Sligo Rovers begin their second and final round of matches in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division when taking on Finn Harps in The Showgrounds, kick-off 7:45pm, live on WATCHLOI.

Rovers met Harps in February of this year where Ollie Horgan’s side emerged with a 1-0 success.

There is just a five-point gap between the sides and they both come into it on the back of successive victories, Rovers against Dundalk and UCD, Harps versus Waterford and Bray Wanderers.

It sets up an exciting fixture, the fourth last home league match in The Showgrounds this year.

In team news, Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out.

Alex Cooper (ankle) is a doubt and will be tested pre-game. Kyle Callan-McFadden has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the UCD game.

Liam Buckley said: “The first game was a disappointing outcome. It led on to us being bottom of the table for months on end which didn’t sit well with any of us. We’ve moved up the table somewhat but we can still improve.

“With the way things are, you can quickly find yourself back down there, or you can move further up. We look at things on a game-by-game baiss and we know how difficult this will be because of that night last February.

“Harps have picked up more results recently which isn’t a surprise, so this is another hard game as they all are.

“It is good to have a bit of normality with training where we are playing one game a week. John Mahon and Garry Buckley trained all week again and have done for a couple of weeks now.

“They are ready to come in, they could have featured in UCD but we wanted to get them as sharp as we could and not take any chances.

“Will Seymore was also back in the squad last week. It gives us more ability to tweak things when needed. There’s competition which is what we want.

“I was pleased with the number of chances created in UCD. We scored three goals. You’re not going to take all the chances you create and the important thing is continuing to come up with the opportunities.

“We are a work in progress, there is room for improvement, I have no doubt about it. Collectively there is still a lot more to come and we are seeing it in patches. We’d like to find that on a consistent basis.”

Ronan Coughlan was voted Player of the Month for August by Bit O’ Red fans in a hotly-contested vote, pipping the equally-impressive Kyle Callan-McFadden.

Buckley said: “Ronan has done very well for us, he’s worked his socks off and scored goals.

“A number of players have done very well and it’s about the team overall, not one or two individuals.

“We’re looking for a team performance every game and we feel if we can get them then we can move further up the table. That’s what we’re all looking for.”

Three games took place today (Saturday) at academy level.

At 2pm, Danny O’ Leary and our under 17 WNL team welcomed Shamrock Rovers to The Sean Fallon Centre. An entertaining game ensued with six goals shared evenly between both teams.

Sarah Kiernan’s goal kept Rovers level midway through the second half before two Shamrock Rovers goals looked to secure three points for the away side. The Bit O’ Red however wouldn’t give up and were rewarded when Kiernan grabbed her second of the game before a late Alison Langdon-Long strike made it three all.

This was a great game between two evenly matched sides. Credit must go to Rovers’ girls never say die attitude and fitness levels, given the lack of match practice in 2020.

Brian Dorrian’s under 19 side suffered a 5-2 defeat at Finn Park, Ballybofey this afternoon. Goals from Cillian Heaney and Ben Edeh proved only to be consolations. The two sides meet again next Sunday at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Alan Farry took his under 13 side North this morning to take on Ballinamallard United in a friendly. The boys ran out 4-2 winners thanks to an own goal added to strikes from Danny Woodrow, Callum Lynch and Darragh McKeon.

Our under 15 & 17 teams had the weekend off from competitive action.

Saturday sees our under 17 Women’s National League side finally open their season with a game against Shamrock Rovers at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Our opening two fixtures were postponed against Peamount United and Donegal, so the girls are eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s fixture.

Danny O’ Leary has had some time to work with the squad since arriving in August with training sessions at both at The Showgrounds and our partner IT Sligo’s training facilities. Unfortunately, the game is strictly behind closed doors with just one parent per player allowed watch the game.

Brian Dorrian takes his under 19 side to Finn Park to take on Finn Harps at the same time tomorrow in a curtain raiser to the senior fixture on Monday night at The Showgrounds.

It’s the team’s second game of the season and they will be hoping for an improved result than the 2-0 defeat against Derry City on match day one.

Our under 17 and 15 teams both have a weekend off from competitive action.

