Sligo Rovers will look to win four Premier Division games in a row for the first time since summer 2024 as we travel to Sullivan and Lambe Park to take on Drogheda United this Friday, kick-off 7.45pm. 

This will be the Bit O’Red’s first visit to Windmill Road this season, as Rovers look to win at the County Louth venue for the first time since 2022.

Recent impressive form sees John Russell’s men unbeaten in four and seeking as many wins on the spin ahead of another busy bank holiday weekend with St Pat’s the visitors to Sligo on Monday evening. 

Rovers come into this game in seventh position, one point ahead of Drogs following straight wins over Bohs, Waterford and Dundalk. While United, who have one game less played, find themselves second from bottom following recent defeats to St Pat’s and Galway. Although they did pull off a magnificent comeback win over Shelbourne last weekend, winning 4-3 after being two goals down. 

Rovers will look to win for the fourth time on the bounce for the first time in almost two years. The last time Rovers achieved such a feat was in June and July 2024 with consecutive defeats of Galway, Bohs, Derry and Shamrock Rovers. 

Friday’s contest will be the second meeting between the clubs in 2026. 

The now in-form Will Fitzgerald opened the scoring when the sides last went up against each other at the Showgrounds in March. Mark Doyle replied to Alex Nolan’s goal shortly after Nolan had put Rovers two ahead, but Sligo held out for what was our first win of the season. 

Seeking that first win in Drogheda as Rovers boss, Russell will again be missing the injured Ryan O’Kane, Conor Renolds, Seb Quirk and Ciaron Harkin for this one. As of Thursday morning, it looks likely that both Jeannot Esua and Jad Hakiki will also have to sit this one out due to knocks picked up in the win over Dundalk. 

“We may be down a few bodies again which is really frustrating”, Russell tells sligorovers.com ahead of the game.

“A week or two ago, it looked like lads were coming back in but unfortunately, we are down a few more going to Drogheda. However, that’s football and we’re in really good form going up there and we have proven before that we can come away with good results by using our full squad. We have huge belief in everyone involved and the last few weeks have proven that we have some really good players in our squad who can make a real difference at any point. 

“We’re going up there to win and keep this run going. We’ve been really impressive all over the pitch in our last few games so we’re encouraging the players to keep this run going.

A win for Rovers would be a first on Boyneside in nine attempts should we come out on top. With this to the front of minds, Russell knows the enormity of the task at hand. 

“We’re under now illusions as to how tough this game will be. They’ll be riding high after last week’s win at Tolka. It’ll do a lot for them. They’re a very strong side and they can really hurt you up there. There’s always good noise up there and they feed off the crowd when things are going well. We’ve been on the wrong side of it a few times in the last few years but we’re looking forward to getting out there again. 

“It’s up to us to keep them quiet and go about our own business.”

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Match Sponsor: Hegarty and Armstrong Solcitors.

Match Ball Sponsor: EngDoc.

Sligo Rovers’ steady upturn in form continued as goals from Will Fitzgerald and Cian Kavanagh saw an impressive Bit O’Red pick up our third win on the spin, beating in-form Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

The result sees Rovers jump over both Drogheda and Shelbourne and into seventh spot and inflicts a first defeat in nine on the Lilywhites who were kept scoreless for just the second time this season. The victory extends Rovers’ unbeaten run to four ahead of next Friday’s trip to face Drogs.  

Without defeat in three heading into this one, Rovers manager John Russell kept faith with the team and shape of the side which overcame Waterford in Sligo a week previous. 

While seeking to continue their impressive early season form, Dundalk looked to continue their chase of the top two with a first win in Sligo since October 2023. Ciaran Kilduff made the one change from their win over Galway United at Oriel Park last week, replacing the absent JR Wilson with Declan McDaid whose brace swung that meeting with the Tribesmen in their favour. 

Played at a high tempo on a balmy evening under Benbulben, Rovers produced the best of the fare in the opening half, although the visitors did have chances and a share of the possession. 

Dundalk’s Harvey Warren almost turned the ball into his own goal as he attempted to clear a Fitzgerald cross three minutes in. While Kavanagh and Gareth McElroy both had chances from the resulting corner as Rovers pressed early on. 

Gbemi Arubi almost caught Sligo out moments later when Jeannot Esua’s mistake allowed the 21-year-old hit an effort from inside his own half. 

