The Showgrounds hosts its final game of the season this Friday night as Sligo Rovers welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to the north west, kick-off 7.45pm.

With a fifth placed finish still possible for Rovers and the Saints looking to break into the top two, there’s plenty to play for in this one as the teams meet for the fourth time this year.

Rovers go into the game having been beaten just once in their last five outings, but face a tough assignment in the Saints who are in incredible form having won each of their last eight leading up to this one.

In team news, Gareth McElroy will miss the final day having picked up a knee injury in the draw with Galway United last week. Stephen Mallon and Wilson Waweru remain unavailable in the long-term.

Ollie Denham was withdrawn with a knock during that draw at Eamonn Deacy Park, but he should recover in time for Friday. While it is hoped fellow centre half Conor Reynolds will be deemed fit enough to be included in the match-day squad. 

Speaking ahead of Friday’s game, Rovers manager John Russell praised his players following what has been an enjoyable season at the Showgrounds. The boss also assured supporters that he plans to see out 2024 with a victory. 

“It’s been a really positive year from our point of view and although we’re thinking no further than Pat’s on Friday, we have plenty to build on for 2025 both on and off the pitch”, he said. 

“We proved a lot of people wrong this year. There were more than a few who predicted we’d struggle to stay in the division and we managed to end up in a race for the top with the youngest and smallest squad. We’re only eleven points off the top of the table going into the final game and we guaranteed our Premier Division status a few weeks before a few of the other teams who were fancied to finish above us.

“Our players and staff deserve plenty of credit for that. We kept any negativity at the door and focused only on ourselves on what we could do. Yes, there have been bumps along the way but even the two teams left fighting for the league title had their extended run of games where they struggled. I hope we’ll see a big crowd on Friday to see the boys off and show their appreciation for a team who does absolutely everything for the badge.   

“People may think we don’t have much to play for on Friday but we are desperate to finish the season on a high note and try and get that fifth spot. 

“Pat’s are in stunning form at the moment and can easily turn over any team in this division, but we’ll be well prepared. We want to finish things on a positive note going into the off-season and we know we have more than enough about us to pick up a win.” 

David Goulden