Competitive football returns to the Showgrounds this Saturday night as Sligo Rovers host Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm.
Premier Division action resumes on Church Hill Road for the 20th consecutive season as John Russell’s Bit O’Red take on Keith Long’s Blues.
A number of new Rovers signings are in line for debuts including goalkeeper Sam Sargeant, defender Harvey Lintott and midfielders Ronan Manning, Matty Wolfe, Jad Hakiki and Oskar Van Hattum. While Jake Doyle-Hayes’ international transfer clearance has arrived in time for the club’s latest addition to feature on Saturday night.
Strikers Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto are also hoping for a first competitive appearance for Rovers.
In team news, Rovers will be without forward Wilson Waweru who isn’t expected to return until summer time as he continues his rehab following a serious achilles injury picked up last season. Winger Stephen Mallon also misses out.
This will be manager John Russell’s third opening night in charge of Rovers. 2023 saw his side pick up a valuable point at home to then reigning and eventual league winners Shamrock Rovers. While last season, a 94th minute equaliser denied Sligo all the points away to Bohs.
Excited to get the season underway, Russell is also hoping for a positive start to the new campaign. Last year saw Rovers perform well beyond the expectations of many, competing for a European spot right up until the final weeks.
“Like last season, it’s going to be tough. 2024 was extremely competitive but this year I can see it being more-so. So it’s important we get off to a good start”, he says.
“We’re maybe going into the unknown a little with Waterford given that they’ve made so many signings.
“They possibly feel the same way about us. But we have them as well researched as we can and we are well prepared. After being on the road for our first game last year, it’s a big boost for us to be able to play in front of our own fans and on familiar turf on Saturday.
“There’s a real buzz around the area for the opening game and I really hope we get a big crowd in to match that expectation and appetite.
“We’re happy with the changes we have made both on and off the pitch in pre-season. There is a nice mix of youth and experience here. There’s plenty of competition for places which is vital as it was something we identified last season that needed to change. Players maybe knew they’d play every week regardless, but now we can mix it up.”
Saturday will also mark John Mahon’s first game as club captain. Having grown up just a few short miles from the Showgrounds, this will be the Collooney native’s tenth season at the club having joined in 2015 from local side Ballisodare United.
Mahon was a stand-out throughout his time in the AbbVie academy before making his first team debut in an EA Sports Cup win at Finn Harps in 2017.
Establishing himself as one of the top centre halves in the country, Mahon’s form earned him a move to Scotland in early 2022 with the now 25-year-old returning to Rovers ahead of the 2023 season.
2024 was a frustrating year for the former Coola Post Primary student as he missed the majority of the year with an achilles injury he picked up in pre-season. Long months of rehab resulted in John’s return on the final away day of the season in Galway.
“It will be a hugely proud day not just for me as a supporter of the club but also for my family as we’re all Rovers fans”, Mahon says.
“Since I was a boy, I’ve been coming here (Showgrounds) and now being captain of the club means everything to me. It’ll be a special day for me, but we’ll be hoping to make it even more special with a good result.
“The atmosphere within the squad has been great all pre-season and we’re looking forward to getting going. There’s a real feeling of excitement around the Showgrounds heading into the game.
“Waterford are obviously a really good side but we’ve studied them well and we’ll be going into Saturday looking to beat them.”
David Goulden