The 500 Club members draw for 500 Club Winners May & June 2025 was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

May 2025

€500 Keith O’Dwyer – Dundalk, Co. Louth
€100 Ronnie Dunne – Heather View, Sligo
€100 Neil Kennedy – Boyle, Co. Roscommon
€100 Shane White – Collooney, Co. Sligo
€100 Keith Patterson – Carney, Co. Sligo
€100 Robbie Fitzpatrick – Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
€100 Ramon Chadda – Uppr Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
€1.00 Conor Maye – Oakfield Crescent, Sligo
€100 Colette Crowne – Lwr Pearse Rd, Sligo
€100 Enda Molloy – Ballinteer, Dublin

June 2025

€500 Brian Drury – Calry, Co. Sligo
€100 Gerard Melly – St. Johns Tce, Sligo
€100 Alan Fox – Rathmines, Dublin
€1.00 Michael Gilmartin – Cranmore, Sligo
€100 Gannon McNamara – Cedar Drive, Sligo
€100 Mary Kilmartin – Glasnevin, Dublin 9
€100 Robbie Fitzpatrick – Rosses Point, Sligo
€100 Ian Duggan – Kevinsfort, Sligo
€100 Gary Kilcullen – Maugheraboy, Sligo
€100 Michael Currid – Marymount, Sligo

Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that the club have reached a deal with NIFL side Cliftonville for the transfer of full back Sean Stewart to the Showgrounds on an 18 month deal. 

The left-sided Northern Ireland underage international arrives at the Showgrounds for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance and is manager John Russell’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window. 

The 22-year-old joins up at Rovers following spells with Norwich City and Belfast side Cliftonville who he won an Irish Cup with in 2024.

A former St Oliver Plunkett youth, Stewart played with the Belfast boys’ side until under 16 level when he moved across to Norwich for the next five years. A successful loan spell with hometown club Cliftonville resulted in the full back signing for the Reds on a full-time basis in summer 2024. 

He took part in Rovers’ recent friendly with Mansfield Town and has represented Northern Ireland at various levels all the way to the 21s.

“The international experience has hugely helped my development as you are constantly playing against the best young players from the countries you go up against”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“So I’m coming to Rovers with plenty of experience of playing at a high level and I’m looking forward to using that experience to further improve the squad.”

Stewart has already experienced match night having been in attendance for Rovers’ impressive win over in-form Derry City on Saturday at the Showgrounds. He is keen to get going in what he describes as an “attractive” league to play his football.

“John had been chasing me for a while and once I knew the clubs were happy to come to a deal and I spoke to him, I wanted to come here straight away”, he continues. 

“He is hugely ambitious for the club’s future and I want to be part of that.

“I’ve always had a big interest in the league here and followed the teams and results. It has grown enormously over the last few years and is further becoming such an attractive league to play in for young players. I couldn’t turn down the chance to play here. 

“It has developed so many players recently and Sligo is one of those clubs that realises the importance of giving younger players an opportunity. You only have to look at the average age of the current squad. The manager puts trust in his players, a young squad and it’s paid off the last few weeks when you look at the results we’re starting to pick up.”

“I was really impressed with the team against Derry and it was great to get the runout against Mansfield. The crowd really got behind the boys, the atmosphere around the club is great. 

“I will have to work so hard to earn a place in the team and that’s been obvious to me even before I arrived. We play with aggression and always try to be on the front foot and that’s how I want the teams I play in to operate. I cannot wait to get started here.” 

Welcoming his latest addition, Russell tells sligorovers.com: “Sean is a hugely promising talent who already has a lot of experience in senior football and has represented Northern Ireland at underage level. 

“I have signed him as we feel his physical profile and attributes certainly match what we already have here at Rovers. 

“He is strong defensively and is a player who really likes to get involved in attacking phases of play, which suits our style. I have had plenty of conversations with Sean before I signed him and he’s highly 

motivated to come here. He knows what we want from him and I feel he matches the type of player we need.

“We feel he has a really high ceiling and we have done very well to get him here.”

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

Wexford took the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) points at the Showgrounds on Saturday and Sligo Rovers added another player to a lengthy injury-list when Keeva Flynn was stretchered-off with about 15 minutes remaining.

Keeva sustained the injury in front of the Sligo Rovers technical area and the play was held up for about four minutes as she received attention before she was removed from the pitch on a stretcher.

