The Football Association of Ireland today met with the National League Executive Committee and the Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland to discuss the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on domestic football.

Sligo Rovers were represented at this meeting.

A steering group was established at today’s meeting and will monitor developments on a daily basis with the Association now working closely with the NLEC and the PFAI to examine the potential impact of a sporting shutdown.

The FAI will coordinate this work and will present its findings to government and UEFA in relation to the financial implications for SSE Airtricity League clubs and players along with proposals on how best the Irish football industry can be protected.

An FAI spokesman said: “Today’s meeting was a productive one and allowed us all to focus on the situation facing our National League clubs and players. We discussed at length our serious concerns around Covid-19 and began to develop a contingency plan to help our clubs during this potentially difficult time.

“We are currently gathering all financial data and working with the clubs and the players on the financial implications they face. Once we have a true understanding of this, we will be approaching Government and UEFA on behalf of the clubs to seek their support.”

The FAI is fully supportive of government policy in relation to mass gatherings and sporting events and will take its lead from the Department of Health. 

The FAI will continue to hold daily meetings regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and its effect on Irish football.

Sligo Rovers encourage all our supporters to take note of the preventative measures around Covid-19 in relation to hand-washing. For more visit hse.ie.

We ask that nobody visit The Showgrounds without invitation or prior communication.

Sligo Rovers were beaten 3-2 by Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

The Bit O’Red went in level at the break after Ronan Coughlan’s penalty replied to Jack Byrne’s opener.

However, it was the Hoops who were to pick up Stephen Bradley’s first win as manager in the north west as they wrestled the points from Sligo. Goals from Aaron McEneff and Aaron Greene securing the points, which moves the visitors three clear of Dundalk.

While Niall Morahan netted what was nothing more than a consolation strike for Sligo in added time.

The Dubliners arrived in Sligo with a contrasting league record to their opponents, bringing with them their one hundred percent record, including last week’s victory over champions Dundalk. While the hosts had lost each of their three opening games and were yet to find the net.

Hoops boss Bradley had never won a game at the Showgrounds in his time in charge and it was his side who started the brighter.

Aaron McEneff screwed an early effort wide of Ed McGinty’s post eight minutes in, while Teemu Penninkangas had to divert a wicked cross from Byrne past his own post.

Liam Scales went close with a powerful header from the resulting corner, while a quick one-two between Neil Farrugia and Rory Gaffney saw the former flash a shot across the face of the Sligo goal.

Liam Buckley then lost Penninkangas to injury on 21 minutes, 90 seconds before Shamrock Rovers hit the lead.

Sligo weren’t touch tight to Byrne when he received the ball from Ronan Finn and were punished for their lapse when the explosive attacker took three defenders out of the game with one touch. Byrne shooting into the bottom corner from inside the area.

The league leaders continued to boss proceedings although there was a worrying moment eleven minutes from the break.

Coughlan’s speculative effort from all of 40 yards looked relatively innocuous. The Hoops defence scrambling the ball to safety after an awkward bounce in front of goalkeeper Alan Mannus had the goalkeeper disorientated.

Despite playing second fiddle in the opening half, the Bit O’Red went in level at the break.

Will Seymour’s wonderful ball to the right wing found Jesse Devers. The Mayo man linking up with cousin David Cawley who had his heels clipped by Roberto Lopes inside the penalty area.

Coughlan’s subsequent spot-kick sending Mannus the wrong way, handing Sligo their first goal of the season after over 300 minutes of football.

Byrne went close on separate occasions in the opening exchanges of the second half as the away side looked to regain control. His first fizzed past the far post from the left, while his follow up from the opposite side was easily held by McGinty.

The former Manchester City youth was involved again on 69 minutes, but his set piece from the angle was watched all the way by McGinty as Bynre’s swinging free-kick flew over the Scot’s crossbar.

Sligo sensed they could grab a second against the run of play, while the Dublin Rovers were always going to create further chances given their attacking prowess.

Shamrock Rovers’ second goal arrived on 76 minutes.

Impressive build up play from the green and white eventually found McEneff, who executed a neat finish past the sprawling McGinty.

The destination of the points was put beyond doubt with nine to go when Greene had the visitors’ third. The striker making the most of more poor defending from his once employers as he was allowed time and space to blast to the net after good work from Dylan Watts on the end line.