Skipper Fitzgerald has been in sparkling form for the home side this season and hit his third goal in as many games on 12 minutes. 

Dundalk keeper Enda Minogue made a mess of an attempted clearance when he collided with Kavanagh as he tried to punch clear an Esua ball into the box. The ball landed with Fitzgerald who lobbed the ball over Minogue as he scrambled back. 

Rovers’ Archie Meekison impressed throughout and went close on 23 minutes while the same player fired over a powerful volley at the end of the half as the home side relentlessly hunted a second goal. 

The loss of Esua to injury on 33 minutes seemed to affect Sligo’s focus after the half hour, but Dundalk’s push for a leveller before the interval was unsuccessful. Ronan Teahan going close from the edge of the area.

The second half was just three minutes old when Kavanagh struck for his first goal in 13 appearances. Meekison deftly tipped the ball over the top for the Dubliner who drilled the ball beyond Minogue for a richly warranted first goal of the season. 

Rovers net minder Sam Sargeant was in superb form all evening and preserved the lead on the hour when he reacted magnificently to push an Arubi blast from close range onto his own crossbar. While Eoin Kenny pulled his shot across the face of Sargeant’s goal on 70 following a speedy Lilywhites counter.

Sargeant went to his top corner to pull off another great save to deny substitute Harry Groome’s drive from 25 yards with twelve minutes to go as the First Division holders’ frustration continued. 

The Louth side threw everything at it late on but heroic defending from Rovers kept their opponents at arm’s length, including a brave block on the line from Gareth McElroy who kept out a Leonardo Gaxha shot in added time.  

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua (Sean Stewart 33), Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Jad Hakiki 69), James McManus; Daire Patton (Shane Blaney 80); Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh. 

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Bobby Burns; Ronan Tehan (Leonardo Gaxha 85), Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 63); Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny, Declan McDaid (Aodh Dervin 63); Gbemi Arubi (Harry Groome 64). 

Referee: Declan Toland. 

Attendance:  2,691.

Sligo Rovers will look to continue our good recent run of form when Dundalk visit the Showgrounds this Saturday evening as we welcome the high-flying Lilywhites to Sligo for the first time this season, kick-off 7.45pm.

Saturday’s match sponsor is Hegarty and Armstrong Solicitors, while EngDoc are our match ball sponsors.

Following a great start to their first season back in the Premier Division, Ciaran Kilduff’s side have picked up three wins from their last five. Form which sees them in third spot after twelve games ahead of this weekend’s action. They are also the league’s top goal-scorers with 22 goals. 

Rovers find ourselves in steady shape too. The Bit O’Red are unbeaten in three and are looking for a third win on the spin after fantastic defeats of both Bohs and Waterford recently. John Russell’s men are this Saturday, on the hunt for a fourth league victory of the season and could possibly move into seventh with a win, depending on Friday night’s results. 

This will be the second meeting of Rovers and Dundalk in 2026. Sligo were narrowly beaten by the Louth outfit at Oriel Park back in March after a controversial late penalty was dispatched by Dundalk skipper and former Rovers winger Daryl Horgan. 

In team news and as of Friday morning, Rovers will again be without Ryan O’Kane, Conor Reynolds, Seb Quirk and Ciaron Harkin, each of whom are injured. Russell is hopeful that left back Sean Stewart can make the matchday squad at least having missed the last eight games with ankle trouble. 

After that really impressive performance against Waterford last week, Russell is hoping his team can keep momentum rolling against last year’s First Division winners. 

“We’re at home again and it’s a really big opportunity for us”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I was delighted with both the team and individual performances against Waterford. We could have had four or five on the night with the amount of chances we had and that’s our second clean sheet in three games. There were a huge amount of positives to pull from it. Now we have to work hard to get even better and keep this run going. 

“Dundalk will provide us with a big challenge on Saturday. They have goals everywhere and have options from the bench. They’ve done really well to come straight back up and start so well.

“We’re hopeful we’ll have Sean (Stewart) back this weekend so it means as weeks go on, we’re getting bodies back fit. 

“As games go by and the weeks go on, we’re all getting more and more used to each other’s style and ways. It looks similar to last season, where we’re getting better as the weeks go on. Dundalk will be a really good test of where we are at the moment. This league is relentless and there’s no let up.

