Cork City picked up their first league win of season with a 2-1 win over a gallant Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

A Sean McLoughlin header and a wonderful Gearoid Morrisey strike from distance saw City lead comfortably.

Kyle Callan-McFadden pulled one back for Sligo on 63 minutes, but the Bit O’Red were unable to pull an equaliser out of the hat.

Without victory in their opening two games, it was John Caulfield’s men who dictated large portions of this first half and City’s early pressure told just short of the quarter hour.

Dante Leverock could only deflect Shane Griffin’s as far as McLoughlin, who volleyed home from 12 yards.

Rovers, unsettled by an early injury to full back Regan Donelon, failed to test City net minder Mark McNulty in the opening 45.

The closest the hosts came to an equaliser before the break, was when Daryl Fordyce’s opportunistic effort from out wide sailed harmlessly over the Cork goal.

The second half was just four minutes old when the Rebels had their second.

Thirty yards out from the target, and with nothing else on in front of him, Morrisey unleashed a stunning left-footed effort which flew past Rovers stopper Ed McGinty and into the top corner.

Both sides went close at opposing ends before Sligo cut Cork’s lead in half on 65 minutes. Callan-McFadden nodding Jack Keaney’s corner to the net with a determined diving header.

The hosts tried to force an equaliser but Cork held on for their first points of the season.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Kyle Callan-McFadden, Dante Leverock, John Mahon; Lewis Banks, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 7); Jack Keaney, Daryl Fordyce (David Cawley 66); Kris Twardek, Liam Kerrigan (Sam Warde 66) ; Romeo Parkes.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Conor McCarthy, Dan Casey, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; Conor McCormack, Gearoid Morrisey; Garry Buckley, Daire O’Connor (James Tiley 69), Karl Sheppard; Liam Nash (Dan Smith 69).

Referee: Ben Connolly

All at Sligo Rovers were saddened to learn of the recent passing of our life-long supporter, John (Johnny) Kilcolm, Drumee, Ballintogher.

Johnny was a true ‘Bit O’Red’ fan. He was at all Rovers FAI Cup Finals since 1970 and at most home games during the 1977 League of Ireland winning season.

He was also proud to be in attendance when Rovers beat St. Patrick’s Athletic to win the league title in 2012.

Another proud moment for Johnny came in 2010 when on behalf of the club, Conor O’Grady made a special presentation to him to mark his life-long support when Rovers brought the FAI Cup to Ballintogher.

We extend sympathy to his family and many, many friends.

Congratulations to all who have reached Round two of the Sligo Rovers Last Man Standing competition. 

It’s fair to say that Tottenham has left a huge dent in our players, with close on 200 entrants falling at the first hurdle. 

We are back for Round two tomorrow night (Tuesday) and we are asking all players that have qualified for Round Two to submit your selection by 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday). Fixtures are included below for convenience and we wish you all the very best for Round two.

Please note if you have qualified for Round Two the club will be contacting you directly via text and/or email.

Round Two Fixtures:

Huddersfield vs Wolves

Leicester vs Brighton

Cardiff vs Everton 

Chelsea vs Tottenham

Newcastle vs Burnley

Southampton vs Fulham

 Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Crystal Palace vs Man Utd

Liverpool vs Watford

Man City vs West Ham

Sligo Rovers host Cork City on Monday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Rovers were beaten 1-0 on Friday by St Patrick’s Athletic as an injury-time goal from Mikey Drennan won it for the Saints.

The Bit O’ Red looked to be on course for a deserved point but now move on looking to bounce back against the Rebels.

To celebrate the launch of our IT Sligo scholarship agreement, all IT Sligo students will gain entry for €5 on the night with this year’s IT Sligo student card.

In injury news, Johnny Dunleavy (groin), David Cawley (knee) and Ronan Murray (ankle) are all doubtful.

Buckley said on the trio: “Johnny had a slight groin strain and we’re not sure on him. It’ll be a late call. David Cawley could potentially make the bench. He is back in training and has the all clear. Ronan Murray rolled his ankle a couple of weeks ago and we’ll do a late call on him too. He is not too far away. Certainly if they don’t make it tomorrow they will make next Friday. We’ll see how we are.”

The Rovers boss reflected on Friday night and two games so far.