Morahan’s strike in added time meant little to the final outcome of this tie. The Leitrim man found the bottom corner with Mannus left flat footed.

But time had essentially run out for the hosts. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Niall Morahan, Teemu Penninkangas (Ryan De Vries 22), Kyle Callan-McFadden, Alex Cooper; Darragh Noone (Ronan Murray 79), Will Seymour, David Cawley, Jesse Devers; Garry Buckley; Ronan Coughlan.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Robert Lopes, Lee Grace, Liam Scales; Ronan Finn, Neil Farrugia (Danny Lafferty 85); Aaron McEneff, Greg Bolger (Gary O’Neill 75), Jack Byrne; Rory Gaffney (Dylan Watts 69), Aaron Greene.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 2,342

Our Last Man Standing competition enters week two this weekend with all remaining players selections posted below.

Liverpool is the most popular pick with 16 players selecting them ahead of their home tie versus AFC Bournemouth. Wolves are the second most chosen team with six players believing they have what it takes to overcome Brighton.

AFC Bournemouth, Arsenal, Leicester, Sheffield and Southampton make up the remaining 11 selections.

It’s the clash of the Rovers on Saturday night as Sligo take on Shamrock in The Showgrounds, kick-off 8pm. 

The sides have had contrasting starts to the seasons with the Bit O’ Red yet to register a point, while the Hoops have won all four games.

Rovers’ game against Waterford was postponed last week due to Storm Jorge. 

In team news, Liam Buckley is still without a host of defenders. 

John Mahon (broken leg), Lewis Banks (groin) and Danny Kane (ankle) remain out.

Regan Donelon has returned to light training following a shoulder problem. Johnny Dunleavy has a knee problem. Both will face late injury tests. 

New striker Ryan De Vries also joins the squad. 

Buckley said: “We had trained all week ahead of Waterford, so we were ready to go until we got the call on Friday afternoon. We were looking to get the season up and running given the results so far, but it was the correct call to postpone it with Storm Jorge and the dangers with the wind. So we just had to get on with it. 

“We haven’t got too many players returning this week, we have to look at a couple on Saturday evening. Regan is back with us although it is early so we’ll have to check if he’s ready to come in to start. We’re not sure. 

“Danny Kane is getting closer certainly but he isn’t back with us yet. We’ll check on Johnny Dunleavy too and if he can feature. Lewis won’t be ready for this game. It’s frustrating talking about five key defenders and injuries, it’s a factor of course in how we’ve started. I do think when we get the lads back we’ll be a strong-looking group. 

“That said, we will have all the players that featured against Bohemians where we played well in good parts of the game and the team that goes out there will be well-versed and can get the job done for us. We showed against Bohs that we’re good enough. 

“It’s going to be very difficult against a strong opposition on Saturday. We’ve worked on bits and pieces during the week to help us get something from the game. I’m sure Shamrock Rovers are coming here a confident team and a cohesive side and all of that. 

“We’ve got some good players as well and we will show that ability. Ryan De Vries has trained with us for a couple of days, he’s going to add to what we have here. We’ll see what role he will play in this game. There are some factors to consider there. 

“I think the fans here appreciate we have been hindered by missing some players but we all know that points on the board are crucial and the sooner you can get them the better.

“It’s not going to be easy and it’s one of the most difficult games in a hard league but we’re going to be ready for it.”

Places in the 2020 Easter Camps at The Showgrounds in April are still available.

Week one of the Easter Camp will kick off on Monday April 6th and run until Friday April 10th.

Week two of the Easter Camp will kick off on Monday April 13th (Easter Monday) and run until Friday April 17th.

The cost of the camp remains capped at €60 for one child, €100 for two children from the one family and €135 for three children from the one family.

Each child who participates in the Easter Camp will receive a Sligo Rovers training top, a participation certificate, a photograph with senior players and a free pass to a home league game.

The camp runs from 10.30am until 3pm daily.

The optional Breakfast Club will run from 8.30am each morning of the camp, where the children get to enjoy a healthy breakfast in The Showgrounds with members of the first team. There are also fully supervised indoor and outdoor activities for the children on the Breakfast Club which includes a presentation on the importance of nutrition.

