Category: News

2024 season tickets now on sale

2024 Season Tickets are now on sale with tickets in a number of different categories available.

Season tickets represent the best value option for attending Bit O’ Red fixtures with a saving of over three matches in the 2023 season if you were to pay on the night for each game.

You can buy your tickets online: https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Gold Season Tickets will be priced as an odd on of €60 which allows supporters to have their name on their chosen seat within the stadium. These seats will be applicable for all League and Cup games throughout the season, however supporters will need to purchase a single ticket for any cup games as normal.

An adult supporter will save €70 over the course of the season, with saving in all categories.

Super Reds receive their very own free gift and special invite to Meet and Greet with the Bit O’ Red squad.

Family rates will return again in 2024 as follows:

  • 1 Adult + 2 Children Under 12: €400
  • 2 Adults + 2 Children Under 12: €620

Our Women’s team will also have a 2024 Season Ticket at a special price of just €50 for the season.

Supporters have the option to include a WNL Season Ticket with their Men’s Season Ticket for just €25.

Both Season Tickets will be different in colour and design to be easily identifiable.

Club Treasurer David Rowe spoke to the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust podcast this week for an update on club matters.

You can listen here.

JR Wilson signs for Sligo Rovers

JR Wilson has become the first new signing for Sligo Rovers for the 2024 season.

Wilson has spent the majority of his career with Shelbourne and has also lined out for Bohemians and Bray Wanderers.

He made 31 appearances in all competitions last year with Shels as they finished fourth in the Premier Division.

Wilson pens an agreement for the new campaign and visited Sligo this morning.

The 24-year-old defender is excited about moving to the north-west to play for Rovers.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of the club.

“The manager impressed me and convinced me sign here. He’s spoken to me a lot about the club and the season just gone. I know the plans he has and it’s exciting. He wants to build a new group and it was great to hear he wanted me to part of that.  

“I’ve met people around the club today and it’s really positive. I can’t wait to move down and begin training.”

Wilson already has a Bit O’ Red connection through 1994 treble winning team member Gerry Carr as a family friend and is friends with Gerry’s son.

“Gerry has been on to me already and telling me to sign! We went to the Cup finals in the 2010 eras so I know all about the club of course. It’s a massive club and it’s time to get it back up the table.

“It’s a big move for myself to leave Dublin. I wanted to be out of my comfort zone.

“That was another factor. It’s something different and something I really want to embrace.”

Rovers manager John Russell said: “I’ve always been a big fan of JR and have followed his career.

“He likes to get forward, create chances and can scores goals but primarily we’re bringing him in for his defensive qualities. He is aggressive in a one-on-one and a real competitor in every aspect. I’ve been really impressed by him and how he has taken the opportunity to leave the Dublin area and move down with us.

“He is looking for a new challenge and to make a big commitment. I think he has real leadership qualities. He’ll be 25 next month so he’s coming into a brilliant stage of his career and knows the league.”

Having made multiple changes to his squad, Russell added: “I’m trying to get good quality players to the club. It’s important to stay calm and bring the right players in. I’ll be patient, I know what I want, and it’s about identifying the type of players to bring in.

“It’s important we reset and it’s exciting we’re going to have a fresh team. We’ve got Reece Hutchinson on the left-side and JR on the right which gives us a great balance, two players who are adept at both defending and attacking in their positions.

“I’d like the supporters to know it will take time to build our entire squad. We’ve made a lot of changes knowing there had to be a reset. The players we bring here will be the right ones and we won’t just make a squad for the sake of it. This is a very good start for us.”

Rovers beaten in final game

Peamount Utd hit Sligo Rovers for six in the final home game of the season at PRL Park on Saturday evening where the newly-crowned Women’s Premier Division champions recorded a 6-1 victory, writes Conall Collier.

Interviewed before kick-off for the live TG4 action, Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney indicated that his side needed to concede less goals, but that deficiency was clearly highlighted in a 20-minute spell in the second-half.

Although she picked the ball out of the net six times, Sligo Rovers ‘keeper Amber Hardy made some excellent saves in the opening 45 minutes as the hosts attempted to turn on the style.

Peamount struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard until the closing minutes of the first-half when Jess Fitzgerald broke the deadlock and Ellen Dolan added a second goal as the clock hit 45 minutes for a 2-0 advantage.

Trailing at the interval, the Bit O’Red were blitzed either side of the hour mark when Erin McLoughlin (penalty), Dolan, Fitzgerald and substitute Avril Brierly all found the net and wrapped up a thoroughly merited victory for the hosts.

There was brief respite for Sligo Rovers when Emma Doherty surged forward on 65 minutes and confidently rounded the Peamount ‘keeper before slotting to the net.

