:
Under 14: Finn Harps (H) 2pm Saturday
Under 15: Finn Harps (H) 7.45pm Friday
Under 17 Men’s: No game
Under 17 Women’s: No game
Under 19 Men’s: Shelbourne (H) 4:30pm Sunday
Under 19 Women’s: Shamrock Rovers (H) 2pm Sunday
Gemma McGuinness wrote herself into the history books of Sligo Rovers when she grabbed a sensational first goal for the club in the Women’s National League against Cork City at Turners Cross on Saturday evening.
It got better for the under siege Bit O’Red soon after when Emma Doherty beat the offside trap and calmly finished to the net in the 70th minute.
Cork City got back into contention with 15 minutes remaining when Nadine Seward finished at the far post.
This was a third outing for Steve Feeney’s side following defeats by Peamount and DLR Waves while for hosts Cork City it was a second outing as last week’s game against Treaty Utd was postponed.
Cork lost (0-3) to Galway on the opening day and had a training game against Mayfield during the week to compensate for the postponement last Saturday.
Cork City dominated the opening exchanges and really could have had a goal or two on the scoreboard as Aoife Cronin and Shaunagh McCarthy were denied by Kristen Sample inside 15 minutes.
At the other end Fiona Doherty’s cross gave Aoife Brennan an opening, but she just failed to connect with the ball which drifted wide.
Cork remained in the ascendancy and created lots of chances, but failed to make a breakthrough. Brennan went close for the visitors from a 38th minute free and Gemma McGuinness began to make more of an impact on the wing.
Cork remained on the front foot after the resumption with Becky Cassin and Zara Foley going close as the Bit O’Red defended tenaciously with Amy Hyndham making a crucial clearnace in the 57th minute and Shaunagh McCarthy’s effort soon after flashing past the post.
In a rare Sligo attack Gemma McGuinness pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the Cork area and her effort went in off the angle of post and crossbar in the 62nd minute.
Emma Doherty, who arrived just in time for the game, scored the second.
Cork City – Abby McCarthy; Danielle Burke, Ciara McNamara, Zara Foley, Aoife Cronin, Shaunagh McCarthy, Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan, Kelly Leahy, Lauren Walsh, Lauren Singleton. Subs – Nadine Seward for Foley 62 mins, Aoibhin Donnelly for McCarthy 68m, Nathalie O’Brien for Walsh 84m.
Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Amy Roddy, Emma Hansberry, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Aoife Brennan, Amy Roddy, Katie Melly, Fiona Doherty. Subs – Emma Doherty for Melly, Sarah Kiernan for Hansberry and Paula McGrory for Roddy all 60 mins, Erin Coyle for Doherty 70m, Helen Monaghan for Kelly 84m
Referee – Claire Purcell.
Assistants – Chris Braganza, Paul Braganza.
Fourth official – David Keeler.
Report: Conall Collier
The Bit O’ Red travelled to Tallaght on Friday night knowing that a win may have taken us to the top of The SSE Airtricity Premier Division table. The hosts, Shamrock Rovers went into the game a point behind Rovers but with a game extra played.
It was a beautiful night for football and that showed with the attendance figure of 4,513, around 350 of those in the away end.
Shamrock Rovers started brightest in the opening few minutes with plenty of possesion in the midfield area but little in terms of goalmouth opportunities. Rory Gaffney went close with a header before Rovers created a chance of their own when Jordan Hamilton spotted Karl O’ Sullivan on the right. The Limerick man’s shot went just wide of Alan Mannus’ goal.
On 18 minutes, The Bit O’ Red took the lead. Lewis Banks found Hamilton from a throw, The Canadian turned and looked up and saw Will Fitzgerald make a run into the box from the left. The cross was perfect and the header was even better, perfectly placed into Mannus’ bottom corner.
It was an entertaining opening half and both sides created more chances but it was Rovers who struck once again on the half hour. Barry Cotter played a ball inside towards the edge of his own area. The busy Aidan Keena pounced on the wayward pass and composed himself before striking in off the post past Alan Mannus.
The away end was in full voice by now and the lads responded, defending well and hitting Shamrock Rovers on the counter attack on numerous occasions.
Ed McGinty had to be alert in goal as the home side looked to cut the deficit before the break but it remained 2-0 when Derek Tomney blew his whistle.
The second half was a different game. Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia were introduced for the home side, and they reacted and kept possession for long periods. McGinty dealt with everything thrown at him with great confidence and Rovers continued to be a threat on the break.
Full back Andy Lyons picked up possession on the right on 62 minutes and ran toward the Rovers penalty area. As he was entering the box, he was adjudged to have been taken down by a trailing Adam McDonnell leg and Derek Tomney pointed to the spot. The Bit O’ Red players felt the challenge was outside the area but Tomney stuck to his decision and Graham Burke stepped up to score past McGinty.
