David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Match night sponsor: Belfry Bar, Sligo.

Ball sponsor: Flynn’s Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon. 

Sligo Rovers’ 2026 season came to an end with a four goal draw with Derry City at the Showgrounds in what was the one hundredth league game between the sides.

Goals from captain Gareth McElroy and winger Ryan O’Kane on his first start since August, had the Bit O’Red ahead at the lead.

But a brace from Derry’s debutant teenager Terence Doherty saw the Candystripes wrestle their way back into this game against ten man Rovers who lost Kayine Woolery to a red card early in the second period. The former Tranmere winger shown red after he reacted to Brooklyn Lyons-Foster’s challenge. 

The result means Rovers end the season on an 18 game winless run as manager Darren Purse’s search for a first league win goes into next season.  

With an FAI Cup final to come next weekend, City interim boss Mark Connolly made ten changes from the side who overcame Dundalk last week.

Goalkeeper Brian Maher was the only survivor from that game and after team-mate Gavin Whyte had fired wide early on, it was Maher who was called to action after ten minutes to claim Kyle McDonagh’s header from an Archie Meekison cross. 

The visitors did find a gap in the Rovers rearguard on the quarter hour, but Sligo stopper Liam Hughes was able to get in front of Tyler Smith’s effort. 

Connolly’s first game in temporary charge of the Brandywell side was a no-fuss win over Sligo back in August. His charges fell behind on 25 minutes when former Derry trainee McElroy registered his second goal of the season, after his initial header from a Luke Young free-kick was deflected back into the path of the Burnfoot native by Lyons-Foster. 

One became two for Rovers seven minutes from the break.

Woolery’s initial shot was parried by Maher, straight to O’Kane who unleashed a powerful but composed volleyed finish from close range. 

Sligo were reduced to ten men just three minutes into the second half when Woolery got involved with Lyons-Foster. 

The subsequent man disadvantage invited inevitable pressure on Rovers.

Sub Ollie Denham pulled off a last ditch tackle to deny Doherty finishing a Kevin Dos Santos cross on his first start for Derry on 69 minutes 

Derry sub Liam Boyce flashed a shot across goal five minutes later before debutant Doherty halved the lead on 77 minutes when he finished a Whyte cross from his right. 

The teen Doherty had his second four minutes later when he turned home a Liam Kelly assist. 

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Seb Quirk, Sean Stewart (Ollie Denham HT), Gareth McElroy, Kyle McDonagh; Daire Patton (Reuben Gillespie 79), Luke Young; Jack Shorrock (Cian Kavanagh 56), Archie Meekison, Ryan O’Kane (James McManus 68); Kaiyne Woolery. 

Derry City: Brian Maher (Thomas Norcott HT); Conor Barr, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Christy Grogan (Jamie Stott 41); Callum Downey, Kevin Dos Santon; James Olayinka (Liam Kelly 51), Gavin Whyte, Darragh Markey (Yoann Prigent 71); Terence Doherty; Tyler Smith (Liam Boyce 71).  

Referee: Declan Toland. 

Attendance: 1,534.

The final curtain falls on Sligo Rovers’ season this Friday night as the Bit O’Red take on Derry City at the Showgrounds for what will be our last game of the current campaign.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm, with the Belfry Bar, Sligo providing match night sponsorship. While Flynn’s Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon is the match ball sponsor. 

This clash with the Candystripes will be Rovers’ final outing as a Premier Division club for one year at least as we prepare to try to bounce straight back up next season. 

Manager Darren Purse already has his eye on an instant return to the top-flight and wants to pay back the supporters and people of Sligo who have backed his side each week regardless of venue or form. 

“There’s a few things that I’ve learned about myself and the players we have”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“I’m still so disappointed we’ve got relegated. I thought we had enough in us to keep us in the division but obviously the last ten games didn’t work out. We’ve not ended up where I expected or wanted us to be. 

“I know there’s a lot of work to be done to make it my team for next year.

“I was at Cardiff two years ago when they got relegated. Everyone was really down but it brought out the best in the club in a way because they developed a lot of the younger players that were there. 

“I can see that happening here too. 

“We’ve got some really good young talent who probably aren’t good enough for the Premier Division at the moment. But in a year’s time, they will be and hopefully that’ll be with a promotion under their belt. 

