Sligo Rovers return to league action this Friday night after the mid-season break. 

Champions Shamrock Rovers are the opposition as the Bit O’Red take to the pitch at the Showgrounds for the first time in almost one month, kick-off 7.45pm. 

This will be the third time the teams have faced one another this season. The sides played out a scoreless draw in Sligo in March, while the Hoops emerged the winners by three goals to nil at Tallaght Stadium the following month. 

Manager John Russell is boosted by the return of both Nando Pijnaker and Simon Power. Pijnaker finds himself back in contention following a rib injury picked up in Inchicore in May. While Power returns to the match day squad following a groin issue which has seen him missing for the last few weeks. 

John Mahon returned to training this week following an achilles injury but remains unavailable for selection. 

Winger Fabrice Hartmann is available for selection but will return to his parent club RB Leipzig after the game. The German’s loan deal is due to expire at the end of this month. Hartmann will depart the Showgrounds having scored eight times in 43 games to date.

Previewing a busy week for Rovers in which Derry are the visitors next Thursday, Russell is hoping for two big performances from his players:

“They have come back refreshed from the break and there is a real hunger and desire amongst everyone to really push on now and make the most of the second half of the season”, he said.  

“We have two big, big home games coming up in the next week against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City and both are at home. We need to make the most of that and we need our supporters in full voice for both games. It’s very important that we play to our strengths on Friday against Shamrock Rovers and really impose ourselves. Shamrock Rovers at home is always a game our players and supporters look forward to and these are the nights everyone wants to be involved in. It will be a tough test but we will make sure we are more than ready for the game. 

“It’s great to have both Nando and Simon back in contention as they are two big players for us. Both had been enjoying really good seasons before their injuries and it was a shame to lose them for so long. I know our supporters are looking forward to seeing them back on the pitch.  

“We’d like to wish Fabrice the best of luck in his future endeavours and thank him for all he’s done for Sligo Rovers. He has treated us to some really magic moments and I hope he gives us something to cheer about on his last game for the club.”

Like everybody else in Sligo and beyond, I’ve been trying to make sense of the shocking sadness of the loss of the great Tommie Gorman.

I feel the loss on a deeply personal level, and I’m well aware I’m not alone in that sentiment.

I’ve known Tommie all my life. We started school on the same day in Scoil Fatima on Pearse Road. He was a little rascal, full of devilment, a star in the school plays and later in Bro. Einard’s famous choir in St. John’s School on Temple Street. Indeed, I would say the first time Tommie Gorman ever appeared on RTE RADIO was as a young member of that choir, performing to the nation, as he was destined to do throughout his life.

Of course, he has become synonymous with Sligo Rovers. He inherited the love of the club from his later father, Joe, who in his own way was a Trojan worker behind the scenes for Rovers back in the 1950s and 60s. Tommie was a supporter like the rest of us, but as his work as a journalist flourished and allowed him access to top level contacts, he used that profile to elevate the club’s ambitions to new heights. The very mention of his name could open doors that would otherwise remain firmly locked; his reputation for integrity and up-front honesty afforded him audiences which would normally be far out of reach for a provincial League of Ireland club. He used all of that clout and influence, not to enhance in any way his own ego, but to ensure Rovers would never be too far from the top of any agenda. This has been particularly true in recent years as the club seeks to implement its ambitious plan for a new stadium. Others with more profound knowledge of this scenario will share their insights over the next short while.

Tommie’s first by-line as a journalist appeared in the Sligo Champion, under match reports on Rovers’ games in Dublin. He was studying journalism at Rathmines College at the time, and needed to build up a portfolio of work. We were delighted to oblige this rising young star. As was to become normal for Tommie, everything he touched turned to gold, as it was in that first season of his coverage for the Champion that Rovers went on to win the League title for the first time in 40 years.

He also famously covered Rovers’ first excursion into European football. By then, he was working for the Western Journal. (I later joined him there to help launch THE SLIGO JOURNAL). It would have been unthinkable even for a national newspaper, never mind a fledgling regional paper, to send a reporter to Eastern Europe to cover a game. But Tommy was resilient and enterprising even then – he pounded the streets of the town and county selling advertisements for the paper which would cover the cost of the trip. I still vividly recall the two-page spread he produced on return, including the famous description of Fago sitting on the ball in the centre circle of the vast arena in Belgrade, happily waving to the bemused fans of Red Star Belgrade. He also brought his own camera, capturing a catalogue of iconic pictures from one of the most historic nights in the club’s history. At the time, it would have been frowned upon by trade unions for a reporter to double as a photographer, but Tommie never let silly rules get in the way of a good story. I imagine it wasn’t the last time he would bend a few rules in order to bring home the yarn.

