David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Francely Lomboto netted a dramatic 90th minute equaliser as Sligo Rovers stayed within reach of Cork City at the Showgrounds. 

Kitt Nelson had given the Rebels the lead with a quarter of an hour to go, but Rovers were rewarded for their hard work and perseverance when the lively Lomboto popped up to force Owen Elding’s header across the line at the death.

City finished this game with ten men after Josh Fitzpatrick butted heads with Rovers sub Stephen Mallon on 78.

For the third game in eight days, Russell named an unchanged starting side. While City rewarded last Monday’s match winner Nelson, who scored in this fixture back in March, with a start. The Preston loanee their only change from that dramatic win over Waterford. 

The hosts did start the brighter and went close through Jad Hakiki whose effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly wide. While there was a hearts in mouths moment for the Leesiders early on when Rovers’ Gareth McElroy looked like he was shoved to the ground in front of the City posts as he tried to get contact on a Will Fitzgerald set-piece.

City’s Evan McLaughlin had a free-kick from the angle held by Sam Sargeant in the Rovers goal. While McElroy couldn’t generate enough power on his header from a Jake Doyle-Hayes cross late in the half. 

Rovers’ top scorer Owen Elding lost his footing at the crucial moment as he skewed an effort wide 12 minutes into the second period as they chased the opener. While at the far end, Djenario Daniels was inches away from tapping home a Joshua Fitzpatrick cross towards the back post with 20 to go.  

Cork hit the front on 77. Daniels missed Fitzpatrick’s cross but Nelson made no such mistake as he bundled the ball beyond Sargeant. 

Fitzpatrick was then shown a straight red after he got involved with Rovers sub Mallon on 78. 

Mallon was involved in the late drama as Elding sent the winger’s cross back across the face of goal for Lomboto to squeeze beyond Tein Troost. 

Fitzgerald almost won this game for the hosts in the fifth minute of added time but he dragged a shot wide and beyond the far post. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 72), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe 92); Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki (Stephen Mallon 72), Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 62).  

Cork City: Tien Troost; Milan Mbeng, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley, Bernardo Couto (Matthew Kiernan 64); Evan McLaughlin, Sean Murray; Cathal O’Sullivan, Kitt Nelson (Rio Shipston 82), Alex Nolan (Joshua Fitzpatrick 53); Djenairo Daniels. 

Referee: Rob Harvey. 

Attendance: 2,187.

Sligo Rovers will play their third game in the space of eight days as Cork City are this Saturday’s visitors to the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game will be the Bit O’Red’s first outing at home in the second round of league fixtures following games in both Waterford and Derry over the Easter period. John Russell’s side took three points from those two games and will look to move out of the Premier Division’s bottom spot with a win over the Rebels this weekend. 

This will be the second time the sides will face each other this term. Top-scorer Owen Elding gave Rovers an early lead at Turner’s Cross back in March, but the Leesiders hit back through Kitt Nelson in the second period as the points were shared. 

Russell’s hand is strengthened for this one by the return of full-back Harvey Lintott to full fitness, while midfielder Connor Malley is available again having missed Tuesday’s defeat in Derry through suspension. 

Ollie Denham will be assessed in the lead up to Saturday, while Wilson Waweru continues his recovery.

Speaking to sligorovers.com this week, Russell says his players must prove they can perform when called upon and feels Cork’s late win over Waterford on Monday will have them arriving in Sligo all guns blazing. 

“There’s not really much point in me or anyone else talking too much about the game, it’s about actions. We can analyse and talk all we want but it’s worth nothing if we don’t go out on Saturday in front of our own supporters, on our own ground and take the game to Cork. The players, every one of them, know what is expected of all of them and they know what I want from them. I need them to do their talking on the pitch now. 

“It’s all about actions now. We know how good we can be and we must show it. We’re a very young side but we also have experience and having someone like Connor back adds to that. Harvey being back also gives us a boost and hopefully we’ll have positive news on Ollie. We’re as close to full strength as we’ve been all year so we have no excuse on that front. 

“Cork scored those late goals against Waterford and that’s going to have done a lot for them. They’re a very good side and they’ll be coming up here looking for another win. 

“We will be as well prepared as we can be and the players will have all the information they need. We’re really looking forward to being back at the Showgrounds and we’re focused on putting in a good shift.”

