As part of the ever-developing relationship between ATU Sligo and Sligo Rovers, three students from ATU Sligo’s Sport with Business degree completed their 13-week work placement with the club on a new coaching programme.

Students Peter Maguire, Ultan Mc Kenna and Caoilte Brannigan visited primary schools within the Sligo area twice per week and delivered expert coaching sessions on the fundamentals of football. The schools involved were Scoil Ursula NS, St John’s NS, Strandhill NS, Carraroe NS, Ballymote NS, and Réalt na Mara NS.

A new education agreement with the FAI gives students on the Sport with Business degree free access to advanced football coaching awards. This was ideal for Peter, Ultan and Caoilte who all have a deep passion for football and wanted to gain experience coaching with the Sligo Rovers Academy.

The success of the programme has been outstanding. Conor O Grady, Head of the Sligo Rovers Academy said, “This new initiative between ATU Sligo and Sligo Rovers strengthens our partnership, but more importantly gives students experience of organising and implementing coaching sessions for children. The FAI involvement is vital for this programme going forward as students receive coaching badges whilst completing their degree. This gives them a head start if they have an interest in pursuing FAI coaching.”

Roddy Gaynor, work placement co-ordinator for the Sport with Business degree added, “It is so important for our students to experience what it is like to work full time in a potential career area. In this instance, the three students had to step up professionally every day to plan and deliver coaching to young children in the fundamentals of sport. Even though the students are only 20 years of age, there is no hiding place when it comes to the importance of guiding young children in a safe environment for physical activity. They return to university with a completely different perspective on what it means to work professionally in sport.”

The schools involved in the programme have also been delighted to get a weekly coaching programme delivered to their pupils. Bernard Mulhern, Principal of St. John’s NS said, “The coaching programme in association with ATU Sligo and Sligo Rovers was an extremely enjoyable initiative. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the interaction perfecting their skills and playing football. I hope that the programme will resume in the 2023/2024 academic year and that our school will again be part of it.”

The ATU Sligo Sport with Business degree combines fundamentals of business with the practical application of coaching, teaching and development within the sport and education sectors. One of the key components of the degree is the work placement programme where students can work full time in a chosen field. For more information on ATU Sligo’s Sport with Business programmes please visit atu.ie/au903 (Level 8) or atu.ie/au804 (Level 7).

We are excited to announce a partnership with Youth Action Project for Sligo/Leitrim to bring Twilight Football back this Summer. 

Sligo Rovers Head of Academy, Conor O’Grady will lead the coaching sessions this year and he will be supported by Gardaí from Sligo Garda Station as well as staff members from Youth Work Ireland, North Connaught.

The sessions take place in Ray MacSharry Park on Thursday evening’s from June 15th for six weeks.

Twilight Football is drop-in; however, pre-registration is required .  

Only participants that are pre-registered will be admitted on the night with numbers limited to 45 per age group.

The link for registration can be found on the YAPSL YDP Facebook page, @YAPSligoLeitrim on Instagram, or WhatsApp 0838126915 

Twilight Football is funded by YAPSL and the Irish Youth Foundation.

There has been a range of new Club Accessories added to our online store.

All items are available worldwide as we can ship to anywhere.

There are the following new items added:

• Fridge Magnets €7
• Flags €10 (2 choices)
• Pennants €8
• Showgrounds Street Signs €12
• Pin Badges €4

All items are now available here https://srfcdirect.com/accessories/

The draws for the First Rounds of the Men’s and Women’s FAI Cup have been made today.

Our Women’s team will face Bonagee United at home on week ending August 27th.

Our Men’s team will travel to Drogheda United on week ending July 23rd.

Confirmation of dates and kick off times will be announced soon.

Sligo Rovers suffered a second Bank Holiday weekend defeat after a 3-0 loss at home to Shamrock Rovers.

Rovers were without eleven first-team players through injury or illness and the depleted Bit O’ Red team gave as much as they could on a warm afternoon at The Showgrounds.

Eanna Clancy and Greg Bolger were forced off in the first-half against Bohemians on Friday so Daniel Lafferty and Lukas Browning replaced them in John Russell’s starting line up. Conor Campbell and Daire McCarthy came onto the bench for the first time this season.

The first half was a tight on with little or no chances for either side.

Rovers caused some problems on either wing with David Cawley almost getting in on one occasion and Reece Hutchinson’s cross cleared away from close range before Shamrock Rovers went down the other end and Johnny Kenny forced Luke McNicholas into a smart save.