Another early Rovers memory of Tommie is that he used to travel to away games on the team bus, which would have been unheard of at that time. Players would tell me how great it was that on the way home, when they stopped in for some refreshments, Tommie would produce a cheque book and cover the costs. No wonder they loved him!

He would later join the management committee, working on the nuts and bolts beneath the bonnet to help keep the club ticking over. In more recent years, his work was more behind-the -scenes, but no less important. His lasting legacy will be the new stadium, to which he devoted practically all of his time after his retirement from RTE.

I just want to share a few personal stories about the decency and dignity which shaped Tommie’s life. The great journalist is being, and will be, rightly lauded over the coming days, weeks and months. But here’s a few snippets of the boy and man that I knew.

Just a few examples:

Tommie always loved a scoop. I was present for what I’m fairly certain was his first ‘exclusive’. We were working with THE SLIGO JOURNAL at the time, early 1980s. The English tabloids were full of a story about a man who had absconded from his Birmingham home with his young daughter. There was a full- scale manhunt in operation. However, the combined might of Scotland Yard and the British Tabloid press could not find the fugitives. But Gorman did.

He tracked them down to a battered old caravan in Strandhill, and he brought me along to meet them and help with the interview. Neither of us were old enough to drive, so our chauffer was Tommie’s dad, Joe.

For us young bucks, there was the thrill of the story, the scent of a genuine scoop. But Joe Gorman could only see the plight of this frightened young girl living in a tawdry caravan, far from home in a strange land, being battered by howling wind and rain in the dead of a Strandhill night.

He marched the fugitive and the young child across to the Baymount Hotel, banged a fistful of pound notes on the reception desk and demanded that this man and child be given a warm room for the night and a hearty breakfast in the morning.

“Ye can have your headlines”, he admonished us. “But I’ll do right by the child”

Many times over the years, whenever I heard stories of Tommie’s selfless good deeds, my mind raced back to that night in Strandhill, and the example set by his father. The apple didn’t fall far.

By the time Sligo Rovers won the League of Ireland title in 2012, I’d be writing about the club for more than 40 years. But I wasn’t in the Showgrounds on that momentous October day when they clinched their first championship since 1977. Instead, I watched the game on television from home, having just been discharged from hospital during a difficult period of cancer treatment.

Naturally, I became quite emotional when Rovers scored the winner late in the game, and watched the wild celebrations, wishing I could be there. Within minutes, my phone pinged. It was Tommie: “This one’s for you, Jim”. In all the euphoria and excitement erupting in the Showgrounds, Tommie found the time to include me in the celebration, to make sure I wouldn’t be forgotten. Just so typical of the man. He’ll never know just how much that mean to me at that difficult period of my life.

His personal letters are stuff of legend. Whether it was a birth or a bereavement, the hand-written note would arrive, perfectly pitched, dripping with empathy, friendship and love.

On radio the other day, when the sad news first filtered through, I heard John Downing, the former Brussels corr with the Irish Independent telling how, after his first meeting with Tommie, he had made a note in his diary: “Mad, or what!” And I thought, thank God, I wasn’t the only one. Because being around Tommie could be mad at times. He was so unconventional. The sharp political analyst, making light of the most complicated developments of the day, was a million miles from the man who would stop you in a busy street, grab you around the neck, and plant a massive smacker of a kiss on your lips; or the fiercely competitive beach footballer who would contest every ball or throw-in as if playing in a Champions League final; or the guy who, after we’d manage to talk a few girls from St. Angela’s College into letting us take them home, would drive them instead to the Holy Well in the dead of night to say a few prayers!

On the morning after his wonderful wedding and marriage to the love of his life, Ceara, when most new grooms would be nursing a hang-over or spending blissful hours in the company of his new bride, Tommie demanded that we all meet for a game of ball on Rosses Point beach. Some start to the honeymoon!

