Sligo Rovers’ hopes of a first Sports Direct FAI Cup Cup success since 2013 were dashed by Kerry FC in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. 

Rovers dominated this opening half, leading by two following an Owen Elding brace. 

Elding had his hat-trick and his 14th of the season early in the second half. 

However, Kerry struck three times in the second half before finding a winner two minutes from the end of extra-time courtesy of Daniel Okwute. 

Attention turns back to Premier Division duties on Friday September 19th, as we face Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm.  

Sligo Rovers will look to progress to a first Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final since 2020 as the Bit O’Red take on Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, in what will be an historic night for both clubs. 

This last eight tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm, will be the first senior competitive game between the clubs at men’s senior level as John Russell continues his mission to guide Rovers to a first FAI Cup decider in twelve years. 

Rovers find themselves in the quarter-final following defeats away from home of both Dundalk and Bohemians as we continue our cup odyssey on the road. 

Colin Healy’s Kerrymen saw off Athlone Town in the second round following an extra-time win over their First Division rivals, before the men from the Kingdom beat promotion hopefuls Cobh at home in the following round. 

Rovers are unbeaten in their last three and have taken wins from three of their last five in all competitions. While our opponents are also in a solid vein of form and are unbeaten in their last four having also taken three victories from their last five. 

In team news, Rovers are without vice-captain Will Fitzgerald who is suspended having been booked in both the second and third round. Both Cian Kavanagh and Kyle McDonagh will be assessed closer to the game. 

Midfielder Jad Hakiki returns from a successful stint on international duty with the Irish under-21s. 

Approximately 300 Rovers fans are set to take the trip south with the away end selling out in minutes two weekends ago. The home end is also a sell-out. 

The limited capacity of Mounthawk means only a small number of tickets were available to the Red Army, but manager Russell is looking forward to seeing the colour and noise which the Rovers fans will bring.

“I think if there were three times the amount of tickets available, the Rovers end would have still sold out such is the appetite for a cup run amongst our supporters”, he says. 

“They’ve been superb everywhere we’ve been and we expect more of the same on Friday. It’s a new experience and a new ground for us so I’m sure it’s a tie they’re all looking forward to.”

That following will be needed according to Russell who was in Tralee last week to watch Kerry draw with Munster rivals Cobh. 

“We’re going up against one of the most experienced people in Irish football when it comes to Colin Healy’s CV. He’s seen it all really and will know what it takes to cause an upset.

“We’ve studied them and Kerry can play and will look to bring the game to us on Friday so we need to be on our toes from the off. They have pace and know how to open teams up so we’ll have to be ready for them.”

Rovers have already seen off First Division leaders Dundalk in the second round of this year’s tournament. Russell’s charges will no doubt go into Friday’s tie the favourites given we are the Premier Division outfit. But the boss is expecting a tight game and a lot of hard work needed if his side are to progress to the final four.

“We were favourites against Dundalk at Oriel and won but then we were underdogs against an in-form Bohs at Dalymount a few weeks later in the next round and won, so we’ve seen it from both sides”, he continues. 

“It’s inevitable that we’ll be fancied to go through but if we think at any stage that we can take our foot off the gas, then we’re out of the competition, simple as. But the boys know that. We dealt well with the favourites tag in Dundalk and we need to do it again this weekend.”  

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers and Bohemians picked up a point a piece at the Showgrounds, although both sides will feel they could have taken all three points following a thrilling scoreless draw. 

The result likely does more for the Bit O’Red than the Gypsies, with Rovers moving level with eighth placed Galway United in their bid to climb the league ladder.

While for Bohs, the point places them to within six of champions-elect Shamrock Rovers, who have two games more to play than their Dublin rivals. 

Plotting a way out of the league’s bottom two spots for the first time since March, a resurgent Rovers, with three wins in their last five on all fronts, made just one change from their win in Waterford last Friday. The move was enforced given the terms of on-loan midfielder James McManus, who is ineligible to face his parent club. McManus was replaced in the heart of the Rovers XI by Ciaron Harkin, the former Derry man’s third start since signing last month.