Alan Farry takes his under 13 squad to our friends at Ballinamallard for a friendly at 12 noon on Saturday.

We wish all players and staff the best of luck and wish to again thank all our underage sponsors:

Pure Telecom

EJ Menswear

Ivor Park Painter and Decorators

O’ Connor Cabins

Verus Metrology

The poll is now open for the Wehrly Bros Jewellers Player of the Month for August.

We are including the game with Derry City, plus wins against Shelbourne, Waterford FC, Dundalk and UCD.

Click here to vote.

The poll closes on Sunday.

Thanks to Wehrly Bros for sponsoring the prize. Wehrly Bros. Jewellers, located on O’Connell Street in Sligo, offer a comprehensive range of fine jewellery for all occasions. Shop online here

The revised fixture list for the remainder of the SSE Airtricity League season has been released.

Matches have been changed in order to facilitate the WATCHLOI service where each match has its own television slot.

Our game with Bohemians has been brought forward to Friday 18 September at 7:45pm, and will be live on RTÉ2.

The FAI Cup draw will then follow that match. That quarter-final tie will be on 13 November.

Our remaining two home league games after Bohemians will be 5pm kick-offs.

They are Sunday 11 October vs Derry City and Saturday 24 October vs Cork City.

Click here for the fixture list or here for the Sligo Rovers fixtures.

Our 500 club is one of the club’s most important fundraising initiatives, with the draw continuing each month over the COVID 19 pandemic, with prizes for the monthly draws remaining unaffected at €500 as the top prize.

If you are interested in joining, you can visit https://www.sligorovers.com/500-club/ for more information. The cost of joining is less than €5 per week over the course of a year.

The 500 Club was founded in 2003, and our aim is to keep the 500 Club going strong and increasing these numbers in the coming months.

Our winners for July were as follows:

• €500 – Dessie Kilcullen, Skreen.
• €100 – Joe Gannon, Rosses Point
• €100 – Paul Gileece, Circular Road
• €100 – Michael Conmy, Culleens, Co Sligo
• €100 – John Gerard, Lord Edward St, Sligo
• €100 – Stephen Gilroy, Tonaphubble
• €50 – Joe Davey, Ballisodare
• €50 – Niall Harrison, Cliffoney
• €50 – Sean Dwyer, Cartron Point, Sligo
• €50 – Patrick Gavin, Aylesbury Park, Sligo

The 500 Club winners for August were:

• €500 – Myles Phillips, Rathcormac
• €100 – Eddie Gethins, Cartron Estate
• €100 – Seamus Gallagher, Crossmolina, Co Mayo
• €100 – O’Brien & Brett, Ballinacarrow
• €100 – Aidan Meehan, Blue Lagoon, Sligo
• €100 – Ray Gallagher, Strandhill Road
• €50 – Noel Kelly, Teeling Street, Sligo
• €50 – Frank Clancy, Corofin, Galway
• €50 – Mark Mullholland, Markievicz Road, Sligo
• €50 – Frank Carr, Cedar Drive, Sligo.

We wish to thank the Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club committee for their continued hard work. Their efforts each year are a massive help to the football club.

Thanks to all those who are part of The 500 Club, and we invite supporters to join if they are able to do so.

It was another victory for our under 15 team on Saturday who defeated Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre.

The lads fell behind early on after a cross from the right hand side was headed home at the back post to give Harps the lead.

Rovers reacted quickly and equalised through defender Niall Holohan, before goals from Ronan Clarke, Shay O’ Neill, Conor Devaney, Owen Elding and an Adam Nugent hat-trick helped the team to their third win of the season.

In Donegal, at the same time, our under 15 side recorded a 5-0 win over the same opposition.

Johnny Kenny scored his second hat-trick in as many games and Mayo man Aidan McHale scored a brace to seal the three points. The Rovers were solid defensively and dangerous in attack, with many fine performances on the day.

Our under 19 team had the disappointment of a postponement on Friday night, where they were due to travel to Bishopsgate to take on Longford Town. The game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The under 13 squad had a 2-0 win over St Josephs of Dublin in a friendly at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday morning.

