Sligo Rovers can today announce the continuation of the community initiative which sees every baby born in Sligo University Hospital this year offered a Rovers jersey on the day they enter the world.

The project, headed by the club and The Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust in conjunction with Sligo University Hospital, saw 1,200 Rovers jerseys donated to families of newborns in Sligo and parts of Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Cavan and Mayo.

This season Sligo Rovers have maintained the use of JOMA Sport home and away jerseys for the 2022 season as part of our commitment to make football affordable for all and sustainability in our community.

This year even more jerseys will be produced free of charge for families during their stay in Sligo University Hospital.

The move comes ahead of the new Sligo Rovers Women’s National League team playing their first competitive game on Saturday as well as the men’s team playing their opening league match at home in The Showgrounds on the same day against Dundalk at 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers chief executive Colin Feehily said: “We’ve received so many messages of gratitude from families and stories of new generations of Sligo Rovers fans being born and proudly wearing their first jersey within hours of coming into the world.

“For over 90 years we’ve built an inclusive club where the tradition of following the club – and maintaining its roots in the community – is passed down in families.

“It is one of our greatest strengths and giving back to the long-time supporters of the club – and welcoming new families and supporters with a gift from the Bit O’ Red – was one of the highlights of last season.

“Together with the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust, we’re delighted to continue this programme. Our merchandise sales are at an all-time high and we continue to receive the financial backing from the public who allow us to field the eight Sligo Rovers team week-to-week from men’s senior to academy and now our new WNL side. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributes and give back in this way as a token of appreciation. 

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for being very supportive in allowing us to make it logistically possible and financially viable again and most of all the staff at Sligo University Hospital. They’ve supported so many families particularly in the last two years. We hope the sight of newborns and the Bit O’ Red brought them some joy along the way.”

Gerard O’Connor of the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust said: “Over the last year, the positivity the baby jerseys have created within the region has been immeasurable and priceless.

“We are delighted to play our part in this wonderful initiative. It has been a tough time for everyone and this is our small way of thanking the people of the region for their unwavering support.”

Sligo Rovers jerseys, both home and away, are on sale here.

Pictured at Sligo University Hospital are Will Fitzgerlad, Karl O’Sullivan and Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust members Susan Brennan and Brenda Kearins along with staff

Fiona Doherty is the latest player to commit to Sligo Rovers ahead of the new Women’s National League season.

History will be made this Saturday as the Bit O’Red play their first ever game in the national league, taking on three time champions Peamount in Dublin at 5pm.

Doherty, a native of Foxford, is well known in GAA circles and joins Rovers having rediscovered her love for football in recent years.

The 25-year-old is a forward, and signs having impressed manager Steve Feeney during a pre-season friendly during which she played against Rovers for Conn Rangers.

Doherty has played GAA for as long as she can remember, and is a senior player for Mayo.

As a youth, she played football for Ballyvary Blue Bombers, before she left that aside to concentrate on GAA.

Doherty, who is a member of An Garda Síochana based in Letterkenny, has played for Connacht representative sides in the past.

She returned to football last year, and won silverware with Conn Rangers.

“Last year I joined Conn Rangers after breaking my thumb which withdrew me from Gaelic earlier than I wanted. 

“But it brought back the love for soccer I’ve always had but pushed aside when I was younger.”

Feeney approached Doherty following the pre-season friendly at The Showgrounds, and talks started from there. “I trained a few weeks later and I’m delighted to be signing for Sligo Rovers as a result of it all.

“Pre-season has been great, I’m learning so much from all the girls on the team and also Steve and his management team.”

Doherty is stepping away from GAA for a period, and is planning to return later in the year.

For now, her focus is on Rovers and the new season.

She is honoured to be given the opportunity to be a part of the first ever Rovers Women’s National League side.

She said: “Being given the chance to play in the WNL is an absolute honour as I know there are lots of soccer players that would give anything to be in my shoes.  “It’s all a new experience to me and I’m taking nothing for granted. I’m taking it all in and really looking forward to the year ahead in the Bit O’Red.”

Doherty studied at IT Sligo and knows a number of the players from her time there, along with a few familiar faces from Mayo.

“I’m fortunate to know a few of the girls in the squad from IT Sligo and also there’s a few Mayo girls within the panel who I’ve played GAA with and against. Having those familiar faces there made it easier for me to walk into the first session as I felt like I was always a part of the team.”

With the season getting underway this Saturday, Doherty hopes Rovers can surprise a few people this year.

“To be part of the first Sligo Rovers WNL side is a great feeling, I’m delighted to be a part of it and look forward to the season ahead. 

“We have been doing very well in training and there is such talent within the group. I don’t think there will be too much expected of us as a team just starting out but hopefully we will surprise a few people.

“Steve and his management team have been phenomenal so far, they are super professional and really know their stuff.”

Former Castlebar Celtic and Galway WFC striker Aoife Brennan has joined Sligo Rovers for the club’s first season in the Women’s National League.

The Mayo native is hoping that the Bit O’ Red can surprise a few people, as the club makes history this weekend playing our first ever senior WNL game.

The 28-year-old played her underage soccer with Ballyglass, before moving to Manulla FC around the age of 15.Brennan was a student at IT Sligo for four years, and played in the Women’s National League for both Castlebar Celtic and Galway WFC.

