By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to the Belfield Bowl on Saturday for a Women’s FAI Cup quarter-final showdown against hosts DLR Waves as the bottom two in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) bid for a semi-final ticket.

This will be another day of watching from a distance for manager Tommy Hewitt as he continues to serve a suspension that was imposed following the WPD game against Athlone Town a fortnight ago.

The manager had to watch last Sunday’s WPD action at the Showgrounds from the stand as his side lost out by the odd goal in three to Treaty Utd.

There was the consolation of watching Keeva Flynn score the goal of the game in the second-half, but the Bit O’Red just couldn’t muster an equaliser despite creating a number of excellent chances.

However, the manager pointed to the fact that his side wasn’t awarded a penalty early in the game and that frustration was compounded by the fact that Mairead McIntyre was injured in the challenge by Treaty goalkeeper Katie Irwin and had to be replaced by Rebecca Doddy.

“I don’t enjoy complaining about decisions, but if we had got that penalty and scored it would have changed the complexion of the game,” stated the Bit O’Red boss.

“We went two goals down, but the girls responded well and I felt we were worth at least a draw, but we missed some easy chances near the end and you can’t afford that either.

“This is my first season with Sligo Rovers and so far in 2024 I can honestly say that any big decisions have consistently gone against us.

“Along with not getting the penalty, I’m now down another player after that tackle, I just couldn’t understand how it wasn’t a penalty.

“Looking ahead to the Cup game, DLR have really improved as demonstrated with that 3-2 win against Peamount Utd.

“It’s a one-off game on Saturday, we have to adopt a positive approach and if we can do that there is no reason that we can’t win the game and make it to the last four again,” he concluded.

In the DLR Waves game against Peamount, goals from Isobel Finnegan, Keelin Dodd and Jess Gleeson sealed the victory. DLR didn’t play last weekend, but in the first round of the Cup they defeated Whitehall Rangers by 4-0.

Sligo Rovers got the better of Terenure Rangers by 5-0 and using that as a gauge suggests that there won’t be much between the teams on Saturday.

Sligo Rovers primary aim has to be avoiding the concession of soft goals and if they can achieve that then they have every reason to tackle this assignment with confidence.

The sides met already this season at the Bowl where DLR recorded a 2-0 victory. Jess Gleeson’s 36^th minute free from the edge of the penalty area deflected off the underside off the crossbar for the lead goal.

DLR substitute Rebecca McMahon added a second goal with about 20 minutes remaining when she capitalised on some slack defending as her side recorded a first win of the season, win number two was against Peamount two weeks ago.

Kick-off on Saturday is a 3pm and the game will be live on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers make the trip to Weaver’s Park this Friday evening for the second time this season to take on Drogheda United in a crucial Premier Division clash, kick-off 7.45pm.

Following FAI Cup disappointment against UCD last Saturday at the Showgrounds, attention reverts to the league campaign where the Bit O’Red are in fantastic form with five wins in their last six league games.

Friday’s clash will be Rovers’ third game against Kevin Doherty’s outfit in 2024. Rovers beat Drogs in both Premier Division meetings between the sides at the Showgrounds this year in March and June. While it was United who came away with the spoils following Sligo’s last visit to Weaver’s Park back in April.

In team news, Connor Malley returns to the squad having missed that defeat to the Students last weekend. While both Nando Pijnaker and Ollie Denham will be assessed before the game having picked up knocks in the same game.

Winger Stephen Mallon will not travel due an injury sustained during the week. John Mahon and Conor Reynolds are some way off a return.

Manager John Russell will serve the third of a three game ban, meaning Rovers will again be led from the line by assistant manager Ryan Casey. 

Russell reveals that his players are still hurting having been knocked out of the cup, but wants his squad to use that disappointment as the fuel required to spur them on in the north east.

“We saw last week that if you don’t show up and be at it from the start, then you will get turned over and that goes for any team in this league, both divisions. 

“Drogheda have already beaten us this year so we know we cannot afford to be anything but fully focused and prepared for this game. They are only two points off Dundalk and they know a few points will push them up the table as the league is so tight. It’s a home game for them in front of their own fans and they’ll really be up for this one. So it’s going to be tough for us but the players are keen to get going and forget about the UCD game. The best way to recover from a loss is to win your next game. 

“We want to keep this league run going. The players have been excellent in the league lately and we’re delighted with how they have performed and the wins they have picked up so we want to keep that feeling rolling into Drogheda and beyond.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ Wilson Waweru has been rewarded for his recent excellent form in front of goal having been awarded with the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for July.