When my twin brother, Leo and I, wrote our book, Local Heroes: A Celebration of Sligo Sport, in 2022 we invited Tommie to write the foreword. Despite being in the middle of writing and promoting his own memoir, he immediately fulfilled our dearest wish, penning the most personal and beautiful introduction to our book. It was probably the best thing in it!

These are just a few random thoughts, an attempt at a coherent tribute to a man we all loved. Tommie, as is widely known, loved Sligo. These next few days will demonstrate just how strongly and genuinely that love is reciprocated. We will never see his likes again. How lucky we are to have shared this landscape with him, and how sorely we will miss him. Rest easy, Scoop.

Sligo Rovers today mourn the loss of Tommie Gorman, one of our most dedicated supporters and treasured figures within our community and beyond. 

While Tommie was best-known as North-West Correspondent, European Editor, Northern Editor and an integral part of RTÉ News for decades, his love and passion for Sligo Rovers shone throughout his life. 

Tommie, who grew up on Cairns Road, secured his first byline in The Sligo Champion in the form of match reports of Sligo Rovers away games in Dublin in the 1970s while studying in the capital.

In the summer 1977 he sold two pages of advertising to Sligo businesses that financed a trip to Yugoslavia to watch Rovers take on Red Star Belgrade and tell the story. 

He reported in the aftermath of the 1983 FAI Cup final, documenting scenes of jubilation from Sligo, which remain a valued archive of our history.

27 years later he stood on the streets of Sligo as the Cup came home for a third time, this time reporting live to a national television audience.

In 2012 he joined the club’s management committee as the league title came back to the north-west for the first time in 35 years.

That season the club secured funding that led to the development of the Sean Fallon Centre.

He has hosted many events for the club and was instrumental in countless fundraising campaigns.

In recent years, he has been a driving force behind the Showgrounds redevelopment.

That work continued up to recent days, such was his desire and belief behind the vision.

We know how important it is for Tommie to see the storied history of The Showgrounds continue, a place he truly called home.

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “We are simply devastated by the loss of Tommie. 

“Tommie was one of Sligo Rovers’ greatest champions. He championed our club at every opportunity, cherished every great day and believed even in the darkest of times that better times would come. 

“Throughout his life he told our story and lived it with us to change it for the better. 

“His love of football tied in with his love of Rovers and Sligo. Tommie has inspired all of us and we will miss his presence so much. 

“Our thoughts are with his wife Ceara, children Joe and Moya, sister Mary and brother Michael and all who knew Tommie across his wonderful life.” 

Tommie Gorman once wrote: “The Bit O Red bond is something that cannot be denied”.

The proudest Sligo man and Rovers fan; his contribution to our club will live on through the indelible mark he made with us. 

Two years ago the club paid tribute to Tommie with the inscription on a tile in The Showgrounds. 

It reads: Tommie Gorman. Rovers Forever.

He will always be. May he rest in peace.

The club will pay tribute to Tommie at this Friday’s game against Shamrock Rovers.  

The 500 Club members draw for January, February and March was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

April 2024

• €500 Joe Doherty – Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo
• €100 Gary Loughlin – Oranmore , Co. Galway
• €100 Seamus Cummins – Oakfield, Sligo
• €100 Tom Hargadon – Woodtown Lodge, Co. Sligo
• €100 Kieran O’Dowd – Gurteen, Co. Sligo
• €100 Matt Lyons – Stephen St, Co. Sligo
• €100 Sean Devins – Churchill, Co. Sligo
• €100 Amanda Kelly – Cartron Village, Sligo
• €100 Oisin Moran – Christchurch, Dublin 8
• €100 Charles Harrison – Skreen, Co. Sligo

May 2024

• €500 Justin Clarke – Orlando, USA
• €100 Neil McGowan – Circular Rd, Co. Sligo
• €100 Paul McGarry – Ballygawley, Co. Sligo
• €100 Mary Harrison – Skreen, Co. Sligo
• €100 Pat Dolan – Strandhill Rd, Co. Sligo
• €100 Gerry Murray – Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo
• €100 Mary Harte – Cartron point, Co. Sligo
• €100 John O’ Reilly – Dromahaire, Co. Sligo
• €100 Paul Higgins – Strandhill, Co. Sligo
• €100 Andrew Dodd Jr – Calry, Co. Sligo

