Match Sponsor: Engineering Documentation Ltd.
Match Ball Sponsor: Rhatigan Architects

Tomorrow’s Special Edition Europa Conference League Programme will have 52 Pages with everything you need to know about Rovers, Motherwell and the big game at The Showgrounds.

It is available for just €5 and on sale from just inside the turnstiles.

We have our usual notes From Our Chairman Tommy Higgins and Manager John Russell ahead of the clash.

Conall Collier has an article ‘A Bala(nced) Approach Required’ as we look at how we reached this stage and his thoughts on the big game

One Of Rovers Unsung Heroes History By Jim Gray is a nice feature on former Rovers player Martin McDonnell

”Fond Memories For Baraclough” As Former Teams Collide by Keith O’ Dwyer as he looks at Ian Baraclough’s spells at The Showgrounds and Fir Park respectively.

We have our all important Europa Conference League Quiz, Motherwell V Sligo Rovers First Leg report by Jessica Farry and our usual slots for Joe Molloy, Stephen McLaughlin and Anthony Kilfeather.

Get On Board For David And Goliath By Conall Collier talks about the importance of Sligo Rovers Community owned aspect and how important is will be to attract new 500 Club members to the club

Motherwell FC Pen Pics and Motherwell FC By Alan Finn bring us some insight into our opponents camp.

Fans Photos From last week’s win at Fir Park, Motherwell By James Fallon bring some memories to the programme and Motherwell Collectors Corner By Andy Lachlan gives us the view from the Motherwell perspective.

We finish with The Last Line Of Defence Has Been Well Served By Rovers’ Goalkeepers’ Union By Leo Gray, Mick Ferry and The Sligo Rovers Heritage Group By Michael Moran and Irish Clubs v Scottish Clubs In Europe By Joe Molloy

Sligo Rovers Associate Sponsors are listed as always alongside our Results and Fixtues for 2022

Sligo Rovers can confirm defender Robbie McCourt has joined Dundalk FC for an undisclosed fee.

Robbie joined The Bit O’ Red before the start of the 2021 season from Waterford and has made 37 appearances since then.

Manager John Russell:

‘’I’d like to thank Robbie for all his efforts over the last 18 months. He played a crucial role in us qualifying for Europe last season.

Robbie was eager to move on and play more regularly so we wish him all the best in his future career’’.

Everyone at Sligo Rovers wishes Robbie all the best for the future.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that Max Mata has signed a contract extension with the club to keep him at The Showgrounds until at least the end of the 2024 season.

Mata joined the club in February after spells in Estonia and America and has scored five goals so far this season.

The 22-year-old puts pen to paper today on a new contract having settled well into The North-West:

‘’I am happy to have extended my contract here at Sligo Rovers.

”I’m excited to be working with good people and I am excited for what the future holds.

”I can’t wait to continue my development here.’’

Mata has been capped at International level with New Zealand and has proved to be a handful for defenders both domestically and in Europe so far this season.

Manager John Russell spoke about his delight at securing Mata’s signature:

‘’I’m delighted to have secured Max on a deal until the end of the 2024 season. Max has all the attributes of a top centre forward.

”He is strong, quick, can link the play and is a real threat in the box.

”He has already shown his ability to score goals as well as a desire to work hard for the team.

”I think the fans will be excited by this news.”

Mata will be part of the Bit O’ Red squad in this Thursday’s Europa Conference League Second-Leg tie with Motherwell.

By Conall Collier:

For the purpose of this discussion, you have to adapt the phrase “David and Goliath” into a more modern setting. It’s the underdog in a contest against a much bigger, a much stronger adversary. And there is nothing mythical about this little story, but there are no billionaires to be found here.

You probably get the drift of where this is going?  It’s the good ship Sligo Rovers boldly tackling the bigger guns of the League of Ireland and Europe and striving for success.

A community-backed club. Sounds good. A community club with its unique ethos.

BUT Isn’t there always one or two or three? The average age of members / shareholders is now over 60. New members /shareholders are urgently required to keep the club vibrant.

