It will be a quiet weekend on the pitch this week as just two fixtures take place at The Sean Fallon Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

There are no men’s fixtures this weekend so both women’s teams are in action, with The Under 17’s hosting Greystones at 2pm on Saturday.

The girls are in first place in the group table with three games remaining. Victory here would set them up well going into the last two matches. The visitors are currently in second spot.

On Sunday at 2pm, our Under 19 women’s team host Carlow/Kilkenny on the astro.

Our Under 19’s are also currently in top spot, with a point guaranteeing that position as this is the final group match. The visitors are in third spot behind Donegal on goal difference.

In other news, Under 19 men’s defender Peter Maguire has been named as Player of the Month for September. Peter featured in wins over Cork City, Cobh Ramblers, Shelbourne and UCD as he and his team mates are in top spot in The Under 19 Elite group.

Sligo Rovers return to action on Friday night in Tallaght Stadium as the Bit O’ Red play match 30 in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.

A 1-1 draw against Waterford FC moved the Bit O’ Red to 46 points two weeks ago. 

Derry City remain four points behind Rovers, with Bohemians a point further back with a game in hand.

As the race for Europe hots up, this game will be the fourth and final meeting of the season with the Hoops.

There has been one win each, as well as a draw, both victories coming on a 1-0 scoreline.

In team news, Greg Bolger (two games) and Niall Morahan (one game) serve suspensions. Shane Blaney is set for a return to training next week. There are no other injury concerns.

Liam Buckley said: “We put in a decent performance last time in Tallaght and the game in Sligo a few weeks ago was very close which Shamrock Rovers edged.

“They’re a top quality side, they’re looking to retain the title and are in a great position to do so and they’re top of the league for a reason.

“We took three points in the away fixture, a draw in The Showgrounds, a narrow defeat in a game Shamrock Rovers played quite well in, so we know we’re capable of getting a result and we go there with that in mind.

“The second half against Waterford, we were a little bit disappointed because we didn’t do enough to win the game. Waterford a good side with the form they’ve shown in the second half of the season, they’ve proven very difficult to beat.

“We have known for the last two weeks that we’d be without Greg and Niall for this fixture. They’re brilliant midfielders but we do have a squad with lots of quality in it and we’ve kept in mind the changes we’d have to make as we’ve prepared for this game. Shane Blaney is going to return to training next week so he’s very close.

“Nothing has changed from our end in terms of our ambitions, in terms of our overall goals, and in terms of the quality we have within our group.

“We know teams are trying to chase us down, we have that lead with seven games to go and the number of rivals is only increasing. It’s no surprise with the way the league is and we’re in the better position compared to last season. We’ve got to dig in and show what got us this far in the season.”

On Saturday afternoon, our U14 ‘s finished their season in style by beating Longford Town 4-0 at the Sean Fallon Centre. Conor Langan (twice) and Cillian O’Neill were once again on the scoresheet to add to a strike from Johnny Mcguinn. Rovers went into the game needing a win to guarantee 3^rd place in the group but, unfortunately, results elsewhere went against the boys denying them a spot in the Quarter Finals as a best placed team. A slow start to the summer saw the team fail to win any of their first five games but performances and results improved tremendously to the point that they finished the season with a record of four wins and two draws from the final eight games.

Later that day at the same venue our WU17’s suffered defeat for the first time in their own Shield group, going down 2-0 to Athlone Town. The result could have gone either way but the girls can still take solace in the fact that they remain top of the table after four rounds. A draw between Greystones and DLR Waves means Rovers remain two points clear of the former and three ahead of the latter with two rounds of games to play.

Their U17 male counterparts were in action on Saturday evening also, travelling to Baldonnell to take on UCD. It was another tight game where Rovers were once again unlucky to be beaten, this time by just the odd goal in three, Michael Clifford with the consolation. UCD therefore leapfrog Rovers into 2^nd place with one game remaining and two points between the teams. The final round of fixtures take place on October 23^rd when Rovers host Cavan/Monaghan in a must-win game. UCD travel to Donegal that day to take on Finn Harps and we will need a favour from our neighbours if we are to make the Semi-Finals.

Sunday afternoon and the Sean Fallon Centre saw our U15 side completely mirror the U14’s from the day prior. Another 4-0 win for Rovers, once again against Longford Town, but unfortunately for the second day running it wasn’t going to be enough to qualify for the Quarter Finals. Cillian McGing scored his first ever league double for Sligo Rovers as Daire Patton and regular goalscorer Gary Farren completed the scoring as the U15’s campaign came to a close.

