As we head into Round 9 of our Last Man Standing competition, there are just 23 left in the competition.

Chelsea’s draw with Burnley and Bournemouth’s home defeat to Fulham resulted in 90 entrants crashing out.

The following are the final 23 who remain standing:

Selections for Round 9 must be sent to shane@sligorovers.com or to 086-4554265 by 7pm on Friday.

The cream of young soccer talent from across Ireland and the UK will assemble in Sligo this weekend for an unique three-day festival of youth football.

Proudly hosted by Sligo Rovers and the Sligo/Leitrim Schoolboys Leagues, with the full backing of the SFAI, the elite u-12 Sligo Super Cup tournament has attracted heavy hitters such as Leeds United, Derby County, and Aberdeen alongside Glenavon from Belfast, defending champions, Dublin District Schoolboys League, the Mayo League, Donegal League and the locals, Sligo/Leitrim.

With four teams in each of two qualifying groups, the programme includes sixteen matches across three action-packed days, starting on Friday afternoon. There will be four games on Friday, eight on Saturday with the four placings play-offs on Sunday morning. The grand final is timed for 11 a.m. on Sunday.

In a unique innovation this year, eight of the sixteen games will be steamed live on the Sligo Super Cup facebook page. There will also be a daily highlights package and a goal of the tournament segment.

The honour of kicking off the tournament falls to the hosts, Sligo/Leitrim, who face last year’s champions, DDSL, at the Sean Fallon Centre at 3 p.m. on Friday. Other must-see games on the opening afternoon include Leeds United against Glenavon at 4.30 and the mouth-watering clash of Aberdeen and Derby County on the main Showgrounds pitch at 5p.m.

There are a number of cracking match-ups on Saturday, starting with the eagerly anticipated meeting of Sligo/Leitrim and Leeds United at 10 a.m. on the main pitch. Other stand-out fixtures include the hosts tie against Glenavon at 3p.m. and the highly fancied Dubliners against Leeds United at 4p.m.

Meanwhile, there will be huge interest in how Derby County and Aberdeen fare against the Mayo and Donegal Leagues in their group games.

As well as showcasing Sligo’s state-of-the art soccer facilities, the tournament is also proving to be a shop window for the town generally. Derby have confirmed they will be bringing a group of about 50 supporters for the week-end, while bookings from Dublin, Mayo, Donegal and Belfast are also quite heavy. It’s estimated at least 300 visitors will be in town especially for the tournament.

All of the young players and their coaches will be guests of Sligo Rovers at the Airtricity League game against Finn Harps at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The tournament is the result of a mammoth feat of organisation by a dedicated committee, who have been planning and preparing over the past six months under the inspirational leadership of Tournament Director, Packie Lynch.

He says: “We set out with a very definite plan, to make our tournament attractive to overseas academies, to provide a platform to help the development of young players and to showcase Sligo as a venue with the state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting a prestige tournament.

“We have succeeded in growing the tournament year on year, and the introduction of live streaming of matches this year brings us to a whole new level.

“We are urging the Sligo soccer community to come out and support the young players. We can guarantee a top class festival of football”.

Sligo/Leitrim squad: Paul McAteer, Cillian O’Neill (Merville Utd); Max Farrell, Calum Lynch (Calry Bohs); Cian Nicholson, Conor Langan (Benbulben Rangers); Jack Kelly (Manor Rangers); James Lavin, Emmanuel Oyelalus, Calvin Hogge, Danny McCormack (Ballymote Celtic); Aaron Healy (Boyle Celtic); Darragh McKeon, Jack Brehony (Arrow Harps), Cathal Gilligan (Strand Celtic); Peter Moran (Carrick Town).

The Sligo Rovers Heritage Group recently made a presentation of a Rovers gift to Julie Dean, granddaughter of the legendary Dixie Dean, as part of a visit to the UK and Ireland.

Julie was in England for the launch of the Dixie Dean Hotel in England, travelling from Australia and meeting with the Everton Irish supporters club in Dublin.

As part of it, Sligo Rovers were represented by Niall McLean of the Dublin Supporters Club who made a presentation of the History of Sligo Rovers book on behalf of the Heritage Group.

Joe Crosse, friend of Julie Dean, sent a message to our club: “I’d like to thank Niall and Sligo Rovers for this very special gift. I can honestly say that Julie was blown away by how special a book it is.

“I can’t thank you enough so a huge thank you to Aidan Mannion and Niall and all involved with Sligo Rovers. I wish you every success and you have a new Sligo Rovers fan.”

Julie Dean said: “I would like to thank the Evertonian Irish Toffees club , Aidan Mannion and Joe Crosse for all of their incredible kindness and generosity that they have shown towards myself and Mark .