“We feel like we maybe owe them one after our last game”, Russell continued. 

“We dominated large parts of that game up in Dundalk, early on and particularly in the second half. We played quite well. We hit the post and the crossbar and they won the game late on which we felt reflected harshly on our performance.

“I think we can expect a similarly tight game again on Saturday.” 

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Match Sponsor: Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy

Match Ball Sponsor: Chrissy’s Chippy, Foxford. 

Goals from Archie Meekison and Will Ftizgerald saw Sligo Rovers pick up our first back-to-back wins of the season as the Bt O’Red saw off the league’s bottom side Waterford at the Showgrounds.

Meekison scored from a Fitzgerald cross in the opening half while roles reversed in the second as Fitzgerald turned home a Meekison assist to double the Bit O’Red’s lead just shy of the hour.

The result lifts the Bit O’Red out of the bottom two for the first time this season and extends our unbeaten run to three, while a despondent Blues continue to look for their first victory of 2026.

Searching for consecutive wins for the first time since last September, Rovers boss John Russell made just the one change from last week’s defeat of Bohemians. James McManus, ineligible against his parent club, returned in place of Alex Nolan. 

Without victory in competitive competition since their relegation play-off win over Bray last November ahead of kick-off, Waterford made no less than five changes from an encouraging draw in Dalymount a fortnight ago. 

Unbeaten in two having drawn against both Shamrock Rovers and Bohs recently, Jon Daly hoped for a first victory of the season at the eleventh attempt, bringing Benny Couto, Trae Coyle, Kevin Long, Luke Heeney and Jorgen Voilas all back to the fold.

Sligo led this game by a goal at half-time but will wonder how they didn’t stretch their lead further before the interval although it was the visitors who should have gone ahead on 16 minutes. Violas kicked fresh air as he aimed to meet Coyle’s cross just five yards from goal. 

Waterford instantly regretted this as they fell behind two minutes later. The ever reliant Fitzgerald doing all the hard work down his left side before sending a ball across the face of Arlo Doherty’s goal for Meekison who tapped home for his first goal for Rovers. 

It was all one way traffic from here until the break. 

Daire Patton, Ollie Denham and Sean McHale all had opportunities while Carl McHugh fired narrowly over on the half volley three minutes from half time. 

Daly hauled off duo Alan Zborowski and Jorgen Voilas late in the first half in an attempt to rejuvenate the league’s bottom side. 

Irish international Kevin Long went close early in the second period, but any optimism garnered by the Munster men was short lived. Goal-scorer Meekison turned provider as he landed a cross which Doherty flapped at but Fitzgerald profited from, as the Limerick man netted his third of the term. 

A great reaction save from Sligo keeper Sam Sargeant kept his old club at arm’s length as the Londoner denied Benny Couto on 65. While Doherty kept his team alive ten minutes later when he pulled off a wonderful stop of his own to keep out Cian Kavanagh’s header. 

The RSC side thought they had delivered a late scare when Luke Heeney found the net with eight to go. But the referee’s assistant on the Jinks’ Avenue side of the ground adjudged the former Drogheda man to be offside, much to the frustration of the Blues’ bench who were convinced the goal was legitimate. 

Next up for Rovers is another crucial league game at home. Dundalk provide the opposition at the Showgrounds on Saturday April 25th, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh, James McManus (Shane Blaney 77); Daire Patton (Alex Nolan 77), Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.  

Waterford: Arlo Doherty; Alan Zborowski (Jordan Houston 41), John Mahon, Kevin Long, Bernardo Couto; Luke Heeney, Dean McMenamy (Sam Glenfield 60), Evan McLaughlin (Conor Carty 60); Trae Coyle, Jorgen Voilas (Hayden Cann 41); Padraig Amond (Tommy Lonergan 70). 

Referee: Arnold Hunter.

Sligo Rovers face into a busy week at the Showgrounds as the Bit O’Red go up against both Waterford and Dundalk at home in the space of seven days.

First up is this Saturday’s meeting with the Blues as Rovers look to continue our good spell of form, this time against Jon Daly’s men. Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm and supporters are reminded that all under 12s will receive free admission to the game, once they are accompanied by a paying adult.

This weekend’s match sponsor is Foxford based Chrissy’s Chippy and match ball sponsor is Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy. 

