Sligo Rovers suffered defeat for the first time under the stewardship of Darren Purse on Friday night as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Second half strikes from Barry Cotter and Adam O’Reilly saw Rovers defeated for the first time in four games and extends our search for a league win to ten games, when we face Waterford at the Showgrounds on August 21st. 

Without a number of players through injury including the late withdrawal of Luke Pearse and Kevin Zefi along with suspended winger Archie Meekison, Purse’s side were up against it from the start at a venue Rovers haven’t won a game at in six years.  

City’s James Clarke struck the frame of the Sligo goal on the quarter hour, while clumsy play in our midfield allowed Michael Duffy the chance to find the opener. Mercifully, he dragged his effort across goal with an incoming Derry player unable to get to the ball at the back post. 

Clarke fired wide again on 25 minutes, Cameron Dummigan pulled a save from Sam Sargeant, while the Rovers keeper denied Darragh Burns before the break as the managerless Derry continued to ask questions of Rovers’ rearguard. 

The game’s first goal arrived on 53 minutes when Cotter headed a Burns corner past the busy Sargeant, who did get a touch to the ball. 

Duffy smashed the Rovers crossbar just short of the hour as Rovers continued to struggle and the defence was easily unlocked again on 64 when O’Reilly and Liam Boyce played a one-two before the former executed a smart finish. 

Rovers’ next game is our Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup clash with Kerry at the Showgrounds on Saturday, August 15th. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Derry City: Brian Maher, Barry Cotter (James Olayinka 74), Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McClean, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster; Nick Twisk (Tyler Smith 74), Adam O’Reilly, James Clarke; Darragh Burns (Conor Barr 64), Liam Boyce (Ellis Chapman 83), Michael Duffy.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Sebastian Quirk (Jamie McGonigle 64), Jack Shorrock, Cian Kavanagh, Oliver Denham, Carl McHugh, Trey George (James McManus 55), Kyle McDonagh (Sean Stewart 64), Ryan O’Kane (Alex Nolan 55), Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium is Sligo Rovers’ destination this (Friday) evening as the Bit O’Red take on Derry City in what is our final game of the third round of Premier Division fixtures.

Unbeaten in three, Rovers will travel to Derry hoping to pick up a first win at the Lone Moor Road venue since the summer of 2020, a game which marked the re-start of football after the covid 19 pandemic. 

This will be Rovers’ second visit to Derry this season and the first time since City’s new hybrid pitch was laid. Sligo were beaten by an injury time Josh Thomas goal on the opening night of the season, the last time we played there. While April’s joust between the clubs at the Showgrounds ended in a scoreless stalemate.

Darren Purse’s side go into this game three points adrift, knowing a win would move us level with Waterford who play on Sunday.

This is also the Candystripes’ first game since former manager Tiernan Lynch departed the club on Wednesday afternoon. Director of Football Mark Connolly will lead their side for tonight’s game. 

Rovers will travel north without Archie Meekison who will serve the second of a two match ban. 

Injured duo Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds are likely to be out for the rest of the season, while Daire Patton is struggling with appendicitis and is likely to miss out. 

Kevin Zefi should be OK, despite picking up an injury in the lead up to last week’s game with Dundalk at Oriel Park. 

Previewing the game, Purse tells sligorovers.com that a change in personnel on the Derry bench is likely to make little difference to what lies ahead. 

Purse is also looking forward to getting back to playing on grass after last week’s game on the Dundalk astro.

“Our preference is grass”, he says. 

“But I can understand why clubs change. But Derry looks fantastic now and it’s one that we can go up there and look to play some really good football on. But I think it’s what we do out of possession of the ball that will dictate whether or not we get a result from the game. 

“I thought we deserved more out of Drogheda but I don’t think we deserved much from Dundalk, so it’s been a tale of two games really. One we deserved the point and one we maybe didn’t. I think we need to try and get more control in games if we can and that’s one of our main aims. 

“Derry will be tough. They’ve a huge squad to choose from and they’ll provide a challenge but it’s one my players will be up for.