“The goal in the last minute killed us. I thought we put in a reasonable shift from a work point of view. There wasn’t a lot between the two teams, I don’t think either deserved to win baring in mind the way the game went.

“We were disappointed we didn’t pick up a point keeping in mind the likes of St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk would see themselves as top four teams and we have held our own in both matches so far.

“Looking at the game, Pat’s had a bit of possession and we had a bit of possession. We just need to be better on the ball. I’ll be honest; we haven’t seen the best of this group as of yet because technically they are very good and we just need to stamp our style on the play.

“We’ve emphasised that again on Sunday in relation to playing on Monday. We need to get our personality in the game and if we do get the best out of the lads from a collective point of view I think we’ll have a good season.

“The pre-season we did was great and it’ll be injury-preventitive as well bar knocks. Organisation has been good as well – we’ve discussed that with them – and John Russell has done a bit of work on that. It’s just our creativity, how we are we to win games, where will we get goals from, who is getting them, where the chances are going to be coming from and how we play as an XI that will come.

“We just don’t want it to be by chance. We want to get it all by design. You wouldn’t have seen it at all in the first two games, hopefully on Monday we’ll get a bit more in general play in relation to getting results. We want to get better and play that bit better.”

Over 3,300 fans were in attendance on Friday night and gave great backing to the players.

Buckley said it was appreciated and it’ll help the team as they try to get more points on the board.

“They were fantastic. We are well supported. I was just gutted for them in relation to that goal because two draws against those teams would have been a good start for us but it wasn’t to be. There was a kick of the ball between the two teams, so from our end we have to take the positives and we have to move on and get a result out of Cork.

“We need to improve and we will get that. Hopefully on Monday it’ll be that bit better and each week to come and trust in each other in relation to how we are trying to play.

“There is pressure on every team to win games. It’ll be a dog rough league this year. It’s very competitive. You see Finn Harps also getting a draw from Dundalk.

“From where we are at, I’m not overly concerned about the opposition. I just want to get our team playing better. We need to improve our patterns of play and how we’re trying to win games and put our stamp on the game.”

An injury-time goal by Mikey Drennan denied Sligo Rovers a point against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Following a low key first half, it was Pat’s who created more in difficult conditions in the second period.

Liam Buckley’s men looked like they would hold out for a valuable point, but Drennan did just enough to tuck his header past Ed McGinty in the 92nd minute.

Daryl Fordyce’s effort from range was easily dealt with by Pat’s net minder Brendan Clarke early on, while both Chris Forrester and ex-Sligo man Rhys McCabe blasted over from similar distances at the opposite end.

The Inchicore side did have a penalty appeal waved away late in the opening half.

Pat’s were eventually have the last laugh here as Drennan netted his second goal in as many games at the death.

Sam Warde has joined Sligo Rovers on loan from Colchester United until the end of June, subject to international clearance.

The Limerick-man will turn 21 next month and moves to the Bit O’Red ahead of tonight’s home game with St Patrick’s Athletic.

A midfielder, Warde joined Colchester from Huddersfield in 2017 where he featured regularly for the Under-23 side. 

He had a brief one-month spell with Leiston in September but switches to The Showgrounds now with a view to making a big impact.

He said: “I’m itching for an opportunity to play first-team football now.

“I’ve played at underage levels but I need to be playing, and regularly playing at that, in a senior side.

“I’d know Ronan Coughlan, we went over to England at the same time, but apart from that there isn’t too much I’m familiar with here. 

“I’ve been following the league in the last couple of seasons and it’s a good standard and it looks really competitive. 

“I know there is 20+ games during the spell here so I want to get myself into the team and help Sligo Rovers do well.” 

Liam Buckley added: “Sam is a defensive midfielder and is a good passer of the ball. At his age, he should be coming in here ready to get into team and have a right go at it. 

“He’ll have to get to grips with the league and what not, but he has an opportunity here to stake a claim and showcase the talent which brought him to England.

“I’d love to see us get the best out of him and we’ll be encouraging him every step of the way for the time he is with us.”

Sligo Rovers host St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night as football returns to The Showgrounds for the 2019 SSE Premier Division season.

Both teams are unbeaten going into the game, with Rovers recording a 1-1 draw with Dundalk in an encouraging start for the Bit O’ Red.

Tickets are available at turnstiles and also here.

