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.

All five academy teams are again in action this coming weekend with three home games and two games on the road.

On Saturday morning, at the earlier time of 11:15am at The Sean Fallon Centre, our Under 13 team host Derry City.

The lads will he looking to finish the group stage strong with this tough fixture against a strong Derry side.

At 2pm, at the same venue, our under 17 side look to continue their unbeaten run in the group going when they host Longford Town. Last weekend saw Kailin Barlow score the only goal against Derry City away from home to continue Rovers’ good form.

Conor O’ Grady, Marcel Gordon & Paul Masterson take their under 15 side to Cootehill in Cavan to take on Cavan/Monaghan at 2pm. This is the final group game with Rovers top of the group on maximum points.

At 3:30pm our ladies team make the journey to Lissywoolen to take on Athlone Town. The team were down bodies last weekend against Peamount at home, and will be looking to bounce back here on Saturday.

Finally, our under 19 side host Longford Town on Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Rovers were well beaten in Derry last weekend, But will look to finish the group off with a win here.

Again we thank all our coaching staff for their continued hard work, the players for their efforts so far this season and their parents/guardians for their help in getting the kids to training and games since the return to football.

Sligo Rovers travel to Waterford on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the RSC.

It’s fourth v fifth in the table as the teams meet for the second and final time this year. 

Rovers, after making a blistering start to the resumed season, have a draw and defeat in their last two games. 

Bohemians claimed a 1-0 success in The Showgrounds last Friday. This is the beginning of three matches in six days for Rovers, half of the remainder of our games. 

In team news Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. Niall Morahan returns from a one-game ban

Kane, Olberkis and Collins are set to return to full training at stages next week. 

Liam Buckley said: “With six games to go, it’s all to play for in our season and we’re positive about the position we find ourselves in. This game is one that can have a big say in the outcome of the season, and I’m sure Waterford feel the same. 

“It was a tight game last week, there wasn’t a lot in it and Bohs scored late on. There’s more in us without doubt. It’s gone now and we have to look at the overall picture. We have a chance of a really good finish in the league and our target is to pick up as many points as we can. There’s going to be lots of twists and turns to come over the next five weeks. 

“When we started back we said we’d take one game at a time and it’s been the case. We’ve also spoken about the ability we had within our group and the standing we had didn’t reflect it. The players have been terrific in terms of their application and effort and they’ve got us to this position by their own hard work. 

“We have this period to take us further, so we go to Waterford looking for the result.

“We’ll need to find a big performance to get it. It was an even game up the 41st minute for Waterford last Monday in Tallaght. We saw what a good side Bohs were last week and this Waterford team beat them 2-0 in a really impressive fashion. We know the dangers we face going down there. That said, we’re looking forward to the chance to respond to last week after a good week of training and preparation. The previous game was won with the last kick of the ball last time we met and it’s going to be as competitive again .”

Sligo Rovers trained today for the penultimate time before facing Waterford FC this Saturday in the RSC.

With just six league games to go, the Bit O’ Red are in fifth place in the table and trail this weekend’s opposition by a point going into the game.

View images from today’s session compiled by our media team.

Sligo Rovers will play Derry City on a new date – Tuesday 29 September – with the game moved from October due to international call-ups.

The SSE Airtricity Premier Division match in The Showgrounds will kick-off at 7:45pm next Tuesday. The match had been due to be played on 11 October.

The game with Shamrock Rovers in Dublin next week will be live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and WATCHLOI.

Our new fixture list is published as below.

Due to international windows, and the rescheduling of another game involving Derry City, plus TV coverage meaning games can not be moved, it has left little room for an alternative date for this fixture and as such this Derry game will take place next week.

Supporters successful in getting a ticket for this Derry game will be contacted in the next 72 hours.

We are incorporating all season ticket and associate sponsor ticket holders who have not attended a game since the restart in a ballot.

On Friday our under 13 team made the short trip to Ballybofey to take on Finn Harps at Finn Park.

The lads created a number of chances and played some good football throughout, but were defeated 2-0 with Harps scoring two well taken goals.

Saturday saw our under 15 squad host Derry City at The Showgrounds. Sam Tuohy gave Rovers the lead with his first goal of the season after a clever run and finish after 20 minutes. The visitors levelled soon after with a fantastic goal of their own, with winger Trent Doherty finding the top corner.

Ronan Niland was intoduced in the second half and his strike gave Rovers all three points with one more group game remaining this weekend in Cavan.

Sunday saw the top two teams in our under 17 group face off in a tight encounter in Aileach, Donegal. The game was scoreless deep into the second half when captain Kailin Barlow struck to secure all three points for the Bit O’ Red.

Rovers remain unbeaten in the group and now face Longford Town on Saturday at The Sean Fallon Centre, hoping to secure our spot at the top of the group.

Also on Sunday our under 19 team suffered defeat at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, on a scoreline of 6-1.

Mark Byrne’s penalty proved only consolation on the day. Rovers now face Longford Town this Sunday at home in the final group game.

On Sunday evening, our ladies team hosted Peamount at The Showgrounds. The Dubliners took all three points with three well taken goals on a beautiful evening for football.

The girls face Athlone town this Saturday away from home, and will be hoping to bounce back as we pass the halfway mark in the group.