“Tiernan leaving doesn’t change much. They’ve still a big squad and plenty of options. They’ll probably change things a bit, their shape, they might go a bit more direct. We don’t know? We’ll have to be adaptable. 

“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves. We try to approach every game as best we can. It’s what we do as a team that can get us out of the position we’re in. That’s all I and we can focus on. Whatever happens after that, we’ll have to manage and deal with from there.”

Kick-off at the Brandywell is 7.45pm. 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ injury time hero Gareth McElroy believes his late equaliser at Oriel Park on Friday night will do wonders for his team mates’ confidence, as the Bit O’Red finally saw some small fortune swing their way.

McElroy netted in the 91st minute to rescue what may prove to be a vital point for Rovers come season’s end, after former Sligo winger and Dundalk skipper Daryl Horgan had the Lilywhites in the lead mid-way through the opening half. 

This was welcome luck and relief after the last few weeks which saw Rovers concede late on and drop vital points in games against Drogheda, Galway, Shelbourne and St Pat’s.

In what was new boss Darren Purse’s first away game in charge, Rovers found it difficult to set a steady foot in this game early on. Sam Sargeant had to deny Horgan from just one yard out at his back post ten minutes in. While Trevor Clarke smashed Sargeant’s crossbar nine minutes later, just after Luke Pearse had Rovers’ first chance of the game with a header. 

Clarke again went close once more, this time a mis-directed header before the break.

Rovers were much improved in the second period and new boy Jack Shorrock, one of the stand out performers of the evening, had Dundalk ‘keeper Enda Minogue reaching to push the Port Vale’s loanee’s hammered strike over his crossbar shortly after the re-start. 

McElroy caused issues for a Dundalk defence which was pulled all over the place from the resulting Shorrock corner. The former Derry youth’s header bounced off the floor in front of Minogue as the effort fizzed past the post. 

The home side went ahead on 53 minutes when Horgan finished into the roof of the net and things could have got a lot worse for Rovers eight minutes later only for more magic from Sargeant. 

Irish international Horgan nodded Bobby Burns’ over-cooked cross into the path of Cian Dillon who was denied by another close range stop from the superb Sargeant who then kept out a Ronan Teahan drive from distance as Ciaran Kilduff’s side looked to kill the game.

Sargeant’s fine work wasn’t to prove fruitless as Purses’ men campaigned their way to that injury time leveller.

The busy Cian Kavanagh won a free ten yards from the edge of the Dundalk area, which Daire Patton took. Patton’s initial effort was repelled by a Dundalk defender only for Kyle McDonagh to swing the ball back into the mixer. More chaos ensued inside the Louth side’s penalty area as Minogue failed to make clean contact with the ball which instead fell to debutant Trey George. 

The Cardiff loanee’s potshot took a deflection off a defender before landing in front of McElroy who gleefully prodded the ball between two Dundalk players to cap off some wonderful late drama. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com following all that late theatre, McElroy says he feels the result was some small justice following a few weeks of change and uncertainty at the Showgrounds. 

“I think it’s massive to be honest”, he told Jack Dempsey. 

“We really needed it. The position we’re in, points are vital. Some days, it just doesn’t go your way and if you can get a point, even three, then you know you’ve done something right. I feel like we had other chances so really, we could have won it.

 “We were disappointed in conceding a soft goal but we’ll work to make sure that doesn’t happen again.   

“Hopefully that’ll see our luck turn a wee bit.

“That’s three games unbeaten now and that gives us all confidence, the whole club.” 

Dundalk: Minogue; Burns, Animasahun, Cornwall, Teahan; Dervin, Buckley (Gaxha 71); Clarke (McDaid 71), Groome (Grivosti 63), Horgan; Dillon (Vassenin 87).

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Stewart (McDonagh 81); Pearce (Quirk 36), McHugh, McManus (Patton 63), Shorrock (George 63); Kavanagh, McGonigle.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

David Goulden

New manager Darren Purse brings his Sligo Rovers side on the road for the first time, as the Bit O’Red head to Oriel Park to face Dundalk, this evening (Friday).

