Academy Weekend Review

Our U14 side kicked off the weekends action playing host to Finn Harps on Friday evening at the Sean Fallon Centre, the game played in front of a good crowd split almost evenly between home and away fans. The balmy conditions allowed for a slow start before the away side struck twice in sixty seconds midway through the first half, with a third goal coming ten minutes later to effectively kill the contest. Rovers had the better chances of an entertaining second half but neither keeper was beaten as Harps departed Sligo with three points to accompany their three goals.

On Saturday afternoon our U17 Womens’ and Mens’ sides travelled to Dublin (Bohemians) and Athlone respectively, both sides returning home with a win apiece.  Rebecca Doddy was the star of the show for the women, her superb hat trick helping Rovers up to third in the table. Alicia Hogge and Anna Meade also scored their first goals of the season as we ran out 5-2 winners in the end. Down by the Shannon, Conor Campbell scored the only goal of the game to make it three wins on the bounce for our U17 side. The result sends Rovers third and just three points off top spot while Conor is also our top scorer in the league this season after he found the net against Dundalk and Derry City.

Josh Mulrennan (3 goals in 5 games) and Eanna Clancy (4 in 5) were once again on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon, the second time this season both men have scored in the same game, as our U19s beat Longford Town 2-0 away from home. Rovers remain unbeaten, having only dropped two points this season, and currently sit joint-top of the league with Shamrock Rovers after five games. Shams dropped points after drawing 3-3 with UCD, a team Rovers welcome to the Showgrounds this coming Sunday.

Our U15 side remain third in the league after a 4-2 defeat in a terrific game at league leaders Finn Harps on Sunday evening. It was our boys second away game in four days after a tremendous 1-0 win in Derry on Thursday night. Kyle McDonagh and Garry Farren scored their first goals of the season in Ballybofey but it wasn’t enough for the lads against a strong Harps side. Finally, staying in Donegal, our Womens U19 side were leapfrogged in the table by our hosts after we suffered a 3-1 defeat, Jessica Casey with our consolation on the night. Rovers slip to fifth in the league but remain three points off second with one game remaining.

Upcoming Games  This Week:

Derry City U14 vs Sligo Rovers U14 – Wednesday July 28 @ 5.30pm

Sligo Rovers U15 vs Derry City U15 – Thursday July 29 @ 7.30pm

Sligo Rovers U17 W vs Shamrock Rovers U17W – Saturday July 31 @ 4pm

Sligo Rovers U19 vs UCD U19 – Sunday August 1 @ 2pm

Richard Mullan