Sighting a second win on the bounce against a relegation threatened side following their win over Cork eight nights previous, Bohs boss Alan Reynolds brought duo Rob Cornwall and James Clarke back into the starting eleven in place of the recently departed Liam Smith and the benched Connor Parsons.

Only Derry City have amassed more points (19) than Sligo since the summer break and it was the hosts who fashioned the first opportunity of this encounter. 

Elding set upon a poor backpass from Jordan Flores towards Cornwall, winning possession before cutting inside and rifling an effort which was tipped over by an acrobatic stop from Kacper Chorazka. 

Both sides had chances shortly after, during an open and entertaining first half.

Flores almost capitalised but could only nod a free-header from a Dayle Rooney corner over Sam Sargeant’s crossbar. While Ross Tierney headed a Rooney set piece over six minutes later. 

Rovers did have the ball in the Bohs net on 26 minutes but the slipping Jad Hakiki was adjudged offside as he scrambled Sean Stewart’s cross past Chorazka. While the Bohs net minder had to use both fists to keep another Elding stinger out just before the half hour. 

There were chances at both ends as the interval approached.

The lively Elding pounced on a poor pass from a struggling Cornwall, but the much-scouted teen striker could only blast over from the edge of the area. 

The Dubliners might have led at the break, only for Clarke to stab his effort wide as Rovers looked loose at the back. 

Sargeant kept the scores even eight minutes into the second half as he pulled off a stunning one handed stop to keep out Flores’ drive at goal from a Devoy assist. 

The Rovers ‘keeper was again alert on 58 minutes to tip a Rooney header from a Clarke cross, on to the frame of his goal as the visitors pushed for an opener. 

Both Will Fitzgerald and Clarke went close for their sides as this contest somehow remained deadlocked. 

The Phibsboro outfit switched their approach with the introduction from the bench of Connor Parson and Colm Whelan to their attack. While Rovers moved Elding to the wing in an effort to stretch the Bohs rearguard, with Wilson Waweru brought on to occupy the centre forward role. 

Waweru went close late on, while Bohs had plenty of play around the Rovers penalty area but couldn’t breach Sargeant’s goal-line. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje (Daire Pattom 77), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Seb Quirk, Ciaron Harkin (Wilson Waweru 83); Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Matty Wolfe 64); Owen Elding.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores; Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 75); Ross Tierney (Connor Parsons 75), James Clarke, Dayle Rooney (Archie Meekison 82); Douglas James-Taylor (Colm Whelan 75). 

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,754. 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ men’s team are in action at the Showgrounds for the first time in almost a month, this Saturday evening as we take on Bohemians, kick-off 7.45pm. 

This Premier Division clash will be the Bit O’Red’s fifth and final meeting with the Dubliners this season, just weeks after our FAI Cup win over Bohs at Dalymount Park on August 15th. 

Rovers’ last home game was a two goal defeat to Shelbourne on August 2nd, winning two of our three games on the road since.

Rovers are yet to beat Bohs in the league this season. Alan Reynolds’ side have twice taken the points, while the teams drew 1-1 in Phibsboro back in June. 

In team news, Russell waits on confirmation over both Conor Reynolds’ and Ronan Manning’s fitness. 

While James McManus misses out due to the terms of his loan deal with Saturday’s opponents. 

Oskar Van Hattum has this week departed the club to continue his career in Canada. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of Saturday, Russell is looking for his side to bounce into the weekend’s game after recent wins over Waterford and Saturday’s opponents.

“We showed a lot of character and spirit to come back into games this season and no more than in Waterford. I felt we were the better team throughout and really deserved our win down there.

“It was a win over a team we’re chasing and it gave us a lot of confidence and a big boost going into Saturday, which is going to be a really tough game for us. But we’re looking for the players to again raise their levels. The games between ourselves and Bohs this year really have had little in them so I think you can expect more of the same come Saturday. 