Kick-off is 7.45pm at the Louth venue as Rovers go in search of a first league win in eight and the opportunity to move off the league’s bottom spot.

Sligo come into this tie on the back of late disappointment against Drogheda United at the Showgrounds last weekend. A brace from the now in-form Cian Kavanagh, overturned Drogs’ one goal advantage, only for the visitors to strike for an equaliser in the fifth minute of added time. 

Rovers have already faced the Lilywhites twice this term, with both camps enjoying wins over the other. 

One of the surprise packages of 2026, Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk occupy the league’s fourth spot ahead of tonight’s game with 36 points gathered from their 25 games played.

In team news and as of Friday morning, Rovers will again be without long-term injury victims Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds. Archie Meekison is suspended after he was red carded late on last week and will serve the first of a two game ban.

New signings Jack Shorrock and Trey George, both of whom arrived on loan this week are available for their debuts. While midfielders Daire Patton and Kevin Zefi should also be fit to play. 

Will Fitzgerald has departed for Shamrock Rovers, Sean McHale was re-called from his loan early and Ciaron Harkin has been loaned to Finn Harps. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of the game, boss Purse says he is already noticing signs that his players are moulding into his style, less than a week after the London native took charge. “The work we’ve done over the past three or four sessions we’ve had since the weekend, you can see straight away that the boys are really buying into the way we want to do things now.

“There’s been some really good quality in the sessions, so from that point of view, I think I’ve got the players here that can play the way we want to play. We have to keep building and keep layering the information we give to the players. 

“The longer we spend with them, the better they will become.

“Dundalk will be a big test now. Like us, they’ve had some changes over the past few weeks and they’ve adjusted well. I saw them against St Pat’s recently and they gave Pat’s a game and looked well settled. We’ll go there with fresh minds and try to do the best we can.” 

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Match Day Sponsor: Callan Tansey Solicitors

Match Ball Sponsor: Sligo Branch of the Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club

Sligo Rovers’ old habits continued at the Showgrounds as they conceded in injury time at the end of their game with Drogheda United at the Showgrounds in what was new boss Darren Purse’s first game in charge. 

The Bit O’Red had dug themselves out of a hole courtesy of a Cian Kavanagh brace after Thomas Oluwa had volleyed Drogs into the lead. 

But Rovers, who finished the game with ten men, were unable to hold on and for the fourth time in five league outings, dropped points to an injury time goal as Shane Farell levelled the game in the 95th minute.  

The result leaves Rovers anchored to the bottom of the table, while Drogheda remain four clear of Waterford in the play-off spot. 

Without former manager John Russell in the home dugout for the first time in seven years following stints as both boss and assistant, Rovers and new man Purse made three changes from the Sligo side which knocked Janesboro out of the FAI Cup last week.

Skipper Will Fitzgerald came back in having missed that game in Limerick. While midfielder James McManus and centre half Gareth McElroy also returned. 

United boss Kevin Doherty stuck with the same eleven which progressed past Lucan United in the cup. New signing Alfie Bates made the bench.

The visitors opened the scoring in this one but it was Rovers who threatened first on a drizzly evening in the north west.  

Archie Meekison volleyed wide after five minutes after Fitzgerald’s cross was cleared out as far as the waiting Scot at the edge of the area.

Purse has been charged with tightening up one of the leakier defences in the division and he saw first hand how vulnerable Rovers have been in front of their own goal this term when Drogs went ahead. 

Conor Kane’s cross found Oluwa unmarked in front of goal. Unmarked, the former Wexford striker easily swept Kane’s cross, first time, beyond Sam Sargeant. 

Sligo’s veteran midfielder Carl McHugh let a speculative volley fly from 25 yards shortly after, as the hosts quickly settled back into this tie.

60 seconds later, they were level. Meekison was the supplier as Kavanagh took a touch to control the ball, before delivering a neat finish into the corner of Luke Dennison’s net for his third goal in two games.