David Goulden 

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers return to action in the Women’s All-Island Cup first round with a fixture at the Showgrounds against Bohemian FC on Sunday, 1.30pm.

Last month the Dublin side visited the Showgrounds for the opening game of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) and were held to a scoreless draw by a battling Bit O’Red performance.

Bohs will go into this encounter on the back of a heavy defeat (7-2) against Shelbourne a fortnight ago. They had no game last weekend due to a weather-enforced postponement against Waterford at the RSC.

Sligo Rovers endured a tough outing, in terms of injuries, last Saturday when they hosted Galway Utd at the Showgrounds.

While Galway recorded a hard-earned 3-1 victory, the Bit O’Red lost Katie Melly and Jessica Casey to separate second-half injuries, and both players were stretchered off.

Katie Melly sustained an ankle injury that will keep her out of the team for at least four weeks, while Jessica Casey will be sidelined for a similar timespan with a knee injury.

Rovers manager Steve Feeney accepted that both players will be a significant loss as he reflected on what was ultimately a costly outing against Galway.

“The concession of the early goal against Galway was disappointing, but the players responded positively, and we were well in the game after that,” he said.

“I suppose Galway created some chances in the first half, but we were solid, and I felt we were coming back into the game in the second half when we had the two injuries.

“Katie was a big loss, as she was doing a good job in a more defensive role, and she has great pace also, so her departure disrupted our fluency.

“Then we lost Jessica a few minutes later, and it just didn’t help us, but there was ample evidence of the character and determination of the players; they kept going, and the late goal from Rachel (McGoldrick) was deserved,” he added.

Looking ahead to a first outing in this season’s All-Island Cup, Steve stressed the importance of a winning start in what is a tough group that also includes Shelbourne and Linfield.

“I’m not expecting anything easy from Bohemians, and they will be approaching
this game with a similar attitude to ourselves; both teams will feel they can win, and to have a realistic chance of making the quarter-finals, winning the first game is vital,” stated the Bit O’Red boss.

“We will be targeting a victory to get the All-Island Cup campaign off to a good start. Both teams would have preferred a better start to the league, and both teams have conceded a good few goals, but this is an opportunity now for us to go out and get a victory.

“We will have to make changes due to injuries to Katie (Melly), Jessica (Casey) and Paula (McGrory), while Emma Hansberry is on the doubtful list at this stage. Muireann and Lauren Devaney may not be available.

“On the plus side, Leah Kelly came on for Jessica last Saturday, and she was lively and energetic. We have plenty of players who are just waiting for a chance to start, and Sunday could be an opportunity for them,” he concluded.

Bohemian FC will start with manager Alban Hysa serving a suspension following his dismissal from the sideline last time out against Shelbourne for two yellow cards.

However, that won’t seriously impact the starting 11, and the Dublin women will
Look to players like Hannah Healy and Katie McCarn to score the goals, each having hit the target this season already.

Other players who have the potential to make big contributions include Roisin McGovern, who has got amongst the goals, and Aoibhe Brennan; both have started all five WPD games this season.  

Kick-off at the Showgrounds on Sunday will be at 1.30pm, and the game will be on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers were unable to follow up their Easter Friday hammering of Waterford as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Derry City at the Brandywell.

During a game in which the scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the storyline, Rovers were two behind after 25 minutes.

The opener arrived with more than a touch of controversy involved. Daniel Mullen clearly handled the ball inside the area but somehow referee Marc Lynch failed to spot the incident. Mullen fired past Sam Sargeant for the lead having controlled the ball in more than contentious circumstances.

Derry had their second mid-way through the opening half when Gavin Whyte broke free of Jake Doyle-Hayes before finishing past Sargeant.

The second half was only minutes old when Mullen copper-fastened the points for the Candystripes when he finished off a Michael Duffy set piece.

Rovers fought on and were arguably the better side in the last half hour. Francely Lomboto, Oskar Van Hattum and Matty Wolfe, each second half subs all went close as Rovers troubled the opposition on several occasions before the finish.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce (Hayden Cann 74), Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt, Sam Todd; Carl Winchester, Robbie Benson (Adam O’Reilly 64), Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce 64; Dom Thomas, Daniel Mullen (Sean Patton 74), Michael Duffy (Paul McMullan 81).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 60), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Owen Elding, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Stephen Mallon 60), Will Fitzgerald (Oskar Van Huttum 84); Jad Hakiki (Matty Wolfe 60); Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 60).

Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).

John Russell is urging his players to build on Friday’s dominative win over Waterford as the Bit O’Red face into crunch clashes with both Derry City and Cork City in the coming days. 

Rovers put in a superb showing despite inclement conditions at the RSC as goals from Gareth McElroy, Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto saw Rovers pick up a first win in six to lift themselves above the Rebels who now occupy bottom spot by virtue of Rovers’ better goal difference. 

Speaking to LOITV after the four goal victory, a proud Russell spoke of his pride in a real clinical performance from the visitors who kept a clean sheet for the first time this year. 

“We managed the game and did really well to get an early goal”, he said. 

“It was an outstanding move, real high energy and high pressing. We looked a threat all night and managed the conditions really well. It was touch and go whether the game would go ahead but we dealt with the surface really well. 

“They had a man sent off, which changed things for them but overall, we’re delighted with a clean sheet. To score four goals away from home in front of travelling support on the back of what’s been a tough few weeks for them and us is great. I keep saying it, we’ve great belief in this group. They keep working hard and a lot of our performances have been good. It’s just been about turning those performances into three points and we were able to do that tonight.” 

Rovers were irresistible in the middle, bossing the centre of the pitch and that didn’t go unnoticed by Russell who heaped deserved praise on his engine room generals. While he also acknowledged the influence and input of his centre halves and goalkeeper. 

“We have been playing well this year but we were guilty of giving away goals and making silly errors, but we didn’t do that tonight. Jake Doyle-Hayes, we missed him and it was great to have him come back into the team. I thought him and Ronan Manning were excellent along with Jad Hakiki. 

“We played on the front foot and we showed what we’re all about. The clean sheet is huge because we haven’t managed to do that yet this season. Sam (Sargeant) was very assured and made the big decisions very well. John Mahon and Gareth McElroy defended well and had to because everyone knows the quality that Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan have. It was a tough night for Waterford, but we still had to perform and play to our strengths which we did.

“We need to build on this now, we know there’s more in this group and we need to push on against Derry.”

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers moved off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a sublime four goal trouncing of Waterford at the RSC on Friday.

On a night of a few firsts, the Bit O’Red pocketed a maiden first clean sheet of the season courtesy of an assured defensive performance.

While a first senior goal for centre half Gareth McElroy was complimented by strikes from Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto as the visitors ruthlessly sentenced Waterford to their sixth league defeat on the trot. 

The hosts finished this game with ten men after Kyle White was sent off on the hour having committed a second bookable offence. 

Rovers made three changes from the defeat to Galway, with goalkeeper Sam Sargeant replacing Conor Walsh in nets. While attacker Cian Kavanagh and the influential Jake Doyle-Hayes returned following respective bans, both putting in impressive shifts.

John Russell’s side took charge of this game straight away. Teen defender McElroy stood his ground to get a head on Will Fitzgerald’s corner in the seventh minute, as the Donegal man nodded past Stephen McMullan for the first senior goal of his fledgling career. 

Sligo have been the victim of quick-fire goals a few times this term but were able to turn the tables on the Blues here and had their second within three minutes. 

The composed Doyle-Hayes tidied up the loose ball before Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson combined to tee up Elding who rose highest at the back stick to head his fifth of the year past a stunned McMullan. 

The pressure coming from the away side was incessant as Sligo purred in the south east rain. Jad Hakiki kept McMullan busy, forcing two stops from the young net minder as Keith Long’s side were carved open again and again. 

Elding, now the division’s joint-top scorer, sent a drive from the angle which had McMullan at full stretch on 33 minutes as a clinical Rovers sought to put this game to bed even before the break.

Waterford lost White on the hour after a challenge on Hutchinson produced a second yellow from referee Aaron O’Dowd. 

Things got worse for the Munster men on 62 when McMullan spilled a Fitzgerald corner as he looked to pick the ball from the sky. A scrap for possession ensued but Sligo were the winners of this duel as the ball landed at Kavanagh’s foot. The striker smashed home his third of the season against his old club from close range. 

