Rovers win in Feeney’s last home game

Sligo Rovers took the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) points this evening at the Showgrounds with a performance that was laced with character, determination and skill for a 2-1 victory against Dublin side DLR Waves, writes Conall Collier.

First-half goals from Casey Howe and Jodie Loughrey were the platform for success with a battling rearguard action in the second-half that restricted the Dublin side to a 54th minute Cliodhna Donnelly goal.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney signed off on his last home game as the Bit O’Red turned on the style for a deserved victory that must have encouraged new manager Tommy Hewitt who took a watching brief in the stand.

Feeney will complete his two-year tenure at the helm next weekend in the televised TG4 live game away to 2023 champions Peamount Utd where a victory will move the Bit O’Red up to eighth in the table.

The hosts lined out without Emma Hansberry who was suspended for this game following her dismissal on a second yellow card in the last outing against Shelbourne while the impressive team captain Lauren Boles was making her 50th appearance and both Leah Kelly and Bonnie McKiernan started.

DLR Waves, playing a second game in three days, also had absentees with the trio of Neema Nyangasi, Freya Roche and Robyn Bolger out through injury while Eve Badana and Hannah Tobin-Jones returned to the side.

Sligo Rovers dominated the opening half and were well worth that two-goal interval lead.

There was eight minutes on the clock when Casey Howe rifled a superb effort to the roof of the DLR net after a defence-splitting pass from Emma Doherty created the chance.

Goal number two arrived 10 minutes later and this time Jodie Loughrey applied the finish after good advantage play by referee Michael Connolly.

Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half smartly with Emma Doherty bringing a good save out of Badana while at the other end Eve O’Brien had a good chance for DLR Waves before substitute Cliodhna Donnelly fired home in the 54th minute following hesitant defending by the hosts.

DLR continued to press forward, but lost Eve O’Brien in the 76th minute when she was stretchered-off and was replaced by Nadine Raymond.

However, Emma Doherty had a good chance soon after, but she was denied at the expense of a corner with DLR looking for an offside flag.

For the remainder, the Sligo Rovers players stood strong, although Bonnie McKiernan required attention after making a brave save and there were chances at each end in six minutes of added time, but on this occasion the Bit O’Red battened down the hatches and prevailed.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Leah Kelly, Eimear Lafferty, Amy Roddy, Lauren Boles, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty, Kerri Loughrey. 

Subs – Keeva Flynn for J Loughrey 73 mins, Jessica Casey for Roddy 85m, Ciara Henry for Kelly 88m.

DLR Waves – Eve Badana; Hannah Tobin-Jones, Jess Gleeson, Isobel Finnegan, Rebecca McMahon, Bronagh Kane, Amber Cosgrove, Ruth McDonnell, Michelle Doonan, Eve Conheady, Eve O’Brien.

Subs – Nicole Keogh for Kane, Amy Ryan for McDonnell and Cliodhna Donnelly for Finnegan all half-time, Nadine Raymond for O’Brien 76 mins.

RIP Michael O’Boyle

Sligo Rovers were saddened to learn of the death of former club secretary Michael O’Boyle this week

The late Michael O’Boyle

Michael was a dedicated Rovers volunteer and supporter throughout his life

He was secretary of the club from 1975-1979, including our league-winning season in 1977.

We offer our sympathies to his wife Maureen, sons Gerry, Michael, John, Stephen, Declan and Jason and daughter Veronica

As a club we are forever grateful for the volunteers who enrich the community and club.

May Michael rest in peace.

Preview: Rovers women set for last home match

It’s the last home game of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) season for Sligo Rovers and a big occasion for manager Steve Feeney who will step down from his role next weekend due to work and family reasons after the final game of 2023 away to Peamount Utd, writes Conall Collier.

The players will be determined to make it a memorable occasion for Steve who will be taking charge of the team for a 53rd competitive game and a victory will be the target.