Pre booking of the Breakfast Club is essential, with places limited to 25 children per week. The cost of the Breakfast Club is an additional €25 for the week per child.

For more information on the Easter Camp, you can contact Shane via email at shane@sligorovers.com or you can Tel 071-9171212.

To book a place on the 2020 Easter Camp for a week of your choice you can click here.

Our Last Man Standing competition enters week two this weekend with 10 fixtures due to take place between Saturday and Monday.

A mass exodus took place last weekend as the competition started, with Liverpool, Leicester and Chelsea failing to win, with the majority of those eliminated choosing those three clubs.

This weekend sees Liverpool at home to Bournemouth on Saturday morning, with those remaining sure to use the Merseyside men this week, even though they are currently on a poor run of form, having lost three of their last four games in all competitions.

Other popular picks may be Arsenal at home to West Ham United, Sheffield United at home to Norwich or can Wolves continue their good form with a win over Brighton.

It will prove to be an interesting few days with all players already feeling they may be in with a chance to pick up the €1,000 prize.

Best of luck to everyone.

Marcus Mulligan from Kinlough was the lucky winner recently in Rovers weekly lotto draw, winning the jackpot of €10,700.

Marcus is a regular at the Showgrounds, Having first started supporting the club when his son Emlyn joined the Reserve team as a 16-year old – the versatile Emlyn would go on to star for the Leitrim County team.

Marcus bought his lucky ticket in Tesco Arcade.

He wandered over to chat to Mark Feeney who was on duty at the stand, pencilled in his four numbers 3, 16, 24 and 30 and thought no more of it until he got a phone from Lottery Administrator Frank Beirne to say he was the lucky winner.

Marcus says he feels fortunate that he was supporting the team during their ‘golden era’ under Ian Barraclough and Paul Cook.

“I recall admired Paul’s passion on the sideline, he lived every minute, Another coach I greatly admire is Mickey Feeney, he has an excellent way of getting his message across.

“Rovers have been served very well by some outstanding players over the years, two who stand out for me are Raffaele Cretaro and Gavin Peers.”

According to Marcus, one of the most enjoyable elements of match night at the Showgrounds is “the banter among supporters.

“There is always a great atmosphere, ad there is still something very special about a game under the lights on a Saturday night.”

Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins congratulated Marcus on his success. “This latest jackpot win shows that our lottery is the most enduring and successful of the local lotteries.

“With the ongoing support of our regular players, it can continue to be a hugely valuable fundraiser for the club. Last year alone it brought in €100,000.”

Striker Ryan De Vries took part in his first training session this morning in a sunny Showgrounds.

Regan Donelon also trained as he steps up his recovery from a shoulder problem.

The Bit O’ Red take on Shamrock Rovers this Saturday night in Sligo. Ryan has received international clearance and will be in the squad on Saturday.

Kick-off is 8pm. Get your tickets here.

View a selection of images from the CrossFit session today ahead of the Shamrock Rovers game this Saturday. Photos by James Fallon.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to partner with Headrite Sports, a company focused on player welfare and improving heading techniques.

Children in primary school have recently been banned from heading footballs in training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The new guidelines mean that children will no longer be taught to head footballs in training sessions, but will be in matches.

The English FA say that the infrequency of headers in these games means that they are unlikely to cause lasting damage.

Sligo Rovers want to educate and influence our players from Under-13 to senior level.

Headrite Sports is a new sports company focused on player welfare and skill improvement when heading footballs.

Coming into the market as the sole provider of safer heading practice, they also aim to bring the fun back to the under fire skill of heading the ball.

The design has evolved to ensure that it is structurally safe to use. The Headrite frame stands safely independent.

The training aid is mobile, allowing it to be used on a variety of training surfaces such as grass and astro.

The Headrite Frame can easily be erected in one minute without the need for tools.

The club are conscious of the possible long-term effects heading a football can have on our players, and those in the community.

We will be using the frame for training with our academy teams and on our summer camps and birthday parties, introducing safe heading to all involved.

The frame has kindly been sponsored by Smile Dental Clinic in Sligo, and will be displayed before the game on Saturday night against Shamrock Rovers.