This will be the second meeting of these sides after February’s scoreless draw at the RSC. Waterford’s Padraig Amond missed a penalty early in the second half, while Rovers were aggrieved to not have a spot-kick of their own late on when Will Fitzgerald was tripped inside the Waterford area. 

Rovers come into this game on the back of a draw at home to Derry and a superb win away to Bohs last week. Goals from Fitzgerald and Sean McHale led Sligo to our first victory on the road this season and meant John Russell’s side are the only team to beat the Dubliners so far this term. 

Daly has steadied the ship in the south east somewhat in the last few weeks. Their scheduled game with Drogheda was called off last week, 45 minutes before kick-off due to poor weather. But they will arrive in Sligo in good spirits having taken points off both Shamrock Rovers and Bohs and have a decent recent record at the Showgrounds with wins at the Church Hill venue in both 2024 and 2025.

Russell will face Waterford without Seb Quirk, Ryan O’Kane, Conor Reynolds and Sean Stewart all of whom are injured as of Friday morning. 

However, Ciaron Harkin is expected to be available once again and this news is supplemented by the return at Dalymount last Friday of both Jad Hakiki and Shane Blaney, who were both sprung from the bench in the second half of that game. 

James McManus also returns to the match-day squad having sat out that tie in Phibsboro due to the terms of his loan. 

“We’re still missing a few lads but it’s a big bonus to have Jad, Shane, Ciaron and James back with us”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.

“All four play a huge role in what we’re about and we were really pleased with how Jad and Shane did when they came on against Bohs. We’ve been unlucky this year with injuries and although we still have key players out, we’ll hopefully get a few more back in as the weeks go on. We’ll be a real force once we have everyone back in.”

Russell is expecting a particularly tough encounter on Saturday as both Rovers and Waterford look to bridge the gap between the bottom two and the rest.

“We’ve both had good results in our respective last two games”, he says. 

“They obviously had an extra few days away from play with their game being called off and we took a few extra hours to get to Dublin last week. Is that an advantage? I’m not sure but time will tell.

“They’ll look at Saturday and know that a result for them pulls them towards us with a game in hand and they’ll be coming here looking for that. Games against Waterford are always tight. 

“We know if we can do enough to pick up a win, it potentially lifts us away from the bottom two depending on results on Friday. But we’re at home and we always back ourselves in front of our own supporters. It’s a huge carrot for us to chase and we definitely have it in us if we do our jobs well.” 

David Goulden

John Russell has praised his players for their patience and self-belief following Sligo Rovers’ second win of the season on Friday night. 

The crucial victory over Bohemians in less than ideal conditions, means Rovers are now two games unbeaten heading into a set of massive home games with Waterford and last year’s First Division winners Dundalk.

Rovers didn’t just have the weather and one of the league’s top teams to contend with. The ongoing fuel protests on the roads to the capital added hours to Rovers’ journey to Dublin on Friday, whilst supporters too were forced to find alternative routes to Phibsboro but still managed to turn up in big numbers. 

Despite going behind early on, Sligo found a way back into this game courtesy of the ever reliable Will Fitgerald who finished off an Alex Nolan cross. While Sean McHale, one of several standout performers on the night, nodded a winner past Kacper Chorazka early in the second period.

“It was a massive performance and we’ve put in a huge effort”, Russell told LOITV after the game. 

“We were disappointed to concede the type of goal we did as the long ball cuts us open. But the response was really good. 

“Second half, we managed the conditions well. Once we got ourselves in front, every man was putting his body on the line so it’s a great three points.

“The performances have been good this season but we haven’t got the points return. It was important for us to stay calm because the performances will yield results. That’s why I’m so happy for the lads because we’ve picked up three points on the back of what’s been happening recently. 

“We felt we owed Bohs one too given that they gave us a real run-around earlier this year. We were happy with the way we conducted ourselves tonight. There were a lot of positives for us.” 

Next up for Rovers is an important meeting with basement side Waterford whose scheduled outing with Drogheda on Friday was called off due to the conditions. This is now the Bit O’Red’s biggest game of the season and Russell has called on all supporters to make it to the Showgrounds this coming Saturday. 

“We want to put a run together”, the Rovers boss says. 