Our ladies team continued to train and prepare for this weekend’s game at home to Shamrock Rovers (2pm Saturday). Manager Danny O’ Leary and his squad will get their season underway with a tough test against the Dubliners at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Well done to all our staff, players and parents for their continued efforts in these challenging times.

Liam Buckley has told his Sligo Rovers players that they will enjoy the final stages of the season if they continue on the track they have laid down since the restart.

The Rovers boss credited the side with their “drive and commitment” to get the club away from the relegation zone, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup last night thanks to a 3-1 success over UCD.

It was a fifth win in six games for the Bit O’ Red – the best run of form for the club in seven years – and goals have been flowing along with it.

Buckley told RTÉ Sport: “I’m pleased with the effort the lads are putting in. There is a drive and a commitment to get us out of trouble.

“We were bottom of the table for four months, albeit there was only four games played at that stage.

“That said, if we have that commitment right to the end of the season, it is much more enjoyable, it’s much more enjoyable to watch, to play in, so we just have to make sure that everyone is up for it.”

The Cup remains a competition close to the hearts of all associated with Rovers – something not lost on Buckley who said he wants the group to give it their all in the competition for themselves and the fans watching at home.

“A cup final is probably the best day of the season. As I said to the boys, it’s important for them as group to do as best they possibly can, and it’s more important for the fans. I have no doubt they’ve all been watching tonight.

“I thought in the second half we controlled it a lot better. We had quite a few chances and bagged our three goals.

“You’re always concerned when you concede and especially in a Cup game because you only have one chance in the Cup.

“We regrouped at half-time and there was more drive and commitment in relation to getting forward. I think we deserved our win”

“We have to make sure the quarter-finals, and hopefully a semi-final and final, that we put in 100% effort like we did tonight. It took serious concentration to break down this UCD team.”

Ronan Coughlan’s persistence led to another goal for the striker. Up to his powerful header from a Jesse Devers cross – who was key for the Bit O’ Red in the second half, it had been a frustrating evening.

Buckley said it was a sign of Coughlan’s class that he found the goal to put Rovers in front.

“Ronan’s goal was great, the passing up to it was very good. I’m delighted for him. As a centre-forward, having been there myself, you’re not going to score every chance you get.

“As long as keeps getting chances, he’ll keep scoring goals. He has done really well for us.”

One disappointment on the night was hamstring injuries to Kyle Callan-McFadden and Sigitas Olberkis.

The Rovers boss stated: “Kyle and Sigitas both have tight hamstrings. I’m not sure why that is happening. We just have to assess that in relation to going forward.

“That said we do have John Mahon back now, he is back in training for three or four weeks and Garry Buckley is back fit as well, there’ll be another week’s training for him.

“Will Seymore is back as well. It’s just unfortunate for the two lads, they are two quality players.”

Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty is keen to show his worth as he begins the Republic of Ireland Under-21 training camp this morning after helping the Bit O’ Red get through to the quarter-finals of the Extra.ie FAI Cup last night.

McGinty was part of the Rovers side which secured a 3-1 victory over the Students.

He told sligorovers.com: “It is great to get through. We knew we were playing a good side but we also know we’re playing well ourselves. At 1-0 down we kept playing and eventually got on top. The goals came as they have been doing from all of the boys so we’re really happy to get through to the quarter-finals.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. If we drop our standards we won’t be winning games. You see how good UCD can be and it’s the same in the league. Every game is tough. We’re winning because we’re working hard, on and off-the-ball. That is what is important to getting these results. As long as we keep doing that we’ll have a chance of keeping the run going. “

McGinty played some excellent passes from the Rovers goal to Junior and Ronan Coughlan in particular.

He is working on such a tactic regularly each day at The Showgrounds.

“That is what we practice is training when it comes to distribution. We can play it over the top and get them on the break. We have a lot of players with pace.

“We talk about it, putting it in behind and get players in or for them to chase it.”

While Rovers have secured five wins in six, and with some excellent defensive and goalkeeping displays, clean sheets have not been as regular with a deflected goal last night, a late penalty against Dundalk and a last-minute goal against Shels. It has been somewhat unfortunate, but goals have been flying it at the other end.

