New signings Jack Henry-Francis and Luke Pearce are available for selection as Sligo Rovers take on Cobh Wanderers in Sunday’s Sports Direct FAI Cup second round clash at the Showgrounds, kick-off 6pm.

Rovers will look to progress against the Munster Senior League side on the 30th anniversary year of the club’s second FAI Cup win, back in 1994. 

The Bit O’Red will be without the suspended JR Wilson who serves the second of a three match ban following his red card against Derry City. While John Mahon continues his recovery from a long-term achilles injury. Kailin Barlow will miss out following a knock he picked up in Friday’s friendly draw with Everton in Sligo. 

Stephen Mallon is available despite being sent off during last week’s win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park. He will serve his suspension in an upcoming Premier Division game. 

While Henry-Francis and Pearce will be in the match day squad, after recently agreeing to join on loan from Arsenal and Cardiff City respectively. 

Rovers have experience of coming up against the Cork side in recent FAI Cup history. A brace from Dinny Corcoran along with strikes from David Cawley and Raffaele Cretaro saw Sligo advance to the fourth round at the expense of Cobh at St Colman’s Park, back in 2015. 

Manager John Russell played the first half of that game and having won the cup with Rovers in both 2010 and 2011 as a player, he is aware of how much the tournament means to both the club and its supporters. Russell is also expecting Cobh to come to the Showgrounds looking to cause an upset. 

“There’s always a real excitement when it comes to the cup and the early rounds”, he says.

“I was there for two wins and was lucky to be involved. We all know how much the FAI Cup means to Rovers. We probably haven’t done ourselves much justice in the competition in the last few years but we’re going into this game in a really good place. 

“I would dearly love to bring this club to another cup final and win it but we can’t think about that at the moment. We have to win on Sunday.

“We have prepared in the same way as we would for any game. We know Cobh aren’t coming all the way to Sligo just to play a game of football. They have an experienced manager in Stephen Henderson who will know what it takes to get through and we have to be wary of them.

“We are in good form in the league the last few weeks but this stands for nothing when we kick-off. We know we have a real job on our hands on Sunday and that’s evident by the fact that we rested a lot of the lads for the Everton game.” 

David Goulden

A youthful Sligo Rovers side pulled off a remarkable result against Everton’s first team as the Bit O’Red drew three goals a piece with the Premier League side at the Showgrounds. 

With limited first team experience in the match day squad, Rovers were more than a match for their opponents who featured a host of international stars including Republic of Ireland captain and former defender Seamus Coleman.

A goal from new boy Luke Pearce and a Kyle McDonagh strike had Rovers enjoying a deserved two goal lead at the break and although Mason Holgate pulled one back early in the second period, the hosts pushed on and extended the lead back to two when Kevin Muldoon had Sligo’s third just after the hour. 

The Toffees, who featured Premier League stars such as Ashley Young, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled back two late goals through a Youssef Chermiti brace. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh (Kyle Gabbidon 70), JR Wilson, Kyle McDonagh, Gareth McElroy (Colin Mooney HT), David Jonathan, Jack Henry-Francis (Conor Cannon 65), Daire Patton (Callum Lynch 72), Kailin Barlow (Shane Malone HT), Kevin Muldoon (Jamie O’Malley 70), Owen Eldling, Luke Pearce (James Lukau 65).

Everton: (First half) Joao Virginia, Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Neal Maupay, Adboulane Doucoure, Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gana, Tyler Onyango, Elijah Campbell, Jenson Metcalfe. (Second half). Billy Crellin, Mason Holgate, IIliman Ndiya, Jack Harrison, Beto,  Ashley Young, Youssef Chermiti, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Reece Welch, Roman Dixon. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin 

Arsenal midfielder Jack Henry-Francis has joined Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of the 2024 season.

The Republic of Ireland underage international joins the Bit O’Red on a short-term loan deal subject to international transfer clearance.

The 20-year-old ‘box-to-box’ midfielder joined the Gunners in 2016 from Fulham when he was 13 and has regularly trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad. 

Henry-Francis, who qualifies for Ireland through his parents’ Mayo and Leitrim heritage, has played six times for the Irish under 19s and once for the U21s, against Kuwait last year. At the age of just 17, he featured as part of the Arsenal first-team squad which travelled to Scotland for a pre-season camp. A squad which featured a host of international stars.

