Sligo Rovers’ senior men’s side are on the road for the second time this season as we head to the Regional Sports Centre to take on Waterford this Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
On the hunt for our first league points of the season, the Bit O’Red face into what will be our longest road trip of the league season, with approximately 600 kilometres to traverse on match day.
The RSC proved happy hunting ground for Rovers in 2025. The season began with a narrow defeat to the Blues at the Showgrounds, but Rovers did beat this week’s opponent three times in our next three games against the Munster men. This included a four goal win at the RSC in May and a 2-1 victory at the same venue in August.
John Russell’s side go into this bout at the foot of the table with just two games played following defeat to Derry at the Brandywell and a night to forget against Bohs at the Showgrounds last weekend.
Waterford have amassed just the one point so far having picked a worthy draw off Shels on night one, before being beaten in Drogheda last Friday.
Russell leads his men south without the services of Conor Reynolds who again misses out with injury.
Midfielder Jad Hakiki last week, suffered the recurrence of a knock picked up in a pre-season match against Finn Harps. The Dubliner will as of Thursday morning, be assessed ahead of kick-off.
Carl McHugh is expected to be fully fit for next week’s game in Galway but may make the bench this Friday.
Cian Kavanagh is not expected to make the match day squad due to illness.
Previewing the game, Russell says it’s a chance for his players to redeem themselves after a chastening result and poor showing against Bohs last week.
“We’ve dwelled on it enough”, he tells sligorovers.com.
“Nobody showed up that night and it was a performance that was absolutely miles off what I expect from my players. But we’re still early on in the season and Friday is a huge opportunity for us to show how quickly we can bounce back.
“We did well against Waterford last season but that means absolutely nothing at this moment. We have to go down there and put in a performance that’s fitting of what we’ve worked on over pre-season and what matches our ambitions. Every one of the lads has to play his part.
“We saw what happened last season when we fell behind and we have to do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But we’re two games and we’re still building those connections. It’s the same for all the teams.”
The Rovers boss is aware of Waterford’s strong points, but is hopeful of seeing his side claim our first points of 2026.
“Waterford have strengthened during the winter and are a huge threat”, he warns.
“Players like Conan Noonan, Conor Carty, Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan. They are all players who can get goals from nothing and we must be on full alert down there.
“We’ll go to pick up a result and kick-start our season. The players have a point to prove and they’re very eager to get going.”
David Goulden