Sligo Rovers trailed by two goals, one in each half, at that stage from Della Doherty and Ciara Rossiter and the Wexford women added a third through Leah McGrath near the end.

Wexford dominated for the most part in the opening half and had a chance from Orlaith Conlon that was narrowly wide after only 52 seconds.

Ciara Rossiter had a good effort saved by Bonnie McKiernan in the 10th minute with Becky Cassin’s long-range effort flying over the crossbar in the 20th minute.

Midway through the half Kylie Murphy was wide, but that was down to pressure from Rovers recent arrival Annie McKinley while Keeva Flynn, Katie Melly and Alice Lillie were also prominent in defence.

Making her home debut, Bernie Ferreira was creative around the middle, but lacked sufficient support to punish a Wexford rearguard that was comfortable.

However, Alice Lillie’s run on the half-hour created an opening for Mairead McIntyre, but her shot was finger-tipped away for a corner by a relieved Wexford ‘keeper Maria O’Sullivan.

Soon after Wexford were awarded what looked like a free of the soft variety on the edge of the centre circle and the Bit O’Red switched off long enough for Della Doherty to capitalise for a lead goal on 37 minutes.

Wexford’s Ciara Rossiter gave her side a two-goal advantage on 54 minutes when she pounced after Bonnie McKiernan spilled the ball from what was a needless corner.

McKiernan had been forced into a smart save to concede the corner after Wexford’s Aoife Kelly dispossessed Emma Hansberry and unleashed a fine shot.

Hansberry almost made amends 10 minutes later when her long-range effort bounced off the Wexford crossbar with ‘keeper Maria O’Sullivan scrambling in vain for a touch.

Keeva Flynn was stretchered-off with about 15 minutes remaining and Wexford substitute Leah McGrath scored the goal-of-the-game near the end to wrap up what was a comfortable afternoon for her side.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Keeva Flynn, Annie McKInley, Katie Melly, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Kya McKenna, Bernie Fereira, Mairead McIntyre, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Eve Caprani for McDaniel 55 mins, Lauren Devaney for Hansberry and Louise Masterson for Ferreira both 68m, Amy McCarthy for Flynn 73m.

Wexford – Maria O’Sullivan; Aisling Roche, Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Kylie Murphy, Becky Cassin, Aoife Kelly, Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter, Freya De Mange.

Subs – L McGrath for Rossiter 55 mins, M Daly for Roche and C Maher for Conlon both 70m, M Kirwan for Kelly 88m.

Referee – David Dunne.

Assistant-referees – Conor Fitzgibbon, Oisin Walsh.

Fourth official – Shane O’Brien.

Harvey Norman Sligo Rovers player-of-the-match – Katie Melly.

James McManus scored a goal to rival even Owen Elding’s catalogue of superb strikes this season, as the both the Dubliner and Jake Doyle-Hayes registered their first goals for Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park as the Bit O’Red sailed on to the third round of the FAI Cup. 

McManus’ goal on 51 minutes was followed up by an impressive headed finish from Doyle-Hayes three minutes later as the visitors settled this game in a short period of time at the beginning of the second half.

But it will be Bohs loanee McManus’ arrowed, mid-air half-volley for which this cup tie will be remembered. 

Both sides had chances in a first half which passed without much fuss. 

However, this game was jolted into action when Will Fitzgerald’s corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the ‘D’ where McManus ran on to the ball, catching it perfectly to volley a jaw-dropping effort right into Enda Minogue’s top corner. 

The hosts hadn’t time to settle as a relentless Rovers hit them again on 54 minutes.

Again it was Fitzgerald who supplied the cross for Doyle-Hayes, who expertly flicked the ball into the bottom corner of the Lilywhites goal with his head for his maiden goal for the club.

The draw for the third round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup will take place at a later date.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale (Conor O’Keeffe 22), Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 71); Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey (Andy Parashiv 61); Declan McDaid (Eoin Kenny 61), Harry Groome, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Dean Ebbe 61).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds, Ollie Denham, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald; Jake Doyle-Hayes (Daire Patton 66), James McManus; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 77); Wilson Waweru (Sebastian Quirk HT).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

Sligo Rovers’ search for a sixth Sports Direct FAI Cup begins this Friday evening at Oriel Park as the Bit O’Red face First Division leaders Dundalk, kick-off 7.45pm.

Premier Division matters are moved aside as John Russell brings his side to County Louth in search of a place in the third round of the knock-out competition. Rovers last won the cup in 2013 during a golden spell for the club which saw us appear in four finals in five years, lifting the famous trophy at the Aviva Stadium no less than three times in that spell.