Four minutes later, the Dubliner had his and Rovers’ second. 

The build up was patient in front of the Drogheda area before McManus sprung a smart through ball to Luke Pearce just yards from the end-line. The ex-Cardiff man slotting the ball across to the back post for Kavanagh to knock home for his fifth goal of the season. 

Kavanagh went agonisingly close to a hat-trick on the next Sligo attack, heading Fitzgerald’s corner on to the roof of the net. 

Both sides pressed the other for periods early on in the second half without joy. 

Indeed, the Showgrounds had to wait until the 75th minute for the next half chance when Sligo’s Jeannot Esua pulled off a smart one two with substitute Jamie McGonigle. McGonigle’s cross found the Cameroonian at the front post, but the full back got his attempted header all wrong as he mis-timed his effort and the chance was gone.

The Boynesiders then had their first sight of goal in the second half one minute later when Jason Bucknor’s cross from the left was deflected wide by a Sligo leg, the ball almost creeping inside Sargeant’s post. 

The Louthmen thought they’d levelled the game in the first of the six minutes added at the end of the game, only for the referee’s assistant to flag for offside.

Their frustrations turned to joy however three minutes later when Farrell smartly turned away from a Sligo challenge before firing home as Rovers were left to deal with further late heartbreak. 

Purse’s charges completed the game with ten men when Meekison swept the legs from under Bucknor as Drogheda went in search of a dramatic winner. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Gareth McElroy; Jeannot Esua, Will Fitzgerald (Sean Stewart 69); James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 84), Carl McHugh; Archie Meekison; Luke Pearce (Jamie McGonigle 69), Cian Kavanagh (Ryan O’Kane 84). 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Edwin Agbaje, Conor Keeley, James Bolger, Conor Kane (Warren Davis 75); Brandon Kavanagh (Alfie Bates HT), Shane Farrell; Jason Bucknor, Mark Doyle (Keegan Ancelin 60), Ryan Brennan (Jago Godden 65); Thomas Oluwa. 

Referee: Rob Hennessy

Attendance: 2,411

Kerry FC will visit the Showgrounds for the first time after Sligo Rovers were paired with the First Division side in the third round of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup.

The draw took place on RTE Radio One on Tuesday evening and was conducted by former League of Ireland players Stuart Byrne and Conor McCormack.

This will be the second time in two seasons that the sides will face each other. Kerry beat Rovers after extra-time in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park last September. 

Kerry currently sit eighth in the First Division table and progressed past Shelbourne in the last round. 

The tie is due to take place at the Showgrounds on the week ending August 16th. 

Sligo Rovers will be included in Tuesday’s draw for the third round of this year’s Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, after the Bit O’Red comfortably saw off junior side Janesboro at Pearse Stadium on the outskirts of Limerick City on Saturday evening. 

Luke Pearse hit a brace, his first goals since returning to Sligo recently, while Sean McHale and Archie Meekison also got on the scoresheet for thre run-away victors. 

Rovers now join the likes of Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs in the hat for the third round draw which takes place live on RTE Radio One on Tuesday evening. 

The five time cup winners hit the lead after less than two minutes in this one. Jeannot Esua and Archie Meekison combining as the Cameroonian full back delivered the perfect ball for Pearse to dive onto and nod past Aaron O’Sullivan in the Janesboro goal. 

Sam Sargeant performed a small miracle when he somehow kept out an opportunity for the hosts a few minutes later. The Londoner stretching into the top corner of his goal to push away a header from a set piece which looked like it would beat the Rovers number one. 

One became two on the half hour as Rovers, marshalled from the sideline by Ryan Casey, effectively put the game to bed.

A Janesboro defender managed to clear an Esua cross from under his crossbar, but the home side were unable to manage as Meekison arrived to volley into the bottom corner. 

Half-time sub Jamie McGonigle struck the crossbar early in the second period in the sunshine, before Sean McHale made it three with his second goal for the club.

Pearse rounded off a good afternoon for Sligo when he grabbed his second of the day just after the hour. 