McGinty is unperturbed by how the wins are coming, as long as they keep doing so.

“It’s funny, it doesn’t bother me to be honest with you. All I care about is winning games. My first priority is for the team to win.

“If we win, and a clean sheet comes along with it, then happy days. But as long as the team does enough to get a victory, then I’m happy.”

The recently-turned 21-year-old travelled north after the game last night to be part of Jim Crawford’s group where he will be one of three goalkeepers, alongside Gavin Bazunu of Manchester City and Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool.

The Rovers goalkeeper has more club experience than the rest of the squad and is eager to show his value to the group in the training camp.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m really honoured to be involved and have my name in there.  I want to show what I can do. I’m sure I’ll learn some new things being in the international camp but I’m travelling up to show what I can do and see where it can get me.

“The gaffer [Liam Buckley] has trusted me here. He gives me great confidence. He really believes in me and he has been brilliant to work under and Leo (Tierney as well). I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s nice to be progressing as a team and for myself as well.”

Sligo Rovers came from behind to book their FAI Cup quarter-final spot with a hard-earned 3-1 win over UCD in Belfield.

Goals from Kyle Callan-McFadden, Rónán Coughlan and Jesse Devers saw Liam Buckley’s side to victory after Paul Doyle had given the Students an early lead.

In what was a superb advert for League of Ireland football, the game was wide open from the off as both sides looked intent on embracing their traditions of attacking, passing football. 

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Liam Kerrigan exchanged early efforts before a mix-up between Alex Cooper and Sligo keeper Ed McGinty almost saw the left-back head into his own net.

UCD piled the pressure on with a succession of corners and got their reward in the eighth minute when former Sligo player Paul Doyle found the net.

As Sligo struggled to clear, wing-back Evan Weir teed up Doyle on the edge of the box and the midfielder’s shot deflected off Teemu Penninkangas and past the wrong-footed McGinty.

Within eight minutes, Sligo were back on terms as Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header that left Lorcan Healy in the UCD goal with no chance.

Junior and Ryan De Vries went close in the minutes that followed, before Coughlan spurned a gilt-edged chance to volley home at the back post following a lovely chip from Cooper.

Sligo drew level when Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header

They continued to press and it took a perfectly-timed last ditch tackle from Michael Gallagher to deny De Vries a certain goal.

Though the Bit o’ Red created no fewer than nine clear chances in the first half, it was UCD who who were aggrieved not to have taken a lead into the sheds at half time.

Yoyo Mahdy was one-on-one with McGinty when he was tugged back by Sligo full-back Cooper but referee Adriano Reale thought otherwise and waved away the penalty appeals.

The second half began much as the first with Sligo continuing to create, and Coughlan was wasteful once more as he dragged his shot wide from close range.

The sense it might not be Coughlan’s day was palpable when he was set up De Vries for a free header but once again failed to hit the target.

Sligo drew level when Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header.

Rovers moved in front courtesy of a move that was started and finished by Ronan Coughlan.

The dam finally broke with 25 minutes remaining and it was a move started and finished by Coughlan, who finally got the goal to match his all-round play.

The striker showed good strength to set Devers free out wide and sprinted into the box to meet the Mayoman’s cross with a bullet header, though Healy might have done better.

UCD went close to equalising, first through substitute Mark Dignam’s header and then ex-Sligo midfielder Jack Keaney’s free kick, but Sligo wrapped it up with ten minutes left.

Junior worked the ball to Devers on the right hand side of the box and the winger flicked the ball clear of Evan Osam before smashing a low volley into the net.

UCD: Lorcan Healy; Harry McEvoy, Josh Collins, Evan Osam; Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Paul Doyle, Liam Kerrigan, Evan Weir (Michael O’Keane 75); Colm Whelan, Yoyo Mahdy (Mark Dignam 65).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle Callan-McFadden (Sigitas Olberkis 39 (Darragh Noon 75)), Teemu Penninkangas, Alex Cooper; David Cawley, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries; Jesse Devers, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, Rónán Coughlan.

Referee: Adriano Reale.