Category: Uncategorized

Striker Wilson Waweru joins the Bit O’Red

John Russell has added his second new addition to his squad for the upcoming 2024 season. 

22 year old centre forward Wilson Waweru joins from Galway United after a successful loan spell with Cobh Ramblers where he scored 13 goals from open play last season. The player joins on a two year deal.

John Russell:

“Wilson is a very good player that I am excited to bring to the club. He came through the Galway United academy and always stood out when he broke through to their first team. 

“I have tracked his development and he is moving to us after scoring a lot of goals at Cobh last year. 

“He is a natural finisher, he’s quick, strong, and capable of running in behind. He comes to us at a good age and is a player I’m excited to have with us next year”

Wilson Waweru:

“I am very happy to join the club. I see myself as an out and out number 9 and a focal point up top. I was happy to make the move to Cobh last year particularly with the quality of the goals scored and assists I made. 

“I am looking forward to the step up in quality in the Premier Division. I feel I am becoming a better player every year, with the quality of players at this club I feel I can bring that form with me next year.

More news is expected this week as John Russell continues to build his squad for the upcoming season.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Ray Gallagher Honoured By Sligo County Council

Long serving Sligo Rovers volunteer and Club Vice President Ray Gallagher was honoured by Sligo County Council on Wednesday evening at its annual Cathaorleach’s Awards ceremony. Ray won the ‘Community Individual’ Award category for his lifetime of exemplary service.

Presenting the award on behalf of the Awards Committee, Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady said has spent most of his 86 years serving the people of County Sligo, and highlighted in particular his work in developing the Showgrounds.

‘Ray served as Chairman of the Management Committee and subsequently the Ground Development Committee, under his stewardship the Treacy Avenue stand was built, a new all weather pitch was laid and a car park and boundary wall were provided in a partnership with Sligo Borough Council.

During his lifetime of service to Sligo Rovers, has made an enormous input in many areas, arguably his most valuable contribution was in relation to the Showgrounds. In 1968, Ray played a key role along with Albert Higgins and then Mayor and Club Chairman the late John Fallon in acquiring the two estates that made up the Showgrounds, the Fowler and Campbell estates, thus providing Sligo Rovers with a permanent home. In 2016, under Ray’s leadership, the ground was legally registered as a Charitable Trust, thereby ensuring it is preserved in perpetuity as a community and recreational facility for the people of Sligo.’

Councillor O’Grady concluded her tribute by noting ‘Ray’s modest and unassuming nature, which ensured he never sought the limelight or any acknowledgement for his lifetime of voluntary service, but his vision and drive in securing the Showgrounds bestows a priceless legacy for future generations of Sligo people.’

Will Fitzgerald signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers is pleased to announce that Will Fitzgerald has signed back with the club for the upcoming 2024 season.

The 24 year old attacking midfielder will line out for his third season with the Bit O’Red.

“I’m delighted to sign back with the club for next year.

Ever since I first arrived at the club, I’ve been made feel welcome by everyone in & around the club.

It’s a great club with even better people involved & I know how much it means to the supporters & community to see it thriving.

I am loving my football here & I look forward to hopefully making my 100th appearance for the club, which if that happens is something that I’ll be forever proud of.

I can’t wait to pull on the Rovers jersey again & I’m looking forward to us pushing on next year”

John Russell:

“I’m delighted Will has agreed a new deal with the club.

Will is a top professional who brings so much to the team in terms of his energy, work rate and quality.

He has an excellent mentality and is exactly the type of character I want at the club.

I’m excited to have him with us again as I feel he can take his game to another level next season.”

Fixtures for the upcoming season are due to be announced this week. Season Tickets sales are on sale together with our new 2024 training merchandise at https://srfcdirect.com/

Niall Morahan signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce Niall Morahan has re-signed with the club for the upcoming 2024 season.

The 23 year old has been one of the most consistent performers of 2023 and has now committed to extending his time with the Bit O’ Red.

John Russell expressed his delight with the retention of Morahan for 2024

“Niall is a key signing for us going into next year, he’s a player that has come up through the academy so he understands the DNA of the club”

“He is an outstanding midfielder who has over 150 appearance for us, and his game has continued to improve over the last year or two”

“He will be 24 next year and I feel in addition to the qualities he offers us in midfield, he is also growing as a leader. He will be a real driving force for us in midfield again next year, I’m delighted to have him with on board for next season”

The Leitrim Village man was in the Showgrounds earlier today and added:

“It wasn’t the season we were expecting last year, particularly with the expectations we put on ourselves, but we are eager to put it behind us now, and focus on next year”

I am delighted to sign today and am already really looking forward to the start of next season”

The club is expecting more announcements in the coming weeks as we build our squad for 2024.