Last season saw Rovers progress through the second round courtesy of a Wilson Waweru hat-trick and a three goal win over non-league Cobh Wanderers at the Showgrounds. Interest in the cup ended at the third round however, as UCD beat Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Rovers go to Oriel for the first time since June 2024 with what is expected to be a fully fit squad, barring the absence of the suspended John Mahon who serves his final game of a four match ban. Recent signing Seb Quirk, a late withdrawal ahead of the win over Derry City last weekend, is expected to be available to Russell. 

On a run of just one defeat in our last five games, Rovers will take on the Lilywhites as narrow favourites being the Premier Division outfit. However, Russell knows how difficult it will be against Ciaran Kilduff’s side who are sitting four points clear in their own division at the moment. 

“They’ve had a really impressive season so far”, Russell says. 

“Of course, as the team who came down from the Premier, they will be the favourites to go back up but that comes with a lot of pressure. Ciaran Kilduff has done such a great job over there and they’ll be looking for a scalp on Friday.

“They have experience in their squad and have plenty of players with Premier Division quality and experience. So there will certainly be no gulf in standard between the teams. 

“We’ve been in good form lately and we’ll be looking to continue that and bring our levels up even higher. At the moment, it looks like we have everyone available to us except John (Mahon) who will be back in the squad for Cork and that’s a big boost. We’re going up there in a good place. 

“We love playing in cup games although we’ve been disappointed with our showing in the last few years where we learned that if we don’t show up, we will be beaten. So we need to be fully switched on and be ready to play on the front foot from the off on Friday night. 

“It looks as if this year’s cup winners will be rewarded with a place in the Europa League next season, so that’s a huge incentive for a club like ours who can’t rely on a benefactor or an inflated budget to prop us up. 

“We’ve been followed by big numbers away from home this year and hopefully we’ll get another big crowd travelling on Friday.”

David Goulden 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Paddy McClean scored against his hometown club as Sligo Rovers extended the buffer between themselves and bottom side Cork City to eight points in almost tropical conditions at the Showgrounds in Sligo.

Wilson Waweru scored the Bit O’Red’s other goal as Rovers deservedly handed Derry their first defeat in six league outings. The result means the Candystripes remain nine points off leaders Shamrock Rovers with one game extra to play.  

Looking to maintain their unbeaten home run since the summer break, Rovers boss John Russell stuck with the same eleven that drew with Shamrock Rovers seven nights previous. Midfielder Ronan Manning recovered from injury in time to make the bench. 

On return to the scene of where their 2023 title challenge came to an end, City boss Tiernan Lynch made one change from his side’s trouncing of Waterford last week. Full back Shane Ferguson came in for Kevin Holt, who is understood to be close to a move away, as Derry looked to extend their winning run to five. New signing Dipo Ankinyemi’s international clearance didn’t arrive in time for the former York City striker to take part.

The Brandywell side have had the better of the recent meetings between these two sides with eight points taken from the previous five meetings, while Sligo only managed just the one win over City in that same period.

In the sizzling Sligo heat, it was the hosts who were the more impressive from the off. 

Loanee Ryan O’Kane fired over from 25 yards eleven minutes in, while Rovers should have taken the lead six minutes later, but centre half Ollie Denham nodded Elding’s cross from the left past Brian Maher’s post from two yard out. 

Sligo did make the most of their next visit to the well as Derry switched off at a 19th minute corner. Jake Doyle-Hayes’ set piece landing on the foot of Derryman McClean who unmarked, finished past Maher for his first goal since his return to the Showgrounds last month. 

Elding kept his side ahead on 23 minutes when the young attacker swept Hayden McCann’s header from Michael Duffy’s corner off his own line moments before the water break.  

The visitors again went close eleven minutes from the break as Derry looked like they might wrestle control of this contest back in their favour. Carl Winchester’s header towards the back post bounced in front of goal before trickling beyond Sam Sargeant’s goal.

Rovers managed two first half goals last week against the Hoops and did it again here courtesy of another defensive mishap when Maher spilled Ryan O’Kane’s cross at the foot of Waweru who was left with a simple finish into an open net. 

Sligo called on goalkeeper Sam Sargeant early in the second period. The club’s player of the month for June, Sargeant met Duffy’s low drive with a strong left fist after the in-form Duffy’s run brought him all the way into the opposing penalty area, having robbed Denham on the half way line.

