Sligo Rovers completed their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win over Longford Town at City Calling Stadium.

Jack Keaney’s first half penalty was the only goal of the game as the Bit O’Red made it four wins from four, ahead of the season opener against Dundalk on Friday.

Liam Buckley’s side went close twice in the opening half hour through new signing Daryl Fordyce. The midfielder shooting wide from 20 yards after doing well to intercept a ball from the Longford defence.

Great trickery from the same man allowed Fordyce the space to unleash an effort from out wide, but again his stinging shot whistled wide of Lee Steacey’s goal.

The Bit O’Red hit the lead shortly before the break when Johnny Dunleavey was clattered inside the Longford area. Keaney sending the Town ‘keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Both defences were on top in the second period with chances at a premium.

Rovers: McGinty, Dunleavey, Mahon, Leverock, Donelon; Keaney, McFadden; Twardek, Fordyce, Kerrigan; Parkes.

Subs used: Beeney, Collins, Banks, Morahan.

Sligo Rovers have confirmed the signing of Daryl Fordyce for the 2019 season.

Fordyce joins from FC Edmonton where he spent six years, ending when the club suffered difficulties from the change in league format.

He had to take time away from football last year for family matters.

The experienced 32-year-old can operate in a midfield and attacking role, including striker, and joins on a one-year contract to offer a number of positives for manager Liam Buckley in his squad.

He made over 250 appearance for Linfield and Glentoran prior to the move to Canada.

Buckley said: “Daryl brings a wealth of experience and a real composure and quality on the ball.

“He has impressed in the week he has been with us. It’s a great move from our end because it’s an area we’ve had to strengthen in and I think in Daryl we have a really good player to do that. He can offer a number of options.

“I know there was interest from a number of clubs up north but he has really taken to things here and I’m delighted to sign him here today.”

Fordyce said: “It is great to clinch the deal today. Everyone has been so accommodating and welcoming and it’s a really professional and friendly environment.

“I had been keeping fit before coming here and I’ve loved the training so far. I played 90 minutes last Saturday in Athlone which was great for me and showed I have that fitness. I hope to do something similar against Longford.

“Family came first for me last year, that was my priority and the way it transpired meant I couldn’t join a club. It was a hard year for all of us but it’s over and I’m focusing on the future. I think that this can be a brilliant move.

“I came close to joining a League of Ireland club in St Patrick’s Athletic before – prior to Liam Buckley was there. It’s nice to be involved in it now and with the new season so close I can’t wait to get playing.”

Sligo Rovers held the club’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday night in the Clayton Hotel.

Chairman Martin Heraghty gave his address on the year passed and his hopes for the club for 2019.

He thanked the management committee of 2018 for their hard work and support for the past 12 months.

A financial presentation was done by Treasurer David Rowe, reporting on the model used by the Bit O’ Red as now one of the few community clubs in the top flight.

He said there was a changing landscape in the League of Ireland with spending increasing due to private ownerships.

A loss was recorded for the year – reduced by well over 50% on the previous year – and he said the overall outcome was commendable for all involved given the difficulty of the season.

Gate receipts, season ticket sales, 500 club and donations all increased and Rowe said it was vital that these levels were maintained. He praised the effort and dedication of the Rovers members supporters.

He said the budget for 2019 had been approved by the FAI.

Secretary Brendan Lacken gave a report on the day to day operations of the club. Questions were taken from the floor from around 80 people in attendance.

It was stressed that fundraising would once again be pivotal for the club, including the €100 member donation.

That can be made here

https://www.sligorovers.com/product/annual-voluntary-donation/

The new management committee was elected. Gary Loughlin, Michael Mooney and Breifne Earley stepped down from the committee, with Martin McDonald the only nominee.

The following were elected as officers, with the only change Mark Cummins being appointed assistant secretary.

• Chairman: Martin Heraghty
• Vice-chairman: Andy Dodd
• Secretary: Brendan Lacken
• Treasurer: David Rowe
• Assistant-Secretary: Mark Cummins

Committee: Marie Casserly, Michael Clancy, Stephen Gilroy, Paddy Houze, Anthony Quinn, Michael Toolan, Marcus White, Martin McDonald

Sligo Rovers can confirm that our Annual General Meeting will take place tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30pm in the Clayton Hotel.

The AGM will see the election of the 2019 management committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances and the chairman and secretary’s report.

Meanwhile the Annual Voluntary Member Contribution of €100 can be made on the night if desired or here for members or non-members.

For more, email administrator@sligorovers.com

https://www.sligorovers.com/product/annual-voluntary-donation/

Sligo Rovers will face Longford Town on Saturday in our final pre-season match of 2019.

Rovers will take on the First Division side at 7:30pm in City Calling Stadium.

Lewis Banks will make his debut. Brendan Ogbu is still awaiting clearance. John Mahon is doubtful and Ronan Murray is out. An injury update will be issued shortly.

The schedule is

Tuesday 22nd January

Sligo Rovers 11-0 Sure Sports FC, Milebush Park

Saturday 26th January

Sligo Rovers 3-0 Galway United, Milebush Park,

Tuesday 29th January

Ballinamallard P-P Sligo Rovers, Ferney Park,

Saturday 2nd February

Athlone Town 0-4 Sligo Rovers, Athlone Town Stadium

Saturday 9th February

Longford Town v Sligo Rovers, City Calling Stadium, 7:30pm

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce details of another Last Man Standing competition kicking off on Friday February 22^nd 2019.

Following on from its popularity back in 2018, the club listened to its supporters and agreed to undertake another competition.

For those who are not familiar with Last Man Standing, each competitor will pick a team from that weekend’s Premier League fixtures. If your team wins their game you go through to the next round, lose or draw and you’re out of the competition.

