Bohemians 1 – 0 Sligo Rovers

By Conall Collier

Katie Malone’s 33rd minute goal gave Bohemian FC a hard-earned Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory against Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Saturday afternoon.

This was a much-changed Sligo Rovers team compared to the one that finished the last outing some 28 days ago against Peamount Utd while Bohemian FC came into this game with a 1-0 victory against Galway to their credit in the last home outing

Five enforced changes gave manager Tommy Hewitt plenty to ponder, but at the end of a pulsating 90 minutes the Bit O’Red boss had only one disappointing aspect of the game to deal with – a narrow reversal.

That aside, there was plenty to admire about a battling performance that saw the hosts under sustained pressure for about 20 second-half minutes as Sligo Rovers went in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser.

The most encouraging element was the return to action after a three-year absence of former Bohemian FC player Yvonne Hedigan who had an excellent outing for the Bit O’Red in central defence alongside Kelsey Munroe.

That made some amends for the absence of Keeva Flynn and Cara King who were both on Ladies GAA All-Ireland Minor final duty for Sligo in a match-winning display at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

Also absent were the trio of Emma Doherty, Zoe McGlynn and Kelly Crompton who featured against Peamount at the end of June, but have since moved to Galway Utd, Glentoran and Linfield.

The players on duty stepped up to the plate with another excellent performance from Amber Hardy between the posts as she made some sensational saves in each half and continued to enhance her reputation.

And the Bit O’Red had a good chance as early as the 12th minute when Paula McGrory’s shot had home ’keeper Rachael Kelly in action, but at the other end goalscorer Malone missed a sitter from about five metres.

Hedigan also produced some excellent tackles that averted danger and she used her experience to good effect as Bohs continued to search for an opening goal.

That goal eventually arrived 12 minutes before the interval when Sarah McKevitt centred from the right and Malone rifled to the net for what, at that stage, was a merited advantage for the hosts.

Hardy then made two smart saves before the break from Lisa Murphy and McKevitt.

Rebecca Doddy replaced Eimear Lafferty for the second-half and she certainly caused problems for the home defence as both ‘keepers’ made smart saves.

Hedigan was called ashore with 25 minutes remaining and the play flowed from end-to-end. The Bit O’Red probed and pushed for an equaliser that proved elusive although Alice Lillie had a good effort in added time.

Next up for Sligo Rovers is a home tie in the FAI Cup next weekend against Dublin side Terenure Rangers who play on Sunday in the FAI Amateur Cup final as they bid to defend the title they won 12 months ago when they tackle Whitehall Rangers at the Belfield Bowl.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Katie Lovely, Aoibhe Fleming, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Sarah McKevitt, Alannah McEvoy, Katie Malone, Sarah Power.

Sub – Shauna Carroll for McKevitt 82 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Yvonne Hedigan, Kelsey Munroe, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Jodie Loughrey.

Subs – Rebecca Doddy for McGrory half-time, Kate Nugent for Hedigan 66 mins, Mairead McIntyre for Lafferty and Katie Melly for Kelly both 77m, Lauren Devaney for Kiernan 89m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant-referees – Simon Drislane, Paudie Hayes.

Fourth official – Kate O’Brien.

Sligo Rovers 0 – 3 Bohemians

Goals from James Clarke, Aboubacar Keita and Dayle Rooney saw Bohemians beat Sligo Rovers by three goals to nil at the Showgrounds. 

Rovers made one change from the stalemate in Galway a week previous. Rein Smit handed his second start for the Bit O’Red following the departure of Max Mata whose loan spell has ended. 

The Dubliners hit the lead two minutes in when Clarke nodded past Ed McGinty from a Dayle Rooney cross after two minutes. 

A determined Rovers were undeterred by this setback, however. 

Both Smit and Stefan Radosavljevic went close for the home side as Rovers bossed the game for a period. 

Bohs then took a hold of this game when Keita noded Rooney’s corner past McGinty before the break. 

Rovers introduced both Kailin Barlow and Wilson Waweru in the second half as John Russell’s charges chased for a goal that would bring them back into the tie. 

The visitor settled the tie mid-way through the second period. Rooney’s impressive drive from outside the area settled the points. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Ollie Denham (Kailin Barlow HT), Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Stefan Radosavljevic (Daire Patton 87), Ellis Chapman, Fabrice Hartmann (Wilson Waweru HT); Rein Smit. 

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Luke Matheson, Aboubacar Keita, Jevon Mills, Paddy Kirk; James McManus, James Clarke (Daniel Grant 79), Adam McDonnell; James Akintunde (Filip Piszczek 75), Declan McDaid (Dylan Connolly 62), Dayle Rooney (Martin Miller 66). 