Lynch’s men went at Rovers in waves but robust defending from a young Rovers outfit kept last year’s FAI cup finalists at arm’s lenght. 

Denham again went close with a headed effort from another Elding assist on 64 minutes while Elding himself pulled a simple save from Maher 90 seconds later.  

Derry had introduced some of the league’s best attacking talents with the likes of Adam O’Reilly, Danny Mullen and Robbie Benson sent on throughout the second half. But a Mullen effort on the turn which Sargeant tipped over, was the closest they came to a consolation. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 90), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus, Jake Doyle-Hayes; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 76); Wilson Waweru (Francely Lomboto 61). 

Derry City: Brian Maher; Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce (Sean Patton 84), Shane Ferguson (Danny Mullen 61); Sadou Diallo (Robbie Benson 72), Carl Winchester; Gavin Whyte (Adam O’Reilly HT), Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (Alex Bannon 61). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy. 

Attendance: 2,877

GALWAY UTD 4, SLIGO ROVERS 2

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers surrendered a two-goal interval advantage on Saturday evening in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) against title-chasing Galway Utd who replied with four second-half goals.

New signing Annie McKinley made her debut for the Bit O’Red and Sarah McDaniel also started with both players making a big contribution.

Two more new faces appeared for the Bit O’Red in the second-half with Bernie Ferreira and Louise Masterson sent into the fray by manager Steve Feeney.

McKinley arrived from California where she played College football for the last four years and concluded her final season with a League Championship success.

She made an instant impact for the Bit O’Red as she rocketed a header to the net on 13 minutes from an Emma Hansberry corner and 20 minutes later the duo struck again.

Goal number two was similar to the opener and that gave the Bit O’Red the platform for a 2-0 interval advantage.

Galway’s only real chance in the opening half was a Celoa Bergin effort that went narrowly wide.

However, Galway upped the tempo for the second half with early goals from Emma Doherty and Isabella Beletic for parity by the 50th minute.

Then, the former Sligo Rovers striker headed Galway in front on the hour as the hosts showed a more positive disposition in the second half.

That attitude produced a fourth goal for Galway with six minutes remaining.

Rovers lost possession around midfield, and Galway substitute Amanda Smith capitalised to make it 4-2, sealing a hard-earned victory for the hosts in sweltering conditions.

Galway Utd – Nicole Nix; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isabella Beletic, Kate Thompson, Therese Kinnevey, Ceola Bergin, Ava Mullins, Eve Dossen, Emma Doherty, Niamh Farrelly. 

Subs – A Smith for Mullins 62 mins, R Olusola for Bergin 76 mins, K Coady for Doherty and A Donnelly for Thompson, both 88 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah McDaniel, Keeva Flynn, Annie McKinley, Alice Lillie, Emma Hansberry, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Kya McKenna, Alana Doherty, Cara King. 

Subs – Bernie Ferreira for Hansberry and Louise Masterson for McGrory, both 74 mins; Eve Caprani for McDaniel and Amy McCarthy for King, both 85 mins.

Referee – Kate O’Brien.

Assistant referees – Conor Fitzgibbon, Paudie Hayes.

Fourth official – Declan Toland.

Sligo Rovers host one of the Premier Division’s form teams this Saturday evening as Derry City visit the Showgrounds for the second time this season.

The Candystripes are on a blistering run of form with four wins and a draw from their last five games as Tiernan Lynch’s outfit take on a Bit O’Red side on a decent run of their own.

With eight points from their last five games, Rovers will look to further close the gap between themselves and eighth place Waterford who sit seven points above Rovers before the weekend. 

In team news, Rovers will again be without the suspended John Mahon for the third game running. The captain has two of a four game suspension yet to serve. 

Ronan Manning and Oskar Van Hattum returned to training this week after sustaining injuries recently, but both are doubtful to make Saturday’s game. 

John Russell has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.

Saturday sees Rovers attempt to pick up their first points against City this year. In form Michael Duffy scored the only goal of the game in Sligo in the first of the meetings between the clubs back in March. While City were the winners at the Brandywell in April, running out winners by three goals to nil. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Russell says he is delighted with recent form but has urged his squad to keep improving as the important games, in both league and cup continue. 

“Like our recent game against Shamrock Rovers, we are facing a team in Derry who are in form and extremely strong”, he says. 