“But there’s a lot to look forward to both on and off the pitch. 

“I can’t thank our supporters enough. They’ve been exceptional both home and away and we’re doing everything we can to give them something to cheer about next season.”

Derry will arrive in Sligo under interim boss Mark Connolly in buoyant form having been beaten just once in their last five league games. 

The Brandywell side also have a Club Orange FAI Cup final on their horizons, but with the league’s fourth place still on offer, Purse is expecting whatever eleven they put out, will be one looking for points. 

“All I’m concentrating on is the team I’ll put out”, he continues. 

“But even if Derry drop a few, they’ll be very strong on paper and we need to be at our best to get a result we’re looking for. It’s our last home game and we’re looking to put in a performance and pick up a win we’ve deserved over the past few weeks.”

Striker Luke Pearce will be assessed ahead of Friday and is struggling with a back injury. Carl McHugh is likely to sit this one out as he continues his rest following a knee injury, while young midfielder Rueben Gillespie is expected to return to the squad. 

The off-season will be all about graft on all fronts as Rovers look to start our first year back in the First Division in 22 years on the front foot. 

Purse says he will do everything he can in the coming months to ensure Sligo’s stay in the second tier is no longer that the minimum needed.  

“It’ll be all about recruitment for me”, he states. 

“I won’t be having any time off. I’m going back to the UK for a while watching as many games as I can and meeting up with contacts and agents and that’ll be my next six to eight weeks. 

“We’ll come back in for some strength and conditioning work the week before Christmas and straight after new year, we’re back in getting ready for the start of the new season.” 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ final away game of 2026 finished in defeat as Shamrock Rovers put four past the Bit O’Red at Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors had chances in this game and were comfortable in the first period in dealing with what the league leaders had to offer.

Kaiyne Woolery went close early on from a Jack Shorrock cross and probably should have scored with one of his three attempts in quick succession. While Liam Hughes kept out Roberto Lopes with a superb last ditch stop with his legs. 

Shams had plenty of possession in front of the Rovers box but were unable to pick out that final ball, with Darren Purse’s side defending well.

Sligo were eventually broken late in the first half when Adam Brennan hit a late brace, but James McManus did clip the frame of Ed McGinty’s goal between those strikes. 

The second half was more straight forward for the champions, who claimed their second title on the spin with this win.

Former Rovers man Aaron Greene picked up their third before Dylan Watts’ deflected strike found a way past Hughes.

Rovers’ best chance of the half arrived when sub Cian Kavanagh found himself one-on-one with McGinty. But the striker’s first touch let him down as McGinty fell at the Dubliner’s feet to smother the ball. 

Rovers’ final game of the season takes place at the Showgrounds this Friday. Derry City are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Oluwatunmise Sobowale (Luke O’Regan 72), Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes (capt), Lee Grace, Will Fitzgerald (Jake Mullraney 46); Adam Brennan, Dylan Watts Gary O’Neill 78), John O’Sullivan; Graham Burke (Jonathan Afolabi 78) , John McGovern (Aaron Greene 61)

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy (capt), Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Daire Patton (Aidan Gabbidon 63), James McManus (Luke Pearce 55) Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 55), Jack Shorrock; Kaiyne Woolery

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 8,023

Darren Purse has encouraged his players to enjoy the challenge of bringing the Premier Division title race to the final weekend, ahead of Sligo Rovers’ trip to Tallaght Stadium, this Friday.

Hosts and table toppers Shamrock Rovers lead the gallop to the finish line and are three points ahead of bitter rivals Bohs and six clear of neighbours St Pat’s with two games to go. 

A positive result for the Bit O’Red could extend the chase for silverware to Friday week, the last night of league fixtures. 

Tallaght Stadium has proved tough hunting ground for Rovers over the years, but Purse’s side are unbeaten there since May 2025 and have already over-turned Stephen Bradley’s men there this season. 

Shams were the winners at the Showgrounds in both March and July, while Rovers picked up a second win on the bounce in D24 following last year’s final day heroics, beating the Hoops late on courtesy of a dramatic injury time winner from Carl McHugh in May of this year. 

That was Rovers’ last league win in what’s been a challenging season since. 

Purse is keen to move on to the challenge of returning to the top flight at the first attempt but has also pushed his players to play their part on Friday.

