The Bit O’ Red are issuing a notice to supporters and a supporter group in relation to the use of pyrotechnics.

It reads:

As you are aware, during last Friday’s match with Finn Harps in Finn Park in Ballybofey, pyrotechnics were used by Sligo Rovers supporters

As you are also aware, these are banned from League of Ireland football grounds and their use results in Sligo Rovers receiving a fine from the Football Association of Ireland.

This happened on several occasions last year. We have repeatedly warned supporters about using pyrotechnics and have grown extremely frustrated that the message has been ignored.

The club was fined on several occasions last year, totaling thousands of euro and today we have received notification of a citation which will result in another fine. This is emanating from the Finn Harps game where pyrotechnics were used and thrown onto the pitch, one of which engulfed in flames on the pitch and had to be extinguished and removed by a steward.

In 2019 €495,000 was fundraised for Sligo Rovers and, in order to get through the year, the club committee and fans had to go to extreme lengths to generate this money. Every cent was needed.

For our own supporters to repeatedly instigate these fines totally contradicts and insults this work. We understand why you use pyrotechnics but this is not an acceptable reason to do so given we have been fined on each occasion and puts our future in jeopardy as well as endangering other fans.

We will no longer accept such incidents with just a warning. We have identified some of those who used them in Ballybofey and know these are repeat offenders. 

We will be introducing a number of sanctions if any supporter uses pyrotechnics at home or away matches for the rest of the season.

(a)    Refusing entry to individuals from home matches. This will not be temporary. It will be permanent

(b)   Ensuring the same supporters are not permitted to away matches
 

(c)    The closure of the Jinks Avenue Stand for home supporters if pyrotechnics are used in this section by our fans.

We will be represented in all part of the stadium to monitor it on Friday and other games. Please adhere to our request or do not attend Sligo Rovers matches in the future.

Regards,

Sligo Rovers Management Committee

Sligo Rovers defender Danny Kane has had a minor foot procedure and will return next month.

The Bit O’ Red defender was troubled by the injury in pre-season with club management and medical staff opting for Kane to undergo the procedure to cure the problem.

Liam Buckley said: “Danny played last Friday’s match with Finn Harps but he was in and out of pre-season because of this issue.

“It’s something from an operation he had before he came to the club that was inserted that is now causing discomfort at this stage.

“The recommendation we had from the medical side of it is that he have it dealt with. We booked him in for the first possible moment and that day was last Monday.

“He did well in Ballybofey especially when you consider he has been playing with this pain but it’s right to get it done now.

“It was a small procedure and Danny will sit out while we wait for it to heal.

“It won’t take too long and we hope to see him back in a few weeks and we’ll see an even better version of him.”

Sligo Rovers midfielder Niall Morahan emerged as a bright spot in the opening night of the season match with Finn Harps and is looking to help the Bit O’ Red respond this Friday night in The Showgrounds.

Rovers were beaten 1-0 in difficult conditions in Ballybofey and were denied a draw late on by a good save from Harps goalkeeper Mark McGinley.

The Bit O’ Red play the first home match of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic from 7:45pm on Friday.

Morahan, speaking to www.sligorovers.com today, said Rovers have to take some of the fallout from the game into the match in Sligo on Friday.

“We were looking to kick off with a win and we knew that it was a tough place to go and it was going to be a battle. We didn’t come out on the right side of it and it was bitterly disappointing for us all.

“It was hard to take, but we know it has to be better from us and there is a lot more to come from the players we have. We’ll move on from it but probably have to take a lot from the game too.

“It’s the first game and you have to pick yourself up. We also lost a very tight game in tough conditions and there’ll be a lot more games like that so we have to quickly learn how to get points from them.”

Morahan did well in the game in which it was hard to keep the ball for long period, particulary in the second period as the pitch deteriorated.

Asked about his own outing, he said: “In a way I was happy with my own performance but I wanted the win more than anything else. The boys and I have to kick on Friday and put in the shift to get it.

