It was a shocking performance and result last Friday night. There is no other way to describe it.

Football is an emotional game. The psychology of dealing with pressure is a skill that players and staff continually refine. Football isn’t just about what happens on the pitch, it’s about the emotions it evokes in the fans. From the elation of a late Ellis Chapman wonder goal to beat Derry City at home to the devastation of last Friday nights hammering, football takes supporters on an emotional rollercoaster.

As I sat in the stands last Friday night with our head strength and conditioning coach Tom French, where we served the last of our three-game suspension, I was filled with lots of emotions. Probably the same emotions of all our away fans and our supporters tuning in on LOITV. Anger, frustration, embarrassment.

In the aftermath of these difficult moments, it is my job as manager to take a step back and take an objective view. Analyse what happened, learn from it, help the players and staff and move forward.

We have the youngest squad in the league. They are learning the game while also learning about themselves. I believe you only truly learn about yourself in tough moments or in tough times. It tests your character, and it can allow you to build your resilience.

As some players were substituted on Friday night, I watched their body language closely. I also watched to see if they shook Ryan Casey’s hand as they entered the dugout. They did. At the final whistle, I watched as the players and staff approached our away supporters. They stood and applauded. They took the flak. Win, lose or draw this group are consistent in their actions. They showed their character.

Everyone is hurting. The journey home was one of the toughest I’ve ever experienced. But when you step back, you need to remember that this is the same group of players who have delivered some special nights. They have exceeded expectations so far this season. This same group of players have been lauded by the fans as ‘getting it’ and ‘leaving everything on the pitch’ when it comes to playing for this club. Everyone can have a bad performance or a bad night. It’s how you respond.

We have an opportunity to respond on Saturday night in front of our own supporters in the Showgrounds.

Up the Rovers!

John Russell

Match Report: DLR Waves 1-3 Sligo Rovers

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers advanced to the last four of the Women’s FAI Cup on Saturday for the second successive season with a sensational victory against Dublin side DLR Waves at the Belfield Bowl.

Goals from Anna McDaniel, Kelsey Munroe and Paula McGrory sealed the victory against the tenacious hosts who found the net through Robyn Bolger.

The victory was thoroughly merited for the Bit O’Red who, this season, have reserved their best form for the knock-out competition and took a 2-1 interval advantage before sealing the win with a crucial third goal in the 63^rd minute.

With manager Tommy Hewitt still sidelined through suspension and forced to watch the action from a distance, Conor O’Grady took the sideline reins for a second week.

The Bit O’Red made four changes from the previous week’s outing against Treaty Utd with Leah Kelly, Kelsey Munroe, Eimear Lafferty and Anna McDaniel replacing Sarah Kiernan, Kate Nugent, Rachael McGoldrick and Mairead McIntyre.

After a tentative opening, Sligo Rovers settled into the contest and had a chance as early as the 10^th minute when DLR ‘keeper Rugile Auskalnyte fumbled a high ball, but the danger was averted.

However, the reprieve was brief and Anna McDaniel finished to the net in the 19^th minute for a lead that rocked the hosts who almost conceded a second soon after when Paula McGrory’s shot brought a good save from Auskalnyte.

Ten minutes before the interval Kelsey Munroe increased the lead when she scored directly from a corner as the DLR rearguard spectated, but the Dublin side found a swift response through Robyn Bolger’s goal a minute later.

Undaunted, the Bit O’Red players remained calm and focused until the interval with McGrory narrowly wide from a speculative overhead kick and big performances from Leah Kelly, Keeva Flynn, Kelsey Munroe, Alice Lillie and Muireann Devaney.

The Rovers stood strong during the early stages of the second-half as DLR pushed and probed.

The efforts of Eimear Lafferty and Keri and Jodie Loughrey helped to sustain the 2-1 advantage until the 63^rd minute when Munroe sent over another corner and McGrory finished in a crowded goalmouth to make it 3-1.

The only chance of note DLR had for the remainder was a Shanagh Cody effort on 75 minutes that Amber Hardy saved comfortably.

The victory will give the players a major confidence boost for the next home game in the Women’s Premier Division against DLR Waves at the Showgrounds on Saturday 7^th September. Next Saturday it’s Galway Utd away.

DLR Waves – Rugile Auskalnyte; Amber Cosgrove, Chloe McCarthy, Jess Gleeson, Izzy Finnegan, Abby Brophy, Robyn Bolger, Keelan Dodd, Aisling Meehan, Subs – Taylor White for Bolger and Shanagh Cody for Doyle both 61 mins, Nadine Seward for Brophy and Rebecca McMahon for Dodd both 79m, Hannah Tobin-Jones for Gleeson 90m

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Keeva Flynn, Kelsey Munroe, Alice Lillie, Muireann Devaney, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Jodie Loughrey, Paula McGrory, Anna McDaniel. Sub – Rachael McGoldrick for Lafferty 88 mins..