“In relation to this year, we’re using the last few games as preparation for next season and you can see that with the number of younger players who are getting a game”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“The next two games are the same. We want to finish the season as best we can but also try and ready the players we want to keep and have them prepped for next year.

“It’s a challenge, going to Tallaght. I want to challenge myself against the best managers in the country and the players are the same. They must go and show they can compete, regardless of whether or not they’re going to be here next year. 

“We don’t want to be the team that Shamrock Rovers beat to win the title. We want to bring it to next week. Can we maybe do the league some justice and try and be the best we can be on Friday? 

“Every time they cross that line, they’ve the chance to show they’re worthy and they have what it takes. That’s what the players have to do, give their best effort and sometimes that’s all you need to get a result. 

“You always want to put yourself up against the best. Now we have to show we can compete at that level.”

Purse is hopeful that winger Ryan O’Kane could return having missed almost two months with injury, while captain Carl McHugh is unlikely to feature either this or next week in our final game of the season against Derry City. 

“The scan results on Carl’s knee were better than we expected”, Purse explains. 

“But I don’t think we’ll see him for the rest of the year. He’s under contract next season and will be a big player for us. 

“We don’t want to push him for games that don’t mean much in terms of our league position and then aggravate the injury more. We want him back and ready to go for pre-season. 

“To have Ryan back, it’s a massive bonus for us because we’ve really missed him recently. He should be in or around the squad. We’d also hope a few more are back and can strengthen the bench.” 

David Goulden

Match Sponsor: Mooney’s Bar, Maugheraboy.

Match Ball Sponsor: The Fish Man.

Darren Purse’s wait for a first league win as Sligo Rovers manager rolls on to an eleventh attempt after Ronan Teahan hit a 90th minute equaliser for Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

Kaiyne Woolery had given the Bit O’Red the lead early in the second period, but Teahan forced the equaliser in the final moment of normal time to extend Rovers’ run without a win to 16 league games.

Dundalk made two changes from their defeat to Bohs, Cian Dillon and Tyreke Wilson returned. While Rovers boss Darren Purse brought Cian Kavanagh, Ollie Denham and local lad Daire Patton back in for his first start since July. 

Rovers secured the services of goalkeeper Liam Hughes for 2027 this week and it was at his end where most of the action took place early on, dealing with no less than eight corners in the first quarter hour. 

However, it did take almost 20 minutes for the Craigavon man to face his first shot when he got in front of a powerdrive from Cian Dillon after a lapse in the Rovers rearguard.

The hosts did have a half chance when Woolery dragged an effort across goal in this a game between two clubs with the league’s poorest current form.  

The visitors, who lost Mayowa Animasahun early on, were inches away from the lead in added time at the end of the first half. Sligo skipper Gareth McElroy was well placed to swat away Aodh Dervin’s effort off Hughes’ line after Daryl Horgan’s assist. 

Rovers’ last home league win came almost six months ago, against the same opposition and we had the lead seconds after the re-start when Sean Stewart’s ballooned cross from the end line was met by the leaping Woolery. The former Tranmere man’s header bouncing off the underside of the crossbar on its way in for his second goal in as many games. 

Hughes was called up to make two stops on the hour. The best of these a wonderful dive into his corner to scrap away Egor Vassenin’s header.

Ciaran Kilduff’s charges leveled in the 90th minute when Tehan made the most of hesitation from the Sligo rearguard to slot the ball under Hughes after Declan McDaid reacted the quicker to a ball thrown forward. 

Rovers’ next outing is a visit to Tallaght Stadium to face Shamrock Rovers on Friday, our final away game of the season. 

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Aidan Gabbidon (Seb Quirk HT), Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Daire Patton (James McManus 66); Archie Meekison, Kaiyne Woolery (Luke Pearce 70), Jack Shorrock; Cian Kavanagh. 

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Tom Grivosti, Mayowa Animasahun (Egor Vassenin 24); Keith Buckley (Harry Groome 73), Aodh Dervin (Declan McDaid 62), Bobby Burns; Daryl Horgan, Ronan Tehan, Trevor Clarke (Shane Treacy 63); Cian Dillon (Leo Gaxha 73). 

Referee: Daniel Murphy. 

Attendance: 1,821.

