With the 2025 Premier Division kick-off just two weeks away, Sligo Rovers continued their preparations with pre-season friendly games at both Markets Field and Bishopstown.

The first of these two games saw the Bit O’Red take on First Division side Treaty United in Limerick on Friday night.

An experimental Rovers starting eleven went ahead in this one on 22 minutes when winter signing Francely Lomboto finished off a quick attack from the visitors.

Treaty levelled the game eight minutes into the second half when Rovers’ Premier Division winner Lee Lynch set up an unnamed trialist for the leveller.

Lynch then went on to score the winner in the 71st minute.

With game time ahead of the Waterford game on February 15th the most important aspect of this visit to Munster, Rovers had a speedy turn-around with kick-off at Bishopstown arriving just 16 hours after the full-time whistle in Limerick.

Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh and Owen Elding netted Rovers’ goals in a competitive game which finished 6-3 in Cork’s favour.

Rovers’ next game is our penultimate pre-season fixture. A Sligo/Leitrim XI are our opponents at MacSharry Park on Tuesday night, February 4th, kick-off 7.30pm.

Rovers XI V Treaty: Walsh, Van Hattum, Mahon, Cannon, Reynolds, Hutchinson, Fitzgerald, Wolfe, Patton, Manning, Lomboto. 

Subs: Sargeant, Lintott, Hakiki, McDonagh, Malley, Jonathan, Edling, McElroy, Malone. 

Rovers XI V Cork: Sargeant, Lintott, Denham, McElroy, McDonagh, Malone, Malley, Hakiki, Mallon, Kavanagh, Elding. 

Subs: Walsh, Jonathan, Priosti.  

Sligo Rovers is pleased to announce that the 2025 Super Reds Open Day will take place on Sunday, 9 February, at The Showgrounds.

Schedule for the day:

• Registration: From 1pm in the clubhouse
• Activities: 2pm – 3pm on the Astro pitch
• Autograph session: 3pm – 3:30pm with first-team players and John Russell

All attendees are asked to enter via the Astroturf car park.

This event is exclusive to 2025 Super Red members. However, there is still time to join by purchasing a Super Red Season Ticket through the link below:

🔗 https://www.sligorovers.com/season-tickets/

Super Reds will receive their 2025 Season Ticket and training top on the day, provided their application is submitted before 7 February. New members are encouraged to sign up and take part in this exciting event.

As part of the day’s activities, Super Reds will have the chance to meet first-team players, take part in football activities, and enjoy a memorable experience at The Showgrounds.

A parent or guardian must accompany each child on the day.

The club shop will be open from 1:30pm for those wishing to purchase official merchandise.

For those interested in joining the Super Reds for 2025, applications are still open via the link below:

🔗 https://www.sligorovers.com/season-tickets/

Sligo Rovers are pleased to confirm that academy player Aidan Gabbidon has signed for Swedish top-flight side Malmö FF. The transfer has taken place with immediate effect, with the club receiving training compensation for the player.

The 16-year-old centre-half joined Rovers’ AbbVie Academy in 2023, having previously played schoolboy football with Sligo/Leitrim side Valley Rovers. A Geevagh native, Aidan has been a standout performer for both club and country, representing the Republic of Ireland at Under-15 and Under-16 levels. He was also part of the Rovers U14 team that won the Galway Cup two years ago.

Aidan’s brother, Kyle, is also a member of the academy. A talented goalkeeper, Kyle has been capped at international level and gained first-team experience over the past 12 months.

Head of Academy Conor O’Grady expressed his mixed emotions about Aidan’s departure from The Showgrounds. While disappointed to lose the promising defender, he was encouraged by the move, which he said highlights the dedication and hard work of both the player and the academy’s coaches and staff.

O’Grady also thanked Aidan’s family, particularly his parents Mark and Karen, for their cooperation and invaluable role in his development.

“We wish Aidan all the best with his move to Malmö,” said O’Grady. “He’s a superb defender with the potential to go as far as he wants in his career. He’s well-grounded, thanks in no small part to his mother and father.

“While it’s disappointing to lose him, this transfer demonstrates the quality of work being done in our academy. The fact that a top European club has scouted and signed one of our players is a testament to the efforts of his coaches throughout his journey—from Valley Rovers to the Rovers academy.

“This move underscores the clear pathway from local underage leagues to our League of Ireland academy and, ultimately, first-team football—whether here at Sligo Rovers or beyond. Aidan’s move proves that hard work never goes unnoticed.”

Goalkeeper Conor Walsh netted the winning penalty as Sligo Rovers beat Galway United in a shoot-out in our third pre-season friendly of 2025.