Sligo Rovers also went close before the end when the crossbar saved the Peamount rearguard.

This was Steve Feeney’s last game in charge and former Athlone Town manager Tommy Hewitt will now take over the reins at the Showgrounds for the 2024 season.

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid-Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Dearbhaile Beirne, Karen Duggan, Jessica Fitzgerald, Sadhbh Doyle, Erin McLaughlin, Ellen Dolan, Freya Healy.

Subs – Watkins for Healy 53 mins, Avril Brierley for Dolan and Caoimhe Connaughton for Moloney both 64m, Louise Masterson for O’Callaghan and Shannon Thomas for McLaughlin both 83m

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Sarah Kiernan, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Keri Loughrey.

Subs – Amy Roddy for Lafferty and Ciara Henry for Kelly both 64 mins, Katie Melly for Howe and Jessica Casey for Hansberry both 80m, Kate Nugent for Boles 85.

Referee – Mark Houlihan.

Rovers chairman pays tribute to Cawley

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins has paid tribute to club captain David Cawley following confirmation of a parting ways with the Bit O’ Red following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Cawley has written his name in Rovers history after making over 300 appearances for the club over two spells.

He is in the top 10 all-time appearance holders for Rovers, recently moving into seventh spot.

He won a league title, FAI Cup and Setanta Cup and has been a talisman for the Bit O’ Red since rejoining in 2018.

The Rovers chairman said: “David has been a vital figure for the club since first wearing the shirt over 11 years ago.

“We have been honoured to have him represent Sligo Rovers for many reasons. While some will consider the trophies and medals he won at the club the highlights, David’s longevity and impact over such a lengthy period of time is what stands him out as one of our greatest ever servants.

“He quickly understood what our club is about since those early days in 2012. His standing among our supporters, particularly our young fans and families, speaks volumes about him as a person and role model. We are very grateful for the example he played off the pitch.

“On the pitch he was someone we could always call on to demonstrate what it means to play for Sligo Rovers and put in countless memorable performances, leading to some very special days. We were thrilled to grant David a deserved testimonial this year.

“While we part ways now we know he will be a big part of our club’s history and will be forever welcome in The Showgrounds. We wish him and his family a wonderful future in life and in football and thank him for his incredible service at the club.”

Preview: Last game of the season for Rovers Women

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW

PEAMOUNT UTD V SLIGO ROVERS

SATURDAY 11th NOVEMBER 4.30PM

Sligo Rovers return to the venue where they took that tentative first step up to the senior grade for the first time in March 2022 when they travel to PRL Park in west Dublin to tackle the 2023 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) champions Peamount Utd in the final game of the season on Saturday, 4.30pm, live on TG4, writes Conall Collier

For Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney, this will be his last game in charge of the team as he is stepping down after two years at the helm due to work and family reasons.

While the result is irrelevant in terms of silverware, both teams will want to deliver a performance in front of the TG4 cameras with the live action a fitting tribute to the achievement this season of Peamount Utd manager James O’Callaghan, his backroom team and the players.

All the attention is focused on Peamount Utd and the trophy presentation will take place after the game.

However, this is a big opportunity for the Sligo Rovers players, and one they will relish, going into yet another game as underdogs.

Players like Lauren Boles, Leah Kelly, Eimear Lafferty and Amy Roddy all contributed handsomely to last week’s victory against DLR Waves while goalscorers Casey Howe and Jodie Loughrey will be eager to hit the target again as will Emma Doherty.

The objective will be to sign off with a battling performance and build on the momentum of the last few weeks where they established a three-game unbeaten home record in the WPD.

On the last visit to Dublin those battling qualities were evident when they went to the home of the 2022 champions, Shelbourne, and were unlucky to concede a goal in added time as the Dublin side salvaged a 2-1 victory.

All that was despite finishing with 10 players after Emma Handberry picked up a second yellow card.

Last weekend Sligo Rovers recorded a 2-1 home win against DLR Waves and those battling qualities were evident in the second-half as the players stood strong and were able to grind out a result that earlier this season might have eluded them.

And what of the Peamount Utd threat on Saturday?

Last weekend Galway Utd inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the champions and Peamount will certainly want to avoid a repeat of that performance in front of what should be a large crowd.

Avril Brierley and Freya Healy both had good chances for Peamount against Galway, but it was one of those days when nothing went favourably for the Dublin women.

Peamount also lost goalkeeper Niamh Coombes in the opening half and she was replaced by Niamh Reid-Burke

In mitigation, Peamount hadn’t played since they clinched the title on Saturday 14th October with a 2-0 away win against Wexford in a game where Ellen Dolan was the stand out player with a brace of second-half goals that clinched the title.