Waweru has netted six times in his last six games, including his first senior hat-trick against Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. To date, Waweru has scored eight goals in all competitions this year.

He is the first Rovers player to win the award since Aidan Keena back in 2022.

Patricia Hailstones was the latest winner in Sligo Rovers weekly lotto when she scooped the jackpot of €5200

It brings the total prize money paid out to lucky punters (including match 3 vouchers) in the last year alone to almost €28,000.

Patricia is a committed supporter of the weekly lotto and has used the same numbers for years. Her ‘secret formula’ to land the jackpot were the numbers – 6, 18, 12, 28, – drawn from family birthdays and special events.

She buys her ticket every week from Joe Scanlon, a work colleague in St John’s Hospital. ‘If there is a week when I don’t see Joe, he always ensures my numbers are in the draw which is very re-assuring.’

While Rovers on-line lottery has become very popular in recent years. Patricia prefers to buy the ticket in person every week. She was thrilled to hear the hews of her big win and wished the lotto team every success on their ongoing work on behalf of the Club.

You can support Rovers lotto by contacting a lotto agent or on line by visiting
www.sligorovers.com/lotto

SLIGO ROVERS 1, TREATY UTD 2

BY CONALL COLLIER

Goals in each half from Cara Griffin and Anna Rockett gave Treaty Utd a hard-earned
Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory over hosts Sligo Rovers who hit back through
Keeva Flynn on the hour on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts had claims for two penalties waved away by referee Gavin Colfer at 0-0, Treaty
dictated the exchanges and Katie Lawlee had an opportunity, but she blazed over the bar
from close range.
Sligo Rovers absorbed that period of Treaty pressure before they managed a meaningful
attack in the 17 th minute when they had two penalty claims waved away in quick succession.
Mairead McIntyre was injured in the second challenge by Treaty goalkeeper Katie Irwin and
had to be replaced by Rebecca Doddy.
Treaty remained in the ascendancy and had chances from Cara Griffin and Danielle Steer
before they broke the deadlock in the 37 th minute.
Katie Lawlee crossed from the left and Griffin capitalised on defensive hesitancy and
finished to the net for a 1-0 interval advantage.
Treaty added a second goal five minutes after the resumption when Anna Rockett found the
net following a scramble in the penalty area and while Treaty created a number of other
chances it was the hosts who found a response close to the hour mark.
Sarah Kiernan’s precise free picked out the run of Keeva Flynn who powered a header to the
net. Kiernan went close from a well-struck free soon after, but Treaty ‘keeper Katie Irwin
cleared the danger.
Treaty created a couple of good chances in the closing stages, but failed to hit the target
while the hosts kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser that proved elusive.
Both teams will be in FAI Cup quarter-final action next weekend – Sligo Rovers go to DLR
Waves and Treaty host Athlone Town.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Keeva Flynn, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri
Loughrey, Jodie Loughrey, Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick,
Mairead McIntyre. Subs – Rebecca Doddy for McIntyre 17 mins, Anna McDaniel for
McGoldrick 51m, Leah Kelly for Nugent and Kelsey Munroe for Kiernan both 72m.
Treaty Utd – Katie Irwin; Erin Van Dolder, Mara McCleary, Mijke Roelfsema, Cara Griffin,
Delana Friesen, Caleigh Boeck, Jillian Anne Tegan-O’Toole, Katie Lawlee, Anna Rockett,
Danielle Steer.
Referee – Gavin Colfer.
Assistant-Referee – Dylan Redmond, Keenan Deering.
Fourth Official – Aaron Pisarnik.

Second half goals from Luke O’Regan and Adam Wells saw UCD progress to the last eight of the FAI Cup at the expense of Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

On a frustrating night for the Bit O’Red, the first half offered little in terms of goal scoring chances, while Ed McGinty was largely untested. 

The second half produced more entertainment as both sides fashioned opportunities. 

Will Fitzgerald was inches away from giving Rovers the lead early in the second period when his volley struck the crossbar. While UCD’s Adam Verdon went close with an ambitious effort from inside his own half. 

Rovers sub Owen Elding was denied by a sensational stop from College ‘keeper Dara Kavanagh on 75 minutes, moments before UCD took the lead. O’Regan’s cross took a wicked change of direction, floating over McGinty’s head for the opener. 

While Wells settled the tie eight minutes from time when he tapped home at the far post from a corner. 

Rovers went close through Simon Power and Nando Pijnaker as the home side threw everything at it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as Rovers’ 2024 cup run came to an end. 