June 2024

• €500 Rodger McDermott – Enfield, England
• €100 Lorna Fahey – Cairns Hill, Sligo
• €100 Conor Gillis – Bradford, England
• €100 John Horan – Trio Foods, Ballinode, Sligo
• €100 Adrian Keavney – Cleveragh Ind Est, Sligo
• €100 Sean Feehily – kevinsfort, Sligo
• €100 Colm Foley – Goatstown, Dublin 14
• €100 Michael J Cawley – Castletown, Co. Waterford
• €100 Kieran Bruen– Grange, Co. Sligo 
• €100 Bryan Henry – Castlegarron, Sligo

· Sligo biopharmaceutical company becomes ‘Diamond Partner’ in new multi-year agreement

· New sporting partnership part of the biopharmaceutical company’s support of local communities and sports organisations

· ‘AbbVie Academy’ will assist emerging young male and female talent in the region

· New collaboration launched at a special event in the Showgrounds

June 2024: Sligo Rovers and local biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie, have announced a new multi-year sporting partnership. A key aspect of the new collaboration is the establishment of the ‘AbbVie Academy’ which will support the development of youth soccer in the northwest region. The new agreement also sees the company become match shirt sponsor of the U20 boys and U19 girls academy teams.

This company’s collaboration with the supporter-owned Sligo League of Ireland club reflects AbbVie’s support of local communities and sports organisations. The project will help the club raise identify and develop emerging talent in the region. AbbVie is also the main sponsor of Sligo GAA and LGFA senior football teams.

The company has two plants in Sligo, one in Ballytivnan and the other on the Manorhamilton Road, employing more than 500 people in total. Many of the company’s Sligo employees are keen supporters of the club and already involved in grassroots activities and the development of the game.

Commenting on the new agreement, Georges El Damaa, Site Director at AbbVie Manorhamilton Road, Sligo said: “We are pleased to officially announce the launch of our partnership with Sligo Rovers. We take pride in supporting an organisation that aligns with our dedication to the community and our emphasis on inclusivity. Together, we will empower young people to achieve their full potential.”

Michael Gallagher, Site Director at AbbVie Ballytivnan, Sligo welcomed the new partnership and said: “We are excited to work alongside Sligo Rovers in identifying and nurturing emerging talent. We look forward to a successful and impactful partnership that will benefit individuals, the wider local community and the sport in general.”

Andy Feakins, CEO of Sligo Rovers, said: “Sligo Rovers FC are excited to have AbbVie as one of our Diamond Partners. With this partnership, the company are supporting ‘The AbbVie Academy’ at The Showgrounds. The Academy is where identified young male and female talent, from 14 to 20, hone their skills under the tutelage of experienced coaches. The ’AbbVie Academy’ will also be utilised by the wider football community. We will offer sporting programmes, education, training and fun to a wide variety of children and adults via our newly launched Community Initiative, overseen by our Football Social Responsibility Officer.

“As a community club partnering with this highly reputable global brand, we will jointly support development of youth and adults across a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds for the betterment of individuals and the region.”

SLIGO ROVERS 1, SHAMROCK ROVERS 4

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers continue to seek their first Women’s Premier Division (WPD) win of the season following Saturday night’s reversal against Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

This was a contest that produced a contrasting performance in each half from the Bit O’Red, with a positive opening 45 minutes as Tommy Hewitt’s side hit the front midway through the half but conceded an equaliser in added time.

After the resumption, the Dublin women generally dictated and managed two well-taken goals that were sandwiched between their own goals, and that was sufficient to seal the victory.

The Sligo Rovers manager made a couple of changes from the previous week’s game against the DLR Waves, as Alice Lillie and Kelly Crompton came into the starting lineup with Katie Melly and Kelsey Monroe omitted.

The opening exchanges were played at a frantic pace with chances at each end, but the hosts required a couple of smart saves from Amber Hardy after 14 and 18 minutes to deny Aine O’Gorman and Stephanie Zambra.

However, the Dublin side conceded midway through the opening half when Sarah Kiernan climbed highest in the penalty area to direct a header past Summer Lawless.

Soon after, Jodie Loughrey won possession about 25 yards out and unleashed a fine effort that went narrowly over.