“Hopefully we can use this as a real springboard. We’ve two home games coming up now. I was really pleased for the fans who came here tonight and the points moves us up. Now it’s about moving into next week, getting a big crowd into the Showgrounds for the Waterford game.”

David Goulden 

David Goulden at Dalymount Park, Dublin.

Sligo Rovers battled back against ten man Bohemians to become the first team this season to beat the Dubliners as the Bit O’Red picked up three crucial points at Dalymount Park on Friday evening.  

Bohs’ Zane Myers had put the Gypsies in front on eight minutes, but a hard working Rovers burrowed their way back into this game courtesy of captain Will Fitzgerald’s second goal of the season six minutes from the break. 

Loanee centre half Sean McHale enjoyed one his finest games since joining from St Pat’s and capped off a solid individual performance with what turned out to be the game’s winning goal, when he finished off Fitzgerald’s cross five minutes into the second half.

Former Rovers midfielder Adam McDonnell was sent off for Bohs on 72 when referee Neil Doyle showed him a second yellow following a clumsy late challenge on Jeannot Esua. 

This victory sees the away side move to within two points of eighth place and four away from bottom side Waterford who visit the Showgrounds next Saturday night. 

Boss John Russell made two changes from the stalemate with Derry City on Easter Monday. Cian Kavanagh, who was not expected to make the match day squad, recovered from injury in time to lead the line. While Carl McHugh returned to the starting eleven for the first time since the defeat away to Pat’s in place of James McManus who was ineligible due to the terms of his loan.

The game also saw the timely return to the bench of both Jad Hakiki and Shane Blaney, both of whom have missed the last number of weeks with knocks. 

Undefeated before this game, it was the hosts who threatened first when Conor Parsons bent his early effort around Sam Sargeant’s post after a one-two with Jordan Flores out on Rovers’ right side. While Alan Reynolds’ side hit the lead when Sadou Diallo played in Myers whose high shot ricochet off Sargeant’s crossbar on its way to goal. 

The Rovers goalkeeper was kept occupied for a period and pulled off a wonderful two handed stop to deny Darragh Power before Ross Tierney shot wide from close range following a Parsons corner.

Undeterred, Rovers dug in and pulled out a deserved leveller on 39 minutes when some fancy footwork from the in-form Esua allowed him to find Alex Nolan. The winger’s cross landed in front of Bohs keeper Kacper Chorazka but it was skipper Fitzgerald who reacted quickest to poke the ball beyond the Polish goalkeeper for his second of the year. 

Sargeant was at it again moments later when he threw a leg at Tierney’s next go at goal, with the former Motherwell man looking favourite to come out on top. The Londoner dived to his right but kept his body as wide as possible to deflect away Tierney’s placed effort. 

The second period was just five minutes old when Rovers went ahead. 

Fitzgerald the supplier this time as he neatly nodded Archie Meekison’s corner to the back post for McHale to head past the frustrated Chorazka for the Meath man’s first goal for the club. 

Bohs had plenty of possession for the remainder of this tie, but a decisive Sligo were in no mood to let their lead slip.

Marcus Strods’ pot-shot from 18 yards was simple for Sargeant before Bohs were reduced to ten when McDonnell crashed into Esua as he attempted to clear play. 

Referee Doyle decided to add nine minutes on at the end of the game, but even this wasn’t enough time for the Phibsboro men to find an equaliser. Sargeant plucked a late Ryan Burke header from the sky after Burke was picked out by Power from outside the Rovers area. 

There was further good news for Rovers in this second half when both Hakiki and Blaney were sprung for the bench following injury lay-offs. 

Rovers’ next game is at the Showgrounds on Saturday April 18th as we face Waterford in what will be a huge night of football at the Showgrounds. Kick-off is 7.45pm. 

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Darragh Power, Sam Todd, Patrick Hickey, Jordan Flores, Sadou Diallo (Ryan Burke, 51), Adam McDonnell, Ross Tierney, Zane Myers (Cian Byrne, 75), Connor Parsons, Marcus Strods, (46), Colm Whelan (Douglas James-Taylor, 63).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale. Jeannot Esua, Daire Patton (Guilherme Priosti, 90) , Carl McHugh (Kyle McDonagh, 46), Archie Meekison, Will Fitzgerald, Alex Nolan (Shane Blaney, 63), Cian Kavanagh (Jad Hakiki, 81).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Jad Hakiki, Shane Blaney and Ciaron Harkin are all expected to return to Sligo Rovers’ match night squad this Friday, as we head to Dublin for the second consecutive week. 