Referee: Gavin Colfer. 

Attendance: 2,087.

By Jim Gray

When Robert Browning wrote his exquisite romantic poem, Home Thoughts from Abroad, yearning for the everyday delights of his homeland, he certainly couldn’t have had football in mind. Yet, his sentiments ring true for exiled supporters of Sligo Rovers, a football club whose global attraction bridges oceans and continents, providing a genuine link not only with its diaspora but with many others encountering the magic of the club for the first time.

Rovers’ army of international supporters continues to grow. For a club based on the periphery of Europe, once regarded as a distant soccer outpost even in its own country, the club’s global appeal is truly remarkable. Some of these ardent followers are Sligo natives whose life paths have taken them to every corner of the world; others are people with no connection to Sligo, or indeed Ireland, who have discovered and been entranced by the irresistible lure of the bit’o’red.

In this article, we feature two of these devoted long-distance supporters – one a native of the town now living and working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and another from Alabama, USA, who first discovered the club through a FIFA video game and has since crossed the Atlantic on a number of occasions to sate his appetite for the joy of following Rovers.

Argentina-based Eamonn Maye, is a proud member of Rovers international family. He was born and raised in Sligo, literally in the shadow of the Showgrounds.

“My father’s house stood just across the tracks behind the railway end stand. I could see the games from my bedroom, but thankfully didn’t need to as he would take me, along with my brothers, to the games,” Eamonn recalls.

Those early experiences shaped his love of the club, a life-long attachment which has defied both disappointment and distance.

“Right from the start Rovers gave me a sense of community”, he enthuses. “We would meet our cousins and friends on the terrace and spend most of the

game running around playing, with little idea of what was happening on the pitch! This sense of community would only grow over the years, as I made friends through Rovers, found jobs through Rovers, and found accommodation through Rovers. There is almost no aspect of my life that hasn’t been impacted by the club.”

Becoming a dedicated supporter in his own right as he grew older, Eamonn travelled to away games all over the country as well as a couple of European adventures, before leaving Sligo for foreign shores in 2014. He spent several years travelling and living in various countries before settling in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2019.

“My relationship with Rovers is one which has endured the long distance, though at first it was difficult to follow closely from abroad. Time zones did not always allow for following games live, and very little was televised. Mostly I was listening to games on Ocean FM, and getting some more detail afterwards from family or friends who had attended,” he says.

Oddly enough, Eamonn believes the best thing that happened to LOI fans abroad was the Covid pandemic. It brought with it the opportunity to watch every game live, which thankfully has stayed around afterwards.

He gives a special shout-out to the guys from BORST: “Their podcast really brought back that connection to the club that was almost lost over a few years away and is still eagerly anticipated each week. It’s a huge boost for the international fan”.

In Argentina, he reports, the question ‘which is your team’ gets asked at least a couple of times a day: “I always tell them that here, I am a neutral, happy to go along to watch any game but I don’t need another team, I already have Sligo Rovers.”

Generously, Eamonn says to any Rovers fan considering visiting Buenos Aires not to hesitate to get in touch with him.

“I’m always happy to meet up to talk Rovers, give some advice on Argentina or help out with securing tickets to games here,” he confirms.

While Eamonn’s love of the club could be described as an ‘accident of birth’, the case of an American devotee illustrates Rovers’ uncanny knack of getting under the skin even of those who had previously never heard of Sligo.

Forty-two years old, Sean Rourke from the U.S Southeastern state of Alabama, discovered Rovers about nine years ago through playing a FIFA video game.

“From there, I looked into the club and started following and got hooked,” he explains. “Owen Heary was manager at the time when I started supporting. I have been to the Showgrounds four times and have only seen one goal scored other than the penalty shootout against Bala Town but I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m looking forward to getting over again in September for the Dundalk game.”

For long-distance supporters, following the club’s fortunes has become much easier in recent years, as Sean explains.

“When I first started, I was only able to follow the games on the team website or twitter or through the Rovers Hour on Ocean fm. Since then, it has become easier and better. We have the Borst podcast, we can watch the matches on Loi TV, or listen to the full match commentaries on Ocean fm.”, he says.

Sean immediately fell in love with the town on his first visit.

“Even though I had never been there before, it felt like home. The people are great, I have made friends with the Borst guys and socialise with them when I’m over. We have become friends, not just people who support the same team. Also, I have had many interactions with the office staff and everyone has been amazing. I love that the club is owned and run by the supporters. It sets Rovers apart from every other team and makes for more passionate fans,” he insists.