The Bit O’Red’s next outing is a crucial league clash away to Drogheda United at Weavers’ Park on Friday August 23rd. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Ollie Denham (Wilson Waweru HT), Nando Pijnaker, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Jack Henry-Francis, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 83); Stephen Mallon (Owen Elding 59), Will Fitzgerald; Luke Pearce (Simon Power 72). 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luke O’Regan, Niall Holohan (Alex Dunne 98), Eanna Clancy, Harry Curtis (Adam Wells 74); Sam Norval (Sean Brennan 64), Ronan Finn (Colin Bolton 96), Adam Verdon, Stephen Mohan (Hugh Parker 64); Michael Raggett (Donal Higgins 96), Jake Doyle. 

Referee: Damien McGraith

Attendance: 1,862. 

Focus at the Showgrounds this weekend returns to the Sports Direct FAI Cup as Sligo Rovers vie for a place in the last eight of the country’s premier cup competition. UCD are the opponents on Church Hill this Saturday at 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red are the form team in the country at the moment, having won six of their seven games on all fronts since the mid-season break. Defeats of Shelbourne, Galway, Bohs, Derry and Shamrock Rovers have lifted Rovers to fourth, level on points with third placed Waterford in the Premier Division standings. 

Rovers progressed to the third round of the FAI Cup courtesy of a comfortable three goal win over Munster Senior League outfit Cobh Wanderers in the last round, while Saturday’s opponents enjoyed a great four nil victory over Gorey Rangers in the same round.

Rovers are still without long-term injured duo John Mahon and Conor Reynolds. While Stefan Radosavljevic and Conor Malley have both returned to training this week and are expected to be part of the match day squad. 

Winger Simon Power will be monitored in the lead up to the game and a decision on his fitness will be made on the day of the game. 

Rovers will again be led from the dugout by assistant boss Ryan Casey as manager John Russell serves the second of a three game ban. 

Previewing the tie, Russell knows Rovers will hold the favourites tag going into this one but insists his side will show no complacency despite facing First Division opposition. 

“UCD are absolutely flying at the moment and look very good to make the play-offs so there’s no way we can prepare for this one other than with thorough professionalism”, he warned. 

“They have Premier Division experience with players like Ronan Finn who will probably be the most decorated player on the field on Saturday. They also have plenty of young talent as always, with the likes of Eanna Clancy who was brilliant for us last season when we needed him. This is a one-off tie and any team in the last 16 will fancy their chances against anyone else. 

“We’re on an excellent run at the moment but I can guarantee that as always, our players will be well prepared and doing everything we can to progress. The players know that a win on Saturday means you’re just two games away from an FAI Cup final, the Aviva Stadium and all that goes with that. It’s a huge carrot to chase.” 

Over three thousand supporters were in attendance for last week’s win over league leaders Shels and Russell is hoping for another big crowd and Rovers look to overcome the Students. 

“Anyone who was in Sligo last Saturday saw how the crowd and the atmosphere pushed the players on. There were times when Shels were really pressing us, but the backing from the stands gave us that extra ten percent to see them off. We’ll need that support again on Saturday.”  

David Goulden

Leo Gray recently met Rovers Football and Social Responsibility Officer, Jamie Murphy

Sligo Rovers – the community club. The football industry has been contaminated by so much empty rhetoric in recent years that it’s easy to be dismissive of some of the over-hyped virtues attached to the once beautiful game. But in Sligo Rovers’ case, they do what it says on the tin. No exaggerated fuss, no fanciful fanfare, just plain down-to-earth meaningful interaction with a fan-base and community whose unconditional support and genuine affection has kept the show on the road – often against overwhelming odds – for close to 100 years.

The connection between club and community is infectious, you can smell it, inhale it, almost reach out and touch it. It’s everywhere, in schools, shopping centres, on the streets, in the workplace, it’s rural, it’s urban, it’s more transmissible than a rampant virus. And, thankfully, there’s no cure. It’s raged for almost a century and shows no signs of relenting. If anything, it’s more feverish than ever.

Harness it all, embrace its positivity and share its unifying, restorative power and what have you got? You’ve got a football and social responsibility mandate. Add in a passionate force of nature in the person of Jamie Murphy and you’ve got the very personification of what Sligo Rovers Football Club is all about. Three months into his demanding but massively rewarding role as the club’s Football and Social Responsibility Officer, Jamie has been overwhelmed but not surprised by the phenomenal buy-in from the community and the enthusiastic backing from within the club to his many ground-breaking initiatives.

