Sligo Rovers return to SSE Airtricity League action tomorrow afternoon with Bohemians visiting The Showgrounds.

It will be the third meeting of the sides this season with Bohs winning both games by one goal at The Showgrounds and Dalymount Park respectively.

The Bit O’ Red come into the game off the back of a tough night in Norway with defeat to Viking FK on Thursday night and Bohs are in good form having beaten Finn Harps in The FAI Cup last weekend at Finn Park.

A large crowd is expected at The Showgrounds with gates opening from 3.30pm.

Manager John Russell:

‘’Tomorrow evening is an important game as we try and close the gap on the teams above us.

‘’We know Bohemians have signed a lot of new players and are always a difficult opponent.

‘’It’s important that we focus on ourselves tomorrow and get back to playing well and imposing our game on the opposition.

‘’We picked up a few knocks in Norway so, we’ll assess a few players before the game.

‘’Garry Buckley will definitely miss out, and will have a scan early next week on his knee. Adam McDonnell will also miss the game but, we hope he will be back soon’’.

In team news, as Russell stated, Rovers are without Garry Buckley who was stretchered off on Thursday night after a nasty looking knee injury. Buckley is expected to be out for some time but, his condition will become clearer in the coming days. Adam McDonnell, who also came off through injury on Thursday is less serious but is also set to miss out tomorrow. Colm Horgan and Seamas Keogh are also long-term absentees.

The game will be the first of three games in seven days for John Russell’s side with Viking visiting The Showgrounds on Thursday for the return leg and a trip to St Patrick’s Athletic to come on Sunday evening in the league in Inchicore.

With Rovers now out of The FAI Cup it’s important to have a strong end of season domestically through the league and there are now thirteen games remaining between now and the final game of the season in November against Bohs in Dalymount Park.

Tickets for tomorrow’s game are priced at €15 for adults, €10 for Elderly and Students/Under 18’s and €5 for Under 12’s.

They can be bought at the turnstiles or online via the link below

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

Bohemian FC advanced to the semi-final of the Women’s FAI Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory against Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park today.

Bohemian FC started on the front foot and had a shot from Kira Bates-Crosbie on target in the second minute, but Amy Mahon saved.

Abbie Brophy caused a lot of problems on the wing for the Sligo Rovers defence and her creativity kept Amy Mahon busy.

Brophy’s pace was a major issue for the Sligo rearguard and on 14 minutes she raced on to the ball from half-way and just had too much in the tank for the chasing defender. She slotted confidently past Mahon for a deserved lead.

Bohs continued to press and were awarded a penalty for a handball in the 22nd minute which Erica Burke duly converted from the spot.

Sligo Rovers adopted a policy of containment for the remainder of the half, but they were still under a serious amount of pressure and only threatened briefly on a couple of occasions.

However, three minutes from the break Bohemain FC added a third goal when a well-struck cross from Niamh Prior took a deflection off a Sligo Rovers defender to leave the Dublin side 3-0 to the good at the interval.

Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half smartly and a fine Lauren Boles strike had them back in contention by the 51st minute.

However, for the remainder it was fairly flat and both sides had half chances, but it’s Bohs that go on to the last four.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Katie Burdis, Isobel Finnegan, Lisa Murphy, Kira Bates-Crosbie, Erica Burke, Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Aoife Robinson, Katie Lovely, Niamh Prior. Subs – Freya Roche for Robinson and Ann Marie Byrne for Burdis both 68 mins, Bronagh Kane for Prior 71m, Erin Phelan for Burke 93m.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle-Carr, Sarah Kiernan, Helen Monaghan. Subs – Emma Hansberry for Monaghan
57 mins, Fiona Doherty for McGrory 70m, Aoife Brennan for Kiernan and Katie Melly for Boyle-Carr 81m.

Referee – Alan Patchell

Academy and First Team player Peter Maguire has joined Ballinamallard United on loan until January 2023.

The defender, from Blacklion joins The Mallard’s ahead of the start of their 2022/23 season.

