Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team continue our busy St Patrick’s weekend schedule on Monday evening with a trip to County Louth to take on newly promoted Dundalk.
Kick-off at Oriel Park is 7.45pm as the Bit O’Red look to return to winning ways following defeat to Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday evening.
This will be the first Premier Division meeting between the sides since September 2024, but Rovers did meet the Lilywhites in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park last year. Goals from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes saw John Russell’s side progress on that occasion.
Ciaran Kilduff’s charges have been impressive since their promotion following their First Division title success last year.
Beaten just once in their opening five games, Dundalk have already taken points from Galway, Drogheda and champions Shamrock Rovers. While they put five past Waterford on Friday evening.
In team news and as of Sunday morning, Rovers go north east without Jad Hakiki, Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart who are injured. Daire Patton is expected to miss out with illness although Carl McHugh returns following a suspension.
Previewing the match, Rovers boss Russell sees this game as an opportunity for Rovers to get points on the board ahead of the visit of Shelbourne to Sligo on Saturday.
“It’s a big game for both sides, no doubt”, he tells sligorovers.com.
“Dundalk have had a super start to the season and are playing very well at the moment. We have to give them a lot of respect for that. They have signed very well and have a good mix of youth and League of Ireland experience.
“We’re looking to flesh out and improve on our performance against Shamrock Rovers. We were well in the game for most of the first half and dealt with them.
“But conceding twice late on in that half was a real kick in the teeth. Second half, we had the majority of the play and I think had the surface been a bit kinder to us, we would have had a much better chance of coming back into it.
“We’re not big fans of astro pitches but I believe their new one is a big improvement on the old one and I know the firm surface will suit our type of play if we try and move the ball with pace.
“It’s a quick turnaround but we’re slowly getting players back. Ollie (Denham) played the last few minutes on Friday and we have Carl McHugh back so that’s two very experienced lads back in the squad which is a boost.”
David Goulden