Sligo Rovers’ penultimate home game of 2026 takes place this Saturday as the Bit O’Red look to finish off what has been a tough season, on a positive note.

Dundalk are the visitors this weekend, kick-off 7.45pm with the Lilywhites coming to the Showgrounds looking to confirm their place in next year’s top flight. 

Saturday’s match night sponsor is Mooney’s Bar, Maugheraboy while match ball sponsor is The Fish Man, care of Martin McHugh. 

This game is Rovers’ first since relegation was confirmed last week following defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park. 

However, the re-build and preparation for 2027 has already begun with the news on Thursday evening that goalkeeper Liam Hughes has committed his future to the club, signing a fresh one-year deal. 

“He’s impressed me since he even got in the team”, Rovers boss Darren Purse tells sligorovers.com. 

“He hadn’t played for four or five months and he’s someone who will get better as he gets more time.

“He’s proven that he’s worthy of a new contract and he’ll fight it out with another goalkeeper next year for the shirt. How he does in the next three games, could put him in a really good position for next season.”

Reflecting on the disappointment of relegation, Purse is hopeful has challenged his players to complete the current campaign on an upward trajectory with games against Shamrock Rovers and Derry yet to come.  

“It hit me hard and I hope it hit the players hard too”, he admits. 

“It’s not really something you want on your CV, relegation and it’s one you have to take on the chin because we haven’t been good enough across the whole season. 

“The players now have their careers to play for in these last few games. The biggest motivation I can give them is, every time they put themselves across the white line, you’ve got to prove you’re good enough to play at the level you’re expected to play. Every time you take to the pitch, you’re there to be shot at and criticise you or praise you. 

“The question is now, can we go and get a bit of praise and try and finish the season on a high?”

Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk have only won once since June in the league, but will roll up at the Showgrounds knowing three points will be enough for them to avoid the relegation play-off.

Previewing the tie, Purse says there is still incentive there despite our fate already being decided. 

“They’ve done well to come up and find themselves in the position they’re in. They’ve a decent squad and a lot of experience but they’re not having a good run at the moment. For us, our motivation is can we go and put one over on them and get that win we’re desperate for?”

Rovers will be without captain Carl McHugh who limped out of the Shels game with a knee injury. While Seb Quirk and Daire Patton, both who were used subs in Dublin are pushing for starts. 

Purse also revealed that he is still holding talks with some players from the current squad about next season.

“There are conversations ongoing”. he concluded. 

“I don’t think there’ll be many new signings between now and the end of the season. 

“There are one or two that are here who I would like to keep but obviously that’s a decision that gets made between now and two or three weeks time. 

“Players will have options, but for me it’s about trying to keep our best players here and bring in the best we can. It’s a fine balancing act but we’re looking forward to a fresh start.” 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers’ relegation to the First Division was confirmed on Friday night after the Bit O’Red fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Kaiyne Woolery struck for Rovers’ only goal of the game when he levelled Dan Kelly’s opener. 

However, quick-fire second half goals from Mipo Odubeko, John Martin, Milan Mbeng and Martin’s second on the hour rounded off a tough start to the second half for Darren Purse’s side from which they had no chance to recover.

The results means our relegation to the second tier is decided and we will play in the second tier for the first time since 2005. 

This brings to an end Rovers’ 21-year run in the Premier Division, the longest current run of consecutive seasons in the top flight, outside of Bohs and Pat’s who have never been relegated.

Our next game is at home to Dundalk on Saturday October 17th. Kick-off in Sligo is 7.45pm. 

Shelbourne: Ed Beach; Milan Mbang (Marco Untergrabner 64), Kameron Ledwidge, Odhran Casey James Norris (James Roche 76); Kerr McInroy (c), John Henry Francis (Ali Coote 64); Daniel Kelly, (Sean Boyd 76) Sean Moore Evan Caffrey; Ademipo Odubeko (John Martin 51)

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Aidan Gabbidon (Kevin Zefi 65), Gareth McIlroy, Carl McHugh (c), Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Reuben Gillespie (Seb Quirk 58); James McManus (Daire Patton 58), Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 58), Jack Shorrock; Kaiyne Woolery (Luke Pearse 81)

Referee: Paul McLoughlin

Darren Purse says Friday’s game with Shelbourne will afford further opportunities to both his younger and fringe players to put themselves in with a chance of being part of his Sligo Rovers squad for next season. 

