Sligo Rovers 1 – 1 Dundalk

Dundalk’s Jamie Gullan dispatched a second half spot-kick as Sligo Rovers were held by the Lilywhites at the Showgrounds.

A really impressive first half showing from the Bit O’Red, Fabrice Hartmann’s stunning opener the highlight, was followed by a second half in which either side could have won the game.

The hosts started with the same team which was beaten by Shamrock Rovers in Dublin seven nights previous, while winger Sam Durrant replaced Robbie Mahon who picked up an injury in Dundalk’s last outing against Bohs on Monday. 

Rovers were well on top in the opening period and went close through Reece Hutchinson who pulled a good save from Dundalk net minder George Shelvey before Hartmann hit a wonderful opener. 

The tricky German winger finding space between two Dundalk defenders before hammering a stunning left footed effort which tore through the air and beyond Shelvey’s reach from all of 25 yards. 

Former Dundalk midfielder Connor Malley had to take a Gullen header off his own line on the half hour. Malley was then allowed travel with the ball just outside his former employers’ area three minutes from the break. The midfielder’s effort from the corner of the box, fizzing past Shelvey’s far post. 

The Louth side were back in the tie on 49 minutes when Gullan coolly dispatching the spot-kick. 

Rovers reacted with Hartmann going close twice in quick succession. The German almost caught Shelvey out at his front post from a set-piece out wide, while the same player’s shot hit team mate Wilson Waweru before rolling past Shelvey’s 90 seconds later. 

The league’s basement side had the ball in the Rovers net soon after but Gullan was adjudged offside from a Robbie Benson through ball as this game really opened up. 

Ed McGinty pulled off a superb save from the incoming Gullan as the game wore on. 

While both Malley and Dundalk sub Ryan O’Kane had chances to nab the points late on, but both camps had to settle for a share of the points.

Rovers are back in action on Monday nightas Galway United visit the Showgrounds for the first Connacht derby of the season, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 70); Fabrice Hartmann (Rein Smit 70), Will Fitzgerald (Stefan Radosavljevic 80); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru HT).

Dundalk: George Shelvey; Archie Davies, Mayowa Animasahun (Zak Johnson 25), Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Scott High, Paul Doyle (Dara Keane HT); Samuel Durrant (Ryan O’Kane 68), Daryl Horgan; Robbie Benson; Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 79). 

Referee: Paul Norton.

Attendance: 2,287.

Sligo Rovers begin a busy weekend of Premier Division football at the Showgrounds this Friday night, taking on Dundalk at 7.45pm. 

The Lilywhites’ visit will be followed up on Monday by a much anticipated, re-arranged Connacht derby with Galway United as Rovers look to recover from recent defeats in Dublin to both Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers. 

Rovers will be without long term sidelined duo John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker. While winger Simon Power serves the third of his three game suspension for a red card against Waterford. 

The Bit O’Red were heavy winners the last time these teams met at Oriel Park in early March. 

Rovers beat Dundalk by five goals to nil that night, but manager John Russell says the County Louth side pose a big threat as they look for their first win of the season. 

“We know the importance of this weekend”, he said. 

“With two home games in quick succession it gives us an opportunity to bounce back after last weekend’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers. 

“Dundalk were probably the better team on Monday night against Bohemians even though they came away with nothing. They have good players who can hurt you so we’re aware of the threat they bring. 

“We know the areas we need to improve on and the players are fully focused and ready for the challenge ahead on Friday night.”

St Patrick’s Athletic 3 – 0 Sligo Rovers

A Luke Turner double and along with a late goal from Mason Melia saw Sligo Rovers beaten for the first time in five games as St Patrick’s Athletic got the better of the Bit O’Red at Richmond Park.

The defeat was compounded by the loss of both Nando Pijnaker and Ed McGinty to injury following a nasty collision between the pair in the second period. Pijnaker was stretchered off to be assessed for a chest injury, while McGinty did manage to play on for a short time but was subsequently substituted with a neck issue.