Henry-Francis is the third new player to join Rovers this summer following Stephen Mallon’s move from Cliftonville, and Luke Pearce who joined on loan from Cardiff City. The London born starlet is hoping to make the most of his time at the Showgrounds, with senior football very much on the agenda.

“I’m looking to get some exposure to first-team football really and when I get the chance, I want to put in some really good performances”, he says.

“I think I can do that here. I’ve spoken a lot to John and about his plans for me and the squad for the rest of the year and it’s been very exciting. I know a fair bit about the league and have watched a fair bit of it since I knew I’d be moving over. There seems to be a lot of togetherness in the team and a lot of fight along with some really good technical players.”

Henry-Francis, who turns 21 in September, is already familiar with being around players at the very top of the game having been around the Arsenal first team. He feels this will only help him as he looks to settle in at the Showgrounds.    

“It’s always a great experience being with Arsenal’s first-team as it’s always intense as there are a lot of demands, but I feel that will stand to me at Rovers. The trip to Scotland was incredible as you were playing alongside players with lots of Premier League and international experience. The last few years, the level I’ve trained at has really made me play up a level as you’re training with players who are chasing Premier League titles.”

Speaking about the move, Rovers boss John Russell says he feels he has found a player who will easily fit into his plans for the team between now and the end of the year.

“I am delighted to bring Jack to the Showgrounds”, he says.

“He is a tenacious midfielder who plays the game with real energy and aggression. It’s important now that we continue to add real quality to the group and Jack fits that profile. We are all excited to get to work with him and I know he’s looking forward to making an impact between now and the end of the season.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers can confirm that striker Luke Pearce has joined the club on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the 2024 season. The 20-year-old joins the Bit O’Red subject to international transfer clearance.

Pearce began his career at Walsall before being picked up by Southampton where he spent three seasons as a regular in both the B and U21 teams. The young attacker also spent time on loan at Torquay and Eastbourne before joining Cardiff earlier this month. 

Pearce has been capped by both the Irish under 18s and 19s and qualifies for the Republic through his mother who hails from County Sligo. 

“I know quite a bit about Sligo and Rovers already through my mum’s family. It’s a really big deal for my family for me to be joining on loan for a while”. he says. “I cannot wait to get out there and play in front of the fans.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how I can do in the League of Ireland. I know it’s a very competitive league and Rovers are doing well at the moment based on recent results. I’ve only been here a short while but I can feel the positivity around the club, both on and off the field. I am really looking forward to picking up some first team experience here and helping Rovers kick on in the league and of course there’s the FAI Cup to come very soon so I’ll be looking to make an impact.”

Commenting on his latest acquisition, Rovers boss John Russell says Pearce is a player he has tracked for some time.

“Luke is a player I’ve been keeping an eye on for a while”, he said. 

“I feel he will bring energy and aggression to our front line. He has really good movement and has the ability to score different types of goals. It’s important we added to our squad in this window. There are a lot of important games coming up so securing Luke on loan is really good business for us.”

David Goulden

We look forward to welcoming all supporters to our friendly with Everton FC this Friday 19th July. The game is sold out. If you are attending the game please note the following match-day arrangements which have been agreed in consultation with authorities.

SLIGO ROVERS V EVERTON MATCHDAY NOTICE

1) Car parking for cars at The Showgrounds and Nazareth House will NOT be available on Friday July 19th.

2) Parking for buses only at The Showgrounds

3) Supporters parking available at:

Summerhill College, St Mary’s GAA Club, Wine St. CP, Quay St. CP, Adelaide St CP, Market Yard CP, Cathedral CP, Abbey St CP, Quayside Shopping Centre CP, Holborn St. CP, Connaughton Road CP, The Mall CP, Parkes Yard CP, Glasshouse CP, Rockwood Parade CP.

4) Turnstiles open 2pm, K.O. 4pm. Game sold out, no cash/cards taken.

5) Seating is limited, on a first come basis.

6) Please observe Garda traffic management and be respectful to parking at neighbouring estates. Illegal parking may result in fines or clamping. 

