The Showgrounds plays stage to the first Connacht derby of the year on Saturday as Sligo Rovers face Galway United in a much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, kick-off 7.45pm. 

The Bit O’Red are on the search for a first win in five, while the high-flying Tribesmen will arrive in Sligo looking to potentially move to the top of the table depending on results in Friday night’s fixtures. 

Rovers are unbeaten in the Premier Division against United since 2017, while the 2023 First Division winners haven’t picked up a league win in Sligo in almost three decades. Rovers had the better of the battles between the clubs last season, picking up six points from the four games between them. 

There is mixed news for Rovers boss John Russell on the team news front. 

Both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Cian Kavanagh miss this one as they serve the final of three and two game suspensions respectively. 

While Ollie Denham and Harvey Lintott will miss this game because of injuries picked up last week at Dalymount Park. Wilson Waweru is also unavailable. 

There is good news for Russell who will face his old club, with both influential midfielder Jad Hakiki and skipper John Mahon available again following one game suspensions. 

Stephen Mallon also returns following a number of weeks out injured. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Russell says: “This is of course a massive game for us. We want to start turning some very good recent performances into results as quickly as we can.  

“I’ve been very impressed with the character of this group of players. They have never let their heads drop or standards slip over the last few weeks. 

“The hunger and fight is there. We see it in every game and every day in training from each and every player. We need to bring that into the game against Galway.

“It’s hard to think of anything better than a really competitive Connacht derby in front of a big Showgrounds crowd. We can’t wait for it. 

“It’s great that you hear so much about the numerous Dublin derbies. It’s great to see the league getting the exposure it deserves. But our derby here in the west is just as big an occasion. 

“I loved being involved in these games as a player and even more now as a manager. It’s always competitive, noisy and full of drama. So we’re encouraging as many people as possible to get along and witness what should be a great game and really get behind our boys.”

The absence of Kavanagh will again offer the likes of Francely Lomboto and Owen Elding the opportunity to take the number nine position at the tip of the Rovers attack. 

Elding has been one of Sligo’s standouts this season so far with three goals to the teenager’s name and the Riverstown native is full of optimism ahead of Saturday. 

“It was disappointing the way the season started in terms of results”, the 19-year-old reflects. 

“However, we know we are putting in good performances and we know we have too good of a squad to be in the position we’re in. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to kick-start our year and get a result in what will hopefully be a packed out Showgrounds.”

Previewing the visitors, Owen is full of respect for the Maroon army but is fully focused on turning Rovers’ fortunes around, beginning Saturday. 

“Galway are a very direct team but they’re very effective and are very good at playing to their strengths”, he continues. 

“That’s why they are where they are in the table. But we’ve analysed them well and we know where we can hurt them and it’s up to us now to go out and do that. 

“You want to win every game you play in but it’s not easy. There is a rivalry there with Galway of course and that’s not lost on any of the players be it the ones who have come through the academy, the lads who are here a few years or the recent signings. You’re reminded every day how important this game is for everyone at the club and all our fans. 

“Everyone wants to win this one and I’m sure Galway feel the same. It’s a special game, any time we face them but the fact we’re at home, the onus is on us to play on the front foot, dictate things and hopefully pick up a result that can get us going again.”

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

On the road again for Sligo Rovers with successive away games in the Women’s Premier Division as the action resumes following the international break last weekend.

This time around it’s a journey to Limerick to tackle a high-flying Treaty Utd side that will harbour aspirations of top spot if other results are favourable and they manage a victory against the Bit O’Red.

The challenge will not be lost on manager Steve Feeney, who commented after a 5-1 reversal last time out in Wexford: “In fairness to the players, they kept creating chances and had Wexford under a fair bit of pressure, but they held us off, and then we had Amber (Hardy) sent off, which I thought was a bit harsh, as it was a fair challenge for the ball,” he suggested.

That Wexford game was the first start of the season for Amber Hardy, but she will miss out on Saturday due to suspension, and that will pave the way for Bonnie McKiernan to return between the posts for her fourth start of the season.

“This is a hugely competitive league, but once we keep focused and concentrate on doing the best we can, I have no doubt that we will start to pick up points,” added Steve, and that outlook will be crucial for 90 minutes at the Markets Field on Saturday.

Home wins against Waterford and Cork and an away victory against bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves have Treaty sitting joint-second, and they will be aiming to maintain an unbeaten run at the Markets Field.

However, a 4-1 defeat at Tallaght Stadium upset the run and they will be focused on maximum points on Saturday.

On the plus side for Sligo Rovers is the fact that in each game this season lots of goal opportunities have been created, and that was evident last time out against Wexford, where Mairead McIntyre’s superb strike got them back into the game.