Rovers’ next game is a crucial Premier Division clash with Drogheda United at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers: Sargeant; Esua (McDonagh 58), Denham, McHale (McGonigle HT), Stewart (Harkin 58); Quirk, McHugh (McManus HT); Meekison, O’Kane (Nolan HT); Pearce; Kavanagh.

David Goulden

Photo: Donal Egan 

Sligo Rovers’ FAI Cup journey begins this Saturday as our men’s side travel to Pearse Stadium in Limerick to take on local district league side Janesboro in the second round of this year’s men’s competition.

Kick-off at the Colbert Avenue venue is 4.30pm as the Bit O’Red hope to make a mark on the 106th edition of a competition the club has proudly won five times. 

The sides were paired together in the draw, which was conducted earlier this month, after Janesboro overcame Tipperary town side St Michael’s after extra-time at Cooke Park.

Rovers will be managed on the day by Ryan Casey following John Russell’s exit from the club earlier this week. 

In team news and as of Friday morning, Jad Hakiki, Kevin Zefi and Conor Reynolds are injured and therefore miss out. 

Midfield pair Daire Patton and Ciaron Harkin will be given late fitness tests. 

Seb Quirk will be available but will miss next week’s league meeting with Drogheda having been sent off in Galway last week. 

Rovers face the novelty of playing two games in as many weeks at different grounds with the same name but in different locations.

Casey knows that being the League of Ireland side places Sligo as natural favourites for this game and says the players have shown a ‘business as usual’ attitude following recent developments. 

“It’s been a week of a few changes but we move on. The players have prepped well and we’re looking forward to going to Limerick and hopefully getting through to the next round”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“Everyone knows how close the FAI Cup is historically to the club and we’d love to get the ball rolling on another good run.

“I’d expect Janesboro to have a nothing to lose attitude. Limerick junior football is traditionally strong and we expect a test, certainly.

“It’s a Saturday afternoon kick-off, a huge game and we hope that we have plenty travelling with us to see us through.” 

David Goulden

New signings Jamie McGonigle and Luke Pearce are eligible for the Bit O’Red as Sligo Rovers head to what is the unfamiliar surroundings of Pearse Stadium in Salthill, for this evening’s meeting with Galway United.

Kick-off at the home of Galway GAA is 5pm.

This vital Premier Division game will be staged in Salthill due to work being undertaken by the Galway FA on the Eamonn Deacy Park pitch.

Striker McGonigle is in line for his debut, while Pearce is available for selection following his return to the club after both players’ international clearances were granted. News that will come as a huge boost to Rovers boss John Russell.

Today’s tie will be the third meeting of the clubs in 2026 and this will be the 102nd Connacht derby.

John Caulfield’s men have the better of the results between us this term, with two wins from two as the Bit O’Red go in search of a victory which would close the gap to Galway to a single point. 

Long term injured duo Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds again miss out, as does Kevin Zefi as of Friday morning.

Ciaron Harkin has returned to fitness and should be available, although Daire Patton misses out due to suspension.

“We still have two or three lads unavailable, but we’re certainly heading to Galway with a few more options than we’ve had for the majority of the season”, Russell told sligorovers.com earlier in the week.

“Ciaron is back in contention. Seb Quirk, Archie Meekison are all getting stronger and we will hopefully have both Jamie (McGonigle) and Luke with us too. I was really impressed with Jamie O’Donnell’s debut last week too, so it’s great to have more options.”

This clash has the added intrigue of being played on a surface unfamiliar to League of Ireland football. 

Russell is looking forward to the occasion against his home town club. However, he is fully familiar with the type of test his team will face as Rovers look for a first win in six against a United side searching for their fifth ‘home’ win of the campaign. 

“It will be interesting going there. We’ll see what the crowd is like, the atmosphere, the quality of the pitch”, he continues.  

“But regardless of where the game’s played, we have a job to do.” 

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Match Day Sponsor: Vintage Reds.

Match Ball Sponsor: Amcor Flexibles, Finisklin. 