“We’re hopeful on Ronan and Conor who are two important players for us. We knew James would be out for this one and we’re happy we have a plan to deal with his absence.

“We beat Bohs a few weeks ago and they’ll be coming here looking to get one over us again, we know they will. They’re still chasing Shamrock Rovers and are so dangerous from all positions.

“Saying that, we are at home and it is up to us to set the pace and that’s what we want to do. We are aware of what a win would do for us in terms of the league table so we’ll look to start well, do the basic things in a correct manner and see where that takes us. 

“It’s been a while since we’ve played at the Showgrounds so we’re hoping our supporters missed it as much as we have.

“We’re hoping for big numbers and noise from all ends as Bohs will travel in big numbers and get behind their team. Our fans have been brilliant to us all season and have travelled in big numbers to follow us around the country recently. 

“I think they’re enjoying watching this team and backing them as they’re a really likeable bunch of lads who are giving everything for Rovers. They’re enjoying their football and our supporters are enjoying that too.

“There’s not just a togetherness within the squad, but also between our players and supporters and it’s wonderful to see.”

Sligo Rovers’ 2025 Annual Draw takes place at half-time on Saturday. Tickets remain on sale on sligorovers.com. 

David Goulden

John Russell has called on Sligo Rovers supporters to continue to back his team as the Bit O’Red face into a crucial few weeks with just eight league games remaining. 

Rovers face Bohemians on Saturday next, August 30th at the Showgrounds and Russell has called on the Sligo sporting public to arrive on Church Hill in droves to back their team once again. 

Three wins in the last five outings in all competitions sees Rovers just one point off Galway United in eighth following Friday night’s results. While Rovers fans are also looking forward to a first ever visit to Kerry to take the home side in a much-anticipated FAI Cup quarter-final next month. 

“Our supporters have been amazing this year, both home and away”, Russell told LOITV after Friday’s spirited defeat of Waterford at the RSC. 

“At home, the crowds are getting bigger and I think they really believe in this group and want to back them as much as they can. As a supporter and for a community club like Sligo Rovers, you want your players giving everything and that’s what they’re doing. We need them now for the last eight games. 

“There’s so much ball to be played yet. We’re still ninth and we cannot forget that. We’ve put a lot of points on the board recently but there’s such a long way to go yet, so we need to stay focused.”

Conan Noonan had given John Coleman and Danny Ventre’s lads the lead in Waterford. But second half goals from the energetic Jad Hakiki and the ever-impressive Owen Elding moved Rovers ten points clear of basement side Cork City heading into a tough game with Bohs this weekend.

“They have players everywhere that can hurt you and I’m sure there will be a backlash after us beating them in the cup”, Russell said of next weekend’s visitors. 

“We have to re-group now but we’re already looking forward to the game.” 

On the win at the RSC, Russell praised the work-rate of his team having fallen behind to that Noonan strike. 

“It’s a massive three points”, he continued. 

“I thought we caused Waterford a lot of problems early on but couldn’t get that goal when we were on top. 

“But when you’re away from home against a team like Waterford, with threat from the likes of Padraig Amond, Conan Noonan and Tommy Lonergan, you expect them to have spells and they did. 

“But the pleasing thing for me and we showed this in Cork when we were behind, was that we stayed calm and we played the way we are built to play. We controlled the game in the second half and we grew as the game went on.

“Jad gets us level and we were in the ascendancy after that. 

“Our front four, they weren’t just about the goals. They worked so hard all night on and off the ball. Look at Owen, he’s scored the goal and then he’s back defending in our box with two minutes to go and that’s because he wants to win!”

David Goulden 

Owen Elding hit the winner three minutes from time as Sligo Rovers came from one goal down to beat Waterford at the RSC. 

Conan Noonan had handed the hosts the lead eight minutes before the break, but an equaliser from Jad Hakiki followed by Elding’s late winner gave Rovers a deserved win as the Bit O’Red cut the gap to Galway in eighth to just one point. 

Boss John Russell made two changes from the FAI Cup win over Bohs a week before. Edwin Agbaje made his first start for Sligo, while James McManus returned having missed that cup win in Dublin. 