She told Sligorovers.com: “GAA was always my first sport as I played with Carnacon and we were fairly successful so that always came first.

“I left Galway because it was too much to keep it going while playing Gaelic too, I moved back to Manulla the following season and played in the Mayo league with them.

“When the call came in from Steve Feeney seeing if she was interested, Brennan decided to give it a go.

“Steve rang me over the Christmas to see would I be interested in going to trials for Rovers and I had already been thinking about giving it a go so I went to the open trial session and it went from there.

“The Mayo native scored four goals in pre-season, and is hoping to keep that going when the season starts this Saturday with a trip to Peamount United. Kick-off is 5pm in Greenogue.

“I can’t wait to get started, it’s very exciting being a part of the first senior women’s team at Sligo Rovers and hopefully we can surprise a few people this season.

“Steve and all the coaches have been absolutely brilliant and the training sessions are very enjoyable and professional.”

Sligo Rovers have signed Amy Roddy for the new Women’s National League season.

The 30-year-old, who hails from Ballina in county Mayo, is a central midfielder, but admits she is starting to enjoy playing centre-back – a position she wasn’t too fond of once upon a time.

Roddy has played football since she was a child, playing for Ballina Town at underage level, moving up to the senior team where they enjoyed great success winning county and national titles including the FAI Intermediate Cup.

Roddy represented Connacht and Mayo in representative teams throughout the years.

Roddy, who recently set up her own personal training and online coaching business, previously played football with IT Sligo during her four years there, winning numerous titles.

She is an established GAA player, playing for Mayo at both underage and senior level.

It’s been a few years since she played football competitively, as she played club and county GAA, but Roddy is looking forward to the challenge presented by the Women’s National League.

“When I finished college I missed playing soccer so much, my club career with Ballina Town unfortunately ended too when we no longer had a team or manager. 

“So when I heard the rumours about Sligo Rovers finally getting a senior team I was delighted, I love the challenge of playing sport at a high level.”

Working with manager Steve Feeney and his team of coaches, Roddy says she is learning every week.

“From the first session it was clear that Steve and the coaches knew what they were at, the sessions have been brilliant and I’m learning loads.

“There are a few familiar faces within the squad for Roddy, with Mayo players and players from IT Sligo within the group.

“Coming into the panel I knew a lot of the girls from playing college football and some of them are from Mayo too, it’s nice having people you know when joining a new team.”

While Roddy feels it took her a little bit of time to find her feet, she is enjoying working with younger players whom she is learning from.

“The younger girls on the team who I’m getting to know are so talented, after spending the last few years focusing on GAA it has taken a few sessions to get back into it and I’m definitely learning a thing or two from the younger girls on the team. It’s always good to have a balance of youth and experience on a team.”

She hopes Rovers can make their mark within the Women’s National League. 

“Sligo are so passionate about their soccer and I’m delighted to be part of the first WNL side, everyone has been so welcoming and professional and the experience so far has been brilliant. I can’t wait to play our first league game to showcase our talent as a newly established team and make our mark in the WNL.”

View a selection of images from Monday night’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division 0-0 draw with Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

Images by James Fallon Photography.

Sligo town native Yasmin Connolly has signed for the Bit O’Red for our first season in the Women’s National League.

The 21-year-old, who plays as a striker/forward, has previously played for Strabane side Sion Swifts.

Connolly played for Yeats United from the age of nine, up until she was 17 years of age.

She was part of the Yeats side that enjoyed great success in the league, winning several league titles.

Connolly also travelled to Italy twice with Yeats United for the San Marino tournament.

She also played for Sligo/Leitrim for a number of years.

Once she turned 18, she opted to go to Sion Swifts as there was nowhere in Sligo for her to play football.

“Once I turned 18 there were no more clubs in Sligo, I got a trial with Sion Swifts and started playing with them in 2018 for two seasons, alongside Amy Hyndman. 

“I really enjoyed it there, after the two seasons I was I was starting college in DCU, where I continued to play with the DCU team for the last two years.”

Connolly is currently studying arts, Irish and Geography in DCU.

Alongside Ruth Monaghan, Connolly won a Connacht final with her school, the Ursuline, in 2017, when they reached the All Ireland semi-final.

“I’ve always loved playing football, it was a big passion of mine as a child, I’m delighted to be able to play with a national league team,” Connolly said.

Connolly has also taken up coaching in recent years. Having coached the Yeats underage teams, she then began coaching the Sligo Leitrim under 12 side in 2017, and from then coached the Sligo Leitrim under 13 and under 15 teams.

With the season getting underway in days, Connolly can’t wait to get going.

“I am delighted to be signing for Sligo Rovers, it’s very good to have a national league team starting up in Sligo, the training is of a great standard and the management are brilliant, and all the players get on so well together, I can’t wait for the season to start.

“I am really looking forward to the season starting, the team has been working so hard together, and everyone is so excited to get going.”

Connolly is relishing the opportunity at hand. Already familiar with a lot of her team-mates having played with and against them, she is enjoying working under the management team.

“The management have been brilliant, Steve and the coaches  have been very good, all the players and coaches get on very well together.”

Connolly is the eldest of six children, and her siblings are big Rovers fans.

“My family are very proud, I’m the eldest of six children, they are all very supportive and are always encouraging and pushing me on, my younger siblings often go to the Sligo Rovers games.”

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.”