Composed finishing along with a string of wonderful saves from goalkeeper Ed McGinty saw Sligo Rovers collect their third league win on the spin as the ten-man Bit O’Red beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Wilson Waweru rounded goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka to put Rovers ahead nine minutes from the break. And despite a harsh Stephen Mallon dismissal and facing a second half onslaught which saw large periods of the game played out in Rovers’ own half, the visitors held on courtesy of McGinty’s ninth clean sheet of the season and some wonderful last ditch defending from the Sligo rearguard.

Pandemonium ensued in the away end in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the game when Ellis Chapman made the most of a poorly struck Bohs set-piece. With Chorazka stranded well inside the visitors’ half, the former Cheltenham man let fly from all of 70 yards to secure another big win for John Russell’s men. 

The in-form McGinty began his evening by denying James Clarke early on and with Rovers finding their stride, they hit the lead on 36.

Mallon and Niall Morahan combined to find Chapman whose through ball was well weighted for Waweru. The former Galway man showed superior poise and composure to hold off the defender before rounding Chorazka and finishing to an empty net. 

Rovers’ joy was somewhat short lived when referee Marc Lynch decided to book Mallon for a second time before the break after the ex-Bohs winger had tugged the shirt of an opponent. 

A man down, the second period saw Alan Reynolds’ men come at Rovers in waves but time and time again, they were repelled. 

Former Rovers skipper Adam McDonnell flashed an effort wide of McGinty’s goal as Sligo forced the Dubliners into long-range efforts. While McGinty pulled off a great stop from Dayle Rooney’s set-piece. 

Clarke was next to be denied by the Oxford loanee when he diverted the attacker’s header from a Declan McDaid cross around his post. 

Bohs were lining up at this stage but each effort was stopped by either a late block or a heroic McGinty stop. Ross Tierney, Leigh Kavanagh and substitute Filip Piszczek were all kept at bay, while Reece Hutchinson cleared off his own goal line. 

Rovers could have settled the tie eleven minutes from the end but the ball seemed to take a bobble off the Dalymount surface as Simon Power struck it following a well worked counter. Power firing over from inside the area.

There was time for one more McGinty trick when he reacted in time to keep out a Cian Byrne header which looked destined to level proceedings. 

However, Chapman made sure the points were safely delivered all the way back up the N4 on 95 minutes when he went for broke from inside his own half after Chorazka had ventured forward in search of an equaliser. 

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Martin Miller, Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores (Leigh Kavanagh HT), Paddy Kirk (Declan McDaid HT); Adam McDonnell (Archie Meekison 72), James Clarke (Alex Greive 63); Danny Grant (Filip Piszczek 63), Ross Tierney, Dayle Rooney; James Akintunde.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Nando Pijnaker, Oliver Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley (Simon Power HT), Ellis Chapman; Stephen Mallon, Wilson Waweru (Kailin Barlow 61), Will Fitzgerald.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Attendance: 4,119.

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers travel to Dublin this Friday night to take on Bohemians for the third league meeting of the two sides this season, kick-off at Dalymount Park is 7.45pm.  

Rovers will be without full back John Ross Wilson who serves the first of a three match ban, following his dismissal against Derry City last week. While centre halves John Mahon and Conor Reynolds remain unavailable through injury. 

Winger Simon Power returns to the match day squad having missed that win over Derry due to illness. 

As above, the teams have met twice already this term. 

Goals from Reece Hutchinson and Fabrice Hartmann earned the Bit O’Red a draw in Phibsboro on the opening night of the season. While the Gypsies beat Rovers at the Showgrounds in May. 

Speaking ahead of the tie, Sligo boss John Russell says he wants to build on recent wins over Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, but knows Alan Reynolds’ side will have different plans.

“We picked up two brilliant and well deserved wins over one team defending their title and one team chasing it”, he said.

“We want to keep building on recent performances. We have shown that we can play with the teams at the top of the table and now it’s down to us to show we have the will and ability to go toe-to-toe with a team who are below us. Dalymount is a really tough place to go for anyone in this league, as their supporters always get right behind them and we need to manage that. They have a very deep squad which gives them the ability to change the game at any moment from the bench.

“They’ve let go of a few players but have also brought in a number of new faces so we are going into the unknown somewhat. 