He explains: “Sligo and the entire North West region has always been a progressive and open area, willing to accept and take on different ideas. The scale of the support I’ve received since taking on the job and the reaction to our projects has been exceptional and very much appreciated. It’s encouraging to realise that there’s such a depth of goodwill and interest in all the initiatives we’ve been involved in. But I can’t say I’m surprised by that. It only re-enforces everything I’ve felt about the club, the fan-base and the wider community in Sligo and across the North West.”

Hailing from the Maugheraboy area of Sligo town, and living in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, for the past number of years, Rovers are in his DNA. As a giddy child, he’d skip down the road to the Showgrounds to watch his heroes, share in the agony and occasional ecstasy of supporting his home-town team.

The love never left him, but there were other passions, different causes to highlight and protect. He became a Secondary School teacher, and taught history at the Ursuline College in Sligo, before taking up a position as a social worker with the Sligo Traveller Support Group where he became a strong advocate for support for Mental Health issues within the Traveller community. It was a tough job but he relished the challenge and was unremitting in his commitment to it.

He had no desire to leave the role but the attraction of becoming Sligo Rovers first Football and Social Responsibility Officer was irresistible.

“I have always been passionate about social justice, discrimination, anti-racism, inclusivity, helping the marginalised. And I’m a strong believer that football can be a vehicle to deliver in very real terms on all these issues. And so the role with Rovers was the perfect fit. It embodied everything that I’m passionate about,” he says.

“I understand the values of the club, that it’s deeply rooted in the community and that the love for Rovers passes down from one generation to the next. I’m part of that process myself, it’s where I come from, it’s where I belong. Everything at the club is inter-connected. Of course, the ninety minutes of football at the Showgrounds every Saturday night is the pinnacle but I believe, and everybody at Rovers shares this view, that the club is about more than just football. It’s about inclusivity. Nobody, from whatever background, race or social status, should feel they can’t be part of this wonderful club. We are a community club in every sense of the word.”

Although it’s not the prime objective of the work he does, there is a spin-off in terms of attracting new supporters and volunteers to the club as a result of the initiatives introduced under the Social Responsibility Programme.

For example, quite a number of men whose first interaction with Rovers came through the Integration Football initiative are now volunteers at the Showgrounds. The programme involves refugees, asylum seekers and members from the Direct Provision Centre. They’ve been welcomed to the Showgrounds, encouraged to engage in social and sporting pursuits and now have a real and interesting connection with the community which otherwise might have been denied them.

“I like to work from the bottom up, talk to the men, get to know them and what they want. Then I try to work on a programme that suits them. That’s the key to the Integration Football Programme and it’s gone down so well that many of those taking part are now solid Sligo Rovers fans, a lot of them coming on board as club volunteers,” Jamie points out.

Football For All, a project which involves adult players, men and women, from Rehab Care Centres, the National Learning Network and other facilities, is also proving a great success. Players come together in two groups on a weekly basis, engaging in beneficial physical activity and social engagement.

Recently, Rovers fielded a team in the Downs Syndrome National Futsal Blitz in Gormanstown. The children were thrilled to represent Sligo Rovers on the national stage. They put up a tremendous performance, finishing third in a highly competitive tournament won by an experienced Finn Harps squad.

“The joy on the faces of the players was something to behold,” says Jamie. “They were delighted to have
the honour of representing Sligo Rovers in a national competition and they put on a great performance.
Everybody at the club was so proud of them.”

The heroic team were presented to the crowd at half-time during the recent Shamrock Rovers game where they received a well-deserved tribute.

It’s been a hectic few months for the newly installed Football and Social Responsibility Officer but there’s even more to come.

The energetic Jamie has several exciting plans in the pipeline, including a sporting memories project which will be run in association with the Sligo Alzheimer’s Society, and a Sligo Pride event in conjunction with the LGBTQ+ community. This follows on from the successful launch of a walking football programme for over 55s which commenced in July,

“It’s a busy schedule,” he agrees. “The feedback from everybody we’ve engaged with so far has been fantastic. We’re getting contacts from parents and organisations suggesting various ideas and we’ll take everything on board. We want to be as inclusive as possible. We’ve made a positive start and we’re working on delivering more programmes going forward.”

As part of the FAI Licensing conditions, the appointment of a Football and Social Responsibility Officer will be mandatory for all clubs by the 2025/’26 season. Rovers, along with a few other clubs, are ahead of the curve. No surprise there. The Community Club doing just what it says on the tin.

