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

Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan scored a controversial late penalty as Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at Oriel Park.

The Irish international’s winner arrived in the 83rd minute after Eoin Kenny fell to the floor inside the Rovers area following a less than physical challenge from Will Fitzgerald.

This wasn’t the only questionable refereeing decision on the night as the away side were denied what looked like genuine penalties of our own when both Ollie Denham and James McManus were impeded in front of Enda Minogue’s goal. 

The Lilywhites finished this contest without their full quota of players when Aodh Dervin was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Fitzgerald. 

In a game in which Rovers were well on top for large swathes, McManus fired a powerful effort inches wide of Minogue’s goal early on. While Fitzgerald pulled a stretch from the Dundalk ‘keeper shortly after in a first half that struggled to provide any real goal-scoring chances.

John Russell was forced into an early switch when Ryan O’Kane was stretchered off with a serious arm injury after he fell awkwardly contesting a header. Archie Meekison his replacement. 

The Scot came within inches of the opener four minutes into the second half. The once Bohs attacker cracking a superb, rising effort on to the Louth men’s crossbar following impressive pressure from the visitors. 

Rovers had Minogue spinning around again on 53 when he got his fingers to Gareth McElroy’s header from a Fitzgerald corner, the goalkeeper pushing McElroy’s effort on to his crossbar. 

Sligo were denied what looked like two penalties in this second period when a Dundalk defender awkwardly smashed through McManus just feet inside Minogue’s box. While Denham was pulled down by two defenders as he challenged for a ball swung into the area a few minutes later. 

Referee Oliver Moran then raised the night’s biggest talking point when he pointed to the spot after Kenny threw himself on the ground with Fitzgerald behind him. 

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Wilson (Buckley 51), Dervin; McDaid (Mullen 51), Kenny, Horgan; Arub (Groome 62) (Warren 84).

Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; Quirk, McManus; Nolan (Rego Priosti 83), McHugh, O’Kane (Meekison 45+7); Kavanagh (Traore HT).

Referee: Oliver Moran.

Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team continue our busy St Patrick’s weekend schedule on Monday evening with a trip to County Louth to take on newly promoted Dundalk.

Kick-off at Oriel Park is 7.45pm as the Bit O’Red look to return to winning ways following defeat to Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday evening. 

This will be the first Premier Division meeting between the sides since September 2024, but Rovers did meet the Lilywhites in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park last year. Goals from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes saw John Russell’s side progress on that occasion.

Ciaran Kilduff’s charges have been impressive since their promotion following their First Division title success last year. 

Beaten just once in their opening five games, Dundalk have already taken points from Galway, Drogheda and champions Shamrock Rovers. While they put five past Waterford on Friday evening.

In team news and as of Sunday morning, Rovers go north east without Jad Hakiki, Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart who are injured. Daire Patton is expected to miss out with illness although Carl McHugh returns following a suspension. 

Previewing the match, Rovers boss Russell sees this game as an opportunity for Rovers to get points on the board ahead of the visit of Shelbourne to Sligo on Saturday.

“It’s a big game for both sides, no doubt”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“Dundalk have had a super start to the season and are playing very well at the moment. We have to give them a lot of respect for that. They have signed very well and have a good mix of youth and League of Ireland experience. 

“We’re looking to flesh out and improve on our performance against Shamrock Rovers. We were well in the game for most of the first half and dealt with them. 

“But conceding twice late on in that half was a real kick in the teeth. Second half, we had the majority of the play and I think had the surface been a bit kinder to us, we would have had a much better chance of coming back into it.

“We’re not big fans of astro pitches but I believe their new one is a big improvement on the old one and I know the firm surface will suit our type of play if we try and move the ball with pace.

“It’s a quick turnaround but we’re slowly getting players back. Ollie (Denham) played the last few minutes on Friday and we have Carl McHugh back so that’s two very experienced lads back in the squad which is a boost.” 

David Goulden

Match sponsor: Sleator Solutions.

Match ball sponsor: Sligo Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club. 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Shamrock Rovers picked up a first win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds since June 2023 as the Hoops kept pace with early leaders St Pat’s and Bohs at the summit of the Premier Division table.  

Strikes from Matt Healy and Danny Grant, late in the second half, decided this contest which the Hoops ended with ten men after skipper Roberto Lopes was dismissed on 66 minutes having picked up a second booking.  

Rovers did have the majority of the play in the second period, but were unable to breach the Dubliners’ defence as they fell to their fourth defeat in their opening six games. 

Bit O’Red boss John Russell stuck with the side who picked up their first win of the season against Drogheda United last week, as they looked to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since last September. 

In search of first victory on the banks of the Garavogue in five attempts, a run going back almost three years, Stephen Bradley made just the single change from the Tallaght men’s draw against Shelbourne at Tolka Park earlier in the week. Ex-Sligo midfielder Connor Malley, who played just short of 50 times for the Bit O’Red over a year and a half before moving east, was dropped in favour of the influential Jack Byrne. 