Sligo Rovers suffered one of their heaviest defeats in several decades on Friday night as Drogheda United put seven past the Bit O’Red without reply at Weaver’s Park.

Rovers found themselves three down at half-time. Douglas James-Taylor, Andrew Quinn and Franzt Pierrot with Drogs’ goals. While Kailin Barlow had the visitor’s only shot of the game late in the half when his long range effort was tipped over the bar by United goalkeeper Luke Dennison.

The evening didn’t get any easier for the travelling support. Pierrot struck again early in the second half and this was followed up by further goals from Conor Kane, Elicha Ahui and Adam Foley.

Rovers’ will look to put what was a chastening night for the club behind them on Saturday 31st August when Waterford visit the Showgrounds, kick off 7.45pm. 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, David Webster (Jack Keaney, 75), James Bolger; Elicha Ahui (Aaron McNally, 85), Luke Heeney, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan, 75), Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey 41), Conor Kane; Frantz Pierrot, Douglas James-Taylor (Adam Foley, 75).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; John Ross Wilson, Ollie Denham, Charlie Wiggett (Jack Henry-Francis, 64), Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley (Luke Pearce, 64), Ellis Chapman (Daire Patton, 71); Kailin Barlow (Simon Power, 64) Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding, 63); Wilson Waweru.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to the Belfield Bowl on Saturday for a Women’s FAI Cup quarter-final showdown against hosts DLR Waves as the bottom two in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) bid for a semi-final ticket.

This will be another day of watching from a distance for manager Tommy Hewitt as he continues to serve a suspension that was imposed following the WPD game against Athlone Town a fortnight ago.

The manager had to watch last Sunday’s WPD action at the Showgrounds from the stand as his side lost out by the odd goal in three to Treaty Utd.

There was the consolation of watching Keeva Flynn score the goal of the game in the second-half, but the Bit O’Red just couldn’t muster an equaliser despite creating a number of excellent chances.

However, the manager pointed to the fact that his side wasn’t awarded a penalty early in the game and that frustration was compounded by the fact that Mairead McIntyre was injured in the challenge by Treaty goalkeeper Katie Irwin and had to be replaced by Rebecca Doddy.

“I don’t enjoy complaining about decisions, but if we had got that penalty and scored it would have changed the complexion of the game,” stated the Bit O’Red boss.

“We went two goals down, but the girls responded well and I felt we were worth at least a draw, but we missed some easy chances near the end and you can’t afford that either.

“This is my first season with Sligo Rovers and so far in 2024 I can honestly say that any big decisions have consistently gone against us.

“Along with not getting the penalty, I’m now down another player after that tackle, I just couldn’t understand how it wasn’t a penalty.

“Looking ahead to the Cup game, DLR have really improved as demonstrated with that 3-2 win against Peamount Utd.

“It’s a one-off game on Saturday, we have to adopt a positive approach and if we can do that there is no reason that we can’t win the game and make it to the last four again,” he concluded.

In the DLR Waves game against Peamount, goals from Isobel Finnegan, Keelin Dodd and Jess Gleeson sealed the victory. DLR didn’t play last weekend, but in the first round of the Cup they defeated Whitehall Rangers by 4-0.

Sligo Rovers got the better of Terenure Rangers by 5-0 and using that as a gauge suggests that there won’t be much between the teams on Saturday.

Sligo Rovers primary aim has to be avoiding the concession of soft goals and if they can achieve that then they have every reason to tackle this assignment with confidence.

The sides met already this season at the Bowl where DLR recorded a 2-0 victory. Jess Gleeson’s 36^th minute free from the edge of the penalty area deflected off the underside off the crossbar for the lead goal.

DLR substitute Rebecca McMahon added a second goal with about 20 minutes remaining when she capitalised on some slack defending as her side recorded a first win of the season, win number two was against Peamount two weeks ago.

Kick-off on Saturday is a 3pm and the game will be live on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers make the trip to Weaver’s Park this Friday evening for the second time this season to take on Drogheda United in a crucial Premier Division clash, kick-off 7.45pm.

Following FAI Cup disappointment against UCD last Saturday at the Showgrounds, attention reverts to the league campaign where the Bit O’Red are in fantastic form with five wins in their last six league games.