His first trip was in 2018. Since then, he has been over in 2019 for the start of the season and caught two games at the Showgrounds, and the last time he visited was for the Bala Town game.

“I’ve been to two battles of the Rovers, as well as St. Pats, and Bala, and I’ll be over for Dundalk in September this season. I make the trip mainly to see the Rovers play, and work in seeing other parts of Ireland around the fixture.

“I have Irish ancestry but don’t have any family connections that I know about. I would like to think that the O’Rourke Castle remains on Lough Gill were

related to me, being we have the same last name, and maybe that’s why the Sligo area feels so much like home.”

Not surprisingly, Sean agrees that some people might find it strange that he’s so passionate about a football club on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean that few, if any, of his peers have even heard of.

“My family are supportive, although they’re not really into sport. Most people at home wouldn’t be into soccer anyway, much less League of Ireland, so I guess I’m thought of as a bit odd. But I love it and am so delighted to have found this unique club”, he declares.

*We will feature more members of Rovers’ amazing global supporter family in forthcoming editions of the E-programme. Next stops on our world tour are Abu Dhabi and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic

Ellis Chapman’s 23rd minute strike gave Sligo Rovers a much needed shot in the arm as they saw off St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds.

Chapman’s strike from range, handed the Bt O’Red their first win in seven and moved the Connacht men to within a single point of their opponents in the league table.

Without a host of first team players courtesy of injuries and suspension, Sligo boss John Russell handed 18-year-old Conor Reynolds a first senior start in place of the suspended JR Wilson, while Fabrice Hartmann returned to the first eleven for the first time in three games.

The starting Saints, looking for a fourth win on the spin over their opponents, included Kieran Freeman, Jamie Lennon and Jake Mulraney each of whom missed Friday’s win over Drogheda.
Rovers led this game at the interval and although they impressed at times, it was the Dubliners who fashioned the majority of the play in front of goal.

John Daly’s charges should have been ahead on nine minutes when Chris Forrester and Brandon Kavanagh combined to find former Sligo youth Ruairi Keating. The striker, unmarked, fluffed his lines from a goal-scoring position as he somehow blazed over from ten yards out.

Conor Keeley’s header from a Kavanagh free landed on the roof of the Rovers net on the quarter hour as Pat’s issued another warning shot, Mulraney in particular causing concern down their left flank.

Chapman then fired the home side in front on 23 minutes when the midfielder struck for his fourth goal of the year. The former Cheltenham man steadying himself before lashing past Danny Rogers from 25 yards, somewhat against the flow of proceedings.

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty had to bat away an effort from the angle from Keating early in the second period, as Russell’s side looked to map a way to their first win over Pat’s since last year’s May Bank Holiday.

McGinty was in the thick of things again on 61 minutes when he executed a magnificent reaction save to deny Forrester’s stab at goal from a swerving Kavanagh set piece.

The home support thought they had a penalty on 71 when substitute Rein Smit went to ground following a challenge by Pat’s net minder Rogers. Referee David Dunne translated the situation differently however, awarding a free out and booking the Dutch striker for simulation.  

Connor Malley’s drive from 30 yards whistled over the Dubliners’ crossbar with twelve to go as Rovers, now the better side, sought to kill the game.
There was a late push from the visitors, who looked unconvincing going forward although Rovers did have to rely on a heroic late block from skipper Niall Morahan on Pat’s sub Mason Melia.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Conor Reynolds (Kailin Barlow 68), Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 57), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 84); Max Mata (Rein Smit 68).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Kieran Freeman, Conor Keeley, Luke Turner, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon; Chris Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Romal Palmer 68); Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy 73), Alex Nolan (Mason Melia 68), Ruairi Keating.  

Referee: David Dunne

Attendance: 2,548.

Sligo Rovers are in action for the second time in four days this Bank Holiday Monday as St Patrick’s Athletic visit the Showgrounds. 

Supporters are asked to note the earlier kick off time of 5pm. 

Rovers will again be without the services of Simon Power and Will Fitzgerald. While Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon remain unavailable. 

JR Wilson will serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. 

While Wilson Waweru will be assessed before the game. 

Rovers are looking to recover from Friday’s defeat to Waterford as they face Pat’s for the second time this year. 

Manager John Russell wants his players to bounce back on Monday afternoon. 

“Friday was hugely frustrating for us and our supporters. We do not like losing games and the players were all hurting in the dressing room afterwards as they knew we had enough chances to win the game”, he noted. 

“Monday gives us an opportunity in front of our home fans to get a result and build some momentum again. We need everyone in the ground to get right behind us.” 