The league and cup holders have looked rusty at times in their opening games, but Sligo were reminded of their ability to devastate within seconds of the first whistle. 

A Grant effort after just 23 seconds drifted past Sam Sargeant’s far post, while Aaron Greene’s attempted lob from distance was well handled by Sargeant after Sligo’s James McManus ran into bother on the ball in the middle of the field. 

Sligo did look able to deal with all the Hoops were throwing at them although all the play was with the visitors. 

Grant was again involved on 21 minutes when Dylan Watts delivered a superbly weighted ball into the path of the former Bohs man who tried to clip a finish past Sargeant. While Grant left the next opportunity behind him 90 seconds later when he volleyed over on the half volley from 6 yards out with only Sargeant to beat. 

Shamrock Rovers’ press paid dividends late in the opening half. 

Sligo were unable to clear the danger as possession landed to John McGovern who laid the ball on to Healy who rifled the ball to the bottom corner for his first goal of the year. 

The FAI Cup holders stamped their authority on this tie in added time at the end of the half. Stationed at his front post, Sligo’s scouse midfielder Seb Quirk cleared Byrne’s corner only as far as Grant who floated a wonderful, first-time cushioned finish inside the post. 

Defender Lee Grace almost gifted Sligo a way back into the game early in the second half when he sent a stray pass straight to Kavanagh on his own end line. But Ed McGinty was able to tidy up as he fell at the feet of the once St Pat’s striker. 

Greene went close to further punishing his old employers when he flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle, after Sargeant had palmed away a McGovern shot from close range. 

Shams were reduced to ten on 66 minutes when Lopes was shown a second yellow for an awkward challenge on Ryan O’Kane as he charged at the Hoops defence. 

Sligo dominated from here and went close to halving the deficit 15 from time when Jeannot Esua nodded an O’Kane cross past McGinty’s back post. 

The hosts continued to have a go with late chances for Kavanagh and substitute Mai Traore.   

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Oriel Park on Monday night to face Dundalk, kick-off there is 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Sean McHale (Ollie Denham 95), Gareth McElroy, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus (Mai Traore 72), Seb Quirk; Alex Nolan, Daire Patton (Ciaron Harkin HT), Ryan O’Kane; Cian Kavanagh.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Cory O’Sullivan; Mise Sobowale, Danny Grant (Adam Brennan 78); Matt Healy, Dylan Watts (John O’Sullivan 83), Jack Byrne (Victor Ozhianvuna 64); Aaron Greene (Michael Noonan 63); John McGovern (Adam Matthews 78).

Referee: Rob Harvey 

Attendance: 3,065. 

Shamrock Rovers provide the opposition this Friday evening as Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior side look to build on last week’s win over Drogheda United. 

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 8pm and this game will be televised live by Virgin Media Television. Friday’s match is sponsored by Sleater Solutions and the match ball sponsor is the Sligo Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club. 

The first of two games in the space of four days, Rovers will welcome the Hoops on the back of our first win of the year over Drogs on Saturday last. While the Dublin Rovers will arrive in the north west on the back of a statement win over title rivals Derry City last week and a draw away to Shelbourne on Monday night. 

Sligo have the better of the recent form between the clubs with John Russell’s side recording two wins over the Tallaght men in 2025. Shamrock Rovers recorded a win over the Bit O’Red in May, while the sides played out a four goal draw in Sligo last July. Shams currently occupy third spot, five off leaders Bohs and are four visits to the Showgrounds without a win ahead of Friday’s contest. 

In team news and as of Thursday morning, Rovers will again be without defenders Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart due to injuries. Jad Hakiki also continues his rehab and is unavailable, while fellow midfielder Carl McHugh serves the second of a two match ban following his red card against Galway. He is due to return for the Dundalk game in Louth on Monday.  

Centre half Ollie Denham returned to full training this week and is expected to be fit to take part on Friday. 

Boosted by the win over Drogheda, Rovers boss John Russell is equally as aware of the threat last year’s double winners pose. He’s hoping to make Friday another special night under the Showgrounds lights.

“We were happy with how things went last weekend, but now focus is wholly on Shamrock Rovers.

“We showed particularly in the first half, against Drogheda how we can play. We created plenty and were relentless. To be fair, Sam (Sargeant) didn’t have a huge amount to do even after they scored and that was testament to our versatility and how well the likes of Will Fitzgerald and Seb Quirk did when they were asked to fill in at the back. 

“It was really an overall performance that was reflective of us and what we’re about as a team.

“We now have a Shams team coming to Sligo who are justifiably title favourites and are brimming with talent. It’s been the case now for a few years, but their biggest strength is their depth. 

“Against Shels they brought in Graham Burke, Michael Noonan and Jack Byrne from their bench. Then Victor Ozhianvuna and Adam Brennan come on, two of the best young talents in the country. No other club has that depth, so that illustrates what we’re up against.

“But our form against them has been decent recently and we’ll back ourselves again. I think as the weeks go and we continue to work together and the pitches improve, we’ll get even better. So there’s plenty for us to look forward to over the next few days.” 

David Goulden