Annual Draw reaches €69,000

Our 2023 Annual Draw is coming towards its end, with €69,000 now raised so far by our brilliant volunteer sellers in addition to our online sales on srfcdirect.com

The draw takes place at the UCD game on Saturday night at The Showgrounds which kicks off at 7.45pm.

The top prize is €5,000 and will be won by one of our entrants who has purchased a ticket for €10.

If you can, we’d encourage you to support our draw by purchasing a ticket now online via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/annual-draw-ticket/

There are other top prizes such as a huge €2,500 voucher for West Coast Orthodontics in Sligo Town and a €1,000 voucher for Petstop Discount Warehouse.

Vouchers for stays at The Connaught Hotel, Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley and the Silver Tassey Hotel in Letterkenny are also up for grabs.

Corporate match tickets for a Liverpool home game at Anfield are also on offer which will be a great prize for any football fan.

There are also vouchers for Kate’s Kitchen in Sligo, Elverys Sports and Ticketmaster.

We’d like to thank all our supporters for getting behind the draw once again this year.

Celtic Football Club, founded by a Sligo man

Did you know, Celtic FC was founded by a Sligo man?


Andrew Kerins, or Brother Walfrid as he is more famously known, was born in Ballymote in 1840.

At the age of 15, Kerins went to Scotland in search of work, as did many Irish in those times due to the Famine.

In 1964, he joined The Marist Brothers, a catholic religious order who focused on educating the youth of Glasgow.

A few years later, after a four year stay in France, Kerins returned to the Scottish city as a teacher and soon established a football league in his school. He was then appointed Headmaster in 1885 at Sacred Heart School.

Brother Walfrid as he was now known dedicated his time to raising money for the poor in Glasgow, hosting charity matches as he tried to help the most vulnerable in his community.

He formed a number of football clubs, but only one survived, Celtic Football and Athletic Club.

Walfrid proposed the name Celtic, with the strong historic links between Ireland and Scotland, as he never forgot his home in Sligo.

To this day, Celtic remain a massive club globally, with huge support here in Ireland.

There is a monument in Ballymote to remember the club’s founder, in the town where he grew up.

Celtic supporters attending next week’s game at The Showgrounds are expected to visit the monument throughout next week, as they show their appreciation to the Sligo man who started it all.

You can buy tickets to the game here online:


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

Pijnaker and Mata included in New Zealand squad

Nando Pijnaker and Max Mata are currently on International duty with New Zealand for two upcoming friendlies with Sweden and Qatar.

They face Sweden on Friday at 6pm in Stockholm and three days later, on Monday face Qatar in Austria at 5pm.

We wish the lads the very best of luck.

Report: Shelbourne 0-2 Rovers

Sligo Rovers made it a successful away journey to Tolka Park on Friday night as goals from Estonian winger Frank Liivak and Mullingar born Striker Aidan Keena securing a 2-0 win in front of around 1,500 fans in Drumcondra.

Rovers were on the front foot from the first minute as Max Mata broke forward only to be taken down on the edge of the area by defender Gavin Molloy, who picked up an early booking for his troubles. Adam McDonnell’s free kick floated over Brendan Clarke’s crossbar.

The hosts replied with chances of their own soon after. Shane Farrell testing Luke McNicholas from close range before skewing an effort wide moments later.

The games first big incident came on 23 minutes when Frank Liivak broke free on the right before to beat defender Aaron O’ Driscoll and fired past Clarke in the Shelbourne goal. Rovers had weathered a bit of a storm up until then and the goal was a welcome reward for some good counter attacking play.

It was nearly 2-0 when Aidan Keena had a free kick from 25 yards go inches wide of the post after Mata was again fouled on the edge of the box.

Shelbourne had half chances through Sean Boyd before half time but Rovers lead at the break.

Colm Horgan was introduced for Nando Pijnaker at half time.

John Russell’s side started the second half on top and Mata was played through on goal at an angle by the brilliant Liivak. Mata’s chipped effort was touched wide of goal by Clarke and Shels cleared.

Mata was replaced by Will Fitzgerald after an hour and Rovers continued to push forward as Keena took up a more central striking role.

This would pay off just four minutes later as Keena latched onto Shane Griffin’s wayward pass in the Shels’ backline and raced through towards goal. The striker kept his composure and smashed the ball past Clarke to double Rovers’ lead.