“I am so humbled with your kindness and gifts that you have all presented to me which left me quite speechless.

“I would like to thank Niall and the Sligo Rovers for presenting me with this amazing book its absolutely gorgeous, thank you so much.”

Sligo Rovers are back in action on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as we welcome Finn Harps to The Showgrounds.

The game is Friday due to a fixture in Dublin next Monday with UCD.

Tickets are available at turnstiles or online below

Liam Buckley and Ronan Coughlan discuss the draw with Cork City.

Sligo Rovers earned a point against Cork City in Turner’s Cross on Monday evening in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Liam Buckley made three changes to the Sligo starting 11 which lost narrowly to St Patricks Athletic at Richmond Park three days previous with Sam Warde, Kris Twardek and Liam Kerrigan taking the places of Daryl Fordyce, Jack Keaney and Romeo Parkes.

Rovers created the game’s first meaningful goal scoring opportunity in the eighth minute but Ronan Coughlan – on his return to the club he left in the off season – could only fire Kris Twardek’s cross over the bar.

John Caulfield made two alterations to his side that was beaten 2-0 by Waterford last Friday night with Garry Comerford and Karl Sheppard replacing Gearoid Morrissey and Darragh Crowley.

Sheppard had City’s first real effort on goal with 17 minutes on the clock but his weak header from Comerford’s cross was easily collected by goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney.

Following an uneventful opening, the game sparked into life midway through the first half as both sides squandered good chances to edge into the lead.

Graham Cummins could only blast over from a great position after the ball broke kindly to him in the area moments before Ronan Coughlan planted his free header straight at a relieved Mark McNulty.

Cummins had the final chance of a poor first half deep into injury time but the City number nine couldn’t find the net with his header from Karl Sheppard’s delivery.

The Leesiders received a roar of encouragement from the majority of the 2,302 crowd in attendance as they headed for the dressing room at half- time but it didn’t have the desired effect as their side remained sluggish in the second period.

They did almost break the deadlock in the 55th minute but Sean McLoughlin couldn’t connect properly with his close-range attempt after Beeney fumbled James Tilley’s inswinging free kick.

Caulfield introduced Daire O’Connor just past the hour as he looked to give his side a bit more creativity in attacking areas.

The winger went close to scoring not long after emerging from the bench but he drilled his shot into the side net from a difficult angle.

Coughlan rattled the woodwork from a tight angle – although McNulty looked to have it covered – moments later but Cork soon regrouped as they went in search of a winner.

Garry Buckley saw his header saved with 16 minutes remaining but their best chance of grabbing the game’s crucial first goal and securing their second home win of the campaign fell to substitute Darragh Rainsford in the closing stages.

The attacker expertly controlled Shane Griffin’s ball over the top of the defence but he blasted his shot straight at Beeney when through one on one with the shot-stopper as Rovers hung on to claim a point.

CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Conor McCarthy, Dan Casey, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; James Tilley (Darragh Rainsford 77), Conor McCormack, Garry Comerford (Daire O’Connor 66), Garry Buckley; Karl Sheppard, Graham Cummins (Darragh Crowley 72).

SLIGO ROVERS: Mitchell Beeney; Johnny Dunleavy, Dante Leverock (John Russell 51), John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Sam Warde, Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Liam Kerrigan (Jack Keaney 70); Ronan Coughlan, Kris Twardek (Brian Morley 88).

Referee: Ray Matthews

Sligo Rovers are on the road again on Monday to play Cork City in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, kick-off 5pm.

The Bit O’ Red were beaten 2-1 by St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park, a late goal from David Cawley proving not enough on the night.

Ronan Murray serves the last of a four-game ban. Kyle Callan-McFadden is out with a hand injury while Romeo Parkes has a hamstring problem meaning he is doubtful and will be tested pre-game.

Liam Buckley said: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb with the goals on Friday. We had some defensively poor moments and we have to improve on that.

“We’ll look to be a lot better on Monday, we switched things around a bit in the second half on Friday and got a bit more of what we were looking for but overall we need to do more to get results.

“It’s all about recovery at the minute for the players that played on Friday. Then we have five or six doing a bit more and then lads with knocks or suspended or whatever. It’s tricky trying to manage that.

“Going to Cork; it’s a great place to play in, a good pitch and atmosphere, and these are two teams that really want to get up that table. I think it’s going to be a real scrap given where the teams are and where they want to be.

“We’re looking for three points and looking forward to going down there and trying to put in a better performance overall.”

David Cawley’s late goal was not enough as Sligo Rovers were beaten by St Patrick’s Athletic.

Chris Forrester and a Mikey Drennan penalty had given the Saints the advantage. Rovers were impressive for periods in the second half but couldn’t find the net until Cawley’s goal two minutes from time.