“We must plan without JR, but we knew about that straight after the Derry game and have worked well on our shape and formation all week. We are going to try and continue the momentum from the wins over Shams and Derry and bring it to Dublin.” 

David Goulden

Ellis Chapman struck a wonderful 89th minute winner to beat Derry City at the Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers picked up their second win on the spin. 

Paul McMullan’s 54th minute strike had put City in the lead. But a Chapman penalty along with his sublime late winner, turned this tie on its head to stretch Derry’s run without a win in Sligo to six. A winless run that goes back to 2021.  

Ed McGinty pulled off a superb double stop in injury time at the end of this game to secure the full quota of points for the Bit O’Red. 

Rovers finished this game with ten men after JR Wilson was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident in added time at the end of the tie.  

Sligo were forced into one change from their impressive win over Shamrock Rovers at the same venue six nights previous. New signing and former Derry wide man Stephen Mallon was given his debut against his former club in place of the recently departed Fabrice Hartmann who returned to parent club RB Leipzig this week. While Simon Power, who netted both goals in that win over the Hoops, missed the game due to illness. 

City’s record in Sligo has been relatively poor in recent years having taken just two points from a possible 15 in their last five visits to Church Hill. While Ruaidhri Higgins’ side have also failed to score in the last four at the same venue. 

The Derry boss kept faith with the same eleven who put five past Drogheda last week. A decision which looked justified in the early stages as City threatened early on, targeting their flanks in particular whilst pinning Rovers back.  

Daniel Kelly tested McGinty at his front post when the Sligo net minder blocked Kelly’s shot with his legs after the former Dundalk man was played through by a neat flick from Pat Hoban. 

The hosts were boosted this week by the extension of McGinty’s loan from Oxford until the end of the season. The Motherwell native showed his worth on the half hour when he rushed from his line to meet McMullen and smother the Scot’s effort after he was sent through on goal by Adam O’Reilly.

The Foylesiders remained the more menacing of the two sides as the break approached and Hoban was next to threaten when he met Cameron Dummigan’s cross with a well-timed bicycle kick. The finish didn’t match the acrobatics however the overhead kick bounced past McGinty’s post.  

The second half was nine minutes old when the Brandywell outfit took the lead. 

Hoban allowed Kelly’s cross travel all the way across the face of the penalty area where McMullan was given the space to settle himself, before bending the ball beyond McGinty from 15 yards. 

The advantage lasted just eight minutes. Chapman fired Sligo back into the game from the penalty spot after Sadou Diallo had clumsily tripped Will Fitzgerald just inside the City area. 

Chapman popped up again with one minute to go as he supplied a glorious winner. 

The former Cheltenham attacker making the most of space afforded to him after he had slipped past three Derry defenders, before showing superior composure and deft skill as he neatly squeezed the ball between Maher and his far post.  

Rovers had McGinty to thank in added time when he pulled off a magnificent double save, shutting out both Hoban and Colm Whelan.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Nando Pijnaker, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Stephen Mallon (Kailin Barlow 66), Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald; Wilson Waweru (Owen Elding 83). 

Derry City: Brian Maher; Cameron Dummigan, Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Danny Mullen 74), Adam O’Reilly; Paul McMullan (Colm Whelan 84), Daniel Kelly (Michael Duffy 74); Will Patching; Pat Hoban. 

Referee: Damien MacGraith.

Attendance: 2,859.

David Goulden

New signing Stephen Mallon is available for selection for the first time as John Russell’s Sligo Rovers face Derry City at the Showgrounds on Thursday, kick off 7.45pm. 

Supporters are asked to note the change from the traditional game day. 

Winger Mallon, who signed last month, is available to play for the Bit O’Red from July 1st and goes straight into the match day squad. 

Rovers have no fresh injury concerns following last week’s win over champions Shamrock Rovers. 

John Mahon and Conor Reynolds remain sidelined with respective achilles and leg knocks. 

Rovers have a good recent record against the Candystripes in Sligo in recent years and have played out two draws against Ruadhiri Higgins’ team this year so far. 

Rovers are further boosted by the signature on a permanent basis of defender Ollie Denham who signed an 18 month deal following the completion of a loan spell from Cardiff City. 

While goalkeeper Ed McGinty has committed himself to Sligo until the end of the season after his loan deal from Oxford was extended. 