Manager John Russell made one change, albeit enforced, from the win over Waterford just three days earlier. Will Fitzgerald deputising out wide for the suspended Simon Power.

Pat’s Joe Redmond went close early on but was well marshalled by the Rovers defence, but the Dubliners did find their opener on ten minutes.

Conor Neely heading Jake Mulraney’s corner back for Turner who fired home for the opener. 
Undeterred, Sligo forced saves from Danny Rogers in the Pat’s goal. Both Conor Malley and Ellis Chapman producing efforts as Rovers sought to bring the game back level.

McGinty went full stretch to push Alex Nolan’s angled effort on to his post, before the goalkeeper did enough to put off Ruairi Keating in a one-on-one situation close to the half hour.

Keating’s chance coming after the Inchicore men had doubled the lead on 43 minutes when Turner forced Brandon Kavanagh’s corner past McGinty at the far post. 

Rovers were forced into a defensive switch on 72 when Pijnaker and McGinty crashed into each other as they both bravely came for the same ball.

Fabrice Hartmann almost halved the lead with twelve to go but his placed shot was well held by Rogers. Pat’s then putting the game to bed on 80 minutes, Melia with the Dubliner’s third. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Luke Turner, Joe Redmond, Conor Keeley, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon, Aaron Bolger (Jay McClelland 90), Alex Nolan (Mason Melia 77); Kian Leavy (Chris Forrester 77), Ruairi Keating (Cian Kavanagh 90), Jake Mulraney (Brandon Kavanagh 29).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty (Richard Brush 82); Charlie Wiggett (Wilson Waweru 46), Oliver Denham, Nando Pijnaker (Conor Reynolds 72), Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley, Niall Morahan; Fabrice Hartmann (Stefan Radosavljevic 82), Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald; Max Mata (Smit 60).

Sligo Rovers are back on the road this Easter Monday as we look to maintain our good recent form, St Patrick’s Athletic the opposition at Richmond Park, kick-off 5pm.

Rovers will be again without JR Wilson due to a hamstring injury. While manager John Russell will also have to plan without winger Simon Power who is suspended having been sent off in last Friday’s win over Waterford at the RSC.

Unbeaten in four outings and having kept clean sheets in three of those games, Rovers look to continue that form against the FAI Cup holders.

Looking ahead to Monday’s game, Russell says: “It’s a quick turnaround for us this weekend with back-to-back away fixtures. After a good result on Friday and after a long trip home we are back on the road again where we now face a tough test when we travel to play a talented St Pat’s team.

 “Richmond Park is always a difficult venue but I have a lot of faith in this group of players. They understand the importance of playing for Sligo Rovers and leaving everything on the pitch. We will need to show that again on Monday to come away with a result.”

 Rovers had the backing of 150 or so supporters in Waterford last Friday, despite the 600km or so round trip from Sligo, for some of those fans. Russell is hoping for more of the same as the Bit O’Red take to the road once more this bank holiday weekend.

He says: “Our supporters continue to play a huge role in our performances so far this season both home and away. The players feed off that energy from the stands so we will need them right behind us again.”

Waterford 0 – 1 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers occupy second spot in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division after Ellis Chapman’s wonderful strike from range settled the game at the RSC on Friday, as the in-form Bit O’Red beat Waterford.

Rovers extended their unbeaten run to four in the process and kept their third clean sheet in their last four games despite playing the last twenty minutes of this game with ten men, after Simon Power was somewhat harshly sent off.

John Russell’s side were to bring to an end, the Blues’ unbeaten record this season but there were chances for both camps in the opening period.

Malaeace Asamoah’s header landed on the roof of Ed McGinty’s goal early on, while the reliable Sligo goalkeeper palmed away a Ryan Burke effort from the angle shortly after.