Colm Horgan, David Cawley and Max Mata were introduced for Keena, Hamilton and O’ Sullivan but they couldn’t prevent the hosts from equalising. A cross into the area from the right was headed on and the ball went in off McDonnell for an unfortunate own goal on 81 minutes.
Rovers had the best chance in the closing stages as subs Horgan and Mata combined for the latter to shoot straight at Mannus on 90 minutes.
Next up for Rovers is a home game against Shelbourne followed by two more Showgrounds ties against Bohemians and UCD.
Steve Feeney takes his Women’s Senior team South to face Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Saturday. Kick off is at 5pm.
Last Saturday saw Rovers’ have our first home game at The Showgrounds in front of 945 supporters against DLR Waves. The away side took the points following a 3-0 win.
The Bit O’ Red took plenty of positives from the game and now face a long journey to Cork for the third game of the season.
Manager Steve Feeney was pleased with his side’s efforts last weekend:
”Last week was a special occasion for our club and all the people who have worked tirelessly in various roles for a number of years. While the result wasn’t what we hoped it would be I was so proud to be one of the many people in attendance to watch the team play their first game at home in the showgrounds against DLR Waves in the National League. A huge thank you to every single supporter who came out to support the team, we would love to see you out cheering this team on again!
The players wanted so badly to get a result as a way of thanking all those who came out to support them on the day and all the people who have supported them individually in their football journeys. While the result didn’t come, I think anyone in attendance would agree that the players gave a performance to show just how proud they are to represent Rovers on a national level. We are at the early stages of the season and know it will be a journey that brings some big challenges but this team has shown already that they don’t fear challenges and will continue to meet each one head on.
This week we travel to Cork for another tough game but it’s a game we look forward too as it gives the players another chance to show the league what they are capable of and what they can bring to the league this season. Cork have proven in past seasons how good they can be so we will need to be at our very best to have any chance of coming home with a positive result”.
In team news, Gemma McGuinness is a doubt with an ankle injury while Paula McGrory and Lauren McLellan will be assessed before kick off and Keela Scanlon is unavailable.
The game is Live on LOI TV from 5pm.
Sligo Rovers travel to Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night (Friday, 8pm) to take on Shamrock Rovers in The SSE Airtricity League.
Liam Buckley’s men remain unbeaten going into the game and will hope to continue recent good form following weekend wins over Drogheda United and Finn Harps.
Shamrock Rovers had a scoreless draw away to Dundalk on Monday night following their Dublin Derby win over Bohemians last Friday.
Liam Buckley is aware of the quality of the opposition:
’We were happy with the way the two games went on Friday (Drogheda) and Monday (Harps). I felt we played well in large spells of both games, but, as ever there is room for improvement. We have a good depth to our squad with everyone playing for places and that is great for us.
”Shamrock Rovers had a great season last year and they’ve added some real talent again this season so we know how difficult the game will be. We have been playing well ourselves and go there knowing we can get a result.
I am lead to believe we will have a large away support on the night which will be great for the lads and we’re looking forward to it’’.
In team news The Bit O’Red welcome back goalkeeper Edward McGinty from illness and Greg Bolger is expected to be available again after recovering from injury.
Last three:
Sligo Rovers: Dundalk (D 0-0), Drogheda United (W 3-0), Finn Harps (W 3-1)
Shamrock Rovers: St Patrick’s Athletic (L 1-0), Bohemians (W 1-0), Dundalk (D 0-0)
The game is live on LOI TV from 8pm and away supporters are urged to buy tickets in advance online at https://tickets.shamrockrovers.ie/
The Bit O’ Red Academy teams are again in action this weekend between Friday and Sunday.
Our Under 17 Men’s team are first up with a friendly against Treaty United at 2pm on Friday afternoon at UL.
Saturday sees our Under 14 boys host Derry City at The Sean Fallon Centre at 1pm. The two sides met last weekend in Derry with The Candystripes winning 2-1.
Our Under 17 Women’s team host Shamrock Rovers at 3:30pm on Saturday, again at The Sean Fallon Centre. Aaron O’ Connor’s side got their first points of the season last weekend defeating Peamount United in Dublin.
Sunday sees Shamrock Rovers travel to The Sean Fallon Centre once more, with The Under 19 Men’s teams clashing at 2pm. A win and a loss in the first two league games see Declan Boyle’s side sit in mid table.
Darragh Healy takes his Under 19 Women’s side to Athlone on Sunday afternoon looking to make it three wins from three at the start of the season.