SLIGO ROVERS V TREATY UTD

BY CONALL COLLIER 

Sligo Rovers will kick-off a 70^th competitive game, since the club affiliated a senior team, at the Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon when Limerick side Treaty Utd will provide the opposition in a crucial Women’s Premier Division (WPD) game, 2pm.

This will be an unusual experience for the players as suspended manager Tommy Hewitt will have to watch the action from the stand due to the fall-out from last week’s game against Athlone Town when he was sent-off at half-time.

The dismissal arose after an unsuccessful query to the referee regarding a first minute red card for goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan who will also miss the action due to suspension.

However, the ‘keeper wouldn’t be available anyway as she sustained concussion after she collided with Athlone’s Casey Howe as both players challenged for the ball.

Apart from that, Sligo Rovers will have a full panel of players available for selection and will go into the game seeking a first WPD victory of the season at the 13^th attempt.

Three scoreless draws have been achieved so far and one of those was at the Market’s Field last April against Treaty Utd.

The Limerick women have recorded wins against DLR Waves (twice) and Cork City, draws with Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers and currently sit in ninth place, some eight points ahead of the Bit O’Red in 11th position.

A form guide suggests that this will be a tight encounter as both teams lost (1-0) against Bohemian FC and both also enjoyed impressive wins in the FAI Cup at the beginning of August.

Sligo Rovers hit Terenure Rangers for five while Treaty scored nine against Ferns Utd in those FAI Cup ties.

Last weekend’s result cannot be used as a gauge of any sort for the Bit O’Red as they went toe-to-toe against Athlone Town with only 10 players for 89 minutes while Treaty lost at home to Bohemian FC.

Treaty will be wary of a reaction from a Bit O’Red side that will be targeting a second win in-a-row at the Showgrounds after that FAI Cup victory against Terenure a fortnight ago when goals from Paula McGrory (two) Jodie and Keri Loughrey and Rebecca Doddy sealed the victory.

McGrory missed last week’s game against Athlone as she was withdrawn after only a minute following that red card for Bonnie McKiernan and she will be on the scent of more goals

The Limerick side will be looking for big performances from the Canadian trio of Erin van Dolder, Danielle Steer and Delana Friesen as they look to get back to winning ways.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is at 2pm and the game will be live on LOITV.

BY CONALL COLLIER

From five for to five against was only the tip of the iceberg for Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt following Saturday’s Women’s Premier Division (WPD) reversal against hosts Athlone Town.

Two red cards, one for goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan and one for manager Tommy Hewitt, were the main topics of discussion at the end of 90 minutes although the majority of spectators would have been unaware that the Sligo Rovers manager had been sent-off at half-time.

Sixty seconds had hardly elapsed when the referee deemed Bit O’Red goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan guilty of a red-card challenge on former Sligo Rovers player Casey Howe.

A further three minutes elapsed before the referee had an opportunity to brandish the ‘Bit O’Red’ to McKiernan as both players required immediate attention arising out of a hefty head-on collision.

Both players challenged for the ball with McKiernan racing from her penalty area and Howe going in the opposite direction.

Following the collision, both players had to be assisted off the ground and then off the pitch and play resumed with a free for Athlone.

Facing Athlone with a full complement of players would be a stern challenge for any team, but to have only 10 for 89 minutes meant that this was yet another test of character for Sligo Rovers.

Two quick first-half goals eased Athlone into the comfort zone by the interval and when the team emerged for the second-half there was no sign of Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt in the technical area.

Usually, a post-match interview with the manager is pitchside, but on this occasion the chat took place under the stand of the well-appointed Athlone Town Stadium, due to the red card.

Upset and annoyed was the demeanour of the manager, but it was in no way related to the result or the performance of the team.

“Look, I don’t want to say much because I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” stated Tommy Hewitt.

“The two players were injured, Bonnie sustained concussion and Casey (Howe) didn’t fare too well out of it either, but there wasn’t anything malicious in the challenge.

“I approached the officials at half-time as I wasn’t sure what Bonnie had been sent-off for, the game was only on for about a minute and I didn’t really see what happened.

“I asked the referee about the red card and he told me to go away and then I got a red card.

“Leaving that to one side, it was a tremendous performance from the team, I know I say it every week, but I was immensely proud of how they stood up to a very talented Athlone team.

“Earlier this season (in Athlone) we had a similar type of incident when the Athlone ‘keeper impeded our player when we had a goal-scoring chance and we didn’t even get a free.

“I suppose, to sum it up, I’m very disappointed with certain aspects of today’s game and it’s also tough on the players,” he concluded.