Friday’s clash will be Rovers’ third game against Kevin Doherty’s outfit in 2024. Rovers beat Drogs in both Premier Division meetings between the sides at the Showgrounds this year in March and June. While it was United who came away with the spoils following Sligo’s last visit to Weaver’s Park back in April.

In team news, Connor Malley returns to the squad having missed that defeat to the Students last weekend. While both Nando Pijnaker and Ollie Denham will be assessed before the game having picked up knocks in the same game.

Winger Stephen Mallon will not travel due an injury sustained during the week. John Mahon and Conor Reynolds are some way off a return.

Manager John Russell will serve the third of a three game ban, meaning Rovers will again be led from the line by assistant manager Ryan Casey. 

Russell reveals that his players are still hurting having been knocked out of the cup, but wants his squad to use that disappointment as the fuel required to spur them on in the north east.

“We saw last week that if you don’t show up and be at it from the start, then you will get turned over and that goes for any team in this league, both divisions. 

“Drogheda have already beaten us this year so we know we cannot afford to be anything but fully focused and prepared for this game. They are only two points off Dundalk and they know a few points will push them up the table as the league is so tight. It’s a home game for them in front of their own fans and they’ll really be up for this one. So it’s going to be tough for us but the players are keen to get going and forget about the UCD game. The best way to recover from a loss is to win your next game. 

“We want to keep this league run going. The players have been excellent in the league lately and we’re delighted with how they have performed and the wins they have picked up so we want to keep that feeling rolling into Drogheda and beyond.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ Wilson Waweru has been rewarded for his recent excellent form in front of goal having been awarded with the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for July.

Waweru has netted six times in his last six games, including his first senior hat-trick against Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. To date, Waweru has scored eight goals in all competitions this year.

He is the first Rovers player to win the award since Aidan Keena back in 2022.

Patricia Hailstones was the latest winner in Sligo Rovers weekly lotto when she scooped the jackpot of €5200

It brings the total prize money paid out to lucky punters (including match 3 vouchers) in the last year alone to almost €28,000.

Patricia is a committed supporter of the weekly lotto and has used the same numbers for years. Her ‘secret formula’ to land the jackpot were the numbers – 6, 18, 12, 28, – drawn from family birthdays and special events.

She buys her ticket every week from Joe Scanlon, a work colleague in St John’s Hospital. ‘If there is a week when I don’t see Joe, he always ensures my numbers are in the draw which is very re-assuring.’

While Rovers on-line lottery has become very popular in recent years. Patricia prefers to buy the ticket in person every week. She was thrilled to hear the hews of her big win and wished the lotto team every success on their ongoing work on behalf of the Club.

You can support Rovers lotto by contacting a lotto agent or on line by visiting
www.sligorovers.com/lotto

SLIGO ROVERS 1, TREATY UTD 2

BY CONALL COLLIER

Goals in each half from Cara Griffin and Anna Rockett gave Treaty Utd a hard-earned
Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory over hosts Sligo Rovers who hit back through
Keeva Flynn on the hour on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts had claims for two penalties waved away by referee Gavin Colfer at 0-0, Treaty
dictated the exchanges and Katie Lawlee had an opportunity, but she blazed over the bar
from close range.
Sligo Rovers absorbed that period of Treaty pressure before they managed a meaningful
attack in the 17 th minute when they had two penalty claims waved away in quick succession.
Mairead McIntyre was injured in the second challenge by Treaty goalkeeper Katie Irwin and
had to be replaced by Rebecca Doddy.
Treaty remained in the ascendancy and had chances from Cara Griffin and Danielle Steer
before they broke the deadlock in the 37 th minute.
Katie Lawlee crossed from the left and Griffin capitalised on defensive hesitancy and
finished to the net for a 1-0 interval advantage.
Treaty added a second goal five minutes after the resumption when Anna Rockett found the
net following a scramble in the penalty area and while Treaty created a number of other
chances it was the hosts who found a response close to the hour mark.
Sarah Kiernan’s precise free picked out the run of Keeva Flynn who powered a header to the
net. Kiernan went close from a well-struck free soon after, but Treaty ‘keeper Katie Irwin
cleared the danger.
Treaty created a couple of good chances in the closing stages, but failed to hit the target
while the hosts kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser that proved elusive.
Both teams will be in FAI Cup quarter-final action next weekend – Sligo Rovers go to DLR
Waves and Treaty host Athlone Town.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Keeva Flynn, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri
Loughrey, Jodie Loughrey, Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick,
Mairead McIntyre. Subs – Rebecca Doddy for McIntyre 17 mins, Anna McDaniel for
McGoldrick 51m, Leah Kelly for Nugent and Kelsey Munroe for Kiernan both 72m.
Treaty Utd – Katie Irwin; Erin Van Dolder, Mara McCleary, Mijke Roelfsema, Cara Griffin,
Delana Friesen, Caleigh Boeck, Jillian Anne Tegan-O’Toole, Katie Lawlee, Anna Rockett,
Danielle Steer.
Referee – Gavin Colfer.
Assistant-Referee – Dylan Redmond, Keenan Deering.
Fourth Official – Aaron Pisarnik.