Dalymount Park is the setting and Bohemians provide the opposition as Rovers look to build on a scoreless draw with Derry City on Easter Monday. Kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm. 

The trio’s returns will provide a timely boost to manager John Russell as they each continue their return to full fitness. Supporters will particularly welcome the news of the potential return of playmaker Hakiki who has missed six games having been withdrawn against Galway at the end of February. While defender Blaney returned to the bench in that stalemate with the Candystripes but hasn’t lined out since the second night of the season. 

In other team news and as of Thursday afternoon, Russell continues to plan without Sean Stewart, Conor Reynolds, Ryan O’Kane and Cian Kavanagh who all continue to be treated for knocks. Midfielder Seb Quirk looks set to miss out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained last week. While James McManus is unavailable owing to the terms of his loan deal.

Bohemians are currently the division’s only side yet to be beaten this season, winning five of their opening ten games. This form is enough to see them top the table, level on points with leaders Pat’s who have a slightly better goal difference. They have four draws and a win from their last five and have already beaten Rovers this season. 

“We saw on the second night of the season what Bohs can do to you”, Russell tells sligorovers.com ahead of Friday’s encounter.  

“Most of our games this season have been tight bar one or two and against Bohs, they were the deserving winners. Not many teams have really cut us open but we struggled that night so we know what they bring.

“They have a squad of players who can come in and replace the player ahead of them and that shows their strength. They were all over Waterford last Monday and will be very frustrated not to have beaten them. They’ve a very experienced management team and I imagine will have a big crowd behind them up there. But that’s what you want. You want to play in big atmospheres.

“We will hopefully have Shane and Jad back so we’ll assess them closer to Friday and see how many minutes we can give them. Ciaron Harkin coming back is very big for us too.

“We’ll be down bodies again but it once more gives the next player a chance to show what they can do. It’s a big opportunity for a few lads.” 

Russell was encouraged by Monday’s display and has called on his players to build momentum ahead of a few busy weeks for Rovers. 

“I was pleased with elements of what we did against Derry”, he continued. 

“We were solid at the back. Gareth McElroy was only a few inches away from scoring the winner and we were denied a clear penalty that had we scored, we’re probably talking about three points.

“I think if you go up against a side like Derry, with their strength, it’s a good thing to come away disappointed to not win the game. It builds confidence and we need to push on now. We defended very well and we’ll need to do that again on Friday and take any chances that come.”  

David Goulden 

Match Sponsor: Sligo Branch of the Arsenal Supporters Club

Match Ball Sponsor: AIB Sligo

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Gareth McElroy came within inches of securing three points for Sligo Rovers against Derry City at the Showgrounds on Easter Monday.

In what was a tight, cagey affair, the Donegal man saw his late header from a Will Fitzgerald cross come back off the Candystripes’ woodwork. The result halted Rovers’ slide of four defeats on the spin. 

Derry too hit the woodwork courtesy of captain Carl Winchester during a somewhat uneventful Easter Monday evening.

Rovers were actually the form side coming into this tie with one win from their last five. Boss John Russell made two changes from the defeat to St Pat’s on Friday, with centre half Sean McHale and midfielder Daire Patton coming in.

While big spending Derry managed just the two draws in their previous five and found themselves third from bottom on the completion of the first round of games. Their only two victories this season ahead of this clash, came at home against Sligo and Waterford, the division’s two bottom sides. 

Manager Tiernan Lynch made four switches in personnel from last week’s loss in Galway. Winchester, Ben Doherty, Josh Thomas and Conor Barr were all back in as the visitors looked to halt their slide. Star man James McClean only made the bench while both his brother Paddy and City playmaker Michael Duffy missed out with knocks. 

Derry have found the Showgrounds a difficult hunting ground in recent years, with just one win there in their last five visits. 

After a cagey opening quarter, it was the Candystripes who fashioned the better of the chances.

Adam O’Reilly should have had them in the lead on 17 when Jeannot Esua’s attempted clearance bounced in front of the former Pat’s man. Leaning back, O’Reilly wastefully skied his volley over the Sligo bar from close range. 

