Our academy teams continue to play during level three restrictions nationwide, and this weekend sees two teams face Dublin opposition on Satuday.

At 2:30pm at St Aidan’s CBS, our Under 17 mens team face Bohemian/St Kevin’s in their first game in Phase two of the Under 17 league.

It’s two weeks since the squad’s last outing, where they defeated Longford Town at The Showgrounds. Manager Ryan Casey knows it will be a tough test against a strong opponent, but Rovers good form this past couple of months sees them go into the game full of confidence.

At 6:30pm at Greenogue, our Under 17 Ladies team face Peamount United. The sides last met in The Showgrounds in September in a game that the visitors won 3-0. Rovers were missing some key members of the squad on the day, and will be confident of a tighter game this time around.

The girls were last in action in Athlone where they were narrowly defeated by the Midlanders. The girls have four games remaining in their group, with all still to play for.

Our Under 13, 15 and 19 teams all have no fixtures this weekend.

Sligo Rovers can confirm that the 2020 Halloween Camp has been cancelled.

The decision to cancel the camp was taken in light of the recent government restrictions.

As a club, we feel cancelling the camp is the best way to protect our community.

All parents who had booked the camp have been contacted by the club and will be refunded accordingly.

Sligo Rovers’ final match of the season against Dundalk has been moved from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November.

The change is due to Dundalk’s progression to the Europa League.

Kick-off will be 7.30pm in Oriel Park.

Sligo Rovers play Shamrock Rovers on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 7:45pm, live on RTE2. 

The Bit O’ Red, fourth in the table, take on the leaders. The previous meeting ended in a 3-2 win for the Dublin side, prior to the shutdown of the league. 

Last Tuesday’s win over Derry City brought Liam Buckley’s side to 19 points, all achieved in the 10 games since the league restarted.

Fifteen have come in home matches, with an away win over the Candystripes and a point in Richmond Park against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Ryan De Vries scored his third goal of the season on Tuesday, one behind Ronan Coughlan who turns 24 on Friday, while there was a clean sheet for Ed McGinty, his third of the season.

In team news, Danny Kane and Sigitas Olkerkis are on the verge of returning. They will come into contention for the Shelbourne game on 18 October. Johnny Dunleavy is out with a knee problem.

David Cawley returns from a suspension. Regan Donelon is a doubt with a groin problem picked up on Tuesday night vs Derry.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought we played well against Derry. We had to keep going and the goal came late on. I felt it was deserved and the players got their reward. Our control of the ball and control of the game was good. We passed it better, linked it in better, and I was chuffed for the players because I want them to keep possession because it will lead to more chances and get results.

“If we can bring similar displays into the last four games, we’ll pick up more points. I don’t know how it will turn out when you see how the table is. All we can do is try to keep putting in performances to win one game. There’ll be more twists and turns and we have to dig in and give ourselves a chance of a strong finish. It’s important to be attached to the top end of the table, it can change in an instant.

“We’re playing the champions in waiting. It’s a tough game without doubt and a new challenge to take on. But it’s a one-off game. We got a point there last year and we had to really dig in. I’ve said to the boys that we need a big effort to finish off this season to make sure we stay away from the bottom and get up as high as we can. It would be a great result for us to come away with something and I do feel we can do it certainly. We’ll go there with that belief.”

Sligo Rovers send our condolences to the family of Robbie Brunton following his sad passing at the age of 47.

Robbie played for the Bit O’ Red over two seasons, 1994-1995 and 1995-1996, and certainly made a big impression on our supporters.

He played 60 matches and scored three goals.

He was part of the Rovers side which beat Floriana in our first ever European victory, and also helped us to two FAI Cup semi-finals and a League Cup final.

A talented full-back, he was at the beginning of a great career in our league. Robbie’s committed performances

In the 1994–1995 season he was voted Rovers player of the year, named in the league team of the season and also nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award.

We will remember Robbie’s performances at the club fondly and his great contribution to a memorable time for the Bit O’ Red.

Our thoughts are with his wife Celine and his family and friends.

We are delighted to announce the details of our upcoming 2020 Halloween Camp, which will take place from Monday October 26^th until Friday October 30^th.

The camp will run from 10.30am until 3pm daily in The Showgrounds and is open to children between 5 and 15 years of age.

Unfortunately, our breakfast club cannot take place at this time.

The cost of this years’ Halloween Camp is €70 per child, €120 for two children from the one family and €170 for three children from the one family.

Every child that participates will receive an official club training top.

Please note the booking process for our 2020 Halloween camp is strictly online only. The capacity of the Halloween Camp is set at 75 children.

We are aware that generally, our camps attract much more than 75 participants, however, we are also aware of our responsibilities as a club in making our environment as safe as possible for children, coaches and their families.

Priority will be given to our 2020 Super Red members, who are able to book the camp from now. Please note, bookings are open from today (Wednesday) until 9am Friday strictly for 2020 Super Red members only. (Super Red members are children under the age of 12 who have a 2020 season ticket).

