The draw for the First Round of the Sports Direct FAI Women’s Cup and FAI Men’s Cup will take place on Tuesday afternoon, June 6th at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown.

The Women’s draw takes place at 12.35pm and the Men’s draw will take place shortly afterwards at 12.55pm.

The draws will be live streamed on the FAI’s social media platforms from 12.30pm, when the event begins.

Further details including dates and times for the fixtures drawn will be available after the draw is made.

It will be ten years since our last FAI Cup triumph at The Aviva Stadium this November, when we defeated Drogheda United 3-2 in a dramatic final with two goals from Danny North and an Anthony Elding stoppage time winner.

Sligo Rovers travel to Limerick to tackle Treaty United in the Women’s Premier Division after the benefit of resting last weekend as the odd team of 11 in this season’s competition, writes Conall Collier.

With the bottom four facing each other, bottom-of-the-table Cork City host eighth-placed DLR Waves, the results of both games will have a huge impact on final placings as the WPD passes the mid-point of the season.

Sligo Rovers will aim to improve on two draws at the Market’s Field last season, but Steve Feeney’s side will go into this test as the underdog after a disappointing defeat (1-2) against Treaty earlier in the season at the Showgrounds.

That mid-April encounter saw the Bit O’Red surrender an interval lead from Emma Doherty’s 43rd minute goal with Cara Griffin levelling in the 62nd minute and then substitute Hannah Saidi hit an 82nd minute winner for Treaty.

Both teams go into this encounter on the back of heavy defeats last time.

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

That suggests that this might be a high-scoring encounter, but both teams have struggled to hit the target this season.

The Treaty women have managed five goals in 11 outings and failed to find the net in eight of those encounters.

Sligo Rovers have scored seven goals in 10 outings, but failed to register a score in four of those games.

Both teams have managed one clean sheet so far, Treaty in a scoreless draw at home to DLR Waves while the Bit O’Red picked up a 2-0 away win against Cork City three weeks ago.

The Treaty players were within 60 seconds of a 2-1 victory against Wexford a fortnight ago, but conceded a 90th minute equaliser.

The formbook suggests both teams are struggling for consistency and that will be the key to this encounter that is likely to be a fast-paced contest.

Sligo Rovers are back in action tonight against Bohemian FC at Dalymount Park.

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and is broadcast live on LOI TV.

Rovers come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over table toppers Derry City at The Showgrounds on Saturday while the hosts, Bohs drew nil-all at home to fellow Dubliners Shelbourne on Friday night last.

Bit O’ Red boss John Russell is looking forward to the game:

‘’We’re all set for a massive game tonight against Bohemians.

‘’The players have trained really well this week, and everyone is fully focused on building on the Derry performance and result’’.

Sligo Rovers supporters wishing to attend the game are asked to purchase tickets online in advance of travelling this evening.

Supporters will be situated in the new Mono Stand at Dalymount Park, with the entrance via Connaught Street.

Tickets are available here: https://away.bohemians-tickets.com/85ee3b48-a92f-4666-b989-c4e4c4086e38/index.html

Russell expects a tight game in front of another large travelling support:

‘’Bohemians are a tough opponent. Our previous meeting was a tight affair, and a set play was the difference on the night.

‘’We know we’re down a few bodies through injury and suspension but there is a lot of belief in this group.

‘’We’re expecting another big following on Friday night so hopefully we can deliver a top performance’’.

In team news, Garry Buckley continues to progress and is back in training and stepping up his recovery from his ACL injury. Mark Byrne is a couple of weeks behind him but is also progressing well.

Gary Boylan, Karl O’ Sullivan, James Finnerty, Fabrice Hartmann and Conor Walsh are definitely out.

Greg Bolger will face a late fitness test as well as defender Nando Pijnaker but Eanna Clancy is available again.

John Mahon serves a one-game suspension after his red card against Derry City.

Our Women’s team will take part in the first ever Women’s All-Island Cup which will comprise of teams North and South of the border taking part in the exciting new cup competition.

Rovers have been drawn in Group B along with Derry City, Cliftonville and Bohemians.

The opening game takes place on Saturday, June 17th at 5pm at The Showgrounds against Bohemians.

Rovers then face two away games against Derry City on Saturday June 24th at 3pm and a first ever game at Solitude in Belfast against Cliftonville at 5.30pm on July 1st.

The group winners will all progress to the semi-finals of the competition.