Second half goals from Luke O’Regan and Adam Wells saw UCD progress to the last eight of the FAI Cup at the expense of Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

On a frustrating night for the Bit O’Red, the first half offered little in terms of goal scoring chances, while Ed McGinty was largely untested. 

The second half produced more entertainment as both sides fashioned opportunities. 

Will Fitzgerald was inches away from giving Rovers the lead early in the second period when his volley struck the crossbar. While UCD’s Adam Verdon went close with an ambitious effort from inside his own half. 

Rovers sub Owen Elding was denied by a sensational stop from College ‘keeper Dara Kavanagh on 75 minutes, moments before UCD took the lead. O’Regan’s cross took a wicked change of direction, floating over McGinty’s head for the opener. 

While Wells settled the tie eight minutes from time when he tapped home at the far post from a corner. 

Rovers went close through Simon Power and Nando Pijnaker as the home side threw everything at it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as Rovers’ 2024 cup run came to an end. 

The Bit O’Red’s next outing is a crucial league clash away to Drogheda United at Weavers’ Park on Friday August 23rd. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Ollie Denham (Wilson Waweru HT), Nando Pijnaker, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Jack Henry-Francis, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 83); Stephen Mallon (Owen Elding 59), Will Fitzgerald; Luke Pearce (Simon Power 72). 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luke O’Regan, Niall Holohan (Alex Dunne 98), Eanna Clancy, Harry Curtis (Adam Wells 74); Sam Norval (Sean Brennan 64), Ronan Finn (Colin Bolton 96), Adam Verdon, Stephen Mohan (Hugh Parker 64); Michael Raggett (Donal Higgins 96), Jake Doyle. 

Referee: Damien McGraith

Attendance: 1,862. 

Focus at the Showgrounds this weekend returns to the Sports Direct FAI Cup as Sligo Rovers vie for a place in the last eight of the country’s premier cup competition. UCD are the opponents on Church Hill this Saturday at 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red are the form team in the country at the moment, having won six of their seven games on all fronts since the mid-season break. Defeats of Shelbourne, Galway, Bohs, Derry and Shamrock Rovers have lifted Rovers to fourth, level on points with third placed Waterford in the Premier Division standings. 

Rovers progressed to the third round of the FAI Cup courtesy of a comfortable three goal win over Munster Senior League outfit Cobh Wanderers in the last round, while Saturday’s opponents enjoyed a great four nil victory over Gorey Rangers in the same round.

Rovers are still without long-term injured duo John Mahon and Conor Reynolds. While Stefan Radosavljevic and Conor Malley have both returned to training this week and are expected to be part of the match day squad. 

Winger Simon Power will be monitored in the lead up to the game and a decision on his fitness will be made on the day of the game. 

Rovers will again be led from the dugout by assistant boss Ryan Casey as manager John Russell serves the second of a three game ban. 

Previewing the tie, Russell knows Rovers will hold the favourites tag going into this one but insists his side will show no complacency despite facing First Division opposition. 

“UCD are absolutely flying at the moment and look very good to make the play-offs so there’s no way we can prepare for this one other than with thorough professionalism”, he warned. 

“They have Premier Division experience with players like Ronan Finn who will probably be the most decorated player on the field on Saturday. They also have plenty of young talent as always, with the likes of Eanna Clancy who was brilliant for us last season when we needed him. This is a one-off tie and any team in the last 16 will fancy their chances against anyone else. 

“We’re on an excellent run at the moment but I can guarantee that as always, our players will be well prepared and doing everything we can to progress. The players know that a win on Saturday means you’re just two games away from an FAI Cup final, the Aviva Stadium and all that goes with that. It’s a huge carrot to chase.” 

Over three thousand supporters were in attendance for last week’s win over league leaders Shels and Russell is hoping for another big crowd and Rovers look to overcome the Students. 

“Anyone who was in Sligo last Saturday saw how the crowd and the atmosphere pushed the players on. There were times when Shels were really pressing us, but the backing from the stands gave us that extra ten percent to see them off. We’ll need that support again on Saturday.”  

David Goulden