The Bit O’Red welcome DLR Waves and manager Laura Heffernan to the Showgrounds for what is the final game of the season for the Dublin side who have a bye next weekend due to the odd number (11) of teams in the WPD.

The Waves completed their home campaign with a rescheduled game on Wednesday night at the Belfield Bowl against Shamrock Rovers and in that contest, they featured only six of the team that started in the 3-0 victory against the Bit O’Red last April.

Neema Nyangasi and Robyn Bolger both missed the midweek contest through injury while Hannah Tobin-Jones and Nicole Keogh were absent due to work commitments in what was the last home game of the season for the Dublin women.

The quick turnaround, with only Thursday and Friday to recover, could have an impact on the DLR performance at the Showgrounds, but the Waves will be eager to add another victory to the four already achieved between this season and last season against Sligo Rovers.

DLR produced an encouraging performance on Wednesday night although they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.

The game was scoreless for close to 70 minutes as DLR absorbed a lot of pressure without too much difficulty, but then they conceded twice in 10 minutes.

However, in the 82nd minute, DLR substitute Ruth McDonnell gave her side a lifeline with an opportunist finish, but that was as good as it got and the concession of a third goal two minutes from time left it 12 WPD defeats for the season.

When the sides met last April, there were plenty of positives for the Bit O’Red in the opening half, but they failed to capitalise on a couple of good chances before Jess Gleeson gave DLR the lead in first-half added time.

DLR then dominated the second-half, but had to wait until the 76th minute for goal number two which arrived from substitute Sarah McKevitt’s long-range effort and then another substitute, Michelle Doonan, added a third goal with eight minutes remaining.

Sligo Rovers currently sit in ninth position, five points adrift of DLR Waves in eighth, and if the hosts can produce the type of form that saw them defeat Bohemian FC by 4-1 in the WPD at the Showgrounds at the end of September, then the target of three points is a realistic goal.

Sligo Rovers scored four against Bohemian FC and three against Cork City in the last two WPD games at the Showgrounds with Paula McGrory (two), Emma Doherty (two), Sarah Kiernan, Keri Loughrey and Casey Howe all finding the net.

Jodie Loughrey returns from a week with the Republic of Ireland at the UEFA European WU19 Championship Qualifiers.

Last time out, the Bit O’Red conceded a 90th minute winner against Shelbourne at Tolka Park after a battling performance that saw them lead at the interval from an Emma Hansberry strike.

If that form can be reproduced against DLR Waves, then there are reasonable prospects of a first victory against the Dublin side and an appropriate way to conclude Steve Feeney’s role at the helm ahead of next weekend’s televised (TG4) game against the newly-crowned champions Peamount Utd.  

Preview: Bit O’ Red take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday

Sligo Rovers play their final league match of the season on Friday night when travelling to take on Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

The Bit O’ Red are set to finish in eighth place in the Premier Division following last week’s 0-0 draw with Drogheda United.

Nando Pijnaker is an injury doubt. Gary Boylan and Mark Byrne also sit out due to long-term injuries.

Manager John Russell said: “It’s a tough venue as we know. The pitch is excellent, there’ll be a big crowd, the game is live on television and we can use it as an opportunity to showcase the talent we have at the club.

“I don’t think many will give us a chance and we can go there with a bit of freedom to express ourselves.

“That is something to look forward to and we have to approach it in that manner and of course be disciplined as well.

“When we started off at the beginning of the year we had much higher aspirations than what our league finish will be.

“It’s important we stick it out, sign off in the right style as a group because we have been in this together all year and give our supporters watching something to cheer as well.”

The match is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with kick-off 7.45pm

Sligo Rovers partner with Rio Ferdinand Foundation

As Sligo Rovers Football Club prepares to play host to Drogheda United at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening, the club announces its partnership with The Rio Ferdinand Foundation through the International Fund for Ireland Beyond the Ball Project.