Sligo Rovers are releasing half-season tickets for the remainder of the season which will give supporters the best value option to follow the Bit O’ Red for the rest of 2023.

With nine home games remaining, supporters can avail of the half season-ticket now which will also include access to Monday’s game against Shamrock Rovers.

As one of the only remaining fan-owned clubs in the Men’s Premier Division, the club depends on the support from within the North-West region and we are grateful to all our current season holders who have made it a record season for season ticket sales in 2023, with over 1100 purchased to date.

Adults can purchase their half-season tickets now for €130, meaning a saving of €30 between now and the end of the season.

Senior Citizens, Third Level and Second Level Students and Concession tickets are available for just €80, saving people in those categories €20.

Super Reds tickets are available for just €30, making a saving of €15 per Super Red over the course of the season.

Tickets are available now at The Showgrounds office, Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm or online via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2023/

Tickets bought between now and Monday will be available for collection at the front window at The Showgrounds in the build up to the game against Shamrock Rovers.

Season Ticket holders will also be eligble for any possible priority windows for FAI Cup match tickets this season.

It’s a quiet Bank Holiday weekend for our Academy with only our Under 14 side in action on Saturday afternoon at The Sean Fallon Centre.

The lads face Longford Town away from home at 12 Noon in the group stages of the Eddie Wallace Cup.

Last weekend saw Colm Jinks’ side win their opening game against Finn Harps at home.

This game will be the final game for our Academy before the mid-season break.

We wish all our players the best of luck in their upcoming exams which start next week.

Sligo Rovers can announce that Club Captain David Cawley will be granted a Testimonial game this August, having spent ten seasons at the Club.

Cawley, from Ballina in Mayo, first signed for the Bit O’ Red before the 2012 League winning campaign where he made 29 appearances in his debut season and has made a total of 296 appearances so far.

The midfielder has won a League Title, an FAI Cup, Setanta Sports Cup and helped guide the club through two rounds of Europa Conference League Qualification in 2022, captaining the team for historic wins over Bala Town and Motherwell as well as the third round tie against Viking FK, where he became the first ever Sligo Rovers to scored in a third round European fixture.

The testimonial will comprise of David’s ex Bit O’ Red team-mates who will take on the current 2023 squad on Saturday, August 12th at The Showgrounds (kick-off TBC).

Ticket information and further details, as well as David’s squad announcement will be available soon.

Shamrock Rovers are the visitors for a Bank Holiday clash in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division on June 5th at The Showgrounds.

The game will kick off at the earlier time of 6pm.

Tickets are now on sale for the game via the below link:

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Gates will open from 4.45pm on the day and we ask all supporters interested in attending to buy your ticket in advance online as this game is expected to have a large crowd.

There were four games down for decision between Saturday and Sunday with our our male Academy teams in action.

The Womens Under 17 and 19 teams had the weekend off.

Saturday saw our Under 14 side host Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre at Noon and the lads ran out 6-1 winners in the Eddie Wallace Cup group stages in front of the home supporters with a five goal haul for Conor Whittaker and a sixth added by Stephen Gibbons. It was Conor’s first time to score for Rovers since signing and he capped a fantastic display with five well taken goals.

Our Under 17’s had a strong performance away to Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Saturday afternoon as goals from Niall Kenny (2), Femi, Keelin Mullin, David Jonathan, Reuben Gillespie and a brace from Desmond Rejoice Yabouet ensuring a safe passage through to the next round of the Mark Farren Cup.

Sunday saw two home games as our Under 19 Mens team hosted Klub Kildare at The Showgrounds from 1pm.

Goals from Owen Elding (2), Gareth McElroy and Bridel Bosakani ensured Declan Boyle’s side progressed to the next round of the Enda McGuill Cup, winning 4-2.

Our Under 15 side were in League action and defeated Derry City 2-1 in a tight game at The Sean Fallon Centre with goals from Liam McLaughlin and Riverstown’s Troy Kelly. The side are now third in their group table behind Galway United and Finn Harps after nine games.

Next up for our Men’s First Team is a trip to Bohemians on Friday night, June 2nd.

The Bit O’ Red got back to winning ways on Saturday night at home to Derry City and will hope for another positive result in Dalymount Park.

Tickets for Sligo Rovers supporters are now available online via the link below:

https://away.bohemians-tickets.com/85ee3b48-a92f-4666-b989-c4e4c4086e38/index.html

Supporters will be situated in the new Mono Stand in Dalymount Park.