“You have no time to sulk. You have to pick yourself up and not feel sorry for yourself. Pat’s lost as well last week so it’s a big game. This can be a game for us to hopefully get our first three points.

“There were some positives and you can take them into the Pat’s game and we should also take the way we felt after the game. We all want to change it for Friday in The Showgrounds.”

Morahan had been hoping for a more positive feeling following the conclusion of pre-season so the Harps defeat was a blow – but the Republic of Ireland Under-19 international is looking for a response for Friday and to put their hard work to better use.

“Pre-season went well. It was tough but everyone came back looking fresh and sharp. Liam and John had us doing all the right work and we are ready to go last Friday in terms of fitness. That wasn’t the issue in terms of the game last week. Our fitness levels will stand to us this season.

“The home support here is always phenomenal and hopefully there will be a big crowd behind us. We’d like to have the 12th man or whatever you call it because while we are going to lift ourselves all week, we need their backing too.

“We want to be straight into Pat’s from the start, we’re the home team and we should be setting the pace. We’ll be looking to play to the best of our ability.”

Sligo Rovers have teamed up with local sports shop Barton Smiths which will allow supporters to purchase club gear in Sligo Town.

The club have enjoyed a great partnership with Barton Smiths in recent years, most noticeably with the club operating its Christmas Shop from the premises.

Supporters can now purchase the clubs brand new home and away jersey in Barton Smiths and also some general merchandise such as hats and scarfs.

Sligo Rovers would like to thank David Smith and his staff for stocking our merchandise and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Barton Smiths in the months and years ahead.

Sligo Rovers begin their home season this Friday night in The Showgrounds against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Rovers take on the Saints at 7:45pm, with tickets available at turnstiles. Both sides were defeated 1-0 last week in close matches.

Tickets are also available at www.sligorovers.com/match-tickets

The Bit O’ Red Wall will also be launched on the night.

Finn Harps started their league campaign in ideal fashion as they overcame neighbours Sligo Rovers in a north west derby at Finn Park.

Karl O’Sullivan poked home what was to be the winner in the 56th minute against a Sligo outfit who ran out of ideas early on. 

With five debutants in their starting side, it was Harps who threatened first during an opening half that lacked in terms of much excitement. 

O’Sullivan, who netted two memorable goals for Limerick at the Showgrounds last year, flashed an effort across the face of the Sligo goal after five minutes. Sam Todd wasn’t far off Raff Cretaro’s chipped set piece which sneaked past Ed McGinty’s far post.

Liam Buckley gave four Rovers players their first outing in the Bit O’Red and two of those men combined for the visitors’ first sight at goal on 21.

Teemu Penninkangas steering Darragh Noone’s cross into the path of David Cawley. The Sligo skipper crowded out however before he could apply a telling touch.

Harps’ reigning player of the year Mark McGinley was called into action soon after. 

Ronan Coughlan’s quick free set another Sligo new boy, Garry Buckley down the right side but goalkeeper McGinley was observant in rushing off his line before Buckley could steady himself. The Cork man’s attempted lob easily caught mid-air.

This league fixture has never produced a scoreless draw in Ballybofey and that record was guaranteed to run on 11 minutes into the second half when Ollie Horgan’s men hit the lead.

From a corner, Dave Webster nodded Mark Colye’s cross into the mixer where O’Sullivan held off a group of Rovers players to prod the ball past a sprawling McGinty, 

Rovers remained wanting in the final third and Coughlan fired over the Harps crossbar on 65 after a punt forward from his back-line opened up space for the striker. 

The home side were then somewhat fortunate to end the game with their full compliment when Coyle smashed into and sent Danny Kane sprawling in front of the travelling support. Harps hearts were in their in mouths as referee Damien McGraith took his time to only show Coyle yellow. 

Coming away from this game with anything would have been kind on Sligo and McGinley effectively ensured the points for the Donegal side in added time. The Ards man rushing out to meet Ronan Murray’s driven effort from the angle after Cawley had sent his fellow county man through on goal.

Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Kosavar Sadiki, Shane McEleney, Sam Todd; David Webster, Mark Russell; Gareth Harkin, Mark Coyle (Ruairi Harkin 85), Ryan Connolly; Raff Cretaro (Barry McNamee 71); Karl O’Sullivan. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Danny Kane, Will Seymour, Kyle Callan-McFadden; Darragh Noone, Teemu Penninkangas; Niall Morahan, David Cawley; Garry Buckley (Jesse Devers 77); Ronan Murray, Ronan Coughlan. 

Referee: Damien MacGraith. 

Attendance: 2,237

Four academy players have been added to the Sligo Rovers first-team squad this season.

Scott Lynch and Mark Byrne have put pen to paper today.

James Robinson and Darren Collins have also been registered.

Collins (striker) and Lynch (winger) have already featured for the first-team.

Byrne is also a midfielder while Robinson is the Under-19 goalkeeper.

Three of the players are IT Sligo students and part of our scholarship programme.

Assistant-manager John Russell said: “The lads have done well in pre-season and are progressing all the time.

“They have been working under great coaches in our underage system and showing their potential.

“The club has a policy of giving young players a chance. It shows if you keep working hard there is the opportunity to get to senior football. We will continue to give those chances.

“We are pleased to welcome them into the fold and they are making their mark.

“Some will feature in the Under-19s too at times. Their development is ongoing and it’s a very good step for them today.”

Images from Michael Melly on the final day of pre-season for Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers begin the new SSE Airtricity Premier Division season away to Finn Harps on Friday.

The Bit O’ Red begin their second season under Liam Buckley with new signings Teemu Penninkangas, Darragh Noone, Garry Buckley, Jesse Devers and Will Seymore all in the squad.

In team news, John Mahon (broken leg) and Regan Donelon (shoulder) are out.

Lewis Banks has responded well to treatment to a thigh problem and could feature – he will have a late fitness test.

Liam Buckley said: “The lads are looking forward to it. We really want to start well and it’s a game to be excited about.

“We’ve had those couple of injuries – they were unfortunate impact ones- but we have to believe that one door opens for somebody else.

“We’ve brought the new players in to add to what we retained from 2019 and I think they will.

“They’re all here with a point to prove, be it coming into a new league or moving clubs or whatever else.

“We expect the conditions to be difficult and some inclement weather and all of that.

“I’ve no doubt Ollie will be playing down Harps and we are whatever else but you can see by the signings with the likes of Barry McNamee that there is a greater strength and backing there this year so that is the challenge for any team that goes up there.

“That said, all that concerns us is our group. We’ve got to work extremely hard, it’ll be a dog rough league again and even harder in each game this season so if we have got aspirations of improving on last year, we’ve got to go into every game and show that we are good enough do so.

“I think we can do that. I know there’ll be a big following up there in terms of support from Sligo, it’ll be a partisan crowd for sure and we want to go up there and put in a serious shift and start on the right foot.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new transport partner, Martin Reilly Mazda which will see the club issued with two 2020 Mazda vehicles for first team manager Liam Buckley and assistant manager John Russell.

The management duo will have the use of the stunning Mazda 3 Hatch and the all new Mazda CX-30 compact SUV.

Both vehicles are available in Petrol, Mild-Hybrid and Diesel.

The agreement will see Martin Reilly Mazda partner with the club for the 2020 season.

Speaking at a launch event this morning, manager Liam Buckley spoke about the deal:

“It’s a great deal for the club. We are really thankful to the guys at Martin Reilly Mazda, a really successful, local car dealership and we are delighted to have them involved with us.

“The cars are top of the range and they will certainly help us with our day to day work.”

Speaking on behalf of Martin Reilly Mazda, Brian Reilly says they are thrilled to be involved:

“Rovers have always been a strong part of the community here in Sligo and the Northwest. We are happy to help them and be involved with such a community driven club.

“We will be at all the games this season supporting the lads and we’re all hoping for a great season ahead.”

Martin Reilly Mazda is located in Carraroe in Sligo. They are also the local Hyundai and BMW Service centre.

Visit their website on www.martinreillymotors.com or visit their showroom today.