Played in memory of former Westport United player Adam Mulchrone at Abbbvie United Park, the home of the Mayo League outfit, the sides finished 90 minutes level at two goals a piece.

A penalty competition decided the outcome with net minder Walsh stepping up to slot home the decisive kick on the turf of his own hometown club. 

Galway took the lead in the rain after 29 minutes through Tubbercurry’s Sean Kerrigan. But the Bit O’Red pulled one back before the break courtesy of Cian Kavanagh who scored again in the second period, this time from the penalty spot after the referee had spotted a handball in the opposition’s penalty area. 

Galway striker Stephen Walsh leveled the tie with six to go on to bring the game to a shoot-out which Rovers won 6-5.

Our next friendly is away to Treaty United on Friday January 31st.

Rovers: Sergeant; Lintott, Mahon, Denham, Hutchinson, Fitzgerald, Malley, Wolfe, Hakiki, Van Hattum, Kavanagh.

Subs used: Walsh, Jonathan, Elding, Nolan, Priosti, McDonagh, Patton, Reynolds, Canon, Lomboto, O’Malley, Mallon, Manning. 

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that midfielder Matty Wolfe is the latest player to join the club. The 24-year-old has signed a one year deal with the Bit O’Red ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season which gets underway in just over three weeks time.

A native of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Wolfe joined League One side Barnsley when he was ten and made his debut for the Tykes against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship in 2020 before spending time on loan at both Notts County and Danish side Esbjerg. He returned to his parent club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, featuring for Barnsley in the Championship once again and in League One. He won Barnsley’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2022 season.

Wolfe has been training with Rovers since the return to pre-season and having impressed boss John Russell, has today signed a 12 month deal. Matty revealed that words from former League of Ireland players, in particular his old teammate and once Shamrock Rovers player Barry Cotter, played a part in convincing him that the Showgrounds was the place to be for 2025.

“I’ve spoken to a few players about playing here”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“Barry said ‘just go’ and that I’d enjoy it. The football seems to be very under-rated over here and the way the teams play in the League of Ireland should suit my style.

“Training has gone really well so far, so I’m really looking forward to getting started now.

“The gaffer was in touch with me through Zoom and I was really interested in what he had to say. The ideas he had, the way he wants this team to play and the ambition he shows really impressed me. I want to be a part of that.”

Wolfe has already tasted life in football away from his homeland following a successful time in the Danish league with the aforementioned Esbjerg.

He’s now focusing on making his second spell away from home as enjoyable as the first.

“I really enjoyed Denmark, it was something new and a very different culture. I was out of my comfort zone, a little like coming over to Ireland, which is good. But everyone here is so welcoming and you can really feel that Sligo Rovers is one of those clubs that matters a lot to the local community.”

Adept at operating in the centre of the park, Wolfe explains his strengths.

He continues: “I can play anywhere in midfield whether that’s as a holding midfielder, securing the defensive side of things, keeping the ball moving. Or whether that’s playing higher and getting in and around the box. I’m happy to play anywhere really though.

“I want to help the team as much as I can and help us get as high up the table as we can.

“I’m looking forward to myself and the team putting in the performances and the rest takes care of itself.”

A recent knee injury affected Wolfe’s game time over the past few seasons. But speaking about his latest acquisition, Russell says he is confident the player is ready to make a big contribution at Rovers.

“It’s exciting to be able to bring a player of the calibre of Matty to the club”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.

“He’s a player with huge potential and is exactly the type of midfielder we need here.

“He’s aggressive and covers the ground as well as being comfortable in possession. A player like Matty really adds quality to the team.

“He has been unfortunate with injury which stalled his early promise at Barnsley. But he has fully recovered now and we want to get him back playing and enjoying his football again.

“I know from our conversations he is excited by the opportunity here and I’m looking forward to working with him this year.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers continued their pre-season preparations ahead of the upcoming Premier Division season with a narrow defeat to Derry City at the Showgrounds. 

This was the Bit O’Red’s second outing of the year following last Saturday’s win over Athlone in the midlands. 

Rovers led early on through Owen Elding who again caught the eye when he finished a searching cross from new signing Ronan Manning after 13 minutes. 

Derry, who are expected to be amongst the title challengers once again this year levelled this friendly ten minutes from the break but only after Rovers keeper Conor Walsh had kept out a penalty. 

City’s lead only lasted 60 seconds. Elding had his brace with another superb finish on 36.

John Russell rang the changes at the break and Derry equalised soon after. 

While the Candystripes struck for the winner just after the hour. 

This was another valuable run out for Rovers ahead of the big kick-off on February 15th. Our next preseason game is penned in for this Saturday, January 25th against Galway United at Westport United’s grounds. 