Rovers didn’t enjoy the best of first halves although Elding did strike the top of the crossbar with a well-met header from a Will Fitzgerald cross on 4 minutes.

Muhammadu Faal had an early chance before Noonan opened the scoring with a well taken finish following a ball over the top from Sam Glenfield on 37 minutes. 

The visitors did have two chances in the same move before the break.

Paddy McClean saw an effort scrambled away by Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan, while Hakiki had a follow up swept off the goal-line.

Rovers were a totally different proposition in the second period, with Sam Sargeant in goal almost an on-looker for the majority. 

Patient build up play the key as Hakiki, Elding and Fitzgerald were all involved for Rovers’ leveller on 73.

Fitzgerald’s attempt from the edge of the box took a deflection off a Blues defender, Hakiki reacting the quickest to strike past McMullan for his fifth of the season, courtesy of a deflection off former Sligo striker Padraig Amond. 

Rovers continued to press and were rewarded three minutes from time when sub Ciaron Harkin weighed up his options before delivering a sumptuous through ball for Elding. The Riverstown man timed his run perfectly before keeping his cool and slotting his shot beyond McMullan. 

There was to be one last act as McClean got in front of a Kacper Radkowski goalward header in the 95th minute. 

Waterford: McMullan; Horton, Boyle, Mansfield, Burke; Rossiter, Olayinka (McMenamy 77), Glenfield (McDonald 72); Faal (Lonergan 72), Amond (Radkowski 85), Noonan

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Agbaje (Harkin 78), Quirk, Denham, McClean, Stewart; Fitzgerald, Hakiki (Manning 90), McManus, O’Kane (Waweru 68); Elding

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers are back in league action this Friday night as the Bit O’Red journey to the south east and to the RSC to take on Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm.

This will be the fourth and final time the sides will meet this season, with Rovers having the better of the Blues so far this term. Waterford won in Sligo on the opening night of the season, but Rovers returned the favour in April, trouncing our opponents by four goals to nil away from home and followed this up with a Wilson Waweru goal to nil win at the Showgrounds in June. 

A win for Rovers would close the gap to John Coleman’s side to five points as John Russell’s men go in search of a third win in five following recent away victories over Cork City in the league and Bohemians in the FAI Cup.

In team news, Russell approaches Friday with no injury concerns and welcomes back midfielder James McManus who missed the Bohs game due to the terms of his loan deal.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, the Rovers first team manager says his team are in a good place, ahead of the Waterford tie. 

“We asked the lads in Dalymount last week to just go out and enjoy what they’re paid to do”, he says. 

“Go out and enjoy themselves and that’s what they did. We want to do that again in Waterford on Friday. 

“I thought we were all over Bohs in the first half and were superb to a man. Second half, Sam Sargeant came up with that big stop from the penalty and we go and score shortly after. We showed a lot of grit and spirit to do that and probably should have gone on to score more. 

“We’ll take a lot of confidence from going to Bohs, the team sitting second in the league and beating them. It’s vital we bring that momentum into this game at the RSC. 

“Last week was a big confidence boost for the players. We have a lot of new lads here with the signings we made and they all looked very comfortable in their roles at Dalymount. That’s testament to the new players and how well they have taken to their new surroundings. But it also shows how well our current crop has adjusted to the changes. 

“It’s a long trip down there but we’ve prepared well and have a plan so we’re looking forward to it. We’re going to have to be at the top of our game as Waterford will make it hard for us. They’ll be wanting to pick up as many points as they can as quickly as they can and will see this game as ideal for putting further space between us and them.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers were rewarded for our FAI Cup third round win over Bohemians last week as the Bit O’Red were drawn against Kerry FC in the quarter final of the same competition.

This will be a first ever senior bout between Rovers and the Munster outfit, with the game set to take place at Mounthawk Park in Tralee on the weekend of September 14th. 