The journey from Sligo to Ballinamallard has proved a well travelled one with many players playing for both clubs throughout the years.

Jason McCartney and Steve Feeney are probably the more famous examples, with both players spending many seasons with the side from County Fermanagh.

Rovers’ Head of Academy Conor O’ Grady, Christopher Kelly, Ross Taheny, Gary Armstrong, Anthony Elding and Richard Brush are all other examples of players who have played for both clubs.

We wish Peter all the best on his loan spell.

It was a testing night in Stavanger for The Bit O’ Red on Thursday night as John Russell’s side lost 5-1 to Norweigan Premier League outfit Viking FK.

The game was played in front of just over 11,000 supporters with around 60 travelling Rovers fans in section E of the stadium.

Rovers came into the tie having defeated Motherwell 3-0 on aggregate while the Norweigan’s knocked out Czech giants Sparta Prague 2-1 over two leg to progress to the third round.

John Russell continued without injured duo Colm Horgan and Seamas Keogh but welcomed back Greg Bolger to the squad.

There were no changes made to the starting eleven that defeated Motherwell both home and away with David Cawley again leading the side out as team captain.

The game started badly for Rovers as Adam McDonnell picked up a knee injury within 30 seconds and the home side taking the lead two minutes later. Luke McNicholas could only parry a shot into the path of striker Zlatko Tripic who tapped home from close range, much to the delight of the noisy home crowd.

On 8 minutes, it was 2-0. Tripic this time the provider as his cross found Samuel Fridjonsson who took a touch and blasted it into the roof of the net.

Rovers did well after this with Aidan Keena and substitute Max Mata, on for McDonnell, working an opening down the left with Keena shooting just over.

On 19 minutes, Garry Buckley fouled Tripic down the left but unfortunately for Buckley picked up a serious knee injury in the process and had to leave the field on a stretcher.

It was an even half from there on in with Rovers holding their own and going into the break still with plenty to play for.

The second half started with the home side looking to keep the ball and look for an opening. Substitute Mai Traore was causing problems for the Bit O’ Red back four and this threat proved too much when Fridjonsson’s diagonal pass found Tripic at the back post who knocked it down for Traore to score from 10 yards.

It was 4-0 soon after, with the hosts turning on the style playing from front to back with the ball eventually ending up with the impressive Fridjonsson who flicked the ball into the path of substitute Niklas Sandberg who finished brilliantly with his left foot, curling it around McNicholas.

Greg Bolger returned for the first time since early July in place of Keena and Frank Liivak was also introduced for Karl O’ Sullivan as John Russell brought on some fresh legs.

Viking made some changes of their own and youngster Advin Austbo scored ten minutes after coming on, curling a right footed shot past McNicholas into the far corner.

Frank Liivak broke into the home penalty area on 89 minutes and was clipped inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Captain David Cawley grabbed the ball and dispatched his spot kick high into the top right corner to give Rovers a consolation goal before two minutes of added time brought and end to the game.

We host Viking in the second-leg next Thursday night at The Showgrounds at 7pm.

The game is sold out and will be live on Ocean FM and LOI TV.

We wish to thank the loyla Bit O’ Red supporters who made the long journey to Stavanger yesterday and wish them a safe journey home.

Saturday’s trip to Dalymount Park will give Sligo Rovers a first taste of action in the Women’s FAI Cup against a Bohemian FC team that negotiated Galway in the last round.

Sligo Rovers had a scheduled first round tie against Douglas Hall, but the Cork side conceded a walkover and didn’t travel for the tie to the Showgrounds.

Both teams will go into this quarter-final tie on the back of winning performances last weekend.

Sligo Rovers turned on the style in front of the TG4 cameras for a sensational 3-2 victory last Saturday against defending WNL champions Shelbourne, a team Bohemian FC played out a scoreless draw against 12 days ago. Emma Doherty (two) and Gemma McGuinness were on the mark for Sligo Rovers.

Last weekend Bohemian FC picked up a valuable three points when they recorded a 3-1 victory against Cork City despite trailing the Leesiders at one stage. Bohemian FC responded with a brace of Aoife Robinson goals and Niamh Prior also netted.
 
