Shamrock Rovers provide the opposition this Friday evening as Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior side look to build on last week’s win over Drogheda United.
Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 8pm and this game will be televised live by Virgin Media Television. Friday’s match is sponsored by Sleater Solutions and the match ball sponsor is the Sligo Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club.
The first of two games in the space of four days, Rovers will welcome the Hoops on the back of our first win of the year over Drogs on Saturday last. While the Dublin Rovers will arrive in the north west on the back of a statement win over title rivals Derry City last week and a draw away to Shelbourne on Monday night.
Sligo have the better of the recent form between the clubs with John Russell’s side recording two wins over the Tallaght men in 2025. Shamrock Rovers recorded a win over the Bit O’Red in May, while the sides played out a four goal draw in Sligo last July. Shams currently occupy third spot, five off leaders Bohs and are four visits to the Showgrounds without a win ahead of Friday’s contest.
In team news and as of Thursday morning, Rovers will again be without defenders Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart due to injuries. Jad Hakiki also continues his rehab and is unavailable, while fellow midfielder Carl McHugh serves the second of a two match ban following his red card against Galway. He is due to return for the Dundalk game in Louth on Monday.
Centre half Ollie Denham returned to full training this week and is expected to be fit to take part on Friday.
Boosted by the win over Drogheda, Rovers boss John Russell is equally as aware of the threat last year’s double winners pose. He’s hoping to make Friday another special night under the Showgrounds lights.
“We were happy with how things went last weekend, but now focus is wholly on Shamrock Rovers.
“We showed particularly in the first half, against Drogheda how we can play. We created plenty and were relentless. To be fair, Sam (Sargeant) didn’t have a huge amount to do even after they scored and that was testament to our versatility and how well the likes of Will Fitzgerald and Seb Quirk did when they were asked to fill in at the back.
“It was really an overall performance that was reflective of us and what we’re about as a team.
“We now have a Shams team coming to Sligo who are justifiably title favourites and are brimming with talent. It’s been the case now for a few years, but their biggest strength is their depth.
“Against Shels they brought in Graham Burke, Michael Noonan and Jack Byrne from their bench. Then Victor Ozhianvuna and Adam Brennan come on, two of the best young talents in the country. No other club has that depth, so that illustrates what we’re up against.
“But our form against them has been decent recently and we’ll back ourselves again. I think as the weeks go and we continue to work together and the pitches improve, we’ll get even better. So there’s plenty for us to look forward to over the next few days.”
David Goulden