The Dublin women upped the tempo and pushed for an equaliser that eventually arrived in the second minute of added time when Joy Ralph powered a Stephanien Zambra cross to the net to leave it 1-1 at the interval.

The Dublin women maintained a high tempo after the resumption and forged ahead for 52 minutes through Aine O’Gorman. Further pressure yielded a third goal when a cross from the left took a deflection off of Sarah Kiernan for a 3-1 advantage.

The Bit O’Red once again lacked nothing in terms of effort but never looked like clawing back the deficit despite the efforts of Emma Doherty, Jodie, Keri Loughrey, and Muireann Devaney.

The fourth goal duly materialised in the 82nd minute when Joy Ralph added to her tally, and it took a superb save from Amber Hardy ahead of the final whistle to deny Aine O’Goirman her second goal of the game.

Sligo Rovers: Amber Hardy, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Keeva Flynn, Alice Lillie, Eimear Lafferty, Kelly Crompton, Muireann Devaney, Keri Loughrey, Emma Doherty, and Jodie Loughrey. 

Subs: Paula McGrory for Kelly and Cara King for Crompton, both 60 minutes, and Anna McDaniel for Lafferty, 68 minutes.

Shamrock Rovers: Summer Lawless; Jessica Hennessy, Maria Reynolds, Aoife Kelly, Stephanie Zambra, Lia O’Leary, Aine O’Gorman, Joy Ralph, Scarlett Herron, Melissa O’Kane, and Katie O’Reilly. 

Subs: Shauna Fox for O’Reilly and Ella Kelly for Hennessy, both 75 minutes; Alannah Prizeman for O’Kane and Fiona Owens for O’Leary, both 86 minutes; Lauren Kelly for Ralph, 87 minutes.

Referee: Paudie Hayes.

Sligo Rovers go into the mid-season break on the back of a narrow one goal defeat to Dundalk at Oriel Park. 

Daryl Horgan struck for the game’s only goal in the second half as Rovers were beaten for the second game running. 

The Bit O’Red did have chances. Ellis Chapman tested Lilywhites goalkeeper Sean Molloy on 20 minutes, the closest the visitors came to finding the net in this one.

Horgan struck for what proved to be the winner on 54 minutes. Ryan O’Kane’s counter run and pass inside finding former Rovers and Ireland winger Horgan who tucked the ball beyond Ed McGinty.

Rovers face into a two week break now, with our next game coming on Friday 28th June against Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Dundalk: Sean Molloy; Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Hayden Muller, Paul Doyle, Robbie Benson (John Mountney 72); Ryan O’Kane (Eoin Kenny 77), Cameron Elliott (Sam Durrant 78), Daryl Horgan.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley (Stefan Radosavljevic 87); Fabrice Hartmann, Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding 62); Kailin Barlow (Wilson Waweru 62).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Sligo Rovers travel cross country for the second time in six days this Thursday as the Bit O’Red face Dundalk at Oriel Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Looking to recover from a disappointing defeat in Waterford last Friday, Rovers will return to the scene where they put five past the Lilywhites without reply in early March. Braces from Max Mata and Ellis Chapman along with a Fabrice Hartmann strike saw Sligo record one of their biggest results on the road in recent times.  

Dundalk then took a point from the Showgrounds in April following a 1-1 draw, Fabrice Hartmann with Rovers’ goal that day.

John Russell’s men go to County Louth without the injured Conor Reynolds, John Mahon, Nando Pijnaker and Simon Power. Although both Pijnaker and Power have returned to light training. 

Stefan Radosavljevic is back in contention having missed the trip to the RSC. Radosavljevic played the majority of Faroe Islands’ Baltic Cup semi-final defeat to Estonia in Tallinn on Saturday and also took part in the friendly defeat to Latvia on Tuesday. 

There is further good news for Russell who has both Daire Patton and Kyle McDonagh to choose from after both players completed their leaving certificate examinations. 

Speaking ahead of the game, Russell said: “We are really keen to pick up a good result in Dundalk, particularly given where both teams are in the table and the fact that we are heading into the summer break after this game. We want to go into the break in a good frame of mind and with a good result behind us at Oriel Park. 