Unfortunately, on that occasion, Wexford countered inside 60 seconds, and it’s that aspect of the team’s performance that will have to be addressed, starting on Saturday.

Kick-off at the Markets Field is at 3pm, and the game is live on LOITV.

Sligo Football and Sports Development Society LTD.

Sligo Rovers will hold their AGM on Monday, April 28th, at 7.30pm at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo.

The AGM will see the election of the 2025 Management Committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances from the club’s treasurer and the chairman and secretary’s report.

Please note only fully paid-up members or those enjoying the privileges of membership in accordance with the society rules are eligible to attend the AGM.

AGENDA

Chairman’s Address
Minutes of Previous 2024 AGM
Matters Arising
Secretary’s Report
CEO Report
Treasures Report, Adoption of Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet.
Development update
FSR update
Appointment of Auditors
Election of Committee of Management
Any Other Business

The Management Committee Nomination form is available for those interested in joining the committee by emailing administrator@sligorovers.com.

A Zoom link will be available for members looking to attend the meeting virtually. Members who wish to avail themselves of this option are asked to email shane@sligorovers.com at the earliest opportunity, and a link will be returned to access via Zoom.

An injury and suspension hit Sligo Rovers came away from Dalymount Park with nothing despite coming from two early goals down to level this game at the break. 

Strikes from Colm Whelan and Ross Tierney had Bohs ahead with just five minutes elapsed, but a gallant Rovers fought back to deservedly level this Premier Division courtesy of Francely Lomboto’s first goal for the club on 24 minutes before Owen Elding registered his third of the year five minutes later. 

Already without eight players, the Bit O’Red were hit further with an injury to Ollie Denham early on, while both Harvey Lintott and Ryan Manning had to be withdrawn due to knocks in the second period. 

This took its toll on a hard working Sligo who found themselves going behind again on 74 minutes when Tierney hit his second, while Dawson Devoy secured the points for the hosts in the sixth minute of added time. 

John Russell’s charges found the going tough in the opening minutes. A third minute set piece from Conor Walsh’s right side was initially repelled at his front post, but the Mayo man and his defence could do little to stop Whelan who finished into an open goal from the rebound. 

Worryingly, Bohs doubled the lead on five. Devoy the supplier as Tierney provided a classy finish into the opposite corner of Walsh’s net. 

Hit by the loss of Jad Hakiki, John Mahon, Cian Kavanagh and Jake Doyle-Hayes due to suspensions and Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon through injury, Rovers didn’t dwell on the negatives and roared back into this game on 24. On his first start, Ronan Manning teed up former Galway teammate Lomboto with a well weighted through ball. The striker keeping calm to slot the ball under Bohs goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka to halve the deficit. 

Buoyed by this, it was all Rovers for the rest of the half despite the loss of Denham. Manning and Elding both had Chorazka concerned before the former got himself another assist as Rovers had their second.

A beautifully struck volleyed past from inside his own half, Manning set the ball into the path of Elding who guided the ball around Chorazka before finishing into the gaping net.

Walsh pulled off a stunning reaction save to deny Whelan a brace early in the second period while the same man got down to deny Tierney again in the lead up to the hour mark.  

The pressure and loss of further men due to injury, finally told when Tierney’s smart touch inside the Rovers area provided him with the space to rifle a shot into the corner of Walsh’s net. While a tired mis-touch from Gareth McElroy allowed Devoy the time to negotiate a well hit chip over the stranded Walsh.

Rovers are back at home on Saturday, April 12th with the visit of Galway United for a much anticipated Connacht derby. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; John Mountney, Alex Lacey (Liam Kavanagh 37), Sean Grehan (Liam Smith, 90), Jordan Flores (Lys Mousset 58); Niall Morahan, James McManus; Dayle Rooney, Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney (Keith Buckley 90); Collie Whelan (James Clarke 90).

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar van Hattum (Harvey Lintott h-t; Daire Patton 51), Ollie Denham (Conor Reynolds 20), Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Mattie Wolfe, Connor Malley; Ronan Manning (Kyle McDonagh 67), Owen Elding, Will Fitzgerald; Francely Lomboto.

Referee: David Dunne (Dublin).

Attendance: 4,289.

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers have the opportunity to move off the bottom of the Premier Division table when the Bit O’Red face Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers will be without a number of key players for this one through suspension and injury. Both Jad Hakiki and John Mahon will serve one game bans due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Jake Doyle-Hayes misses out as he serves the second of a three match ban.

While Cian Kavanagh has been handed a two match ban following his red card against Shels.

Wilson Waweru is a cert to miss out, while Stephen Mallon is another week or so off full fitness. Defensive pair Reece Hutchinson and Ollie Denham will be assessed in the lead up to the game as they look to shake off niggles.