A generally dour opening to the game was thankfully lifted nine minutes later with a moment of inspiration from Forrester.

Sligo central defender John Mahon miscontrolled a long ball over the top with his chest. It ran loose into the path of Forrester who nonchalantly lobbed the ball over ‘keeper Mitchell Beeney for his first goal for the club since his cross channel return.

The visitors were stretched six minutes later as Dave Webster’s ball down the right gave Drennan a run. The striker bustled his way past Lewis Banks to bring a save with his body from Beeney.

Pat’s had their second when Drennan was granted a fortuitous penalty on 24 minutes.

Though Forrester was fouled following a clever dribble, referee Rob Hennessy played an advantage. The ball broke for Conor Clifford whose low drive sent Beeney diving down to the right corner of his goal to bat the shot away.

The move of the half from St Pat’s was then thwarted by frantic defending a minute before the interval.

Drennan, skipper Ian Bermingham and Clifford were all involved before Forrester’s shot was bravely blocked by Rovers left-back Banks.

With Kris Twardeck on from the restart, Sligo had a little more about them, striker Romeo Parkes audaciously shooting off target from close to the halfway line minutes in.

St Patrick’s soon regained control, however, with the hardworking Clifford rifling a shot narrowly over Beeney’s crossbar just before the hour.

Beeney was worked 12 minutes later by the impressive Forrester confidently hitting a first time volley from distance.

Gary Shaw was then inches from extending St Patrick’s winning margin on 81 minutes, his header from Clifford’s cross shaving the bar.

Despite that, St Pat’s had to endure a nervous finish when Sligo skipper David Cawley drilled home from close range following Banks’ assist on 88 minutes for the visitors’ consolation.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Dave Webster, Ciaran Kelly, Lee Desmond; Simon Madden, Chris Forrester (Cian Coleman 79), Rhys McCabe, Conor Clifford, Ian Bermingham; Gary Shaw (Jake Walker 90+2), Mikey Drennan.

Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; John Dunleavy, Dante Leverock, John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Niall Morahan (Kris Twardeck h-t), David Cawley; Jack Keaney, Daryl Fordyce (Liam Kerrigan 69), Ronan Coughlan; Romeo Parkes.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Clare).

Sligo Rovers are back in action on Friday night as we travel to Dublin to take on St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park.

Rovers drew 0-0 with Waterford last Monday and go in search of a second away win of the season. The previous victory was against Finn Harps.

In team news, Ed McGinty has returned to training following a finger injury.

Ronan Murray serves the third of a four-game ban.

Liam Buckley said: “I think in recent matches the signs have been better. The weather scuppered it for both teams last Monday. We were looking for a performance again as in the first half of the Bohs game and beating Dundalk we have seen an improvement.

“The point on Monday was a fair result and the conditions made it difficult so on Friday we’d like to show what we can do a bit more.

“It’s great to have Ed back to add to the competition because there are three very good goalkeepers within our ranks and I want them all pushing each other for every game.

“This is an important game for both sides, we’re a point behind Pat’s and getting up the table is our priority.

“You can’t ask players to play Friday-Monday three times or eight games in a month, however you look at it, so over this period you will see changes by managers.

“That said, we’re adapting our training so we’re planning as best we can and the lads are really bought into what we’re trying to do. They are looking forward to this game and in the first meeting there was nothing really in it.

“I had great years at Pat’s. But going back there isn’t really on my mind on at all or a distraction because my only priority is getting the victory. That is all I’m focused on.

“There are a lot of people that I will be happy to see because of friendships built up over the years, but the challenge here is all that matters. It’s something I’m really enjoying; we’ve got a really good group of lads that want to bring success to this club and three points is all I’m concerned with.”

Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Annual Draw – the key fundraiser for Sligo Rovers in the season.

There is €5,000 to be won among a host of prizes. 6,400 tickets were sold last year in the most successful staging of the draw since it began.

Tickets are priced €10 and are available online here , home games and from members of our committee.

The prizes:

1st prize: €5,000

2nd prize: One Night B&B for two people at the 5 Star Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin

3rd prize: Two tickets for Rod Stewart for his 4th December Concert plus One Night B&B and Evening Meal in The Croke Park Hotel.

Buy tickets here

4th prize: One Night B&B and Evening Meal for two people at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast

5th prize: One Night B&B for two people in Hotel Westport, Co Mayo

6th prize: €200 voucher for 4 Star Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare

7th prize: €150 Gift Voucher for The Cat and The Moon

8th prize: Sligo Rovers season ticket for 2020

9th prize: 2 Premier Level Tickets for the Republic of Ireland versus Switzerland on 5th September in Aviva Stadium Euro 2020 qualifer

10th prize: Signed Sligo Rovers jersey

The draw takes place on Monday 1st July