2024 cup winners Drogheda United host Shamrock Rovers, while John Caulfield’s Galway United meet Stephen Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

Two ties will be selected for broadcast on RTÉ2 television with the other two live on LOITV.

2025 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Quarter-Final draw:

Kerry v Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

Finn Harps v Cork City

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United

A superb finish from Owen Elding and an heroic penalty save from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ensured Sligo Rovers’ name is in the hat for the quarter-final draw of the Sports Direct FAI Cup, as the Bit O’Red beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park. 

In what was one of the most impressive showings of the season so far, Elding’s tenth goal of the season, in the 53rd minute was enough for Rovers to dump Bohs out of the cup and progress to the last eight. 

Will Fitzgerald, not for the first time this year, provided the assist before Elding unleashed a superb left footed drive from the edge of the area, well beyond the reach of Bohs keeper James Talbot. 

Sargeant’s superb save from Dayle Rooney’s penalty had arrived just moments earlier in an exciting cup game which saw both sides create chances.

Although Rovers restricted Alan Reynolds’ side in the second period, with Sargeant pulling off another wonderful stop when the ball took a wicked touch off Ollie Denahm. While the London-born stopper reacted with one hand to keep a Rhys Brennan effort out late on. 

The draw for the FAI Cup quarter final takes place on Tuesday. 

Bohemians: James Talbot; Niall Moraghan, Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh (Liam Smith 54), Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney (Adam McDonnell 67) Ross Tierney, Conor Parsons; Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74)

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Edwin Agbaje 52), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin, Sebastian Quirk; Ryan O’Kane (Daire Patton 81), Jadi Hakiki (Ronan Manning 81), Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

Focus reverts to the Sports Direct FAI Cup this Friday as Sligo Rovers return to the capital for the second time in less than a week to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

For the second week running, midfielder Jad Hakiki is the Bit O’Red’s only injury concern ahead of this third round trip to Phibsboro. The Dubliner is yet to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up against Shels at the Showgrounds recently and is doubtful to be fit in time to take part. 

Defender Paddy McClean is available for selection after the red card he was shown against St Patrick’s Athletic last Sunday, was overturned by an appeals committee. 

Friday will be Rovers’ fourth game against Alan Reynolds’ side this season and a third journey to Dalymount, with Friday’s visitors yet to pick up a win against Bohs this year. 

Manager John Russell returns to the scene of Rovers’ famous 2010 and 2011 FAI Cup semi-final victories. Russell was involved in both games as a player, both of which Rovers won by a goal to nil on the way to successive cup triumphs at the Aviva Stadium. 

With four all-Premier Division ties taking place in this round, the Rovers boss feels Friday’s knock-out tie could pose a favourable outcome for the winners. 

“It’s a massive opportunity for both sides”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“You have four top flight teams that are guaranteed to be knocked out this weekend and if you can make it through, with a bit of luck you might find yourself with a decent draw in a quarter-final.

“We are yet to beat Bohs this season but all three games between us have been extremely tight. The first game up here, they pulled away late on and at the Showgrounds they won it with a last minute winner. Our last game up there back in June, we defended for our lives after going one up, we deal with everything and they score in the fifth minute of added time. I expect Friday will be just as competitive.  

“We were hugely disappointed with how our last two games worked out. Against Shels, we created chances but didn’t take them and then against Pat’s, Paddy’s red obviously plays a huge part. Bu we didn’t see out the next 15 minutes or so of play and they hit us with a sucker punch early in the second half. 

“So we’re looking for a more settled performance on Friday. We know we have more than enough in us to get through and of course Bohs will be very strong at home. They’ll have a big, boisterous crowd behind them as they always do but I expect we’ll pack out the away end as we have done the last few years up there. 

“I don’t like the old cliches and that anything can happen. You need to be properly prepared and you need to make happen, what you want to happen. Bohs gave Shels all sorts of problems last weekend at Tolka and if we’re not set from minute one, they’ll do the same to us. 

“I have huge belief in this group and this a big opportunity for them. It’s not a secret around Sligo that we would dearly love to go far in this competition this year.” 

David Goulden