FIRST STEP Sign up and join the 500 club, it’s €20 per month and shareholder status is achieved after 3 years. The immediate target is 100 new members. Complete the form in this programme and start to make a difference. Current members/shareholders are also endeavouring to recruit new members. It’s not a closed shop and the target is always to grow the numbers.

THE GOAL The teams (on the pitch) have to get the best of support from the team off the pitch. Generating finance is crucial to support the under-age boys and girls through the academy.

The conveyor belt is producing talent for the MEN’S AND WOMEN’S senior teams. Now would be a great time to GET ON BOARD.

THE COMMITTEE  It might seem totally uncool (if that’s even a word) to mention THE COMMITTEE. The current crew are listed inside the front page of this evening’s match programme. There are many other men and women who are not officially elected at the club’s annual general meeting, but make valuable contributions. As roles continue to evolve, more bodies are always required to help boost the prospects of those teams on the pitch.

THE REWARD Our community club with its unique ethos stays competitive, stays in community ownership and proves that this heathy model can compete and outgun the clubs with access to deeper pockets.

FRIENDS OF SLIGO ROVERS 500 CLUB

Existing and New Members of the 500 Club are eligible for the Monthly Cash Draw and after 3 years membership have the option of becoming a member of Sligo Rovers FC.

Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club Committee Members:

Vincent Nally, Tony Quinn, Michael Clancy, Sean Crossan, Michael Drury, Robert Fitzpatrick, Peter Henry

Sligo Rovers Academy teams were all in action over the weekend with two games away from home and four at home.

On Saturday, our Under 14 side were first up with a game away to Longford Town. The lads picked up their first win of the season thanks to goals from Ashton Conlon, Troy Kelly and Daire McCabe, the game ending 3-0 to Rovers.

There was an entertaining 3-3 draw between our Men’s Under 17 team and Bray Wanderers at Sean Fallon Centre. Goals from Shea Malone, Callum Lynch and Daire Patton earning a share of the spoils for Rovers.

Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Women were defeated 4-0 at home to an impressive Shelbourne team. Rovers created chances but just couldn’t put them away whereas the visitors were clinical in front of goal.

On Sunday there were three more games down for decision.

At Sean Fallon Centre, Bohemians beat our Under 19 Men’s team 3-0 and Cobh Ramblers defeated our Under 15’s 2-0 in Ballisodare.

Our Under 19 Women hosted Bray at 4.30pm and ran out 5-1 winners thanks to a magnificent four goal return from Katie Maguire and a fifth from Jessica Casey.

Our Under 14’s host Mayo on Wednesday evening at 7pm at ATU astro

Galway hosted Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park in a WNL encounter that produced seven goals in a game in which Julie Ann Russell was the stand-out player.

The opening half saw Sligo Rovers lead twice, but they were pegged back to parity at the interval, the tempo slackened slightly after the break and Galway dictated.

Sligo Rovers started on the front foot and had a goal inside our minutes when Gemma McGuinness raced on to a through ball after good build up play by Kerri O’Hara.

Galway reacted positively and were back on terms in the eighth minute when Bryce Reynolds finished to the net from a corner.

Galway looked more likely to add a second goal, but it was Gemma McGuinness who got in again for another Sligo chance in the 17th minute, but Abbiegayle Ronayne saved to avert the danger.

Again, Galway reacted positively and forced a series of corners, but they were unable to capitalise on any of the chances.

The hosts maintained a high-tempo and were looking for a penalty in the 27th minute, but referee Mark Houlihan wasn’t impressed and waved play on.

After absorbing a lot of pressure Sligo Rovers won a corner that Gemme McGuinness picked out Emma Doherty at the far post for an accurate finish and the lead again in the 33rd minute.

Once more Galway found a response and were back on terms in the 38th minute when Ellie O’Flaherty got on the end of a cross Julie Ann Russel to find the net from close range.

The teams were tied a 2-2 at the interval after Sligo ‘keeper Amy Mahon produced a finger-tip save to deny McKee a certain goal close to the interval.

