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

Sligo Rovers were beaten on return from our international break on Friday night as St Patrick’s Athletic came from behind to beat the Bit O’Red at Richmond Park.

An early Joe Redmond goal was replied to by further strikes from Romal Palmer, Ryan Edmonson and further goals in the second half from Anto Breslin and Darragh Nugent. 

Rovers will look to put this defeat behind us on Monday night, as we face Derry City at the Showgrounds. Kick-off is 5pm. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare (Tom Grivosti 72), Luke Turner; James Brown, Barry Baggley, Darragh Nugent, Jay McClelland (Anto Breslin 14); Kian Leavy (Aidan Keena 72),Romal Palmer (Max Mata 78); Ryan Edmondson (Jamie Lennon 72).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sergeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Kyle McDonagh h-t), James McManus (Daire Patton 64); Alex Nolan (Callum Lynch 78), Seb Quirk, Archie Meekison; Mai Traore.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork ).

Attendance: 4,485.

Sligo Rovers head to Dublin for the first time this season on Friday as the Bit O’Red take on St Patrick’s Athletic in the final series of fixtures of the opening round of this year’s Premier Division. 

Kick-off at Richmond Park is 7.45pm as Rovers go in search of a first win in four following recent narrow losses to Shelbourne, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. The hosts provide what is probably the toughest test in Irish football at the moment having won four of their last five, are unbeaten in six and have the best home record to date this season so far. 

Rovers won the last game between the sides last September at the Showgrounds, but are without victory in Inchicore since May 2023 although there have been some very tight games between the clubs since. 

John Russell prepares for this Good Friday outing without a number of players. 

Sean McHale will not be available due to the terms of his loan. As of Thursday morning, Conor Reynolds (pelvis) and Ryan O’Kane (arm) will miss the trip to the capital. While Ciaron Harkin is out with a muscle strain. 

Daire Patton will be given a fitness test as he continues to recover from recent illness. Russell is hopeful Jad Hakiki and Shane Blaney will return to training next week and may be fit in time to face Bohs on April 10th, but both will sit out the Pat’s game. 

Sean Stewart (ankle) is a doubt.

“Pat’s are in incredibly hot form at the moment”, Russell tells sligorovers.com as we face into a double header weekend with Derry set to visit the Showgrounds on Easter Monday.  

“Although we’re heading there without a few bodies, this is a game we are looking forward to following what’s been a very valuable few days. This weekend is a big opportunity for some players to make their mark and we’ll be asking them to do just that. 

“Our recent games with Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Shelbourne were fairly tight affairs. None of them dominated us and particularly in the Dundalk and Shels game, we were really pleased with how many chances we created. It’s just about taking those opportunities. 

“We see enough of the players every day to have full confidence in their abilities to create and score goals. In our last two games, we hit the crossbar and post and the opposition had players throwing themselves at the ball inside their own area to stop us scoring. 

“It will happen for us, we just need to keep working hard and keep to what we’re doing. 

“We always have a good crowd with us in Inchicore and we’re looking forward to getting out there in front of them again. It’ll be a busy weekend with two really big tests for us.”

David Goulden

Match sponsor: Ivor Parkes Decorators

Match ball sponsor: Sligo Park Hotel

Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at the Showgrounds as Shelbourne squeezed past the Bit O’Red in a tightly fought contest. 

Daniel Kelly scored the game’s only goal just past the hour, while Shels goalkeeper Wessel Speel pulled off a wonderful save in added time to deny Archie Meekison and preserve the Dubliners’ points.

This was Rovers’ final outing before the international break with John Russell having to prepare his side for this game without creative winger Ryan O’Kane who faces up to two months out with a fractured arm sustained at Oriel Park on Monday night. Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Sean Stewart also missed out with knocks. 

O’Kane was one of two changes for Russell from that loss in Louth. Meekison took his place in the Sligo starting eleven, while centre half Sean McHale replaced Gareth McElroy who dropped to the bench. 

Chasing the tails of fellow Dubliners and early challengers Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs, Shels boss Joey O’Brien looked to keep up their recent impressive record in the north west. Kelly, John Martin, Ali Coote and Sam Bone all coming back in having missed the recent testy stalemate with Bohemians.

Sligo hadn’t recorded a win over the Tolka outfit in almost two years and looking for a first win in three, they did manufacture an early opening. However, nobody was willing to meet Meekison’s flated ball to the back stick six minutes in. 

McHale got a foot in front of Kelly’s shot towards the bottom corner as Sam Sargeant closed in. The Pat’s loanee’s intervention perhaps had a bigger impact than from first viewing, as it looked as if Kelly’s effort might have sneaked in following a superb through ball from former Sligo midfielder Jack Henry-Francis.