Conor Reynolds returns following a two match ban.

Rovers sit two points off Bohs heading into Friday’s game knowing victory would lift them above the Phibsboro outfit. Manager John Russell sees this tie as a big opportunity for Sligo to pick up a first win in five. Acknowledging the loss of players due to suspension, he has also urged players who will get a chance to impress, to embrace the opportunity.

“We’ve been happy with our performances over the last few games so we know we’re moving in the right direction”, he says.

“We just need to cut out the individual errors like last week and the results will come.

“I’ve been delighted with the reaction and the character of the group when things have gone against us so far this season. We’ve been urging the players to realise the need to stay focused and keep doing the right things. Even though we’re down bodies for Friday we go to Dublin fully prepared and ready. It’s a great opportunity for others to step up and show their quality.”

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

There was a mad minute at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening as hosts Wexford took the Women’s Premier Division points at the expense of a Sligo Rovers side that had ‘keeper Amber Hardy red-carded in the second half.

Manager Steve Feeney made two changes from the previous week’s game against Waterford, with Hardy and Alice Lillie replacing Bonnie McKiernan and Cara King.

Despite the final scoreline, this was a much-improved performance from the Bit O’Red, especially in the second half until they went down to 10 players, which effectively finished the game as a contest.

However, there was that key moment in the space of 60 seconds. Sligo Rovers reduced the 2-0 interval deficit when substitute Mairead McIntyre scored in the 62nd minute, but Wexford found an instant response as Ellen Molloy netted at the other end to make it 3-1.

Wexford had dominated the opening half and were denied an early goal when Sligo Rovers defender Keeva Flynn blocked a goal-bound shot in the 10th minute.

Soon after, Wexford’s Ellen Molloy broke through as the Sligo players appealed for handball, but her effort was wide of the target.

However, Molloy was involved in the buildup for the lead goal in the 17th minute with Charlotte Cromack finishing past Amber Hardy.

The Bit O’Red ‘keeper had to be at her best three minutes later to deny Kylie Murphy, who was unmarked at the far post.

Wexford continued to press, and Cromack headed over before the second goal arrived close to the interval when Murphy’s cross deflected in off the far post.

For Sligo Rovers in that opening half, Katie Melly and Anna McDaniel had chances, but the Wexford rearguard stood strong.

Sligo Rovers dominated the early exchanges after the interval with Emma Hansberry, who was outstanding, going close before McIntyre scored her side’s first goal of the season.

Wexford countered from the subsequent kick-off, and Molloy finished well, but the Bit O’Red pushed forward again and forced a series of corners that had the Wexford defence scrambling to clear the danger.

The action was end-to-end, and as Wexford surged forward in the 77th minute, Amber Hardy raced to the edge of her penalty area in an attempt to clear the ball and collided with a Wexford player. Referee Claire Purcell brandished one red card as both players received treatment.

Wexford capitalised from the resultant free, and Della Doherty made it 4-1, while at the other end, Paul McGrory carved an opening but was denied by a fine Maria O’Sullivan save.

Aoife Kelly completed the scoring for the hosts in added time.

Wexford – Maria O’Sullivan; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Kylie Murphy, Becky Cassin, A Kelly, Ellen Molloy, Freya De Mange, Charlotte Cromack, Sium Murdiff.

Subs – Millie Daly for Dwyer 60 mins, Aine Walsh for Cromack and Micheale Lawrence for Murdiff both 80 mins, Leah McGrath for Murphy 83 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Eimear Lafferty, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Rebecca McIntyre for Melly and Cara King for Doherty, both 60 mins; Bonnie McKiernan for McDaniel, 79 mins; and Jessica Casey for Lillie and Kya McKenna for Lafferty, both 80 mins.

Referee – Claire Purcell.
Assistant referees: Dermot Broughton, Jonathan Hennessy.
Fourth official – Robert Clarke.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Despite a commanding second half performance, ten-man Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in three at the Showgrounds by league champions Shelbourne.

Two goals from the visitors in the opening twelve minutes had Shels ahead following an apprehensive start from Rovers. But a strike late in the opening half from Reece Hutchinson gave the Bit O’Red hope going into the second period.

John Russell’s charges were well on top in this second half and even after Cian Kavanagh was shown a somewhat contentious red card on 72 minutes, Rovers continued to cause Damien Duff’s charges plenty of issues. 

Even with ten, Rovers continued to press their opponents and almost equalised in injury time through a late Harvey Lintott header which looped wide of Conor Kearns’ goal. 