Established by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, The Rio Ferdinand Foundation has worked across the island of Ireland since 2016, providing mentoring and employment pathways to help young people in disadvantaged communities.

This partnership builds on the work of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation in Sligo, Mayo and Leitrim in recent years, and will form the major hub in the southern border counties for the cross border Beyond the Ball project.

Beyond The Ball is a major partnership between the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the International Fund for Ireland – bringing young people together across eight counties on the island of Ireland to build shared experiences, undertake training and accreditation, deliver shared social action projects, and engage with policy makers, to shape their own future.

The relationship will also see the Rio Ferdinand Foundation delivery team based in The Showgrounds and deliver community projects and training initiatives for young people in the Sligo / Leitrim region and host events and exchanges with young people and colleagues from Northern Ireland and Britain.

The working partnership announced today with Sligo Rovers, signals a significant step for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation’s work on the Island of Ireland to empower equality and create opportunities for young people.

Speaking on the partnership, Sligo Rovers Football Club Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Feakins said:

“Sligo Rovers Football Club are proud to announce a working partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation. As a community owned club, we see numerous synergies between our organisations and look forward to expanding and creating new outreach programs for young people and adults.

“Using football as a vehicle, we will strive to develop ongoing opportunities to engage a wide variety of people to address racism, inequality and develop inclusion across communities in our region. The love and passion for football transcends boundaries, forges friendships, develops confidence and resilience, builds fitness and positive mental health whilst creating longstanding community integration.”

Rio Ferdinand said: “The Beyond the Ball project is a flagship programme for the work of my Foundation on the Island of Ireland and this new partnership with a club of the stature and reach of Sligo Rovers will add fantastic value to our work.

“Rovers are a community club that share many of our values in tackling inequality, building communities, and providing opportunities for young people and I am proud of the fact that my team will be working alongside the club and its people on this important piece of work.”

Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund For Ireland, said:

“Sport undoubtedly has the power to bring people and communities together. It can transform people’s lives, broadening their horizons and providing opportunities to develop friendships that they would not otherwise have been able to do.

“Sport makes it possible to have friends in even the most difficult times, and particularly for young people who get the chance to develop friendships across social and economic divides.”

Preview: Final home game vs Drogheda on Saturday

Sligo Rovers play their final home game of the League of Ireland Premier Division season on Saturday evening against Drogheda United.

The Bit O’ Red play the team directly above in the table with United occupying seventh spot.

Rovers have yet to record a win against Drogs – the latest game finished in a 2-2 draw after John Russell’s side had taken a 2-0 lead.

Reece Hutchinson will have a late fitness test. Greg Bolger and Robbie Burton return from suspension.

Russell said: “We’re very keen to finish off the home season with a win. We want to give our home fans something to smile about after a tough year.

“We know we need a win in one of our final two matches and we’ll certainly be looking to win the game on Saturday.

“Drogheda have had a good season. I felt we should have won the last game when we were the goals ahead and we let that slip.

“Every game we go into, we’re looking to try and win, there’s a game plan, there’s a focus.

“Ultimately, when you cross the white line you have to produce and you have to play well.

“We need to find a big performance like we have had in some of our home games here.

“I wanted a reaction last Monday night and felt we got that with aspects of our performance, even in defeat. We have to take the same level of application and put the chances we create away to get the three points.”

Kick-off is 6pm.

Minster for Sport Thomas Byrne TD to visit Showgrounds

The Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne TD, will be a guest at Sligo Rovers final home game of the season against Drogheda at the Showgrounds on Saturday night. 

A native of Drogheda, his late father, Tommy Byrne, played for Drogheda United in the 1960’s and was player-manager of the club for a time. 

During his visit to Sligo the Minister will be given an update on the Sligo Rovers Development Project, including the appointment of a Design Team after Sligo County Council granted planning permission for the plan.

His wife, Ann (Hunt), is a native of Doon, Gurteen Co. Sligo and she has an impressive track-record in sport.  She won a Sligo championship with her local Eastern Harps Ladies Gaelic team in the early 1990’s and also played football with Gurteen Celtic at the time. 