In team news, Ronan Murray (ankle) and David Cawley (knee) are doubtful and will undergo late fitness tests.

Liam Buckley said: “The start to our season shows just how there is no easy games in this league. It’ll be a tough one, St Pat’s have signed well in the winter as we know.

“We’re looking to build on the result last week and we’re looking for a performance to compliment it.

“We showed a real determination and a terrific attitude in Dundalk last week. I think if we get a good performance then the result will go with it.

“I’m looking forward to taking charge here for the first time and funnily enough it has turned out to be against St Pat’s.

“It’s going to be a great occasion I’m sure but the priority for us is put in a performance and come away with a positive outcome.”  

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new link up with IT Sligo which will increase the number of local and regional players advancing to play with the club’s first team and underage squads.

As part of the agreement, two scholarships will be co-funded annually by IT Sligo and Rovers. 

The scholarships will be available for male and female players, where the students will play professionally with the club and also participate in the college’s football club, who participate in the CUFL & WSCAI leagues throughout the academic year.

The club will also have use of state of the art facilities at the college for first-team and underage squads, including its modern Knocknarea Arena as well as the grass and all weather pitches on site.

Furthermore, the IT Sligo logo will appear on the Sligo Rovers first team kits and IT Sligo advertising will also be displayed in The Showgrounds and our social media platforms.

Chairman Martin Heraghty spoke of his delight of the partnership:

“It has always been important to establish a link with IT Sligo and to create scholarship programme that would be open to both male and female footballers. Everyone at the football club will really buy into this, as we feel the long term results will see more local talent coming through to the first team. Training times will be adjusted to allow students to attend college and the train with the team afterwards, or vice versa. We are all delighted with the agreement and look forward to the future. 

IT Sligo Planning, Operations and Excellence manager Iain McPherson is thrilled with the programme.

“At IT Sligo, we are delighted we have established this link up with one of the biggest clubs in Irish football, Sligo Rovers. 

“Behind the scenes, both parties have worked extremely hard to create this elite football scholarship programme, and put in place a pathway for players to succeed in being professional footballers and obtaining a third level education which is so important.”

IT Sligo manager Colm Jinks added:

“The big thing for us is keeping those players who have come through the club’s underage system at the club and to help give them the best possible education at the same time. 

“IT Sligo has established itself as one of the leading sporting third level institutions in the region and are showing their intent in being one of the best in the country by offering this amazing scholarship programme along with all other scholarships available through IT Sligo’s football club.”

The first two players who will attend IT Sligo in September 2019 will be announced in the coming weeks, as we look forward to helping our young Bit O’ Red players both on the field and off it.

The Aurivo Co-Op Consumer Foodsbrand, Connacht Gold, has announced its continued support for Sligo Rovers as part of its ongoing sponsorship of the Bit O’Red Under 19 side. The partnership continues to provide Sligo Rovers with an unprecedented level of promotion and has a positive impact on the underage team. 

For the last two years, Connacht Gold has been the official sponsor of the Under 19 side. With headquarters for Aurivo’s global business based in Sligo, Connacht Gold is committed to getting behind the local club and helping them achieve success in 2019. 

Karen McGarty, Communications and Brand Manager Aurivo (pictured at top) said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Sligo Rovers through our sponsorship of the Bit O’RedUnder 19 side again this year. As Sligo Rovers continue to invest in the young players of the future and develop a centre of excellence, we are proud to support the club’s vision and ensure it operates as an integral part of the local community.”

Welcoming the sponsorship renewal, Martin Heraghty, Sligo Rovers Chairman said: “In preparation for this announcement and looking back on the beginning of the partnership with Aurivo and the Connacht Gold brand, we then had a number of emerging players in the under 19 side including Jack Keaney, John Mahon and Ed McGinty – all three players are established players on the squad now and we are seeing even more talent coming through on the team. The partnership is supporting our players pathway for future success and it is vital for Sligo Rovers to have sponsors such as Aurivo’s Connacht Gold brand to help fund the academy team. 

“We have five academy teams; four male and one female; and they all have aspiring players who are committed to movingup to senior football. There is a huge sense of community with this sponsorship deal and we are delighted to have Aurivo’s Connacht Gold as our official sponsors of the Under 19 side again this year, which will help us continue to develop our underage team.”