Hakiki again caused concern in the Waterford ranks and tested McMullan once more with ten to go. The roaming Dubliner seeking out the space before sending a low shot into the arms of the young goalkeeper. 

Three became four with two of the 90 minutes left. Substitutes Connor Malley and Francely Lomboto got in on the act when the former found the latter with a simple through ball. Lomboto firing past McMullan, completing the rout with his second goal in three outings. 
Rovers are away from the Showgrounds again this Tuesday as we face Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Waterford: Stephen McMullan, Navajo Bakboord (Andy Boyle, 46), Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Kyle White, James Olayinka (Ben McCormack, 71), Grant Horton, Trae Coyle (Sam Glenfield, 75), Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan (Dean McMenamy, 68), Padraig Amond (Maarten Pouwels, 71).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton, 70), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe, 82), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Connor Malley, 70), Jad Hakiki (Francely Lomboto, 81), Owen Elding, Reece Hutchinson, Cian Kavanagh (Stephen Mallon, 70).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

David Goulden

Despite a battling second half showing, Sligo Rovers were unable to come from two goals down as Galway United took the spoils in Saturday’s Connacht derby.

Cian Byrne struck twice, a goal in each half before Owen Elding netted his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot with just under 20 minutes to go.

Unfortunately, Rovers were unable to find an equaliser despite throwing everything at it late on. 

Rovers boss John Russell made three changes from the defeat to Bohs with John Mahon and Jad Hakiki returning. While Conor Reynolds made his first start of the season.

A well-organised United went ahead after 21. Their typically direct style of play paid off somewhat as Killian Brouder’s long throw into Conor Walsh’s penalty area was only cleared as far as Byrne who lashed home, first time.

The visitors doubled their lead with a well hit set piece from the same player.

Elding went close from seven yards out before he smashed the crossbar with a vicious volley as Rovers worked our way back into this one.

Perseverance was rewarded on 72 minutes when Ronan Manning was hacked to the ground inside the area. Elding had little trouble slotting the ball beyond Evan Watts. 

Despite hard work, Rovers failed to produce a leveller and now move on to Friday’s visit to the RSC to face Waterford. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Conor Reynolds (Oskar Van Hattum 54), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley (Francely Lomboto 86), Matty Wolfe (Stephen Mallon 54); Will Fitzgerald, Ronan Manning, Jad Hakiki; Owen Elding. 

Galway United: Evan Watts; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Greg Cunningham; Jeannot Esua, Rob Burns (Stephen Walsh 72); Vincent Borden, Cian Byrne, David Hurley (Sean Kerrigan 80); Jimmy Keohane; Patrick Hickey. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin. 

Attendance: 2,786.

The Showgrounds plays stage to the first Connacht derby of the year on Saturday as Sligo Rovers face Galway United in a much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, kick-off 7.45pm. 

The Bit O’Red are on the search for a first win in five, while the high-flying Tribesmen will arrive in Sligo looking to potentially move to the top of the table depending on results in Friday night’s fixtures. 

Rovers are unbeaten in the Premier Division against United since 2017, while the 2023 First Division winners haven’t picked up a league win in Sligo in almost three decades. Rovers had the better of the battles between the clubs last season, picking up six points from the four games between them. 

There is mixed news for Rovers boss John Russell on the team news front. 

Both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Cian Kavanagh miss this one as they serve the final of three and two game suspensions respectively. 

While Ollie Denham and Harvey Lintott will miss this game because of injuries picked up last week at Dalymount Park. Wilson Waweru is also unavailable. 

There is good news for Russell who will face his old club, with both influential midfielder Jad Hakiki and skipper John Mahon available again following one game suspensions. 

Stephen Mallon also returns following a number of weeks out injured. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Russell says: “This is of course a massive game for us. We want to start turning some very good recent performances into results as quickly as we can.  

“I’ve been very impressed with the character of this group of players. They have never let their heads drop or standards slip over the last few weeks. 

“The hunger and fight is there. We see it in every game and every day in training from each and every player. We need to bring that into the game against Galway.

“It’s hard to think of anything better than a really competitive Connacht derby in front of a big Showgrounds crowd. We can’t wait for it. 

“It’s great that you hear so much about the numerous Dublin derbies. It’s great to see the league getting the exposure it deserves. But our derby here in the west is just as big an occasion. 