The Bit O’Red travel to Tolka Park, kick-off 7.45pm, eleven points off the rest of the league with four games to go, meaning Rovers will more than likely play First Division football in 2027. 

But whilst attempting to see out what’s been a challenging 2026 in as positive a fashion as is possible, Purse is already planning for next season regardless of division status. 

“If you look at the teams I’ve put out the last few games, you’ll see we’re looking at next season”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“For me, it’s all about the performances. You look at the St Pat’s game where we ran them close. It was a game of two chances with Jack (Shorrock) and Aidan Keena and they took theirs. But that’s the story of the season when you look at the number of goals we’ve scored. 

“Players have to back themselves and put themselves in the picture to earn a contract for 2027 and go and be involved in a side that gets us back up.”

Purse says there has been a steady build up to Friday’s game, with the players afforded a small break after the Pat’s game, before returning to a ‘mini pre-season’. 

There were a few less experienced players who were unable to attend the full course of training such as Aidan Gabbidon, Charlie McGarvey and Jamie O’Donnell who were all on international duty with Ireland at their respective age grades. 

Purse was delighted to see the talent from our Abbvie Academy be recognised on an international stage, all which bodes well for the future. While he is hopeful that a few players will return from injury in time for Friday night. “We didn’t have a few of the boys because they were off on international duty and that’s a great thing in this context”, he continues. 

“It’s great that they’ve got recognition for how well they’ve done for the 20s and you’ve seen a few of them stepping up around the first team. From that point of view, it’s been pleasing. 

“I’ve watched a lot of those lads with the 20s and they’ve been in with the first team too. It was great to see that when I put them in, they back up your decision with performances. They’re somewhat learning on the job but they’re learning quickly. 

“We gave the lads a few days off as we’ve been struggling a bit with injuries. We’ve been trying to get one or two back fit and then we’ve had a bit of a mini pre-season which has been fantastic for the players. There’s been plenty of hard work put into the players. 

“We’ll have a few back. Seb Quirk is a possibility and he’s back in training which is great news for us. We’re hopeful he’ll be available.”

Purse also confirmed that midfielder Trey George’s time at the club has been cut short due to injury. 

The 20-year-old Welshman has returned to parent club Cardiff City having appeared six times for the club since coming in on loan in the late summer. 

“Trey’s hamstring injury was a big one and he was never going to be right between now and the end of our season”, Purse outlines. 

“It was the right thing to do, to let him go back to Cardiff and do his rehab there.”

 The Rovers boss also hinted that goalkeeper Liam Hughes will see out the rest of the year as first choice stopper, both to test him out and allow regular ‘keeper Sam Sargeant recover from a knock. 

“Liam’s really stepped up”, he says. 

“Sam has had a niggly shoulder which he was playing with but he’s taken himself out as he wants to get it right as the season comes to the close. That’s also why we have Charlie (McGarvey) on the bench recently. He’s another good, young promising player. 

“We needed to have a look at Liam. The position we’re in right now, it gives us a chance to look at him. There’s a little rustiness in him, as before I came in, he hadn’t kicked a ball. He’s slowly building in stature in training and games and he’ll only grow in the games he plays in in the next few weeks.”

Looking ahead to what is Rovers’ penultimate fixture away from the Showgrounds for 2026, Purse is expecting a tough tussle by the Tolka as Shels look for a second league win under former Sligo boss John Russell. 

He says: “John probably hasn’t got the results that their performances have warranted.

“But they look to play and play forward. It’s going to be tough but you look at the money some of the clubs in this division spend and you’ll see it was always going to be tough for us. But we’ll go to Dublin and give our best account of ourselves.” 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers were narrowly beaten by title chasers and league leaders St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds, although the result could have swung in the opposite direction with a little more luck on Darren Purse’s team’s side. 

Aidan Keena found the game’s only goal as a star-studded Saints returned to the Premier Division summit. The former Rovers striker making the most of a rare blot on Liam Hughes’ copy-book when the stand-in goalkeeper spilled an Anthony Olusanya shot into the path of Keena who couldn’t miss from close range. 