Non super reds will be able to book the camp from Friday morning at 9am on a first come first served basis, subject to availability.

Please note parents will be asked to confirm their children are super reds before completing the booking process. Anyone that books between now and Friday morning at 9am will be refunded if they are not a Super Red. The booking will be deemed void.

Parents who book the Halloween Camp will be sent an information pack regarding health and safety protocols in advance of the camp, while parents will also be required to complete a health and well-being questionnaire on the first day of the camp.

To book your place, visit https://srfcdirect.com/kids-camps/

For more information on the 2020 Halloween Camp, please contact shane@sligorovers.com.

Ryan De Vries’ winner three minutes from time moved Sligo Rovers into fourth spot in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as they edged past Derry City at the Showgrounds.

The New Zealander’s goal was reward for Liam Buckley’s side who shaded a closely fought contest and claimed their first win in four.

Having gone three games without finding the net, there were a few hairy moments for Sligo early on.

Goalkeeper Ed McGinty spilled Adam Hamill’s second minute corner, but had stand-in centre half Garry Buckley to thank when the Corkman swept the ball to safety with City dangerman Walter Figueira close-by.

Rovers’ hearts were in mouths again five minutes later when their defence allowed another Hamill corner flash across the face of the home goalmouth.

While Jack Malone fired Derry’s next effort across the target 22 minutes in after good work from Figueira through the middle.

Rovers slowly grew into this tie but struggled to find that telling decisiveness in the final third.

Ronan Coughlan thought he might have had a spot kick on the half hour when he felt the hand of a Derry defender on his back as he challenged to get on the end of a Regan Donelon cross.

Referee Neil Doyle didn’t entertain Sligo’s limited calls for a penalty before the ball finally fell to Jesse Devers. The Ballina native slicing his half volley high and wide over Pete Cherrie’s goal.

Rovers’ top scorer Coughlan should have had his fifth league goal of the season nine minutes from the break.

The busy Devers saw his initial volley pushed away by Cherrie. The ball landed to Coughlan who, from three yards, could only strike it off the already grounded goalkeeper.

Former Derry attacker Junior showed some silky touches to pull off a series of one-twos with Coughlan on 54. The latter squared for Niall Morahan who dragged the ball wide of Cherrie’s post with an unconvincing strike.

Cherrie got in the way of Donelon’s attempt shortly after when the full back aimed for the bottom corner. While City skipper Conor McCormack couldn’t make the most of the space in front of him when he shot wide from a quickly taken free 30 yards out.

Derry substitute Steven Mallon went close from the angle on 64 as both sides continued in search of an opener.

It was then the visitor’s turn to spurn a clear goal-scoring chance when the sliding Figueira knocked the ball against the woodwork, after Ibrahim Meite’s squared ball had left the Londoner facing an empty net.

Declan Devine’s charges were to regret that miss when Sligo struck for the winner soon after.

City failed to clear their lines as Alex Cooper’s swerving cross was allowed make its way towards Cherrie’s back post. De Vries on hand to nod home for his third goal of the year.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Darragh Noone, Teemu Penninkangas, Garry Buckley, Regan Donelon (Alex Cooper 80); Niall Morahan, Will Seymore; Jesse Devers (Lewis Banks 84), Ryan De Vries, Junior; Ronan Coughlan.

Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Darren Cole, Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannett, Ciaran Coll; Conor McCormack, Jake Dunwoody (Ciaron Harkin 84); Adam Hamill; Jack Malone (Steven Mallon 60), James Akintunde (Ibrahim Meite 73), Walter Figueira.

Referee: Neil Doyle

Sligo Rovers play their penultimate home game of the season against Derry City at The Showgrounds. The match is live on #WATCHLOI and Ocean FM.

Rovers were defeated 1-0 by Waterford in a close game on Saturday evening. As a result the Bit O’ Red are sixth in the table, with City three points behind. 

This game is brought forward from 11 October due to international call-ups. No other date was available for the fixture. 

Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. David Cawley will serve a one-game ban. 

Liam Buckley said: “It was a fantastic goal out of nothing that won the game, a brilliant strike and they didn’t trouble us much thereafter. It was their only really chance. We huffed and puffed, we made some openings, we could have produced more. You need a bit of luck and it just didn’t fall for us. I thought we could have got the draw but it didn’t happen for us. It was frustrating, but we’re still in there. I said to the players that we have no time or reason to look back on that game and feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve got five matches to try to win, we’re looking at every game as must-win because of what it can do. You see St Pat’s moving up with one win, how close Derry were to joining them last Friday.

“They would have felt aggrieved with a draw against Bohs so to lose the game must have been tough to take. They were the better side. Both teams will see this game as a chance to be better and get the points. 

“We got to keep focused, in this context it doesn’t matter how quick the games get thrown at us. We’ve got five games to get the points we need to take us up the table and we’ll give it our all on Tuesday to do so.”

All five academy teams were in action against this weekend with three games taking place at our Sean Fallon Centre and two games on the road, with our ladies team in Athlone and Under 15 team in Cootehill, Cavan.