For Rovers, Fabrice Hartmann and Nando Pijnaker both worked Sam Sargeant in the Waterford nets. 
Chapman struck for his third league goal of the season five minutes into the second half. The former Cheltenham man firing home from distance to the delight of the 150 or so travelling supporters.

 There were chances for Rovers to double their lead. Max Mata denied by Sargeant after a loose pass in the host’s rearguard while Pijnaker found a way to goal but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Rovers were then reduced to ten with thirteen minutes of normal time to play when referee Marc Lynch decided to show the winger red after a challenge on a Waterford player. Much to the bemusement of both the visiting bench and support.

Rovers smothered any hope of a Waterford revival, limiting Keith Long’s charges to half chances. Former Rovers striker Padraig Amond mustered a late opportunity but McGinty held the effort as he claimed his fourth clean sheet of the season. Rovers doing enough to hold on for a first victory in Waterford since 2021.

Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Ryan Burke, Niall O’Keeffe (Ben McCormack 70), Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald, Padraig Amond, Conor Parsons, Maleace Asamoah (Dean McMenamy 70), Darragh Leahy (Connor Evans 85), Kacper Radkowski (Christie Pattison 70).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Reece Hutchinson, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 65), Charlie Wiggett, Niall Morahan, Fabrice Hartmann (William Fitzgerald 65), Oliver Denham, Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 65), Simon Power, Conor Malley, Nando Pijnaker.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Dutch striker Rein Smit, subject to international clearance.

The 23-year-old joins Rovers having trained with the club over a recent number of weeks and has featured in several pre-season friendlies, impressing manager John Russell. 

A product of the Heerenveen academy, where he signed at 13, Smit was a regular in their underage sides before appearing for the first team in the Eredivise. He then made the move to Dutch second tier side Telstar in 2021 where he was an important member of the first team for two seasons.

The Castricum native has signed a deal until the end of the season and is keen to make his mark as soon as possible. 

“I was in contact with John (Russell) early last year and I wanted to come to Rovers then”, Smit explains. 

“But Telstar didn’t want to let me go then. Then in the summer, I came to visit and see how it was but I had a small injury and couldn’t sign. So in the winter I came out and started to train with Rovers and get fit and happily, I was offered a contract.

“I am always hungry for goals and I want to be involved in both creating and scoring them. It’s going to be a huge challenge to get into the team and stay there but that’s what I’m here to do. I know I need to work hard and show John and the staff what I’m capable of.” 

Settling in Sligo over the past few weeks, Smit is quickly getting familiar with the area, his team-mates and the opposition.   

“Sligo is a really nice place!”, he continued. 

“It’s quieter than the area I am from but the weather is similar! 

“I didn’t know much about Rovers or the League of Ireland before I came but from what I’ve seen, it’s physical but my playing style is physical so I like it.

“I think there’s a really good squad here. We deserved to win last week against Shamrock Rovers and if you deserve to win against the league winners, then you’re doing a good job. The likes of JR Wilson, I love his aggressiveness, Conor Malley’s creativity and Fabrice Hartmann’s skill.” 

Russell had hoped to be able to include the centre forward in his squad from the start of the season. However a slight knock picked up in pre-season, delayed the process.. 

Speaking about his latest signing, Russell said: “I’m delighted to sign Rein. He has been with us since pre-season but unfortunately picked up a slight strain which put his signing back a few weeks. 

“He has a really good pedigree having come up through the Heerenveen academy and then breaking into the first team before moving onto Telstar. 

“We feel he has the attributes to do well in our league and especially in how we play. We will need to be patient in building him up over the next few weeks but we’re all excited to have him join us and add more firepower to our team.”

Suspend reality for a moment and imagine Sligo Rovers announcing the signing of the greatest player on the planet, a world record goal-scorer, an international icon, the most famous sportsman of his era. Think Rooney, Ronaldo, even Messi, and you have the picture. Couldn’t happen, right? Except it did. Continue reading “Blast from the Past: Dixie Dean” →