Tickets can be purchased from any committee member and are also available to buy in The Showgrounds office. (Monday-Friday between 10am&2pm).

Alternatively, you can enter the highly anticipated competition here

Each entry costs €10 or €10.50 online.

All entrants to the competition will be contacted with deadlines closer to the kick off time.

For more details on the competition or to sell tickets on behalf of the club you can contact Shane at Shane@sligorovers.com or Tel 071-9171212.

Competition Rules:

1. Pay your entry fee before Week 1 — no need to pay again.
2. There is a single prize of €1,000 which will be paid to the competition winner.
3. Each week, simply pick a team playing a Premier League match that week – if your team wins, you go through, lose or draw and you’re out.
4. You can only pick a team to win once in a competition, so you need to be tactical about who you pick and when.
5. All selections must be in by midnight every Thursday. You can change your pick up to this deadline, a participants last pick will be considered their final selection. Selections will be available by text or email. It is the participants’ responsibility to ensure that the entry is submitted.
6. If your team’s game is postponed after your selection you are automatically put through to the next round.
7. If you forget to pick a team, you will be assigned one automatically. The selection will be the first available team in alphabetical order.
8. An individual may enter more than one team. Each entry will be treated individually and will require a unique valid selection for each game week.
9. Last Man continues until only one person remains and wins the pot. If more than one remain everyone goes through to the next round. If all remaining players lose in the last round, they all go through to the next round.

Sligo Rovers have completed the signing of former Stoke City Under-23 captain Lewis Banks from Stafford Rangers.

Banks, 21, moves to the Bit o’ Red for the 2019 season.

He plays right-back but is capable of operating across the backline and in a more advanced role.

He played 59 matches for Stoke’s Premier League 2 side before leaving the club last summer.

Banks joined Stafford in August but was available if full-time football materialised and the Bit o’ Red today confirm his move to the club.

He said: “I jumped at the chance when I heard of Sligo’s interest. I think it’s a great opportunity for me because full-time football is something I’ve been keen to get back to.

“I had 12 years at Stoke – which I really enjoyed of course – before moving on. Stafford Rangers are a really good club – but I can’t turn down that chance to be back in the environment where your entire day and life is about football.

“You miss going in every morning and things like that and I think Sligo Rovers is a place for me to shine. I want to play firstly. It’s a big move to go to Ireland but it’s a great one for me to show what I can do.

“My agent told me of the interest and I said ‘yes’ straight away to be honest. There was a week or so to be able to get here today. Now what I’m here I really like the set-up and the research I did shows this to be a really good club.

“I can play a number of positions but right-back would be the main. That’ll be up to the manager to decide. I’m fit, I’m ready to play and with the season starting next week it’s the perfect time to join.”

Liam Buckley said: “Lewis was the Under-23 Player of the Season at the end of 2017 with Stoke.

“He was captain there as well and I’m delighted to have him here with us.

“We’ll be looking for him to make an impact and I think he has the quality to do that.

“He has plenty of ability and that versatility is brilliant for us. He can also play in midfield as well as the back four.

“I think he sees this is a great opportunity and he can hit the ground running.”

On Sunday we held our annual Super Reds days for our young fans to collect their 2019 Sligo Rovers season ticket and complimentary jersey.

We had a great crowd of young Rovers fans and their parents who endured the tough conditions on the day.

Our first-team put on coaching sessions and played a few football matches with the young fans, plus autographs and photographs.

Thanks to everyone that joined us on the day and we can’t wait to see you all on the first home game of the season on Friday 22 February at 7:45pm in The Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers recorded a 4-0 win over Athlone Town in the penultimate pre-season match of 2019 at Athlone Town Stadum.

Ronan Murray opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 16 minutes, but then suffered an ankle injury when running with no Athlone player near.

He tried to continue but couldn’t shake it off and Jack Keaney was introduced.

The second goal arrived just before the break when the substitute Keaney sent a crisp strike from 25 yards low into the net.

Keaney made in three from the spot after Trialist B was fouled in the 57th minute.

Liam Kerrigan rounded off the scoring after a long run from the halfway line which was aided to by good work by John Mahon coming out from defence.

Sligo Rovers team: McNicholas (McGinty 45), Dunleavy (Trialist B 45), Mahon, Leverock, Donelon; Callan-McFadden, Trialist A, Kerrigan, Twardek (Lynch 82), Parkes (Morahan 45), Murray (Keaney 18).

Sligo Rovers are very pleased to announce the signing of Nigerian striker Brendan Ogbu, subject to work permit and international clearance.

Ogbu moves to Sligo after spending a very successful career in his domestic league.

He scored 12 goals in 14 matches for Bayelsa United in the Nigeria National League season last campaign.

Ogbu was previously with Enugu Rangers, FC Heartland, Warri Wolves, Ifeanyi, Rangers International and FC Heartland.

He won the Nigerian FA Cup with Heartland, taking the man of the match award in the final, and player of the year that campaign overall with 17 goals in the season.

Liam Buckley said: “Brendan can play across the front three including as a number nine. He came across my radar at St Patrick’s Athletic but at the time we had Christy Fagan and he wasn’t available then afterwards.

“We needed to broaden our search in looking for a striker because it’s a limited market and Brendan has proven himself as a goalscorer in Nigeria as someone I feel is worth bringing here.

“He’s a big lad, very dangerous around the penalty area and he’s going to bring something we’re looking for.

“It’s up to the team to be playing well to create chances and I think he’ll relish this opportunity. We’re looking forward to him joining up with us.”

Ogbu said: “I have been so keen to receive a chance like this and prove myself in Europe.

“I can’t wait to meet all the Sligo fans and I want to help the team have a very good season.

“I will be prepared correctly to play for Sligo Rovers and try to score goals like I have done in Nigeria for many years.”