Even early on, this game was stretched, which opened up the pitch for either side. 

The Shels rearguard was left scrambling to clear the ball on 21 minutes when a panicked Speel fired an attempted clearance off the back of his own player. Shels blessed by the positioning of defender Sam Bone who scooped Alex Nolan’s follow-up shot on off his own goal line.

Kameron Ledwidge fired a rocket from 25 yards over the Rovers goal 90 seconds later. While a rare mishap from Ollie Denham allowed Kerr McInroy space to progress and find Harry Wood but Rovers skipper Will Fitzgerald returned in time to block away Wood’s goalward strike. 

Sligo were left aggrieved in Dundalk when Fitzgerald conceded a questionable late penalty for the Lilywhites’ winner. The Limerick native had a shout for a spot kick for his own side late on in the first period when he tangled with Ali Coote in the Shels area. Referee Paul Norton decided to go against Fitzgerald again, booking him for simulation. 

McHale headed a Fitzgerald corner past Speel’s front post thirteen minutes into the second half, after the Dunboyne native battled his way to the end line.  

The Drumcondra men made the most of hesitant Sligo defending on 63 minutes when they hit the lead. Rovers sat off, allowing Kelly to pull inside on his left foot before rifling a superbly executed drive into the opposite corner of Sargeant’s goal. 

Wood nearly doubled Shels’ lead five minutes later but Sargeant managed to shepherd the ball past his post. While Rovers pair Gareth McElory and Seb Quirk had opportunities at the Shels end as Sligo’s search for a first goal in three games went on.

Rovers did create once more chance in added time, but Speel reacted in time to get in front of Meekison’s hammered effort. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Gareth McElroy 70), Seb Quirk, James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 79); Alex Nolan (Mai Traore 70), Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.  

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Zeno Rossi, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris (Sean Gannon 77); Jack Henry-Francis (JJ Lunney 86), Kerr McInroy; Daniel Kelly (Evan Caffrey 86), Ali Coote (Maill Lundgren 67), Harry Wood; John Martin (Sean Boyd 76). 

Referee: Paul Norton 

Attendance: 2,878.

Sligo Rovers men’s senior team will look to head into the international break on a high as we face Shelbourne at the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Match sponsor for this weekend’s game is Ivor Parkes Painters and Decorators, while match ball sponsor is Sligo Park Hotel.

This will be the first meeting between Rovers and the 2024 Premier Division champions since last October, when Shels ran out winners at Tolka Park. 2026 will provide the Bit O’Red with a chance to improve on 2025’s record against Joey O’Brien’s side, with the Drumcondra outfit recording four wins from as many meetings between the clubs.

Rovers come into this game on the back of defeats over the St Patrick’s Day weekend to both Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds and Dundalk at Oriel Park.

In team news and as of Friday morning, boss John Russell will go into this game without Daire Patton who continues to struggle with illness. While Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds continue to recover from injuries and will miss out. Russell is hopeful full back Sean Stewart may recover from a knock he picked up against Galway last month, in time to make the bench. 

Winger Ryan O’Kane will miss out for an extended period having fractured his arm in that narrow defeat in Louth on Monday evening. The former Dundalk man underwent surgery yesterday (Thursday) morning and is set to be out of action for a considerable period of time. 

Looking ahead to a big night at the Showgrounds, Russell acknowledged the setback of losing a player like O’Kane, but is keen to see members of the squad take up the opportunity. 

“It’s so frustrating for us as we only had Ollie Denham and Carl McHugh back last week and Sean (Stewart) is moving along nicely”, Russell tells sligorovers.com. 

“But now we won’t have Ryan for a while so it’s a big blow for us.

“As disappointing as it is to lose a lad of Ryan’s talent, we’re now looking for someone to step up and take the opportunity. This is why you have a squad. Archie Meekison and Guilly Priosti both came on in Dundalk and did very well for us so we’ll be looking for our players who maybe haven’t had much time this season to now step up.”

Shels come to Sligo unbeaten in three having drawn with champions Shamrock Rovers, beaten Derry away and played out a stalemate with Bohs on Monday last. 

“They’ve talent all over and are in decent form”, Russell continues. 

“We need to be more ruthless in the final third and that starts on Saturday. Against Dundalk, we had more of the ball, created many more chances and had the overall better of the play. Unfortunately, decisions didn’t go for us but now it’s about how we react.

“We’ve got to now keep turning the screw and things will go for us. We have a tremendously talented group here and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and things will fall into place.”  

David Goulden