Sligo Rovers host St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night as football returns to The Showgrounds for the 2019 SSE Premier Division season.

Both teams are unbeaten going into the game, with Rovers recording a 1-1 draw with Dundalk in an encouraging start for the Bit O’ Red.

Tickets are available at turnstiles and also here.

In team news, Ronan Murray (ankle) and David Cawley (knee) are doubtful and will undergo late fitness tests.

Liam Buckley said: “The start to our season shows just how there is no easy games in this league. It’ll be a tough one, St Pat’s have signed well in the winter as we know.

“We’re looking to build on the result last week and we’re looking for a performance to compliment it.

“We showed a real determination and a terrific attitude in Dundalk last week. I think if we get a good performance then the result will go with it.

“I’m looking forward to taking charge here for the first time and funnily enough it has turned out to be against St Pat’s.

“It’s going to be a great occasion I’m sure but the priority for us is put in a performance and come away with a positive outcome.”  

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new link up with IT Sligo which will increase the number of local and regional players advancing to play with the club’s first team and underage squads.

As part of the agreement, two scholarships will be co-funded annually by IT Sligo and Rovers. 

The scholarships will be available for male and female players, where the students will play professionally with the club and also participate in the college’s football club, who participate in the CUFL & WSCAI leagues throughout the academic year.

The club will also have use of state of the art facilities at the college for first-team and underage squads, including its modern Knocknarea Arena as well as the grass and all weather pitches on site.

Furthermore, the IT Sligo logo will appear on the Sligo Rovers first team kits and IT Sligo advertising will also be displayed in The Showgrounds and our social media platforms.

Chairman Martin Heraghty spoke of his delight of the partnership:

“It has always been important to establish a link with IT Sligo and to create scholarship programme that would be open to both male and female footballers. Everyone at the football club will really buy into this, as we feel the long term results will see more local talent coming through to the first team. Training times will be adjusted to allow students to attend college and the train with the team afterwards, or vice versa. We are all delighted with the agreement and look forward to the future. 

IT Sligo Planning, Operations and Excellence manager Iain McPherson is thrilled with the programme.

“At IT Sligo, we are delighted we have established this link up with one of the biggest clubs in Irish football, Sligo Rovers. 

“Behind the scenes, both parties have worked extremely hard to create this elite football scholarship programme, and put in place a pathway for players to succeed in being professional footballers and obtaining a third level education which is so important.”

IT Sligo manager Colm Jinks added:

“The big thing for us is keeping those players who have come through the club’s underage system at the club and to help give them the best possible education at the same time. 

“IT Sligo has established itself as one of the leading sporting third level institutions in the region and are showing their intent in being one of the best in the country by offering this amazing scholarship programme along with all other scholarships available through IT Sligo’s football club.”

The first two players who will attend IT Sligo in September 2019 will be announced in the coming weeks, as we look forward to helping our young Bit O’ Red players both on the field and off it.

The Aurivo Co-Op Consumer Foodsbrand, Connacht Gold, has announced its continued support for Sligo Rovers as part of its ongoing sponsorship of the Bit O’Red Under 19 side. The partnership continues to provide Sligo Rovers with an unprecedented level of promotion and has a positive impact on the underage team. 

For the last two years, Connacht Gold has been the official sponsor of the Under 19 side. With headquarters for Aurivo’s global business based in Sligo, Connacht Gold is committed to getting behind the local club and helping them achieve success in 2019. 

Karen McGarty, Communications and Brand Manager Aurivo (pictured at top) said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Sligo Rovers through our sponsorship of the Bit O’RedUnder 19 side again this year. As Sligo Rovers continue to invest in the young players of the future and develop a centre of excellence, we are proud to support the club’s vision and ensure it operates as an integral part of the local community.”

Welcoming the sponsorship renewal, Martin Heraghty, Sligo Rovers Chairman said: “In preparation for this announcement and looking back on the beginning of the partnership with Aurivo and the Connacht Gold brand, we then had a number of emerging players in the under 19 side including Jack Keaney, John Mahon and Ed McGinty – all three players are established players on the squad now and we are seeing even more talent coming through on the team. The partnership is supporting our players pathway for future success and it is vital for Sligo Rovers to have sponsors such as Aurivo’s Connacht Gold brand to help fund the academy team. 

“We have five academy teams; four male and one female; and they all have aspiring players who are committed to movingup to senior football. There is a huge sense of community with this sponsorship deal and we are delighted to have Aurivo’s Connacht Gold as our official sponsors of the Under 19 side again this year, which will help us continue to develop our underage team.”

Sligo Rovers host St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday in The Showgrounds as our home SSE Airtricity Premier Division seasons gets underway.