Finally, it was a tough trip to Dublin for the U19’s as they were beaten for the first time in the Elite league this season. Josh Mulrennan scored once again but Bohemians 3-1 victory at St. Aidan’s CBS ended the last unbeaten record in the league and helped the hosts close the gap to Rovers at the top to just two points. Derry City beat Shelbourne and moved 2^nd just one point behind Rovers with four rounds of fixtures to play in what should be a really exciting run-in.

Richard Mullan

The latest International window sees The Republic of Ireland competing at many age groups since Thursday with Rovers’ having five players representing their country in important European Qualifiers.

On Thursday, at Turners Cross in Cork, Ireland Under 17’s defeated Andorra 5-0 with Conor Walsh playing 90 minutes in goal. Walsh recently signed his first professional contract with the club and continues to impress on the international stage. Under 17 defender Daniel Kelly, fresh from his goal against Finn Harps last weekend, was among the substitutes. The pair will again be available for selection tomorrow evening as Ireland host North Macedonia at 7pm at the same venue. The team also host Poland three days later in their final game of the window.

Johnny Kenny, Niall Morahan and Luke McNicholas (on loan at Cliftonville FC) are part of the Ireland Under 21 squad who travel to Montenegro today ahead of Tuesday’s European Qualifier in Podgorica. The side defeated Luxembourg 2-0 yesterday at Tallaght Stadium. Former Rovers academy graduate Liam Kerrigan, currently at UCD, started the game and impressed as he helped earn his side a first half penalty. Kenny was also included in Tom Mohan’s Ireland Under 19 squad for a training camp in Spain this week, however his Under 21 call up means he will travel to Montenegro instead.

Tuesday’s game kicks off at 4.30pm.

Our 500 Club Committee have held the monthly members 500 Club draw for August and September with €2,800 handed out between twenty supporters.

The 500 Club continues to be one of our most important fundraisers with over 500 supporters making monthly contributions.

To join The 500 Club you can visit https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/500-club/ or by emailing michaelclancy04@gmail.com with your name and contact details.

         August Winners:

€500 – Michael McTiernan, Oakfield Crescent

€100 – John Kavanagh, Hazelwood

€100 – Padraig McKeown, Howth Road, Dublin

€100 – Seamus Breslin, Knock, Co. Mayo

€100 – Mary McGowan, Marymount, Sligo

€100 – Shane Martin, Park Rd, Monaghan

€100 – Keith Patterson, Carney, Co. Sligo

€100 – Seamus Gallagher, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo

€100 – Raymond Shorthall, Kells, Co. Meath

€100 – Dermot O’ Hara, Calry, Sligo

        September winners

€500 – Michael Phelan, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo

€100 – Joe Gallagher, Gallagher Parade, Sligo

€100 – John Needham, Hazelwood, Sligo

€100 – Mark Heraghty, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

€100 – Con Cullen, Surrey, England

€100 – Sean Feeney, Stradbally, Co. Laois

€100 – Marcus White, First Sea Road, Sligo

€100 – David Taylor, Dunally, Co. Sligo

€100 – Ultan Mulvihill, First Sea Road, Sligo

€100 – Christy Murphy, Drum, Kilsellagh, Sligo

We would like to thank The 500 Club Committee for their continued hard work and support of the club and to all 500 Club members for their participation in this important fundraiser.

There are five academy games taking place this weekend, with three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Up first are our Under 14’s who finish their season at home to Longford Town at 12 Noon at The Sean Fallon Centre. The team have made great strides since the beginning of the season and found their form during the summer and will be happy with their season overall.

At 2pm on the same venue, The Under 17 women’s team host Greystones, having won the return fixture a fortnight ago in Wicklow. The girls are in a great position in the table and know that a win here will set up the end of the season nicely.

At 5pm, in Balldonnell, Dublin, Our Under 17 men’s team face UCD. The team currently lie in second position in the group and will be looking to pick up all three points in a tough away fixture. Daniel Kelly misses the game as he is on international duty.

On Sunday, our Under 15 team wrap up their season against Longford Town at 2pm on the Sean Fallon Centre All Weather pitch. The lads have had another steady season and can be proud of their efforts ahead of the end of season break.

At the same time there is a crucial clash in St Aidans College, Dublin as our Under 19 men’s team face a tough test away to Bohemian FC. The lads are currently 5 points clear at the top of the table with 4 games remaining. Conor Walsh is on international duty in Cork and will miss the game.

Our Under 19 women have a weekend off as they prepare for their end of season games in the coming weeks.

There were just the three fixtures down for decision at the weekend with our Under 17 men and both Under 19 sides in action across Friday and Sunday.