Kailin Barlow came on in Rovers’ final change on 77 minutes for the hard working Liivak and Rovers managed to see the game out comfortably in the closing stages to earn an important three points.

Next up is a trip to take on Derry City on Tuesday night at 7.45pm.

Match Preview: Rovers take on Finn Harps on Friday

Sligo Rovers take on Finn Harps in a North-west derby on Friday night in Ballybofey in our next SSE Airtricity League game.

The game takes place at 8pm and a large Bit O’ Red support is expected to make the short journey North to Donegal.

The last time the sides met was a 3-0 win for Rovers after two Aidan Keena goals either side of a Karl O’ Sullivan tap in at The Showgrounds. Rovers also won the previous two meetings between the sides earlier in the season, 3-1 and 1-0 respectively.

Both sides were defeated in Dublin last weekend with Rovers losing 1-0 to St Patrick’s Athletic and Harps beaten 2-1 by UCD at The UCD Bowl.

John Russell’s side are currently in fifth position, four points off St Pat’s in fourth, while Ollie Horgan’s Harps are in 9th spot.

Bit O’ Red manager Russell knows what test Finn Harps will bring:

‘’We know tomorrow evening is going to be a tough game.

‘’Finn Harps are fighting for survival and they always play well at home.

‘’They’ve got good players and they were extremely unlucky not to win last week.

‘’We were disappointed not to come away with something in our last game but tomorrow is another opportunity for us to perform well and try and close the gap on the teams above us. There are still a lot of games to be played and there will be plenty of twist and turns ahead. The players know how important this fixture is’’.

Sligo Rovers come into the game without a number of first team regulars. Garry Buckley, Seamas Keogh and Colm Horgan remain long term absentees however Horgan is getting closer to a return to full training and may return for the Dundalk game.

David Cawley and Aidan Keena have missed the last two games with knocks but, both are expected to be part of John Russell’s match day squad in Ballybofey.

The game is broadcast live on LOI TV from 8pm and there is also live commentary on Ocean FM.

Tickets are available on the gate on the night and supporters can also buy tickets online at https://finnharps.ie/away-tickets/

Match Preview: WNL: Rovers host Shelbourne on Saturday

The first live televised game of the 2022 Women’s National League season will see the TG 4 cameras at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening where the home supporters who attended Thursday night’s Europa Conference League game will gain free admission as a ‘thank you’ gesture from Sligo Rovers.

And Bit O’Red manager Steve Feeney will be urging his players to draw some inspiration from the feat of the men’s team who belied their underdog status to record a 2-0 victory over SPL side Motherwell when his team tackle champions Shelbourne.

Feeney has every reason to believe his team can pose some major problems for defending champions Shelbourne and manager Noel King.

Last May, the defending champions had to wait until the 91st minute for the breakthrough goal from substitute Caoimhe Keenan in what was an absorbing WNL game at Tolka Park.

On that occasion it was only a fifth senior outing for the newest team in the WNL and while Sligo Rovers have only won twice more on the pitch since then, one of those was against high-flying Wexford at the Showgrounds.

Last Saturday Sligo Rovers lost away to Galway after showing some good first-half form to lead twice and go in level at the break (2-2).

However, Galway upped the tempo in the second-half and added three more goals for a comfortable 5-2 victory and that is an issue that Feeney admitted his players need to address.

“We were good, we were competitive against Galway in the first-half, but we were over-run in the second-half and that’s something we need to avoid now when we tackle Shelbourne,” stated Feeney.

“It’s a big game for us, last season we were all watching these types of games on the television, now we have a chance to be involved with the game live on TG 4, a great opportunity for the players.

“We know it will be tough, but we also know that we can make it difficult for Shelbourne, we know that we can score goals, if we can play to our best, then we have a chance,” he added.

Feeney confirmed that both Emma Hansberry and Amy Hyndman are doubtful while Kristen Sample is also sidelined.

For Shelbourne, they go into the game after failing to win in their last two outings and also failing to score from play.

They needed a 93rd minute penalty to earn a draw with Athlone Town last Saturday at Tolka Park and midweek were held to a scoreless draw against Dublin neighbours Bohemian FC.

Manager King will view this trip to the Showgrounds as an ideal opportunity for his side to get back amongst the goals and to tighten their grip on retaining the title as the WNL season heads towards the home straight.

LAST TIME

Shelbourne 1

Sligo Rovers 0