For the second time in 7 days Rovers fell to a two goal defeat but the performance was very different to the display in Bray the previous week, Carr spoke of the positives coming from Richmond Park

“We just asked them for effort and commitment. We weren’t convinced by our performance last week in Bray, obviously the attitude and the application but tonight we have given everything. On reflection it wouldn’t have been an injustice if we left here with a point. That is the standard we are looking for every week. We have got to be performing at home and at places all around the country”.


Rovers had dominated the opening part of the game until a crucial mistake from midfielder Conor O’ Grady allowed Gary O’ Neill an excellent chance on goal from which he made O’Grady and Rovers pay. It was a cruel way to concede and the Rovers great acknowledged it had been a turning point in the match.

“We had a lot of pressure till then. It was an honest mistake from Conor, nobody means to makes mistakes like that. It changed the game but we still gave it a go. The second one killed us, a sheer lack of marking. Third one again we haven’t picked up. It is basic schoolboy errors that have cost us but we have still plugged on.”

In the opening days of Paul Cook’s tenure as Sligo Rovers manager he warned that players who were not up to the standard or did not show the desired effort he expects then there will be big changes in the squad. This had transpired as already three players have moved on and Carr re-iterated the warning that the players are playing for their futures at the club

“At the minute our hands are tied. That’s common knowledge. Nothing can be done until July. Obviously you have seen already that three or four have moved on, there is probably going to be another three or four moving on realistically. We can put our stamp on it then. All we can do is ask for 110%, if the lads give us that they have half a chance. If they don’t unfortunately they will not be with us. At the minute we’re all together. We are a team, we are a club and we have got to be like a big family. Everyone is playing for their place and their future “

The game last Friday saw Mark Hutchinson once again appear in the Bit O’ Red and the senior debut of Levi Tierney. Tierney is the son of former Rovers caretaker manager Leo and he, along with Hutchinson, made a good impression as substitutes

“At the end of the day it is great to see the young lads get the experience and be blooded. As I have said our hands our tied with numbers, we have not got a big squad .Our eleven or twelve at the minute is basically what we are looking to play every week and its much of a muchness on the bench. But we are looking to give the lads a wee opportunity and give them a taste for it to bring them on”

Rovers now face the team in second place in the league, Drogheda United. The Bit O’Red will surely be looking to put the their two unsuccessful trips to the South East behind them and try to build on their previous performance in the Showgrounds. Carr revealed that Gavin Peers, Seamus Coleman and the returning Sean Flannery are all in contention to play a part in the game although at the moment it is thought the game may come too soon for Gavin Peers who is still carrying an injury.

“We have got to be looking before the break we have two big games, Drogheda and Bohs both at home. We have to be looking to make it a fortress and look to win both of them”

Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda United this Tuesday at the Showgrounds,kick off 7.45pm