“They too can change any game with a substitution given the strength of their bench and the resources they have available. They put seven past Waterford last week so we’re facing a side in red hot form and no doubt they’ll come to Sligo looking for a win. 

“But we know our own strengths and again we’ll look to maximise them and impose our own ideas on things. I’ve been very happy with how things have gone since the break but we’re also looking for further improvement and the players know that. 

“The football we played against Shams in the first half was some of the best we’ve played all season and we’ll look to do that again on Saturday. Supporters are getting their money’s worth here in Sligo and we’re enjoying our football and we’re pushing ourselves to improve even more. We were disappointed to draw against, for me, the best team in the league so that says something. 

“We’re in a good place at the moment but we want to raise our levels even more and that’s the challenge we’ve posed to the players. We have to keep moving forward.”

Russell haso also praised his new signings, saying:  

“They’ve all been brilliant and they all made an impact against Shams. 

“As with the rest of the squad, we want them to raise their levels too. 

“They all slotted in very well and a lot of that is down to the condition they’ve come here in. Seb Quirk has been training with us for a while so he’s getting up to speed. He’s shown his physicality against one of the best midfields in the country last weekend and matched the pace of the game straight away.

“James McManus and Ryan O’Kane have half a season in them and come here in top shape. While Paddy McClean is out of season, but didn’t look tired after 90 minutes plus against Shams.”

David Goulden  

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers return to action in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) with a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday to tackle title-chasing Galway Utd at 5pm.

Galway took the points home from the Showgrounds last time on Easter Saturday with what was a hard-earned 3-1 victory.

That was a costly outing for the Bit O’Red, as separate second-half injuries to Katie Melly and Jessica Casey disrupted the team’s fluency.

Rachel McGoldrick scored for the Bit O’Red as Galway added two late goals to seal the 3-1 victory.

Boss Steve Feeney has struggled to get a consistent starting 11 so far, due mainly to a lengthy injury list, and it will be a similar story for Saturday’s trip to Galway.

However, he is hopeful that former Peamount Utd player Louise Masterson will be able to make an overdue debut for the Bit O’red.

Louise was recruited for the start of the season, but a registration issue left her ineligible until now, and she should be a good addition to the side. 

Bernie Ferreria and Annie McKinley have also signed up for the Bit O’Red and should be available for the weekend action.

Ferreira has played with a number of clubs, including Crusaders and Linfield, and also featured for Northern Ireland at under-17 and under-19 levels. 

Last February she scored against Albania in stage two of the UEFA WU19 Euro 2025 qualifiers as N Ireland won by 5-0. 

McKinley arrives from California after playing college football for the last four years and finished her last season with a league championship success.

“Hopefully, the registrations for Louise, Bernie and Annie will be okay for Saturday, and I’ll be able to include them in the squad for the game against Galway,” commented the Bit O’Red boss.

“Apart from the players on the injured list, we will be without Muireann and Lauren Devaney while Alanna Doherty, Eimear Lafferty and Anna McDaniel are on the doubtful list at the moment,” he added.

Looking at the last outing in the WFAI Cup against DLR Waves, Steve was disappointed with the result, although he couldn’t fault the overall effort of the players. 

“We could have won the game against DLR Waves a fortnight ago, but we just couldn’t get over the line,” he said.

“We didn’t capitalise on some early chances, but even after going two goals down, we displayed great character to get back into contention.

“I was disappointed with the decision to award a penalty, apparently for a push in the back. I couldn’t see it even after watching it a few times after the game, but that’s the way it goes, and you just have to get on with it.

“Going to Galway on Saturday, one of the strongest teams in the league, will be another big challenge for us.

“However, we know that we can be competitive, that we create chances, and that we can defend well.

“If we can do all that with a little bit more consistency and finish some of the chances that we create, then we will make it difficult for Galway and hopefully take something home from the game,” he concluded.

GALWAY UTD

Currently sitting in fourth place, some nine points adrift of leaders Athlone Town with a back match away to Peamount from a postponement in March, Galway cannot afford any more slip-ups with three defeats already clocked up.

May was a bad month on that front with defeats against Athlone Town, Shelbourne and Treaty Utd, but since then they have beaten Cork and Waterford to get the drive for a WPD title back on track.

Apart from chasing a first WPD title after going close last season, the Galway women are also chasing a third successive All-Island Cup and will face Wexford in the semi-final at the end of July.