Rovers: Conor Walsh, Oskar Van Hattum, John Mahon, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning, Connor Malley, Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh, Owen Elding, Francely Lomboto.

Second half: Conor Walsh, Conor Reynolds, Gareth McElroy, David Jonathan, Kyle McDonagh, Shea Malone, Conor Cannon, Callum Lynch, Owen Elding (Oisin Kelly), Guilherme Rego Priosti (Daire Patton), Francely Lomboto (Rasheed Yeboah).

Sligo Rovers got their 2025 pre-season campaign underway on winning terms as they put five without reply past hosts Athlone Town at Lissywollen. 

The superb Jad Hakiki netted twice in the opening half on his first appearance in a Rovers shirt, after the lively Owen Elding had opened the scoring.

Three ahead at the break, substitutes Conor Cannon and Shae Malone added to the score during another impressive 45 minutes. 

Elding had the Bit O’Red in the lead after 13 minutes before new signing Hakiki had the first of his brace on 27 minutes, pulling off a super finish. The Dubliner had his second eight minutes later when he took a touch around the Town keeper before tapping home. 

Goalkeeper Conor Walsh was the only starting player to come out after the interval as manager John Russell made ten changes to his Rovers side at half time.

One of those subs, Cannon had Sligo’s fourth from a well worked set-piece just short of the break. While Malone netted Rovers fifth from close range six from time following persistent play from another new boy, Francely Lomboto. 

Rovers’ next pre-season outing comes on Tuesday, January 21st as we face Derry City at the Showgrounds at 2pm.

Sligo Rovers: Walsh; Van Hattum, Mahon, Denham, Hutchinson; Malley; Hakiki, Manning; Elding, Kavanagh, Fitzgerald. 

Subs used: Brush, Lomboto, O’Malley, McElroy, Morley, McDonagh, Yeboah, Reynolds, Cannon, Jonathan, Malone, Trialist 1.  

New Zealand international Oskar Van Hattum is the latest player to join Sligo Rovers, the club are excited to announce.

The 22-year-old winger joins from Australian A League side Wellington Phoenix and has signed a one year deal at the Showgrounds.

Van Hattum arrives at the Bit O’Red having spent his formative years in his homeland, featuring almost 50 times for Wellington’s first team, making his professional debut against Western United as a 19-year-old in 2021.

He has also represented New Zealand at various underage levels, making his senior debut against Solomon Islands during the 2024 OFC Men’s Nations Cup, a tournament which he and his Kiwi team mates went on to win.

Van Hattum was also part of the New Zealand U23 side which competed at last year’s Paris Olympics. He is Rovers boss John Russell’s second signing of the week following the arrival of goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

Primarily a right sided plyer, Oskar’s versatility means he can operate on either flank and is also comfortable competing as a striker or a ten. He has also filled in at right back on occasion.

“I’m direct, I like to get in behind and drive at defenders”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I can play in a few different positions so I’m looking forward to helping the team in any way I can. We want a European spot and we want trophies. But that’s down the line. For now, I’m just looking forward to meeting everyone and getting off to a good start against Waterford.”

Van Hattum is the latest player from the Pacific island to join the club following successful stints for compatriots Ryan De Vries, Nando Pijnaker and Max Mata in recent years. Contact with the latter was part of his research on Ireland before he made the decision to relocate half-way around the world. Oskar says fellow striker Mata played his part in convincing him that a move to Rovers was the right one.  

“The transfer is one that’s been in the works for the better part of a month really and I’m thrilled to get the deal done”, he beamed.

“I know the club has a big history, particularly in the fairly recent past and I can’t wait to get going and try and make more history here.

“The Irish league wouldn’t be too accessible from New Zealand but that just makes things more exciting for me. I spoke to Max and he only had positive things to say about the club, Sligo, the people and the people who run the club.

“I see a pathway there and I can’t wait to jump in. The A League and both the Australian and New Zealand national teams have grown the last few years and that’s why you see so many players moving from there to Europe. Max, Nando and Ryan are examples of players who have seized their chances and they’ve expanded their profiles from here. I want to do that too.”

Speaking about his latest addition, manager Russell says Van Hattum’s versatility will be a key asset for Rovers who continue preparations for the upcoming campaign.  

“Oskar is primarily a right winger but is comfortable playing across the front line where he will bring pace, power and directness to the team”, he explains.

“I feel his attributes will suit our league and it’s always vital to have players who can play in several positions. His work rate is excellent and I know he is very motivated by the challenge of playing in Europe.

“We’ve had good success bringing players in from New Zealand in recent years and we’re hoping Oskar can make a big impact at the club.”

David Goulden 

Photo credit: McIntosh/Photomac