Previous games this season between the teams saw Bohemian FC take the points with a 3-1 victory at the Showgrounds and a hard-earned 2-1 win last month at Dalymount.

Erica Burke gave the Dublin women a 1-0 interval lead, Gemma McGuinness equalised for Sligo Rovers in the 70th minute, but Bohemian FC substitute Aoife Robinson restored the lead three minutes later and that gave the hosts the verdict.

Bohemian FC manager Pat Trehy will have his players focused on what will be a stern test with a place in the last four the prize. He certainly won’t underestimate the challenge that Sligo Rovers will pose and will be looking for a big performance.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney will adopt a similar approach and will be looking for some consistency from his players.

“This is a massive game for us against Bohs and we want to get through to the semi-finals,” he commented.

“We can take a lot of confidence from the win against Shelbourne, that shows that we can rise to the occasion.

“Hopefully, we can repeat that performance when we go to Dalymount Park for the quarter-final, we need to find some consistency in our performances and if we can do that on Saturday we have a chance,” he added.


LAST TIME
WNL 2nd JULY
Bohemian FC 2, Sligo Rovers 1
TEAMS
Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Abbie O’Hara, Ann Marie Byrne, Lisa Murphy, Isobel Finnegan, Katie Lovely, Kira Crosbie-Bates, Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Bronagh Kane, Erica Burke. Subs – Aoife Robinson for Darby 68 mins, Lara Phipps for Kane 77m, Leah HUghes for Murphy 89m.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Erin Coyle, Amy Roddy, Paula McCrory, Jessica Casey. Subs – Kerri O’Hara for Hansberry 61 mins, Katie Melly for Hyndman and Fiona Doherty for Casey both 81m, Lauren McClellan for McGrory 87m.

Five Academy teams are in action this weekend between Saturday and Sunday with three home games taking place in Sligo and two teams on the road.

On Saturday our Under 14 side travel to Derry to take on the Candystripes at 2pm.

Our Under 17 sides are both at home on Saturday afternoon, with our men’s team hosting Bohemian FC at 1pm and our Women’s team hosting DLR Waves at 4.30pm.

On Sunday our Under 19 men host Galway United at 2pm at MacSharry Park. Declan Boyle’s side must do without a number of players who will be involved at first team level later that day against Bohemians.

Our Under 19 Women’s team are on the road on Sunday against Bohs at The Oscar Traynor Centre at 2pm.

Tonight’s game against VIking is streamed live on LOI TV from 6pm

The game costs €10 and can be bought via the link below

https://www.loitv.ie/en-int/playerpage/1468385

There will also be a number of events around Sligo and one in Dublin with our Dublin Supporters Club’s screening in Buskers on the Ball, Temple Bar.

Sligo Summer Festival kicks off this evening and The Bit O’ Red will be on the big screen from 6pm with admission just €5, with proceeds going to the running of the festival.

Our loyal sponsors in and around the county will also be showing the game live with Sligo and surrounding areas turning red and white for the night.

We hope all supporters enjoy their evening as we embark on another historic European tie with John Russell and his squad.

Sligo Rovers return to European action tomorrow night as we take on Viking FK in Stavanger, Norway.

The game takes place at 6pm Irish time and will be Live on LOI TV with many bars around Sligo showing the game live as well as others in the local region and with The Dublin Supporters Club in Stoneybatter.

Perhaps the biggest screening will take place in Stephen Street Car Park in Sligo Town where the game will be shown on a big screen as part of the Sligo Summer Festival. Gates open at 5pm.

There will be around 100 Bit O’ Red supporters making the journey to Norway with many currently en route via a connecting city in Europe.

In team news, Greg Bolger continues his recovery from a heel injury picked up in July and is expected to be part of the matchday squad once again. Colm Horgan and Seamas Keogh remain out through injury.

Russell has no other fresh injury concerns.

Last Thursday night Rovers defeated Motherwell 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate over two legs following a 1-0 win away from home at Fir Park the week before.