Manager James O’Callaghan, a former player with Sligo Rovers some 30 years ago, will be looking forward to the occasion on Saturday and the players will be aiming to set the record straight seven days on from that reversal at Eamonn Deacy Park.

For Sligo Rovers, the players will be eager to make a statement to highlight the progress they have made since that opening day of the 2022 season when Peamount enjoyed a 6-0 victory.

WPD FORMGUIDE – LAST FOUR GAMES

Sligo Rovers 2, DLR Waves 1; Galway 3, Peamount Utd 0.

Shelbourne 2, Sligo Rovers 1; Wexford 0, Peamount Utd 2.

Sligo Rovers 3, Cork City 3; Peamount Utd 3, Treaty 1.

Sligo Rovers 4, Bohemian FC 1; Peamount Utd 5, Cork City 0.

2024 update and squad news

Sligo Rovers can confirm manager John Russell will lead the club in the 2024 Men’s Premier Division season.

A statement from the club’s management committee read: “This has been a challenging and difficult season for all of our supporters and the wider club. 

“We have faith in John to move the club forward. Our priority is to build a squad for the new season and have a much improved year in 2024.

“As a young manager John will take the experience of this season and use it to move the side in a positive direction.”

Speaking in The Showgrounds this morning, Russell said: “I’m delighted to extend my contract and lead this club into the 2024 season.

“I’d like to thank the management committee for their trust despite a very challenging season where results have not been good enough.

“I know the areas where we need to improve and I have been very active in the background over the past few weeks in terms of recruitment, staff and structures around the first team.

“I am determined to bring success to this club. I have learned a lot throughout the tough moments and I believe this will stand to me and the team going into next season.

“I know the supporters have suffered this season and I understand their frustration.

“Now it’s vital that we reset and rebuild a team that will give everything on the pitch and represent this club.

“The hard work has already started and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Nine players have departed the club following the conclusion of the 2023 season

They are: Lukas Browning, Johan Brannefalk, Frank Livaak, Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne, Garry Buckley, Daniel Lafferty, Pedro Martelo and Robbie Burton.

The club wish the players the best in the future.

Rovers win in Feeney’s last home game

Sligo Rovers took the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) points this evening at the Showgrounds with a performance that was laced with character, determination and skill for a 2-1 victory against Dublin side DLR Waves, writes Conall Collier.

First-half goals from Casey Howe and Jodie Loughrey were the platform for success with a battling rearguard action in the second-half that restricted the Dublin side to a 54th minute Cliodhna Donnelly goal.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney signed off on his last home game as the Bit O’Red turned on the style for a deserved victory that must have encouraged new manager Tommy Hewitt who took a watching brief in the stand.

Feeney will complete his two-year tenure at the helm next weekend in the televised TG4 live game away to 2023 champions Peamount Utd where a victory will move the Bit O’Red up to eighth in the table.

The hosts lined out without Emma Hansberry who was suspended for this game following her dismissal on a second yellow card in the last outing against Shelbourne while the impressive team captain Lauren Boles was making her 50th appearance and both Leah Kelly and Bonnie McKiernan started.

DLR Waves, playing a second game in three days, also had absentees with the trio of Neema Nyangasi, Freya Roche and Robyn Bolger out through injury while Eve Badana and Hannah Tobin-Jones returned to the side.

Sligo Rovers dominated the opening half and were well worth that two-goal interval lead.

There was eight minutes on the clock when Casey Howe rifled a superb effort to the roof of the DLR net after a defence-splitting pass from Emma Doherty created the chance.

Goal number two arrived 10 minutes later and this time Jodie Loughrey applied the finish after good advantage play by referee Michael Connolly.

Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half smartly with Emma Doherty bringing a good save out of Badana while at the other end Eve O’Brien had a good chance for DLR Waves before substitute Cliodhna Donnelly fired home in the 54th minute following hesitant defending by the hosts.

DLR continued to press forward, but lost Eve O’Brien in the 76th minute when she was stretchered-off and was replaced by Nadine Raymond.

However, Emma Doherty had a good chance soon after, but she was denied at the expense of a corner with DLR looking for an offside flag.

For the remainder, the Sligo Rovers players stood strong, although Bonnie McKiernan required attention after making a brave save and there were chances at each end in six minutes of added time, but on this occasion the Bit O’Red battened down the hatches and prevailed.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Leah Kelly, Eimear Lafferty, Amy Roddy, Lauren Boles, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty, Kerri Loughrey. 

Subs – Keeva Flynn for J Loughrey 73 mins, Jessica Casey for Roddy 85m, Ciara Henry for Kelly 88m.

DLR Waves – Eve Badana; Hannah Tobin-Jones, Jess Gleeson, Isobel Finnegan, Rebecca McMahon, Bronagh Kane, Amber Cosgrove, Ruth McDonnell, Michelle Doonan, Eve Conheady, Eve O’Brien.