Searching out that first victory in five, the visitors made the same number of changes to the starting eleven which were held by Cork before the international break. Even without regular starters like Paddy Barret, Sean Boyd and Sean Gannon, Shels were still able to name a strong side. Mark Coyle, John Martin, Mipo Odubeko, Lewis Temple and Evan Caffrey all made their way back into Damien Duff’s plans. 

Sligo welcomed back Matty Wolfe and Owen Elding, both of whom missed the recent narrow defeat to Derry. 

It took just three minutes for the champions to take the lead when Martin profited from an under hit back pass from Oskar Van Hattum. The former Dundalk striker rounded Conor Walsh before finishing into an empty net. 

The hosts fell further behind on twelve minutes. Easily moving the ball from right to left, possession eventually fell to Shels’ Martin who turned provider, teeing up Kerr McInroy who lashed the ball beyond Walsh courtesy of a cultured first time finish. 

Facing the deficit, Sligo did steadily find a footing in this one.

Connor Malley struck Kearns’ post with a long-range effort on 27, while man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki along with Owen Edling both went close before Hutchinson provided reward for effort when he fired home from inside the area in added time at the end of the half. 

Rovers’ intention looked far more meaningful in the opening moments of the second period with Shels forced to soak up Sligo pressure. But Kearns’ goal was well protected as the Drumcondra side had to scramble to clear the danger on several occasions as Rovers battled to find their second goal. 

Malley screwed wide, an effort off the outside of his boot shortly after the hour mark as the hosts looked to be coming closer to breaking the Shelbourne resolve.  

The wind was temporarily taken from Sligo sails on 72 when Kavanagh was shown red after he caught Coyle on the follow-through immediately after he sent a shot goalwards, much to the dismay of the home support. 

Shels almost capitalised instantly on the numerical advantage only for Rovers net minder Walsh, who kept his side in the reckoning courtesy of a full-stretch save to deny substitute John O’Sullivan. While fellow change Boyd tested the Mayo man with a pot-shot on the turn which Walsh was equal to minutes later.  

Rovers almost found what would have been a well-earned late equaliser from the most unlikely of sources in injury time. Having ventured forward for a corner, a cleared ball fell to goalkeeper Walsh whose cross was met by Lintott. The full back’s header sailed across the face of Kearns’ goal. 

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Phibsboro to face Bohemians on Friday, April 4th, kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar Van Hattum (Harvey Lintott 61), John Mahon, Ollie Denham (Gareth McElroy HT), Reece Hutchinson (Francely Lomboto 81); Connor Malley, Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning HT); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Evan Caffrey, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Kerr McInroy, Mark Coyle; JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 64); Ali Coote (Ellis Chapman 53), John Martin (Sean Boyd 78), Mipo Odubeko (Harry Wood 64).

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,857.

League of Ireland action returns this week following the March international break as Shelbourne are the visitors to the Showgrounds this Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm. Sligo Rovers will look to end a run of two games without a win while the Dubliners will arrive in Sligo seeking a first victory since February 21st having registered three draws in their last four outings. 

In team news, Rovers will be without both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Connor Reynolds, both of whom are suspended. Doyle-Hayes serves the first of a three game ban following a red card issued to him in the aftermath of Rovers’ recent defeat to Derry. 

Reynolds will sit out a second game following a two game ban handed to him after he was sent off in Cork a few weeks ago.

Rovers will also be without Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon, but Owen Elding is in contention to be involved after he picked up a knock in the lead up to the Derry game. 

The Bit O’Red got the better of the 2024 champions in terms of head-to-head results last season. Damien Duff’s side beat Rovers in the first clash between the sides in March. But Sligo went on to twice beat Shels at home and away before picking up a well earned point in a scoreless draw at Tolka Park in September. 

Rovers boss John Russell is excited to be returning to action following the short break in competitive play. He oversaw a mid-season friendly win over Ballinamallard United last week and says his squad are eager to get back to league duty on Friday. 

“This is going to be a big test for us as any game against the reigning champions would be”, Russell says. 

“They have added in terms of bodies in the winter and they’ve added real quality whilst keeping hold of their big-game players. Not many clubs have the privilege of being able to do that. 

“They will have gathered a lot of experience having won the league last year and you have to expect that they’ll come to Sligo looking to win the game.  

“We’ve enjoyed the break and it’s given us time to reflect whilst also working on many aspects of our game. The players are extremely focused ahead of this one and they’re all looking forward to what is a big game for us. 

“We must now perform to our strengths. The players have all trained well and you can really see the connections being forged between them and that’s really pleasing. 

“We need our fans to come out again in big numbers and get behind the team from kick-off. Let’s create a big atmosphere and see where that takes us.”

Supporters are asked to note the change in game day from Rovers’ traditional Saturday night to Friday. 

David Goulden