“We have a few players coming back after the mid-season break which is a huge positive for us.It would be great to come back after the break, facing into the Shamrock Rovers game with a few bodies returned and with a good result from Oriel Park in our back pocket.  

“We had an off night in the RSC last week, especially in the second half where we gave away a few poor goals. So this Thursday, in Dundalk is the perfect opportunity to right a few wrongs and get back on track.” 

A heavily depleted Sligo Rovers suffered their first defeat in four games as they were beaten by Waterford at the RSC.

Without nine members of the first team squad through injury, an international call-up and state exams, the Bit O’Red were unable to name a full bench.

Former Rovers man Padraig Amond netted twice, while goals for Connor Parsons and Ben McCormack supplemented the result for the Blues. Wilson Waweru struck a magnificent mid-air volley for Sligo’s consolation.

Without John Mahon, Nando Pijnaker, Simon Power and Conor Reynolds because of injuries and Stefan Radosavljevic due to a call up to the Faroe Islands’ squad, John Russell was also missing four players due to the leaving certificate. Namely Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, David Jonathan and Aiden Gabbidon.

Restricted by the personnel available to him, Russell made one change from the win over Drogheda. Owen Elding coming in for the afore mentioned Radosavljevic.

Despite the arduous cross-country journey to the south east, it was the visitors who started this game the stronger. Fabrice Hartmann in particular causing issues for Sam Sargeant’s defence early on.

 Waterford opened the scoring 24 minutes in. Ben McCormack firing an effort into the ground as the ball bounced over the unfortunate Ed McGinty.

Two became three on the hour when Grant Horton’s ball forward was met by Parsons who arrowed the ball past the diving McGinty after the goalkeeper had pulled off a number of superb saves to keep Rovers in this game.

Amond had his first and the hosts’ third on 67 when he slotted home from the spot.

Waweru pulled one back with a stunning volley but Amond confirmed the result late on when he headed home a McCormack cross.

Rovers’ next game comes on Thursday June 13th, Oriel Park the venue as we take on Dundalk at 7.45pm.

Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald (Niall O’Keeffe 73), Ben McCormack (Gbemi Arubi 89), Padraig Amond, Connor Parsons (Connor Evans 89), Darragh Leahy (Ryan Burke 81), Kacper Radkowski, Christie Pattisson, Dean McMenamy (Robbie McCourt 81).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Reece Hutchinson, Ellis Chapman, Charlie Wiggett, Niall Morahan, Fabrice Hartmann, Oliver Denham, Conor O’Malley, Kailin Barlow (Wilson Waweru 73), Owen Elding (Will Fitzgerald 63).

Referee: Neil Doyle

Sligo Rovers travel to Waterford as one of the Premier Division’s form teams as the Bit O’Red make the long journey to the RSC this Friday for the second time this season, kick off 7.45pm.

Following back-to-back wins over Shelbourne and Drogheda United and having picked up eight points from their last five games, Rovers travel to take on the Blues full of confidence and knowing victory would take them level on points with Keith Long’s side who currently occupy fourth spot.

Rovers will be without a number of players for Friday’s game. Nando Pijnaker, John Mahon and Simon Power are each continuing on their road to recovery. While Stefan Radosavljevic is part of the Faroe Islands squad who take on Estonia in the Baltics Cup semi-final on Saturday in Tallinn and will miss the game.

Conor Reynolds also misses out as he recovers from an injury picked up in that win over Shels while all players taking part in state exams will be unavailable. These include Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh, David Jonathan and Aiden Gabbidon. 

Rovers have already picked up three points in the south east this year. Ellis Chapman netted the game’s only goal in a win for Sligo down at the RSC in May. While Waterford returned the favour at the Showgrounds in May, Christie Pattison scoring on that occasion. 

Looking ahead to the game, Rovers boss John Russell said: “We picked up two great results over the June Bank Holiday weekend. But those games are done now and although it gives us something to build on, we must focus on a difficult game at the RSC.

“Both sides have already beaten each other in the other club’s home ground so we’re expecting it to be a tight encounter once again as neither team really dominated in either game. 

“We’ll be without a handful of players due to injuries, international call-ups and exams. But that’s the way it goes and you’ve got to be able to deal with these things as they come along. 

“We wish our young players sitting exams the best of luck and we’ll see them back once they are finished.”