Subs – Nicole Keogh for Kane, Amy Ryan for McDonnell and Cliodhna Donnelly for Finnegan all half-time, Nadine Raymond for O’Brien 76 mins.

RIP Michael O’Boyle

Sligo Rovers were saddened to learn of the death of former club secretary Michael O’Boyle this week

The late Michael O’Boyle

Michael was a dedicated Rovers volunteer and supporter throughout his life

He was secretary of the club from 1975-1979, including our league-winning season in 1977.

We offer our sympathies to his wife Maureen, sons Gerry, Michael, John, Stephen, Declan and Jason and daughter Veronica

As a club we are forever grateful for the volunteers who enrich the community and club.

May Michael rest in peace.

Preview: Rovers women set for last home match

It’s the last home game of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) season for Sligo Rovers and a big occasion for manager Steve Feeney who will step down from his role next weekend due to work and family reasons after the final game of 2023 away to Peamount Utd, writes Conall Collier.

The players will be determined to make it a memorable occasion for Steve who will be taking charge of the team for a 53rd competitive game and a victory will be the target.

The Bit O’Red welcome DLR Waves and manager Laura Heffernan to the Showgrounds for what is the final game of the season for the Dublin side who have a bye next weekend due to the odd number (11) of teams in the WPD.

The Waves completed their home campaign with a rescheduled game on Wednesday night at the Belfield Bowl against Shamrock Rovers and in that contest, they featured only six of the team that started in the 3-0 victory against the Bit O’Red last April.

Neema Nyangasi and Robyn Bolger both missed the midweek contest through injury while Hannah Tobin-Jones and Nicole Keogh were absent due to work commitments in what was the last home game of the season for the Dublin women.

The quick turnaround, with only Thursday and Friday to recover, could have an impact on the DLR performance at the Showgrounds, but the Waves will be eager to add another victory to the four already achieved between this season and last season against Sligo Rovers.

DLR produced an encouraging performance on Wednesday night although they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.

The game was scoreless for close to 70 minutes as DLR absorbed a lot of pressure without too much difficulty, but then they conceded twice in 10 minutes.

However, in the 82nd minute, DLR substitute Ruth McDonnell gave her side a lifeline with an opportunist finish, but that was as good as it got and the concession of a third goal two minutes from time left it 12 WPD defeats for the season.

When the sides met last April, there were plenty of positives for the Bit O’Red in the opening half, but they failed to capitalise on a couple of good chances before Jess Gleeson gave DLR the lead in first-half added time.

DLR then dominated the second-half, but had to wait until the 76th minute for goal number two which arrived from substitute Sarah McKevitt’s long-range effort and then another substitute, Michelle Doonan, added a third goal with eight minutes remaining.

Sligo Rovers currently sit in ninth position, five points adrift of DLR Waves in eighth, and if the hosts can produce the type of form that saw them defeat Bohemian FC by 4-1 in the WPD at the Showgrounds at the end of September, then the target of three points is a realistic goal.

Sligo Rovers scored four against Bohemian FC and three against Cork City in the last two WPD games at the Showgrounds with Paula McGrory (two), Emma Doherty (two), Sarah Kiernan, Keri Loughrey and Casey Howe all finding the net.

Jodie Loughrey returns from a week with the Republic of Ireland at the UEFA European WU19 Championship Qualifiers.

Last time out, the Bit O’Red conceded a 90th minute winner against Shelbourne at Tolka Park after a battling performance that saw them lead at the interval from an Emma Hansberry strike.

If that form can be reproduced against DLR Waves, then there are reasonable prospects of a first victory against the Dublin side and an appropriate way to conclude Steve Feeney’s role at the helm ahead of next weekend’s televised (TG4) game against the newly-crowned champions Peamount Utd.  

Preview: Bit O’ Red take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday

Sligo Rovers play their final league match of the season on Friday night when travelling to take on Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

The Bit O’ Red are set to finish in eighth place in the Premier Division following last week’s 0-0 draw with Drogheda United.

Nando Pijnaker is an injury doubt. Gary Boylan and Mark Byrne also sit out due to long-term injuries.

Manager John Russell said: “It’s a tough venue as we know. The pitch is excellent, there’ll be a big crowd, the game is live on television and we can use it as an opportunity to showcase the talent we have at the club.

“I don’t think many will give us a chance and we can go there with a bit of freedom to express ourselves.

“That is something to look forward to and we have to approach it in that manner and of course be disciplined as well.

“When we started off at the beginning of the year we had much higher aspirations than what our league finish will be.

“It’s important we stick it out, sign off in the right style as a group because we have been in this together all year and give our supporters watching something to cheer as well.”

The match is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with kick-off 7.45pm