“It’s going to be another tough game against a team chasing league silverware”, manger Russell said. 

“We put on a really impressive show against Shams last week and that performance showed we can play with the best the league has to offer. 

“There were chances at both ends in the first half, but second half we shut them out and took hold of the game thanks to two brilliant Simon Power goals. 

“That game is done now. We move on to Thursday and another team at the top of the table. We have almost a full squad to choose from now and we hope to keep as injury free as possible. 

“With a fully fit squad and everyone available to choose from, we’re a match for anyone. 

“Derry have threats from all sides and we have seen that in recent weeks and in the games we’ve played them in this year.  

“There’s a real feeling of positivity around the club at the moment and we’re looking to draw from that this Thursday.” 

Sligo Rovers has formally submitted its application for funding under the Government’s Large Scale Sport in Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) for the redevelopment of the Showgrounds.   

Multi-sport stadium
The Sligo Showgrounds Masterplan provides for a new multi-sport stadium in the lead up to the Club’s centenary in 2028. If the application is successful, the Showgrounds will be the first UEFA Category 3 Stadium outside Dublin, and as well as hosting our own major fixtures, it can be a prime venue for other clubs’ European games. With a capacity of 6,100, stadium facilities will include new grass based hybrid pitch, which will accommodate other sports and activities, new stands on the Church Hill and Jinks’ Avenue ends, upgrades to the Treacy Avenue and Railway end stands, (including roofing the latter), hospitality areas, fan zones, meeting rooms, gymnasium, club merchandise shop, media area and a new club museum. The stadium will also meet the requirements for modern TV broadcasts. Our objective is not just to improve the sporting facilities, we also want our fans, and visitors, to have the best Showgrounds experience possible.

Sligo Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins said ‘Today sees the culmination of two years of intensive work to prepare this detailed application. Within our own community, our local authority, local TD’s and nationally with the FAI and Senior Government Ministers, we have experienced nothing but cooperation and encouragement, and for this we are very grateful. It feels a bit strange to be getting this major application over the line without the presence of our colleague Tommie Gorman, who worked tremendously hard on this project, his energy and the respect in which he is held at the highest levels opened so many doors for us. Due to his efforts, we were able to present detailed briefings in the Showgrounds to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Ministers Catherine Martin, Heather Humphreys, Jack Chambers and Thomas Byrne and local Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan. Other very significant contributors were Sligo County Council’s Chief Executive, Martin Lydon and Director of Services Dorothy Clarke..

Sligo Rovers Development Officer Mark Cummins acknowledged the contribution of the many individuals and agencies involved in the project. ‘We had an exceptional support team in place at every stage of the very detailed application process, Design Team lead Gavin Phelan of Rhatigans Architects, Enda Candon of First Western Consultants, the legal teams, and within the Club, Shona Heffernan, Jamie Murphy and David Kearins. Tom Kelly on our Project Team coordinated all the various elements of the detailed submission with great professionalism’. We have an excellent working relationship with Chair Albert Higgins and the Showgrounds Trustee Board. They have a hugely important remit in preserving the Showgrounds as a sporting and community facility, and they shared our conviction that this development will be a major boost for the Club and the people of Sligo.’

Sligo Rovers Secretary Brendan Lacken acknowledged the support of the FAI and Special Olympics Ireland, who committed their support for the project by awarding it a priority ranking within their respective strategies for the development of their sports. It also enhanced our application to receive letters of support from the two organisations, along with Cairn National Community Games, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) and Sligo Volunteer Centre.

We are also pleased to confirm that a number of local community organisations have entered into licence agreements with the club to use the new facilities in the Showgounds when they are completed: Sligo Schoolboys and Girls League, Sligo Leitrim and District Soccer League, ATU Sligo, Ballinode College, Mercy College, Sligo Grammar School, Summerhill College, Ursuline College, Sligo Community Games, Sligo Rugby Club and Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership . We greatly welcome their interest in being part of our new era.’

Reflecting on the traumatic week for the Sligo Rovers family, Tommy Higgins said ‘If this funding application is successful, our development will be a fitting legacy to the tireless work of Tommie Gorman on behalf of his beloved Rovers, not just on this project, but throughout his lifetime,’