Skipper Winchester crashed a rocketed effort from long range off Sam Sargeant’s upright as City threatened again nine minutes later. 

Shy in front of goal this term with just four goals from our opening nine, Rovers did produce a half chance before the interval. Seb Quirk dragged a half-volley beyond the far post from a Will Fitzgerald assist. 

Chances and indeed any level of entertainment came at a premium even in this second half as both sides toiled on a bumpy Showgrounds surface. 

Supporters had to wait until the 72nd minute for the next moment of note when Sargeant was jolted into action, getting down low to push away a powerful drive from twenty yards from O’Reilly. Although there were legitimate calls for a Rovers penalty shortly before this when Brandon Fleming handled the ball just inside his own area. 

Sligo sub McElroy then went within inches of finding an opener when his header from a Fitzgerald corner came back off the City post.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus, Seb Quirk (Carl McHugh 80); Alex Nolan, Archie Meekison (Rego Priosti 88); Daire Patton; Mai Traore (Gareth McElroy HT). 

Derry City: Ed Beach; Jamie Stott, Rob Slevin (James McClean 73), Conor Barr; Barry Cotter (James Olayinka 82), Brandon Fleming; Adam O’Reilly, Carl Winchester; Ben Doherty (Cameron Dummigan 82), James Clarke (Henry Rylah 69); Josh Thomas (Afolabi Akinyemi 69).  

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Attendance: 2,567

Sligo Rovers are on the hunt for a first win in five games this Easter Monday as Derry City visit the Showgrounds for the first time this season. Supporters are reminded to note that this game kicks-off at 5pm. 

Monday’s match sponsors the Sligo Branch of the Arsenal Supporters Club, while the match ball sponsor is AIB Sligo. 

This game sees the second round of Premier Division games get underway as the Bit O’Red go in search of a second win of the season. The Candystripes already have one over John Russell’s side after they squeezed past Rovers at the Brandywell on the opening night of the season back in February. 

Jad Hakiki had given Rovers the lead just past the half hour. But goals from Alex Bannon and Josh Thomas turned this game in Derry’s favour.

Sligo go into this game on the back of four consecutive defeats after Good Friday’s loss at Inchicore in which Russell was without several first team players. 

As of Sunday morning, the Rovers boss will prepare for this vital tie with City again without his full complement. 

Along with Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane, Conor Reynolds, Sean Stewart and Shane Blaney, Cian Kavanagh will also miss out after he picked up a knock in the lead up to Friday’s game. Russell is hopeful both Hakiki and Blaney will return to full training this week and will be available for Friday’s trip to Bohs. 

Ciaron Harkin is also a doubt, although Sean McHale is expected to return to the fold having missed the game in Dublin 8 due to the terms of his loan deal. Daire Patton, a second half sub is also available having recovered from a bout of illness. 

Derry themselves have been underwhelming in 2026 despite having one of the strongest squads in the division. Tiernan Lynch’s men find themselves just six points clear of bottom side Waterford following their recent run of five games without a win. 

Regardless, Russell tells sligorovers.com that he’s expecting a hurt Derry to come to Sligo after their defeat to Galway. 

“They’re certainly in a false position at the moment and are a lot better than they’ve been showing in recent weeks”, he says. 

“We have to expect that they’ll come to the Showgrounds on Monday looking to turn things around.

“Both sides are looking for a win for really the same reason.

“We were beaten by a superior side in Pat’s on Friday. They’re challenging for trophies this season and they have to be given the talent they have in their reserves. 

“We were encouraged by our first half but they just had too much for us in the end. It was always going to be tough for us given the numbers we’re missing. Our attention turned to this game on Monday night as soon as we got on the bus home.”

Russell is glad for home comforts and asked for supporters to get behind the team on Monday evening, for what he sees could be a turning point of sorts.

“We’ve lost a few games in a row now, so we’re desperate to break that run. Sometimes when you can just manage to pick up a result, it changes the whole picture. This is a huge game for us, in front of what we hope will be a big crowd. We know Derry will travel well too.

“Losing Friday was tough to take, but it’s ideal to have a game so quickly, a quick turnaround to focus and sharpen minds. We need points as the gap is opening up particularly with Galway and Dundalk doing well recently. Our focus is to pick up points now and try to bridge that gap.”

David Goulden