Rovers drew 1-1 with Dundalk last week and Liam Buckley will finally prepare to manage the Bit o’ Red in a home game on Friday.

There is a special family night planned by the club. Details are below. Kick-off is 7:45pm.

Buy your season tickets here  

Buy your match tickets

• Free face-painting
• Free popcorn
• FAI Soccer Fun Zone

Ed McGinty produced a man of the match performance for Sligo Rovers as we held Dundalk 1-1 on Oriel Park on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Rovers were under pressure for large parts of the game but an inspired McGinty saved a Patrick Hoban penalty and made several fine save.

Jack Keaney scored the Rovers goal with a 30-yard free-kick that was accurate and well-struck to deceive Gary Rogers.

Sean Murray’s goal meant the game finished level.

Next up is St Patrick’s Athletic in The Showgrounds on Friday.

DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson (Sean Murray 10); John Mountney (Daniel Kelly 74), Patrick McEleney (Georgie Kelly 83), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.

SLIGO ROVERS: Edward McGinty; John Dunleavy, John Mahon, Dante Leverock, Regan Donelon; Kyle Callan-McFadden, Jack Keaney; Kris Twardek, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Morahan 83), Liam Kerrigan (Ronan Coughlan 87); Romeo Parkes.

REFEREE: Rob Harvey.

Sligo Rovers season tickets are still on sale.

With 18 home games to come in The Showgrounds tickets are priced from as low as €50.

Super Reds will get a free jersey with their ticket.

Adults can guarantee seats as well as saving on each home game.

Click here to purchase.

https://www.sligorovers.com/product-category/2019-season-tickets/

Email administrator@sligorovers.com for more

Sligo Rovers face Dundalk on Friday night in the opening game of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at Oriel Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

It will be 112 days since Liam Buckley was appointed to taking charge of his first competitive game and Bit O’ Red fans will hope it’s worth the wait for a new-look squad.

In team news, Ronan Murray (ankle) and David Cawley (knee) will have late injury tests. Ronan Coughlan joined on Thursday and should be part of the squad.

There are eight new faces in the squad in total.

Liam Buckley said: “We’ve had a good pre-season with a lot of work done in terms of fitness and developing the style of play. I think in the number of weeks we’ve spent working on the training pitch and playing matches that progress has been made in instilling that.

“It’s a new season and a new start for all. It’s a challenging game to start with, there is no doubt about that about that, but we’re looking forward to going out there and competing.

“I think we’ve brought good players to the club. When I joined I spoke about signing players here to improve the team, not just to fill a squad for the sake of it. We’ll go there with a belief we can get a positive result and we’re very much looking forward to it.”

Happy Valentine’s Day #bitored fans

Sligo Rovers have swooped to sign striker Ronan Coughlan this morning from Cork City

Coughlan is seeking regular first-team football with Rovers moving to add him to our ranks for 2019.

A versatile attacker, he shone for Bray Wanderers before moving to City last summer.

The Limerick-born player spend time with Huddersfield Town in England before returning home.

“It’s all about playing games as far as I’m concerned. I spoke with John Caulfield during pre-season and as far as I was concerned my priority was playing every week. There are no guarantees at any club, and obviously Cork were signing more players. I just want to play and know that when I’m playing regularly I’ll find my best form.

“I met Liam Buckley during the week. We had a long, long meeting. I was really taken by it and it convinced me sign. I was playing out wide with Bray Wanderers and eventually got moved into central striker and scored goals. The move to Cork saw me play a few different positions. I’m coming here to get in the team and show the best of me.

“I don’t know too many of the lads apart from Johnny Dunleavy. I’ll train today and as far as I’m concerned I’m ready. I don’t expect to just become a regular here. I’ve got players to compete with but I’ll make no secret of my target which is coming here to score goals.”

Liam Buckley: “Ronan’s availability was something that really interested us and a few others. I spoke to him about the potential to do well here and how I think he can figure in how he play and so forth.

“While he might need time to settle into the squad, he has completed an entire pre-season in Cork, so there is no concern there, and he is technically very good so I think he’ll quickly find his way.

“From the conversations we have had I can see that hunger in him.”

Meanwhile the club can confirm that we will not be proceeding with the signature of Brendan Ogbu due to difficulties around obtaining an international clearance.

Coughlan will wear the number 7 shirt.

There is great news for #bitored fans with Ocean FM confirming increased coverage of Sligo Rovers for every league game home and away this season.

The Rovers Hour live is from 9pm on Ocean FM with second half commentary / reaction.

This Friday vs Dundalk will be live on OceanFM.ie from 7:45pm.

Make sure to tune in if you can’t make it.