Our Under 15 boys were due to face The Mayo League on Sunday, however this fixture will now not take place.
Follow @sligoroversacad for updates throughout the weekend.
Sligo Rovers welcomed Finn Harps to The Showgrounds on Monday night for the first North West Derby of The 2022 season.
A cool, dry evening helped the attendance figure with over 2,600 turning out for our second home game of the season.
Both sides created little in terms of goalmouth opportunity in the opening stages with most of the game being played out in the middle third.
The game sparked into life on 14 minutes however, stand in skipper Adam McDonnell picked the ball up on the left and cleverly found winger Will Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald flicked the ball first time around a Harps defender to Aidan Keena who took a touch and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom left corner past goalkeeper Mark McGinley.
Rovers created another opportunity ten minutes later, the impressive Niall Morahan ran through midfield and found Will Fitzgerald on the left. Fitzgerald beat a couple of Harps defenders before being snuffed out inside the area.
It was all Rovers at this stage and it was Morahan again the creator as he unleashed Karl O’ Sullivan down the right. Playing against his former club, he cut inside and shot straight at McGinley.
In the 42nd minute, Rovers made it two. O’ Sullivan was tormenting the Finn Harps backline and his cross from the right was only half cleared to Jordan Hamilton. The Canadian showed some neat foot work to lay the ball back to O’ Sullivan who got around his man and whipped in a low cross to Keena who touched perfectly to control the ball into his path and finish low into the far corner to double Rovers half time lead.
The second half was just three minutes old when Morahan’s long ball caused panic in The Harps defence and Keena ran onto the ball and his controlled left footed effort gave McGinley no chance to complete a magnificent hat trick.
Keena almost had a fourth when O’ Sullivan’s cross found him unmarked in the area but The Mullingar native couldn’t control his shot.
O’ Sullivan almost had a goal of his own when he pounced on a mistake in the visitor’s defence but McGinley got down well to deny him.
Liam Buckley made three changes with Mark Byrne, Paddy Kirk and Max Mata replacing Fitzgerald, O’ Sullivan and Keena who received a standing ovation from the home support.
Kirk was straight into the action as he was put through on the left hand side. He found Hamilton in the box but his shot was saved by McGinley. The ball rebounded to Hamilton but he couldn’t steer his effort on goal.
The visitors rallied late on and pulled a goal back through substitute Luke Rudden on 86 minutes to make it 3-1.
Next up for Rovers is a trip to Tallaght on Friday night to take on Shamrock Rovers (8pm).
Tickets are available online at https://tickets.shamrockrovers.ie/
All six academy teams were in action over the weekend as their respective seasons are now well and truly underway.
On Saturday our Under 17 Women’s team took the road to Dublin to take on Peamount United at PLR Park. This would be a difficult task against the Dubs but The Bit O’ Red finished up 4-2 winners thanks to goals from Ella Vahey, Rachel McGoldrick, Sorcha Feehily and Orna Murphy.
Also on Saturday our Under 14’s were defeated 2-1 in Derry. Daire McCabe scoring for Rovers, who won on the opening day but were narrowly defeated by The Candystripes.
Darragh O’ Reilly took his Under 17 Men’s team to Oranmore in Galway. In a tricky encounter the lads lost 2-0, although can take some encouragement from the game having created many chances.
Sunday was another busy afternoon with two games taking place at The Sean Fallon Centre.
First up our Under 15’s defeated Longford Town 4-2 thanks to goals from Callum Lynch (2), Conor Langan and Jayden Reynolds.
Our Under 19 Women’s team made it two wins on the bounce with a 3-1 win over DLR Waves. Katie McGuire’s brace and a goal from Rebecca Doddy sealed the three points.
Our Under 19 Men’s team were narrowly defeated by Drogheda United in Navan, having dominated for large spells.
Our Match Programme’s have proven to be a popular item for home & away supporters, with all copies of the Dundalk edition selling out last weekend.
Tonight’s programme has plenty of Bit O’ Red related content as well as some insight into our North West Neightbours Finn Harp’s squad for the 2022 season.
Our Match Sponsor is Expert Sligo who have an advert as part of their sponsorship. Electric Skyline sponsor the Match Ball.
We welcome Boyle Celtic Youths as our special guests. Players and coaches from The Roscommon club will be in attendance and we have a small write up and photo on the club inside the programme.
We have our regular articles from contributors Conall Collier, Keith O’ Dwyer and Stephen McLaughlin as well as photos from club photographer Michael Melly and Bit O’ Red media man James Fallon.
We list our 2022 Associate Sponsors, test your knowledge with a Rack Your Brains Quiz and have our usual other pages as well.
By yours inside the turnstiles from 6.30pm for just €4