They exited the WFAI Cup at the first hurdle, losing to Shelbourne at the end of June, but bounced back to winning ways in the All-Island Cup last weekend with a 3-1 quarter-final victory against Shamrock Rovers.

Ceola Bergin scored twice in the opening half for Phil Trill’s side, and an early second-half own goal sealed the verdict in front of a good-sized crowd of almost 400 at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway Utd v Sligo Rovers live on LOITV on Saturday at 5pm.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Shamrock Rovers recovered from two goals down to claim a draw with Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds as their winless streak at the Showgrounds stretched to four. 

A Jad Hakiki double was halved by a Dan Cleary goal on 33 minutes, Sligo leading at the break. 

Josh Honahan then equalised just past the hour as the Dubliners were expected to push on and extend their lead at the summit of the Premier Division. But impressive defending from the home side saw Sligo claim a valuable point in their mission to avoid the drop, extending their unbeaten home run to three games. 

The hosts could have won this tie late on, but Francely Lomboto could only fire over in a one-on-one with Ed McGinty. 

Armed with four new signings, Sligo boss John Russell gave club debuts to two of his recent acquisitions.  

Loanees Ryan O’Kane and James McManus were included in a Sligo eleven for the first time. While the returning Paddy McClean, whose last game for Sligo was against this same opposition back on the final day of the 2018 season, started his second second stint in the north west at the heart of the defence. Former Everton youth Seb Quirk was named on the bench.

Trying to extend their lead at the top to eleven points, the visitors made just the one change. Striker Rory Gaffney was rewarded for his match winning goal against Waterford, coming in for Michael Noonan. Striker John McGovern, who was signed from Dungannon back in May started from the bench.  

Chasing a first win at the Showgrounds since summer 2023, it was the Dubliners who created the early openings. Some wonderful one-touch football from both sides owed to a breathless opening half of football with both Matt Healy and Graham Burke going close for the Hoops. 

But it was a rampant Bit O’Red who opened the scoring here. Will Fitzgerald unsettled the Shamrock Rovers rearguard with a clever short corner, finding Jake Doyle-Hayes. The Cavan man in turn picked out the late arrival of Hakiki to the front post, the former Dundalk man unmarked, nodding past McGinty. 

The impressive Danny Grant looked set to level this game on 22 but lost control of the ball in front of the Sligo goal, following a sublime crossfield ball from Mandroiu.

Stephen Bradley’s charges were made to regret the error two minutes later. 

Golden boy Owen Elding, who has been reportedly tracking interest from clubs all over Europe added to his value with a skillful through ball to Hakiki. Turning inside and instead of using Wilson Waweru who found himself in ample space, Hakiki elected to instead go himself and was rewarded for backing himself as he slotted past McGinty for his brace. 

The Tallaght men had a shout for a spot-kick turned down when Honohan and Conor Reynolds tangled on Sligo’s end line, while Burke pulled a sharp, two-handed stop from Sam Sargeant 60 seconds later.

The 2023 champions found a way back into the game 12 minutes from the break. Burke’s initial free-kick was recycled back into the Sligo box by Mandroiu and on to the head of Cleary who headed past Sargeant from close-range. 

Sligo were almost caught out by a short corner themselves early in the second period. Sargeant got down in time to get in front of a Healy drive from 20 yards after Mandroiu and Dylan Watts combined. 

Sargeant then pulled off a superb double save, first from Mandroiu and then Grant as the visitors applied the pressure after the re-start.  

The visitors; pressing told on 63 minutes when the on-coming Honohan smashed home Watt’s curling cross from the right, beyond Sargeant at the back post.  

Momentum with them, Shamrock Rovers failed to test Sargeant who was well protected by a determined Sligo defence. 

In fact, it was the hosts who could have won this three minutes from time. 

Substitute Lomboto lacked composure as he attempted to chip ex-Sligo net minder McGinty. Lomboto’s rushed finish saw him sky his effort well over goal at the old Shed End instead. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds, Paddy McClean, Ollie Denham, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus (Seb Quirk 60), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Jad Hakiki; Owen Elding (Cian Kavanagh 85), Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 91); Wilson Waweru (Francely Lomboto 60). 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Danny Grant, Josh Honohan (Maxim Kovalevskis 76); Matt Healy, Dylan Watts (Jack Byrne 63), Danny Mandroiu (Aaron McEneff 87); Rory Gaffney (John McGovern 76), Graham Burke (Michael Noonan 64). 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.  

Attendance: 3,359.