Viking FK had a weekend off last weekend following their progression to this stage by defeating Czech side Sparta Prague 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a last-minute winner at home last Thursday.

There is expected to be around 10,000 supporters inside the Bank Arena on Thursday night and Rovers will have their vocal support in section E of the stadium getting behind the lads as we embark on another huge European tie.

The club is aware that many supporters have been left disappointed by not having secured a ticket to our upcoming Europa Conference League game with Viking FK at The Showgrounds.

Last Thursday night saw one of the most famous nights in the club’s history with a 2-0 win over Motherwell securing our place in the third Qualifying Round, and the demand for tickets for the game has been astronomical.

The Showgrounds did not then meet UEFA standards for hosting the third round at home in Sligo, therefore it looked like the game would be moved to Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, however, with extensive work a derogation was sought from UEFA in the weeks leading up to this stage should the team qualify for the Third Round, with the help of The FAI, which was accepted on Friday meaning the club could hold the game at home in Sligo.

With that, there are many stipulations such as media and visiting team minimum numbers that must be catered for, slightly reducing capacity.

Again, the club looked into the feasibility of erecting a temporary stand but this was not possible.

Many Season Ticket Holders and 500 Club Members and Club Members (of which there are up to 1,800) availed of a priority window on Saturday throughout the day.

All remaining tickets were sold at our FAI Cup game against Wexford on Sunday.

It has come to our attention that there are some people who may not have qualified as Season Ticket holders or members who managed to obtain tickets. For this we apologise and take responsibility for any shortcomings.

The pressure on our officials and staff at the club have been huge in the last weeks and as always, as a club we do our very best to maintain the high standards required as a club running at the levels we do with over 160 players and eight teams competing at their respective age groups. There is a tiny staff and large volunteer base which help run the club to the best of our abilities in everything we do.

The club will reflect and learn on any mistakes made and ensure in the future things are improved on.

In hindsight, perhaps a longer priority window would have helped ease the pressure on supporters to come to the stadium on Saturday and the introduction better online tickets claim system.

We will monitor how Viking FK away ticket sales are going right up until Thursday week in the hope that some may be returned.

We wish to thank everyone for their support and apologise to those who were unable to secure their ticket.

Sligo Rovers were delighted to receive a significant donation from Sligo BID (Sligo Business Improvements District) to help the club bring the ground up to UEFA standards for hosting our European games, especially with our upcoming 3^rd Round tie with Viking FK of Norway.

Sligo BID is a business improvement district located in Sligo Town. BIDs improve the trading within specific geographic locations by improving the commercial environment and proactively marketing the district.

Last week, businesses in Sligo Town were extremely busy with many Motherwell fans staying in the town and surrounding areas for our 2^nd Round tie with the Scottish team.

Occasions like this brings the community together and for Sligo Rovers, it’s important that our local businesses get the benefits of such games in terms of income they can generate off the back of them.

Many of these businesses are loyal sponsors of the club and we appreciate their support on an ongoing basis.

The Showgrounds is included in the Purple Flag zone. The Purple Flag is the International Award for Towns and Cities that reach a standard of excellence in the evening and night-time economy.

Tommy Higgins, Chairman of Sligo Rovers:

‘’We are extremely grateful to Sligo BID for helping us keep our next European game against Viking of Norway at The Showgrounds in front of our supporters.

‘’The recent European games were fantastic in terms of atmosphere, excitement and indeed creating extra business and revenue for the local Sligo economy.

‘’We hope we can continue to do this in the future and this includes with the redevelopment of The Showgrounds in our Masterplan which we hope can bring a top class venue to the town and region.

‘’We thank Sligo BID for their continued support of the club’’.

The Bit O’ Red host Viking FK at The Showgrounds on Thursday, August 11^th at 7pm. The game is sold out.

Supporters wishing to watch this Thursday’s First-Leg in Norway are encouraged to attend the live screening which takes place in Stephen Street car park on the big screen from 6pm. (Admission €5 and proceeds go to Sligo Summer Festival – gates open 5pm)