Our youngest group got the action underway with a home game against Derry City on Saturday morning. The lads battled well throughout the game and can be proud of their efforts against a good Derry team. Plenty of chances were created by the game finished 3-0 to the visitors.

Later on Saturday, our under 15 team travelled to Cootehill in Cavan to take on Cavan/Monaghan. Rovers were top of the group going into the game, and had a youthful look to the starting eleven. Goals from Michael Clifford, Sam Tuohy, a first of the season for defender Eoin Stinchon and an Owen Elding brace saw Rovers win 5-2.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, Rovers Under 17’s hosted Longford Town. Rovers were top of the group ahead of this game and consolidated that position with a big win thanks to a Johnny Kenny hat-trick, as well as goals from Eanna Clancy, Peter Maguire, Oran Groarke and Aidan McHale.

In Athlone Town Stadium our Ladies Under 17 team took on the Midlanders at 3:30pm and were narrowly defeated 2-1, thanks to a late goal by the home side. Aine Gorman scored Rovers only goal. The result sees Rovers on four points from the opening four games, with plenty left to play for in the remaining four fixtures.

Next up for the girls is a trip to Peamount United in a fortnight’s time.

On Sunday, our Under 19 team hosted Longford Town at 2pm. The sides met just 11 days previous and Rovers were clinical in front of goal again and won comprehensively thanks to goals from Tubbercurry natives Aaron Perry and Sean Kerrigan, Cillian Heaney, Johnny Kenny, Rossa McAllister and Ciaran Jennings.

All academy boys teams now enter phase two of their divisions with fixtures released this week.

Matthew Smith’s stunning goal was enough for a 1-0 win for Waterford over Sligo Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this evening at the RSC.

Smith’s volley flew into the top corner after nine minutes and was enough to give Fran Rockett his first win as manager. Rovers had most of the play thereafter, but were largely ineffective and Waterford saw it out comfortably to move into third position in the table.

The home side made two changes from the 6-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Monday. Michael O’Connor departed for Ross County this week, so Niall O’Keeffe started. Will Fitzgerald was also included at the expense of Kurtis Byrne. 

Sligo opted for a much more attacking line-up after failing to  score in their last two games. Ryan De Vries, Alex Cooper and Niall Morahan came in to the side, with Will Seymore, Jesse Devers and Teemu Penninkangas dropping to the bench. Garry Buckley lined out at centre-half. 

It was a tepid opening to the game, which was brought to life by Smith’s opener.

Ali Coote’s knockdown fell into the path of the former Dundee United forward and he gave Ed McGinty no chance in the Sligo goal. 

Sligo’s best opening of the period came when Alex Cooper dispossessed Oluwatunmise Sobowale and was in on goal. 

The winger went around Brian Murphy but the angle meant he couldn’t shoot and the cross was cleared away by the Waterford defence. 

Liam Buckley’s men looked dangerous without creating any great chances, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was prevented from shooting by Murphy after David Cawley’s crisp pass on 28 minutes. 

Tyreke Wilson’s free-kick went over McGinty’s crossbar with 10 minutes left in the half and then a neat Sligo move involving five players ended with Cawley powering a cross into the box, but there wasn’t a red and white shirt there to convert. 

Ronan Coughlan’s best moment in the game came just 25 seconds into the second half as he advanced towards goal, cut onto his left foot and shot straight at Murphy who parried it away. 

Sligo had come out firing, it was Ryan De Vries’ turn next as he got in behind and tried to pick out one of three team-mates arriving into the box. Again, it didn’t land for the visitors, in what was a theme for the evening. 

Will Fitzgerald had a rare opening for Waterford as he was unmarked when Wilson crossed. However, he failed to get a proper connection on the head and it trickled wide. 

Sligo built a head of steam and were really pressurising a strongly-performing Waterford defence. Ronan Murray and Jesse Devers were introduced, Junior’s overhead kick failed to connect with just Murphy to beat and Regan Donelon couldn’t convert the follow-up. 

While it looked life Sligo were going to lay siege in the final 15 minutes, it certainly didn’t materialise as Waterford grew more into the game and comfortably saw it out, Buckley’s men creating no further chances of note. 

Sligo must now regroup for a must-win game against Derry City on Tuesday, while Waterford face the same opposition three days later, knowing they are now in pole position to repeat their finish of the 2018 season, and possibly challenge Dundalk for third position. 

Waterford: Brian Murphy; Oluwatunmise Sobowakle, Jake Davidson, Robbie McCourt, Tyreke Wilson; Alistair Coote, Robert Weir John Martin (Kurtis Byrne 71); Niall O’Keeffe (Shane Griffin 74), Matthew Smith, William Fitzgerald (Will Longbottom 84).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Lewis Banks, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Garry Buckley, Regan Donelon; Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Ryan De Vries (Jesse Devers 70); Alex Cooper (Ronan Murray 70), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Darragh Noone 84), Ronan Coughlan.