Sligo Rovers 0 – 1 Waterford

Sligo Rovers were undone by Christie Pattison’s 46th minute strike as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Waterford at the Showgrounds. 

Following a 15 minute delay to kick-off due to an issue with the pitch, a competitive opening period ensued between two sides eager to take the spoils. 

Max Mata nodded a Reece Hutchinson cross wide after five minutes, while both Ben McCormack and Connor Parsons skied respective efforts at the opposite end.

The game’s first real chance arrived on 20 minutes when Pattisson found the roaming Parsons in space. The wide man pulled a superb save out of Ed McGinty at the goalkeeper’s near post.

A number of injuries to the Sligo squad meant Rovers were only able to name one experienced first-team player on their bench. 

It was the hosts who ended the opening 45 the stronger. Stefan Radosavljevic and Connor Malley going close to an opener. While Grant Horton managed to sweep Mata’s effort off the visitor’s goal-line after both Malley and Ellis Chapman had both threatened in the build up.

The second half was just seconds old when Waterford took the lead. Pattison crashing a thundering right-footed half-volley beyond McGinty after Rowan McDonald’s cross found the wide-man in space. 

Rovers pressed for the equaliser late on and went close again courtsey of Mata and Charlie Wiggett. While McGinty pulled off a wonderful late stop to deny former Rovers man Padraig Amond late on.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 71); JR Wilson, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Rein Smit, Max Mata, Stefan Radosavljevic (Fabrice Hartmann 71). 

Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy; Dean McMenamy (Niall O’Keefe 75), Ben McCormack (Connor Evans 84), Rowan McDonald; Christie Pattison (Maleace Asamoah 72), Connor Parsons; Padraig Amond. 

Referee: Gavin Colfer. 

Attendance: 2,087.

Sligo Rovers will hope for a first win in five this Friday as they travel to the north east to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park. 

The Bit O’Red will be without defensive duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker who remain sidelined for a number of weeks, while winger Simon Power will miss out having sustained a knock in last Monday’s stalemate with Galway United.

Rovers have already recorded victory over Drogheda this season when they beat Kevin Doherty’s charges by three goals to one back in mid-March. A quick-fire Max Mata double was followed by a sensational back-heel finish from Wilson Waweru late on, after Andrew Quinn had halved the deficit. 

Speaking ahead of the game, manager John Russell says he is satisfied with the way his team are gelling as the weeks go by. 

“I was pleased with how we played even though we only managed two draws last weekend”, he said.  

“You can see the players are starting to make good connections on the pitch which was evident in the build up to Fabrice Hartmann’s wonder strike against Dundalk. 

“I felt we deserved a penalty in each of the games which was frustrating. I’m hoping these decisions balance themselves out over the course of the season. 

“The players have recovered over the last few days and are ready to go again. As always, we must focus on ourselves and play to our strengths.”

Kick-off at Weavers Park is 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers will look to return to winning ways next weekend as the Bit O’Red look to recover from successive defeats on the road against Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s, Rovers taking on both Dundalk and Galway United at the Showgrounds on Friday and Monday respectively.

A well hit finish from Graham Burke, followed by an Aaron Greene double saw Rovers beaten at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

John Russell’s side started this game on the front foot, with Will Fitzgerald capitalising on a Roberto Lopes error. The winger supplying the roaming Reece Hutchinson who forced a decent stop from Shams goalkeeper Leon Pohls.

Ed McGinty first denied Burke at the opposite end, then Markus Poom before another Burke effort flew past the Rovers post. 

McGinty pulled off the save of the game before the Hoops went ahead. The loanee reaching high into the top corner of the frame of his goal to bat away Gary O’Neill’s goalward header.

The hosts’ pressure told nine minutes from the break when Burke unleashed an unstoppable drive into the corner of the net.

The Dubliners’ had their second five minutes after half-time.

Greene’s effort took a wicked deflection off Ollie Denham, leaving McGinty with little option. 
Shams decided the game late on when Greene had his second, running on to a quick counter ball courtesy of Poom.

Rovers are back in action this Friday night against Dundalk at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. While Galway are the visitors the following Monday for our re-arranged league fixture, kick-off also 7.45pm. Tickets for both games can be purchased below.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Josh Honohan (Cian Barrett 79); Dylan Watts (Conan Noonan 70), Gary O’Neill (Trevor Clarke 67); Darragh Burns, Graham Burke (Richie Towell 67), Darragh Nugent (Johnny Kenny 67), Markus Poom; Aaron Greene.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Oliver Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 75), Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 75), Will Fitzgerald (Rein Smit 75); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 75).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).