Galway made the best possible start to the second-half whan Shauna Brennan grabbed a 51st goal to give the hosts the lead for the first time and midway through half Jamie Erickson headed a fourth for the hosts following a good free by Shauna Brennan.

Galway bossed the remainder and added goal number five when Becky Walsh finished well nine minutes from the end.

TEAMS

Galway – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Becky Walsh, Lucia Lobato, Nicole McNamara, Shaune Brennan, Julie Ann Russell, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Elle O’Flaherty, Bryce Reynolds, Jamie Erickson.
Subs – Rola Olusola for O’Flaherty 77 mins, Saoirse Healy for McKee 82m, Peggy Ford for Roynane, Eve Dobben for Erickson and Abbie Callaghan for Russell all 87m

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Alanna Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Helen Monaghan.
Subs – Jessica Casey for H Monaghan and Sarah Kiernan A O’Doherty both 77 mins; Ciara Henry for R Monaghan and Aoife Brennan for McGrory both 83m, Lauren McLellan for E Doherty 87m

REFEREE
Mark Houlihan

Our Europea Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round tie with Motherwell at The Showgrounds on Thursday is now sold-out.

There are no more tickets available.

We would ask supporters to refrain from contacting the club looking for tickets are there are none available.

We thank you for your support of the club and look forward to another European night at The Showgrounds

Our six Academy teams are all in action this weekend, starting on Saturday afternoon with our Under 14’s and both Under 17 sides in action.

Our Under 14’s are in Longford to take on Longford Town as City Calling Stadium’s Academy pitch.

We host Bray at 1pm at Sean Fallon Centre in The Under 17 Men’s league, with the lads on the back of a narrow defeat against Galway United during the week.

Our Under 17 Womens team take on Shelbourne at AUL Complex at 2pm, also on Saturday. Aaron O’ Connor’s side were defeated at home to Wexford last weekend.

Our Under 15 side take on Cobh Ramblers at Ballisodare on Sunday afternoon with a 2pm kick-off.

Also on Sunday, both Under 19 sides are at The Sean Fallon Centre for home games against Bohemians and Bray respectively.

The Men’s team face the Gypsies at 2pm while our Women’s team play the Seagulls at 4.30pm.

Sligo Rovers make the trip to Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow for a Women’s National League (WNL) game against a Galway side that is five points adrift of second-placed Athlone Town.

That is a position the Galway players will be aiming to improve on that when they welcome their Connacht neighbours for the first time in the WNL game.

However, Galway will adopt a cautious approach as they had to work hard for a 2-1 victory at the Showgrounds at the beginning of May, despite enjoying periods of dominance.

Galway trailed to an early Emma Doherty strike and only got back on level terms in first-half added time when Becky Walsh found the net.

Galway added a second after the resumption when Shauna Brennan hit the target and that ultimately proved to be the winning goal.

In her efforts to save that effort, Bit O’Red ‘keeper Kristen Sample sustained a broken arm that has kept her on the sidelines since then.

Mayo teenager Amy Mahon deputised on that occasion, but she was absent last weekend for the Bit O’Red and that gave another talented shot-stopper, Farah McDonagh, an opportunity between the posts against the formidable force that is Athlone Town.

Sligo Rovers also hit the front in that game when Gemma McGuinness finished after Emma Doherty made the opening and Galway will have to be vigilant against the threat that the Bit O’Red duo will pose.

Athlone got back on level terms in the first-half, but had to wait until the 86th minute for a winner.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney was disappointed by the concession of that late goal, but was also full of praise

for the performance of his team.

“You have to remember that we are in our first season in the WNL and it’s a huge learning curve for everyone,” he commented.

“Experience is hugely important and we are getting that every week, I have no doubt that the players will continue to improve.

“We have to keep working on all aspects of our game, get fitter, get stronger, we can do that, but it just takes time.

“The supporters can see the determination of the players and it won’t take too much longer before we are in a position to start turning narrow defeats into narrow victories.