It remained scoreless at the break.

The second-half was a different story however as the visitors kicked into gear early on, with Kenny getting in behind and squaring for strike partner Rory Gaffney to tap home at the back post.

It was 2-0 moments later as Jack Byrne’s long pass over the Rovers back four found Gaffney again and he raced in on goal and dinked it over the advancing McNicholas.

The pace of the game slowed down from then on in and it was Aaron Greene who put a seal on the win for Shamrock Rovers with a goal from close range two minutes from time.

Next up is a trip to Tolka Park on Friday night at 7.45pm.

There was just one Academy game played over the weekend which took place on Saturday afternoon.

Our Under 14 team took on Longford Town in the Eddie Wallace Under 14 Cup at Bishopsgate.

The game was end to end with both sides having plenty of chances but the hosts ran out 3-2 winners.

Aidan Gabbidon and Conor Whittaker scored for the Bit O’ Red.

There are no games for a couple of weeks as players begin their Junior & Leaving Certificate exams this week.

We wish all our players doing exams the very best of luck.

We host Shamrock Rovers this evening at 6pm at The Showgrounds in The SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

We outline all our Match Night information below:

Turnstiles:

Turnstiles open from 4.45pm.

Buy tickets in advance: https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Or pay on the turnstiles. Card payments accepted at certain turnstiles.

Seating:

Seating is first come, first served in all areas of the ground. Seats with names on them must be respected as these are Gold Season Ticket members who have paid for their seat to be reserved all season. Anyone found sitting in a seat that is not theirs will be asked to move.

Security:

Members of our security team will carry out on the spot checks on bags and persons entering the ground. Alcohol and Pyrotechnics are not allowed and will be confiscated on entry. We ask supporters to please help the club in this regard and refrain from attempting to get in with any prohibited items.

CCTV:

CCTV is again in operation throughout the evening using our Brand New state of the art CCTV system. Security personnel and An Garda Siochaina will be monitoring the system and anyone found to be behaving in a way which contravenes our ground rules will be removed and potentially banned from attending future games.

Car Parking:

There are limited spaces available at The Showgrounds astro turf car park. This will be closed once full, which is expected to be early in the evening. Supporters should note the club have come to an agreement with Nazareth House for official Match Night use of their grounds which has over 200 parking spaces. There is a charge of €2, with proceeds towards the upkeep of their grounds.

Flares:

Leave your flares at home. These are not wanted and anyone found with flares will be banned from attending future matches. These cause needless fines for the club, money which is raised by our volunteers and fellow supporters.

Pitch:

It is an offence to enter the field of play at any stage. This includes children. It is parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure children do not encroach on the pitch at any time.

We wish to thank all supporters for their support in recent weeks and for the atmosphere created both at home and away.

We thank you for your co-operation

Tomorrow’s Match Programme is now available to buy online from just €2.50.

You’ll recieve your copy by email before the big game.

Tomorrow’s Programme information:

Match Sponsor: Lough Gill Brewery

Ball Sponsors: Flynns Corner Bar, Carrick-On-Shannon

After Match Reception:  Foleys Bar & Off Licence

Bumper 64 Pages for just €5

• Notes From Our Chairman Tommy Higgins
• Notes From Our Manager John Russell
• Academy Review
• Players Can Play A Big Part In Finding Improvement By Conall Collier
• Abbey Utd. – Our guests at the game
• Action Replay – Sligo Rovers v Derry City
• 20 Questions with Luke McNicholas
• Quiz
• Sligo Rovers Pen Pics
• Interview With Johan Brannefalk by Conall Collier
• Celebrate Your Birthday With Sligo Rovers
• David Cawley Poster 
• Shamrock Rovers Player Profiles
• Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers by Joe Molloy
• Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers by Stephen McLaughlin
• Match Programme Memory Check
• Interview With Johnny Kenny by Conall Collier
• Arrow Harps U16 Women’s Team
• Lucky Envelope Winners and Sponsors
• You Reds Photo Gallery
• Results and Fixtures
• Teams

Six goals shared at the Market’s Field as hosts Treaty Utd and Sligo Rovers produced an exciting Women’s Premier Division (WPD) encounter, writes Conall Collier.

Two goals from Emma Doherty and one by Jodie Loughrey revived Sligo Rovers and countered first-half strikes for Treaty by Cara Griffin, Hayley Walsh and Kiara Kilbey as the players delivered some exciting end-to-end action.

There was a water break midway through each half as the players coped with the sweltering conditions.