Shamrock Rovers displayed their strength in depth as they emptied their bench at half-time to turn the tide against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday.

One down at half-time courtesy of Will Fitzgerald’s fifth goal of the season, Stephen Bradley introduced four changes at the break including Irish internationals Jack Byrne and Graham Burke, both of whom netted one each to secure the points for Shams.

However, another huge talking point in this game and arguably the pivotal moment was referee Paul McLaughlin’s decision to dismiss Rovers midfielder Daire Patton early in the second half. McLaughlin decided that the Sligo native had denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity when he tangled with Dylan Watts as he looked to take control of a pass from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant. 

The decision was heavily criticised by Rovers boss John Russell post-match with numerical miss-match certainly playing its part as the visitors created the majority of the chances from here on in. 

Russell made two adjustments in personnel from our draw with Shelbourne the week previous.  

Archie Meekison, recently recovered from knee surgery, took his place in a starting eleven for the first time since mid-May. While Cian Kavanagh made his first start in three. Recent acquisition, 16-year-old striker Jamie O’Donnell was named on the bench. 

Departing for Malta for their Champions League clash with Floriana on Monday morning, Stephen Bradley made two switches from the Dubliners’ comfortable victory over Galway last week. Defender Adam Matthews and Dylan Watts coming in as they aimed to push further ahead in their bid for a sixth title in seven seasons. 

Their goalkeeper and former Sligo net minder Ed McGinty had to bat away a Sean McHale header from a Ryan O’Kane corner on six minutes following a brief period of chaos in front of the Republic of Ireland underage international. While Adam Brennan, a star feature of the win over Galway, went close for the away side shortly before Sligo went in front. 

Meekison’s endeavour on the right wing won possession back for Rovers as the Hoops again failed to impress defensively. His cross was allowed to bounce by Fitzgerald who had time and space to meet the ball on the half volley before blasting past a sprawled McGinty and into the corner of the net for the Limerick man’s fifth goal of the year. 

One of three full Irish internationals in the Shamrock Rovers match day squad, Enda Stevens tested Sargeant with a drive from 18 yards without success. While Brennan skied his next chance when John McGovern laid Jake Mulraney’s cross into the path of the starlet. 

McGovern should have restored parity on the half-time whistle but the Newry man allowed Brennan’s cross creep through his legs with the goal at his mercy.

Frustrated by what they saw, the Hoops made no less than four substitutions at the break and the move paid dividends straight away. 

Sargeant had repelled substitute Burke’s initial effort but couldn’t keep out fellow change Byrne’s resulting shot. 

The evening took a further turn for the worse for John Russell’s men on 52 when Patton was controversially red carded for a challenge on Watts. McLaughlin went straight to his back pocket to issue Patton’s red, but replays suggest the official may have been hasty in his decision making.  

Shams’ Matt Healy lashed a shot off the crossbar, Michael Noonan headed wide at the back post, while Sargeant’s superb reactions saw him fist away a Brennan header moments later as last year’s FAI Cup winners continued to knock on the door. 

Cruelly for Rovers, it didn’t take anything special from their opponents to find the combination for the winner which arrived with eight left. 

Sargeant, one of Rovers’ top performers this term, made a hugely uncharacteristic mistake as he allowed Burke’s innocuous looking shot slip through his grasp.

The hosts did push for an equaliser with the hard working Carl McHugh going close with two headed efforts towards the end of the game. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua (Kyle McDonagh 88), Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale, Sean Stewart; Carl McHugh, Daire Patton; Will Fitzgerald, Archie Meekison (Seb Quirk 67), Ryan O’Kane; Cian Kavanagh (Jamie O’Donnell 78). 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Adam Matthews, Enda Stevens (Cory O’Sullivan HT), Lee Grace; Jake Mulraney, Adam Brennan; Connor Malley (Jack Byrne HT), Matt Healy; Dylan Watts (Maleace Asamoah 59); John McGovern (Michael Noonan HT), Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 45).  

Referee: Paul McLaughlin. 

Attendance: 2,451.