“I loved being involved in these games as a player and even more now as a manager. It’s always competitive, noisy and full of drama. So we’re encouraging as many people as possible to get along and witness what should be a great game and really get behind our boys.”

The absence of Kavanagh will again offer the likes of Francely Lomboto and Owen Elding the opportunity to take the number nine position at the tip of the Rovers attack. 

Elding has been one of Sligo’s standouts this season so far with three goals to the teenager’s name and the Riverstown native is full of optimism ahead of Saturday. 

“It was disappointing the way the season started in terms of results”, the 19-year-old reflects. 

“However, we know we are putting in good performances and we know we have too good of a squad to be in the position we’re in. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to kick-start our year and get a result in what will hopefully be a packed out Showgrounds.”

Previewing the visitors, Owen is full of respect for the Maroon army but is fully focused on turning Rovers’ fortunes around, beginning Saturday. 

“Galway are a very direct team but they’re very effective and are very good at playing to their strengths”, he continues. 

“That’s why they are where they are in the table. But we’ve analysed them well and we know where we can hurt them and it’s up to us now to go out and do that. 

“You want to win every game you play in but it’s not easy. There is a rivalry there with Galway of course and that’s not lost on any of the players be it the ones who have come through the academy, the lads who are here a few years or the recent signings. You’re reminded every day how important this game is for everyone at the club and all our fans. 

“Everyone wants to win this one and I’m sure Galway feel the same. It’s a special game, any time we face them but the fact we’re at home, the onus is on us to play on the front foot, dictate things and hopefully pick up a result that can get us going again.”

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

On the road again for Sligo Rovers with successive away games in the Women’s Premier Division as the action resumes following the international break last weekend.

This time around it’s a journey to Limerick to tackle a high-flying Treaty Utd side that will harbour aspirations of top spot if other results are favourable and they manage a victory against the Bit O’Red.

The challenge will not be lost on manager Steve Feeney, who commented after a 5-1 reversal last time out in Wexford: “In fairness to the players, they kept creating chances and had Wexford under a fair bit of pressure, but they held us off, and then we had Amber (Hardy) sent off, which I thought was a bit harsh, as it was a fair challenge for the ball,” he suggested.

That Wexford game was the first start of the season for Amber Hardy, but she will miss out on Saturday due to suspension, and that will pave the way for Bonnie McKiernan to return between the posts for her fourth start of the season.

“This is a hugely competitive league, but once we keep focused and concentrate on doing the best we can, I have no doubt that we will start to pick up points,” added Steve, and that outlook will be crucial for 90 minutes at the Markets Field on Saturday.

Home wins against Waterford and Cork and an away victory against bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves have Treaty sitting joint-second, and they will be aiming to maintain an unbeaten run at the Markets Field.

However, a 4-1 defeat at Tallaght Stadium upset the run and they will be focused on maximum points on Saturday.

On the plus side for Sligo Rovers is the fact that in each game this season lots of goal opportunities have been created, and that was evident last time out against Wexford, where Mairead McIntyre’s superb strike got them back into the game.

Unfortunately, on that occasion, Wexford countered inside 60 seconds, and it’s that aspect of the team’s performance that will have to be addressed, starting on Saturday.

Kick-off at the Markets Field is at 3pm, and the game is live on LOITV.

Sligo Football and Sports Development Society LTD.

Sligo Rovers will hold their AGM on Monday, April 28th, at 7.30pm at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo.

The AGM will see the election of the 2025 Management Committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances from the club’s treasurer and the chairman and secretary’s report.

Please note only fully paid-up members or those enjoying the privileges of membership in accordance with the society rules are eligible to attend the AGM.

AGENDA

Chairman’s Address
Minutes of Previous 2024 AGM
Matters Arising
Secretary’s Report
CEO Report
Treasures Report, Adoption of Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet.
Development update
FSR update
Appointment of Auditors
Election of Committee of Management
Any Other Business

The Management Committee Nomination form is available for those interested in joining the committee by emailing administrator@sligorovers.com.

A Zoom link will be available for members looking to attend the meeting virtually. Members who wish to avail themselves of this option are asked to email shane@sligorovers.com at the earliest opportunity, and a link will be returned to access via Zoom.