Team sponsors:

Under 13: Pure Telecom

Under 15: O’ Connor Cabins

Under 17: Ivor Parke Paintor & Decorators

Under 19: www.ejmenswear.com

Ladies Under 17: Verus Metrology

Sligo Rovers WU17s were defeated for the first time this season as they were defeated 3-0 by an impressive Peamount side at the Showgrounds on Sunday evening.

The Dubliners went ahead in the first-half, and added their second and third goals of the evening in the second-half, earning a well deserved victory against a steely Rovers side.

The Bit O’Red started well, and a good interception from Aoife O’Leary in the Peas defence put an end to a lovely move involving Ciara Henry and Alison Langdon-Long.

Amy Mahon in the Rovers goals kept the visitors scoreless with a super save from an Orlagh Fitzpatrick shot.

Keela Scanlon forced a good save from Ciara Glackin in the Peas goals after eight minutes when she got on the end of a fine through ball from Ciara Henry.

Another strong shot from distance was well held by Amy Mahon, before the Dubliners took the lead on 24 minutes.

Becky Watkins got on the end of the impressive Orlagh Fitzpatrick’s corner, knocking past Mahon from close range to make it 1-0.

Fitzpatrick forced another good save from Mahon seconds later, before the Dubliners should have extended their lead when Della Doherty played a great ball to Abbie Clarke, the tall striker just nodded her effort wide.

Rovers started well after the restart, but they went further behind on 49 minutes when Della Doherty headed past Mahon from close range.

The hosts didn’t give up, however, and went on in search of a goal with Kate Nugent trying her luck from distance, watching on as it was wide of the mark.

Substitute Ella Maree made it 3-0 on 74 minutes. Rovers fought hard for the remaining 15 minutes with Maeve Molloy troubling the Peas defence, but the stronger team won on the day.

Sligo Rovers: Amy Mahon, Keela Scanlon (Maeve Molloy, 75), Sarah Kiernan, Emer O’Neill, Kate Nugent, Erin Taheny, Alison Langdon-Long (Eimear McIntyre,18), Helen Monaghan, Ciara Henry, Jessica Casey (Aine Gorman, 58), Cathy Harrison.

(Jessica Farry)

View a selection of images from the 1-0 defeat to Bohemians on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity League. Photography by James Fallon.

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Sligo Rovers will play Derry City in the quarter-finals of the Extra.ie FAI Cup in the Showgrounds.

First Division side Athlone Town will welcome Shelbourne.

Holders Shamrock Rovers will face a difficult trip to Ballybofey to face Finn Harps.

Bohemians, who secured a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers this evening before the quarter-final draw at the Showgrounds, will welcome Dundalk in the last eight. 

Extra.ie FAI Cup Quarter-Final Draw

Athlone Town v Shelbourne
Bohemians v Dundalk 
Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers 
Sligo Rovers v Derry City 

All dates and KO times will be confirmed at a later date.

Bohemians found a way past Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday night.

Andre Wright’s strike ten minutes from time was enough to seal the win for an industrious Bohs outfit who inflicted upon the Bit O’Red, their first league defeat in six games.

Seeking to tighten that gap between themselves and the league leaders, it was the visitors who dictated much of the play in the opening half and who fashioned the early chances.

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty was called into action five minutes in when Lewis Banks mis-controlled his attempted clearance at the edge of the Sligo area. Possession fell to ex-Sligo winger Kris Twardek who picked out the waiting Dawson Devoy, who was in turn denied by the sprawling Scot.

Devoy was offered another chance to open the scoring just 60 seconds later. But the ex-Home Farm youth could only drive wide from all of 15 yards.

Rovers then had to rely on acrobatics from Kyle McFadden whose overhead kick stopped the ball from going over the line after Twardek’s cross was poked towards goal by a Bohs player.

The home side, looking to continue their impressive post lock-down form, conjured up their first opportunity on 17 minutes. Will Seymore might have done better when he headed David Cawley’s corner past James Talbot’s post.

The Phibsboro men were back amongst the chances before the break. Danny Grant’s effort was deflected into the path of Wright, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touch with the goal at his mercy.

While McFadden was involved in front of his own posts again on 37 when he blocked down Grant’s well struck volley.

Both sides began the second period with headed chances. Ronan Coughlan first for Sligo, while Bohs’ Wright was next to miss the mark after he met Anto Breslin’s hanging ball from the left.

Good work from both Seymore and Junior provided Coughlan with Sligo’s next opening with just over an hour elapsed.

The sparse Showgrounds crowd took to their feet in anticipation as Coughlan found himself one-on-one with Talbot. But Coughlan’s poor finishing was his downfall as he fired wide with just the Bohs net-minder to beat.

McGinty was called on to get both hands behind Wright’s opportunistic shot on the turn with a quarter of an hour to go as Sligo continued to frustrate their opponents.

The Dubliners finally broke the deadlock on 80 when Wright was allowed ample space to connect with Devoy’s cross. The 23-year-old marksman tucking the ball past McGinty for his fourth goal of the campaign.

There was a late chance for Sligo, but the mis-firing Coughlan blazed over Seymore’s knockdown from a Cawley corner.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, Teemu Penninkangas, Regan Donelon; David Cawley, Will Seymore (Ryan De Vries 90); Junior, Garry Buckley (Ronan Murray 81), Jesse Devers; Ronan Coughlan.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Andy Lyons, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Anto Breslin; Conor Levingston, Keith Buckley; Kris Twardek, Dawson Devoy, Danny Grant; Andre Wright.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.