Sligo Rovers begin our 2023 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season tomorrow night at The Showgrounds as we host Shamrock Rovers at 7.45pm.

The match is a sell-out with around 4,200 supporters expected to be in attendance.

Manager John Russell has a fresh look to his squad ahead of the new campaign new signings Johan Brannefalk, Daniel Lafferty, Reece Hutchinson (loan), James Finnerty, Gary Boylan, Stefan Radosavljevic, Lukas Browning, John Mahon and Bogdan Vastsuk all signing since the end of the 2022 season last November. Fabrice Hartmann’s loan spell from RB Leipzig was also confirmed and the German winger is in the squad ahead of the new season.

Russell is looking forward to tomorrow’s game:

‘’We’re all excited to kick-off the season in front of a sold out Showgrounds.

‘’The players and staff have worked extremely hard during pre-season and, we’re all ready for the challenge ahead.

‘’We know the quality Shamrock Rovers bring tomorrow evening. They have set the benchmark for the past few seasons but it’s important that we focus on ourselves.

‘’Our home support will be vital for us this season and the players are relishing playing in front of them’’.

In team news, Rovers are without long term absentees Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne and Garry Buckley (all ACL injuries) while Niall Morahan is a doubt following his ankle injury picked up in last weekend’s friendly against Finn Harps.

Shamrock Rovers come into the new season having won their third SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division title in succession last season and Stephen Bradley has again added to his squad for 2023 including a loan deal to bring Riverstown native Johnny Kenny in from Celtic.

The hoops were defeated in last Friday’s President’s Cup game away to Derry City on a 2-0 scoreline at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

There will be no admission on the night without a ticket.

We look forward to an entertaining night under the lights at The Showgrounds in front of our Bit O’ Red supporters.