“We have Galway next and that will be another big test, they were very good against us in the second-half here, but this is another opportunity for the players to show what they can do and we are all looking forward to the game,” he added.

For Galway manager, Alan Murphy, this is another must-win game to stay in touch with the top four.

Dumped out of the FAI Cup a fortnight ago at Dalymount Park, Galway bounced back to winning form with a comprehensive 5-1 victory against Cork City last weekend.

 An own goal by City defender Ciara McNamara after only 60 seconds had Galway on the front foot and two more followed in a rewarding eight-minute spell for a 3-0 advantage. Bryce Reynolds and Jamie Erickson were the scorers.

Laura Shine pulled one back for Cork six minutes into the second-half, but Galway reacted positively and Lynsey McKey claimed a brace to round off a 5-1 victory.

Central to Galway’s dominance was the performance of Julie-Ann Russell, sister of John Russell, the manager of the Sligo Rovers men’s team. 

Russell was also a key performer for Galway in the first-round encounter at the Showgrounds and her performance could be crucial to the outcome of this encounter.

LAST TIME

Sligo Rovers 1, Galway 2

TEAMS

Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Amy Roddy, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Sarah Kiernan. Subs – Fiona Doherty for Brennan 56 mins, Amy Mahon for Sample 60m, Helen Monaghan for O’Hara and Katie Melly for Kelly both 70m.

Galway WFC – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Becky Walsh, Emma Starr, Shauna Brennan, Chloe Singleton, Julie Ann Russell, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Therese Kinnevey, Jamie Erickson, Kate Thompson. Subs – Lauryn Gamache for Slattery 83 mins, Aoife Thompson for McKee and Taylor Rutland Singleton both 89m, Nicole McNamara for Thompson 97m.

Sligo Rovers defeated defeated Motherwell 1-0 ar Fir Park on Thursday night in front of over 7,000 spectators, including almost 500 travelling Bit O’ Red supporters.

John Russell was without goalkeeper Edward McGinty who completed a move to Oxford United this week, meaning Luke McNicholas came into the starting XI from last week’s European win over Bala Town.

Garry Buckley, Adam McDonnell and Karl O’ Sullivan came into the team from Sunday’s game with UCD in place of Nando Pijnaker, Max Mata and Frank Liivak.

Rovers started on the front foot with Karl O’ Sullivan crossing inside a minute for Will Fitzgerald to fire over.

The hosts looked to keep possession in midfield and move Rovers around but John Russell’s side defended brilliantly and threatened on the counter attack with some nice build up play through midfield.

The moment of the game came when O’ Sullivan’s high ball was headed back toward his own goal by Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi but Aidan Keena was on hand to intercept it and loft the ball over the back tracking Liam Kelly and into the net to send the Rovers support into raptures.

The hosts piled on pressure from there to half time but Rovers stood tall and defended well, with Luke McNicholas comfortable in goal and the back four making some important clearances to bring us to half time in front.

The second half started with the hosts again looking to keep possession in midfield and move through the thirds to try and get an equaliser.

Rovers stood firm and were a constant threat on the break however, pushing Motherwell further back toward their own goal.

Ross Tierney was introduced on the hour and caused some problems for Rovers with his forward runs, ending in a half chance for him which he shot wide. Callum Slattery and Josh Morris looked to keep Rovers on the back foot throughout but failed to created any major chances in front of goal.

Max Mata was introduced for Adam McDonnell midway through the half and the striker almost got in immediately when he was played in by Keena but couldn’t work the ball past Kelly in goal.

Will Fitzgerald headed just over from Karl O’ Sullivan’s cross soon after but the biggest chance came when Max Mata headed toward goal from Fitzgerald’s cross only to be denied by Jake Carroll on the line. Rovers had huge penalty appeals as it looked to have hit Carroll on the arm, but the referee waived away the appeals.

The Bit O’ Red withstood five minutes of added time and sealed a famous win at Fir Park ahead of next week’s sold out second leg at The Showgrounds.