“I was very pleased it with it. It was a good competitive game, just what we wanted. It was a good chance for our new lads to blend in, everything you want from a pre season friendly”.

Mauro Almeida played the full 90 minutes for the Bit O’ Red. Cook was pleased with the performance of the trialist and will again run the rule over the Portuguese defender this Friday in the friendly against Finn Harps.

Rovers will be without three defenders for the first competitive game, which is against St Pats in just over two weeks time. Danny Ventre, Gavin Peers and Seamus Coleman are all suspended and Cook left the players out last Tuesday in preparation for the game.

“We are hoping to have two more friendlies (after the Harps game), we just wanted to get a squad in place. We are a bit nervous about the three lads being missing, it is going to hurt us. Our lads need competitive games and we are pleased with how it is going,” Cook said.

The Bit O'Red's first home friendly of the new season will take place this Friday (22 Jan) at 8.00pm against Finn Harps.

The manager and players are hoping that a big crowd will turn up to get their first glimpse of the new signings in a match that promises to set the scene for the season ahead.

In announcing the admission charges of €10 for adults €5 for children and O.A.P.s, club PRO, Dermot Brannigan emphasised the importance of supporters coming out in numbers at this early stage.

"This is a chance for the people of Sligo to show the Management Committee, Paul Cook and the squad of players the support they can expect to get this season, because it is only with much more support that we can push OUR CLUB onwards and upwards."