Sligo Rovers had conceded six without reply against champions Shelbourne a fortnight ago while last weekend Athlone Town got the better of Treaty by 7-0.

Against that background, both managers will be able to take positives out of the game, but will also be well aware that lots of improvement will be required if either team is to make any impact in the forthcoming All-Island competition or start an upward trajectory in the WPD.

Treaty sprinted out of the traps and had a goal on the scoreboard inside 90 seconds when Cara Griffin finished confidently to the net.

As the Bit O’Red tried to settle into the game, a defensive lapse gifted Hayley Walsh her second goal of the season when her speculative effort from distance gave Bonnie McKiernan no chance to make it 2-0.

However, as the players maintained a high-tempo, Emma Doherty headed Sligo Rovers back into contention midway through the half after Casey Howe had squandered a couple of earlier opportunities.

Treaty still posed a threat going forward against a disjointed Sligo Rovers side and the Limerick women created numerous chances without any reward until the 43rd minute when Kiara Kilbey ‘s goal gave her side a 3-1 interval lead.

Facing an uphill task in the second-half, Sligo Rovers got back into contention in the 54th minute when Emma Doherty did the spadework and Jodie Loughrey finished the job with a header to the net.

Almost immediately, Treaty had a chance when Kilbey ran on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Ann Marie Ulliac who flashed her effort wide of the target.

To their credit, Sligo Rovers countered and Casey Howe shaved the outside of the Treaty post in the 64th minute.

Some 60 seconds later the sides were level when Emma Doherty produced a good finish.

Both sides had chances subsequently with Sligo Rovers in the ascendancy although they always looked vulnerable at the back.

Overall, a draw was probably a fair result, but Treaty will be disappointed to have surrendered that two-goal interval advantage.

Treaty Utd – Ann Marie Ulliac; Grace McInerney, Chloe Hennigan, Alanna Mitchell, Jessica Heffernan, Katie Lawlee, Emma Costelloe, Aoife Mulkerrin, Kiara Kilbey, Hayley Walsh, Cara Griffin.

Subs – Kelsey Wing for Mitchell 30 mins, Esra Kangel for Walsh 80m, Michaela Cumes for Lawlee 85m

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Sarah Kiernan, Keela Scanlon, Orna O’Dowd, Emma Hansberry, Jodie Loughrey, Ciara Henry, Keri Loughrey, Emma Doherty, Casey Howe.

Subs – Aoife Brennan for Henry 57 mins, Leah Kelly for Lillie and Kate Nugent for O’Dowd both 66m, Helen Monaghan for K Loughrey 83m.

Referee – Daryl Carolan

The Bit O’ Red faced Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Manager John Russell was forced into two changes to his starting eleven with central defenders John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker missing out through suspension and injury respectively.

Eanna Clancy returned to the side and Johan Brannefalk started at right back, with Niall Morahan starting an centre back.

Clancy’s night got off to the worst possible start as he went down on just five minutes and signalled to the Rovers’ bench that he had to come off with a hamstring injury. Daniel Lafferty came on in his place.

It didn’t get any better for Rovers as Greg Bolger blocked a Krystian Nowak shot on 25 minutes and immediately fell to the ground in pain. After receiving treatment, Bolger tried to play on but he couldn’t and was replaced by Lukas Browning.

Minutes later, the hosts were in front. Rovers had a free-kick on the left which was headed away by the home defence. James Akintunde picked up possession in midfield and found Kris Twardek on the left. Twardek played the ball into the area and found midfielder James Clarke who took a touch and squeezed it past Luke McNicholas from a tight angle.

There were little or no chances for either side in the first half and the goal was a sucker punch for Rovers and John Russell.

The Bit O’ Red came out for the second half looking to get back into the game.

The first chance came as Johan Brannefalk latched onto David Cawley’s quick free kick down the right and his low cross was cleared off the line by Nowak and out for a corner. Lukas Browning had a strike from the edge of the area moments later but his shot was blocked behind for another corner.

On 68 minutes, the hosts got their second. Twardek ran down the left and played the ball to Ali Coote at the back post. Coote found substitute Declan McDaid and he slotted it home on the turn to double their lead.

Again, Rovers tried as they could to get back into the game and had our two best chances as Max Mata and Cawley both went close with headers from around 8 yards.

It wasn’t to be for Rovers as injuries took their tole yet again but it’s a quick turnaround now as Shamrock Rovers visit The Showgrounds on Monday at 6pm.