We look forward to welcoming Minister Byrne to The Showgrounds on Saturday.

Tommy Hewitt set to take over as women’s manager

Tommy Hewitt will become the new manager of the Sligo Rovers women’s team next month.

Hewitt will take over from Steve Feeney following his decision to step away the role for work and family reasons  

The Athlone native was voted SSE Airtricity Manager of the Year in the Women’s Premier Division in 2022 after leading Athlone Town to second in the League and runners-up in the FAI Cup.

He has served as assistant manager with the Athlone Town men’s team and was also head coach with the Irish Defence Forces team at the Military World Games.

He spent four seasons with Athlone’s women side before opting to resign last June. 

Speaking this afternoon he said: “I’m very pleased to become manager of Sligo Rovers next month.

“I spoke to the committee and the staff at the club when the opportunity arose. The vision and plan Sligo Rovers have for the women’s area of the club was very impressive.

“First and foremost I want to commend Steve Feeney. When he took over at the formation of the team, I was immediately on the phone to him to wish him well and offer any advice that I could and have done during his time. He has done an absolutely fantastic job over the two seasons.

“The foundations that have been laid are another reason why the job is so appealing.  

“I’ve always had the hunger to return to management. I think the break has served me well. I want to build on what has been done already and try to push it on further. For me there is no reason why Sligo Rovers can’t climb the table next season.”

Hewitt retired from playing at 25 due to injury but did play against the club in the 90s to give him some experience of Sligo Rovers.

“I’ve always found The Showgrounds a special place. There’s a really family vibe to the club. You walk in and you feel the history. The club is very well organised, open and always willing to help. They want to back the manager whether it’s the men’s or women’s team. I can see that already because they’ve been very encouraging to try to be as successful as we can in 2024.”

Hewitt had a very fruitful spell with Athlone as manager, becoming their first-ever manager when the team was formed and went on challenge for the two major trophies last year

They won the President’s Cup at the start of this season.

Looking at the Women’s Premier Division overall, he said: “There has been rapid growth and it is exciting times be part of the league.

“There are 11 teams and I feel privileged to be managing a club like Sligo Rovers. It’s a real honour to lead it.

“I know the importance of building on the squad we have here and I will be doing my utmost to do that. That will be my first goal.

“I attend a lot of games in the region so I have seen some matches and I’ve been doing as much research as I can since accepting the role. I will continue to do that when the team play their final two matches, watching on from the stands.”

Steve Feeney, who chairman Tommy Higgins paid tribute to this morning as he stepped away for family reasons, will formally depart on Sunday 11 November. 

Again the club wish to thank Steve for helping in the period of transition.

Higgins added: “I’m delighted to welcome Tommy Hewitt to Sligo Rovers. Tommy’s pedigree within the league speaks for itself and we feel he is the ideal candidate for the position. 

“We will be supporting Tommy and the players as much as we can to continue to develop the women’s team. He shares our ambition for women’s team but also to develop young players through our academy and he will work with Conor O’Grady on that. I think the 2024 season has great promise with Tommy and the players.”

Anthony Connolly RIP

Sligo Rovers were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Anthony Connolly earlier this week.

Anthony was a beloved member of the sporting community in Sligo.

His warm sense of humour, contagious laughter and sense of fun made him a popular figure at our matches, those of Sligo GAA and any sporting occasion in the area.

Anthony was also a keen photographer, capturing countless Rovers games over the years.

We extend our sympathy to his family, his friends and the hundreds of people who encountered Anthony in his life, particularly in Riverstown, an area in which he took great pride and was a huge part of.

As well as a photo of Anthony, we also attach a photo he took of Sligo Rovers supporters in Slovakia a decade ago.

We will remember him at Saturday’s home game against Drogheda United, kick-off 6pm.

May he Rest in Peace.