The Bit O’Red did have opportunities in this one and defended well against the Dubliners. The aforementioned Hughes pulled out really impressive stops to deny both Sean Hoare and match-winner Keena in the first half. 

While this game was decided within the space of a short moment in the second half. 

Joey Anang’s reactions saw him divert a Jack Shorrock effort onto his crossbar on 74, a chance which could have won the game for Sligo, seconds before Keena’s goal at the far end. 

Rovers now have a three week break before our trip to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne on October 9th. 

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Aidan Gabbidon, Gareth McElroy, Carl McHugh (Ollie Denham 79), Sean Stewart (Kevin Zefi 79); Rueben Gillespie, James McManus (Kaiyne Woolery 62), Luke Young; Archie Meekison, Jack Shorrock (Kyle McDonagh 79), Cian Kavanagh (Luke Pearse 70). 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joe Anang; Luke Turner, Sean Hoare (Sean McHale 77), Joe Redmond, Anto Breslin (Jay McClelland 59); Barry Bagley (Chris Forrester 66), Jamie Lennon; Zach Elbouzedi, Ryan Sheridan (Darragh Nugent 77); Aidan Keena, Ryan Edmondson (Anthony Olusanya 59).  

Referee: Arnie Hunter.

Attendance: 2,189. 

Darren Purse says the belief he and his staff have in his squad is unwavering ahead of what is a pivotal four days in Sligo Rovers’ season.

Five points adrift at the foot of the Premier Division table, Rovers face second from bottom Drogheda United at Sullivan and Lambe Park on Friday at 7.45pm. While Galway United are the visitors to the Showgrounds on Monday night, for what will be the fourth and final Connacht derby of 2026. 

Seven games remain as Purse looks to maintain Rovers’ presence in the top flight, a run stretching back two decades. Only the never relegated St Pat’s and Bohs have a better current run in the division. 

Friday’s trip to Louth will also be our fourth meeting with Kevin Doherty’s side and a second for Purse who took charge at the Showgrounds for the first time against United back in July. That game ended in late heartbreak as Drogs snatched a late equaliser to deny Sligo a much needed win.

But Purse says he sees it in his team, the chance of a big weekend. He’s also hopeful that he’ll have a few players back, after there were some forced absentees for the cup defeat to Waterford last Friday. 

“We’ll prepare for these two games the same as any game gone by”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“We’ll be looking to go and win both games, the way we have done in every other game since I’ve been here. 

“Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to get out of it, then I will never say it’s over. 

“But starting Friday, that is such a big game for us and we need to come out with three points. Not a game has gone by that the players haven’t given me everything they have. They haven’t finished a game where they haven’t battled, haven’t tried. 

“Some of the teams we’ve played against have had that bit more quality, yes. But from an endeavour and intensity point of view, I think my players have been fantastic pros.  

“I think there’ll be one or two who missed out recently who should be back. We certainly should have a stronger bench than last week to change the game should we need to. So this week was about trying to manage the players’ work loads ahead of what’s going to be a hectic weekend. 

“We have two games now in four days and it’s about trying to put out the best possible side for both those games.”

The former Millwall and West Brom defender is under little illusion in terms of what is needed for a side who are without a league win since May, to go and win twice in four days. But Purse’s motivation to prove the doubters wrong and achieve something truly remarkable is driving him and his players on.  

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, grit, determination and intensity but I believe we’ve got it in us”, he booms. 

“The players are in good form. I know the results don’t say it, but performance wise, they have shown what they can do but they need to produce starting Friday night. 

“Drogheda would be happy walking out of the ground with a draw Friday. That doesn’t mean they’ll look to play for it, I’m sure they’ll look to win and extend their lead. 

“So we need to be on it and I believe if our players play to the levels they can, we have enough in this squad that can win in Drogheda and do the same against Galway. If we can do that, then by Monday night, we’ll be looking at a different scenario than the one we’re in right now.

“If I’m lucky enough to keep us in the Premier Division, it’d be up there with some of my best achievements. I’ve been lucky enough to have some really great experiences in football. But that career is done and if I can pass on my experiences to these players and give them the best possible chance to achieve something, then that would be incredible. 

“But I always back myself, my staff and my players and I really do believe that we have enough in this group to get us out of it and hopefully that starts this weekend.” 

David Goulden