Ryan Casey’s Under 17 men’s side welcomed north west neighbours Finn Harps on Friday night under the lights at The Sean Fallon Centre. The game was evenly contested with Daniel Kelly scoring for The Bit O’ Red to earn a draw. Kelly now joins up with the Ireland Under 17 squad in Cork this week for three European Qualifiers against Andorra, North Macedonia and Poland.

Our Under 19 sides kicked off together at 2pm on Sunday, with the men’s team playing Galway United at home. Seamas Keogh and Josh Mulrennan, who continues his fine scoring form were on target for Rovers who remain top of the group after the halfway point. Next up for Declan Boyle’s men is a tough trip to Bohemian FC on Sunday in Dublin.

Darragh Healy and Scott Lynch took their Women’s Under 19 side to Greystones and ran out convincing winners on a 6-2 scoreline. This result leaves Rovers 3 points clear on top of the group after five games. The final group game takes place at home against Carlow/Kilkenny in a couple of weeks.

It’s a big week for some of our Academy players who join up with their respective Republic of Ireland teams. Under 17 & 19 players Conor Walsh & Daniel Kelly join up with the Under 17’s in Cork while academy graduates Niall Morahan & Johnny Kenny will travel to Montenegro with The Under 21 squad. Best of luck lads.

This Saturday’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Longford Town has been postponed to international call-ups.

Rovers have two underage call-ups in the window.

The match will be refixed for a later date.

The Bit O’ Red are back in action against Shamrock Rovers on Friday 15 October in Tallaght Stadium.

Sligo Rovers return to action on Saturday night in The Showgrounds as Waterford FC visit in the SSE Airtricity League. Kick-off is 7.45pm,

The team will meet, on the pitch, for a third time this season and the first in Sligo as the earlier home meeting was not played due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Waterford squad. Rovers were awarded a 3-0 win in that fixture.

Rovers claimed 2-1 victory in the first away match but the Blues secured the points in the other match in a 1-0 success.

Match ticket are available at turnstiles for all supporters with no pre-booking needed.

Rovers were hit with a number of absentees last week as Garry Buckley, Greg Bolger, Robbie McCourt, David Cawley and Shane Blaney were ruled out for the game in Dundalk.

Buckley returns from a one-match ban while Bolger and McCourt have trained this week and look set to be available, but Blaney is still out with a foot problem.

Cawley and John Mahon will serve suspensions on Saturday so they miss out.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We were disappointed with how things went last week. I do think the scoreline flattered Dundalk somewhat but it wasn’t enough from our point of view over the course of the 90 minutes.

“We were down a couple of players late in the week and that certainly didn’t help as we had to juggle a few things around. We lost the game and we move on from it.

“It will happen, you’re not going to win every game, particularly with the way the league has panned out this season. Ultimately what matters is how you respond, how consistently you can find results over the year, and I can see the players are looking forward to this week’s game.  

“Waterford are a good side, desperate for points like every other side in the league, and they’ve won six out of their last nine league games and qualified for the FAI Cup semi-finals. The matches they did lose were narrow defeats away to Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic, so it tells you how they’ve been doing in the last few months.

“We’re not setting targets because I think it’s entirely unpredictable how the rest of the league season will turn out. It’s the old expression of one game at a time but it really has to be that way because one result makes a difference. Our approach all season has been to battle for every result we get and that every three points is the same.

“We were the rising team last year, getting better as the season went on, and got into the top four on the final day of the season. I know there are teams out there looking to emulate what we did last season.

“This season we’ve given ourselves a better platform. We feel we have improved as a group, we’re right in the mix battling it out for that European finish. It would be fantastic to get it over the line but it’s going to be a fight to the wire to get there and there is any number of teams chasing it.

“As we look to Saturday, it’s a home game with the great support we get here and we did pick up a couple of wins last month. We would like to replicate that if we can.

“John and David will serve suspensions but we do have Robbie, Greg and Garry back with us. The game will come too soon for Shane and he’s working hard to be back soon.  

“As much as it will be a challenging six weeks from now to the end of the season, it’s also an exciting one as well and we’ll go into this game looking for the result and performance that we desire.”

There are three games down for decision at Academy level this weekend, with our Under 17 men and Under 19 men and women all in action.

Tonight, Friday sees our Under 17 men host Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre at 7.30pm. The lads lost to Shelbourne last Saturday but are still in a good position in the group table.

On Sunday afternoon, our Under 19 women’s team travel to Woodlands to take on Greystones at 2pm. The girls picked up a rare defeat last Sunday in Donegal and will be looking to bounce back this time around in another tricky away game.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, our in form Under 19 mens side host Galway United. This will be a crucial match as the lads sit on top of the group table and will be hoping to maintain that position with victory over the Tribesmen.

Admission to all our home games are free and we encourage all Bit O’ Red supporters to get out and show support to our teams.