Sligo Rovers can confirm that winger Will Fitzgerald is expected be out of action for the rest of the 2023 season following a significant groin injury sustained in training recently.
Fitzgerald will now undergo surgery on the injury and we wish him the best in his recovery.
Keep strong, Will.
Sligo Rovers’ next Men’s home fixture is this coming Friday night at The Showgrounds against St. Patrick’s Athletic.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm.
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday evening, however the League moved it forward 24 hours as it will be shown Live on RTE 2.
Tickets for the game can be bought online in advance on srfcdirect.com or simply on the turnstiles on the night from 6.30pm.
Fabrice Hartmann has returned to the club on loan and is expected to feature in the match squad for the big game.
The Bit O’ Red Academy had four games this past weekend on another wet and wintery couple of days.
On Saturday, our Under 17 Womens team travelled East to Oriel Park to play Dundalk.
An entertaining game saw four goals scored in a 2-2 draw, with McKenzie Reynolds and Anna McDaniel on target for Rovers.
Our Under 14’s had a tough day at the office, suffering an 8-0 defeat in Dublin against UCD.
It was the side’s first defeat since June 3rd and one they will bounce back from.
Sunday saw our Under 15 side host Dundalk at The Sean Fallon Centre on a rain soaked afternoon.
An own-goal meant Rovers shared the points with the Louth side.
Our Under 19 Womens side suffered their first defeat since May 21st with a 5-0 defeat at The Showgrounds against Shelbourne.
On Tuesday night, our Under 17 Men’s team are in Cup action away to Derry City at 7pm in Aileach.
The 500 Club members draw for June 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 thank the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.
The following are the winners for June:
1st: €500 – Seamus Gilmartin, Grange, Co. Sligo
2nd: €100 – Paul Mulligan, Rosehill, Sligo.
3rd: €100 – Ben/Abigail Crossan, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo
4th: €100 – Pat McCormack, St. Josephs Terrace, Sligo
5th: €100 – Frank Feighan, Strandhill Rd, Sligo.
6th: €100 – Veronica Drury, Calry, Co. Sligo.
7th: €100 – Jane Nugent, Ballygawley, Co. Sligo.
8th: €100 – Allen Banks, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.
9th: €100 – Paul Higgins, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
10th: €100 – John Verdon, Greenfort Estate, Sligo.
We wish to thank all our 500 Club members for their continued support and our 500 Club Committee.
Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the re-signing of Fabrice Hartmann on loan until June 30th 2024 from German Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig.
Hartmann had spent the first months of the 2023 season at The Showgrounds before returning to Germany to undergo a rehabilitation programme at his parent club after sustaining a hamstring injury in May.
Hartmann is now returning to full fitness and will go straight into John Russell’s squad for next Friday’s crunch game against St. Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds.
Rovers boss John Russell is happy to have the German back in Sligo:
“I’m delighted to bring Fabrice back to the club again.
“He is a player of immense quality. I felt he was just getting into his stride before his injury so to have him back with us is exciting.
“He makes the difference in the final third with his ability to create chances and score goals.
“I’m sure our supporters will be excited by this news”.
The 22-year-old winger has said he’s excited to be back at The Showgrounds:
“I am really happy to extend my loan at Sligo Rovers.
“I want to thank the manager, John Russell for the trust that he’s given me.
“Im looking forward to getting more minutes and helping the team as much as I can for the rest of the season and next”.
Hartmann will once again wear the number 11 jersey for the Bit O’ Red for the rest of the season.
Sligo Rovers made the trip to Drogheda to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division on Friday night.
Manager John Russell was without the suspended Daniel Lafferty and Richard Brush who were both sent off in last week’s FAI Cup defeat at the same venue.
Frank Liivak was replaced by Lukas Browning and David Cawley captained the side in his 300th competitive appearance in place of Lafferty.
Rovers started well and kept some good possession in the opening spells with the hosts looking dangerous on the counter attack.
Just as Drogheda looked to get a foothold in the game, Rovers took the lead on a break of their own.
Kailin Barlow found space on the right hand side before prodding the ball in behind toward the on running Cawley who fired off the upright with goalkeeper Andrew Wogan beaten.
The shot came back out into the danger zone and Stefan Radosavljevic did well to keep the rebound down and fire in the opening goal.
The home side again looked to get forward at every opportunity but chances were few and far between and the Bit O’ Red lead at the break.
John Mahon was replaced at half time due to illness and Barlow picked up a minor ankle injury and both were replaced by Garry Buckley and Frank Liivak respectively.
Rovers started the second half well and looked to take control of the game when Johan Brannefalk’s cross from a wide free kick was headed into his own net by defender Conor Keeley on 58 minutes to double Rovers’ lead .
It looked as if Rovers were handling anything that was thrown at them comfortably until a defensive mix up on 70 minutes let in Adam Foley to pull one back with twenty minutes to go.
It got worse for Rovers eight minutes later when a cross from the left hand side was nodded down for Dayle Rooney to nip in and equalise for the home side.
Pedro Martelo replaced Radosavljevic for the final ten minutes or so and both sides were eager to go and get a third goal.
The game ended with both sides having half chances to get a winner but neither side would go on to do so meaning a the spoils were shared.
James Finnerty returned late on for Cawley in his first game back from injury which is a welcome addition for John Russell.
Next up is a home game with St. Patrick’s Athletic next Friday at The Showgrounds at 7:45pm.
Our Academy has four games this weekend between Saturday and Sunday afternoon as the season continues to progress through the Summer months.
On Saturday, our Under 14 side are in Cup action as they take on UCD away from home at 3pm.
The lads have had a couple of weeks with no competitive fixture so, will be rearing to go in Dublin.
The squad take part in the Galway Cup next week so it is a busy week ahead for the squad.
Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Women take on Dundalk at Oriel Park at 2pm. Rovers sit on top of the table with two wins from two in the opening games of Phase Two.
Our Under 15 side host the same opposition on Sunday at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre.
Admission is free and all support is welcome for this young side.
Later on Sunday, our Under 19 Women host Shelbourne at The Showgrounds with a kick-off time of 2pm and again, all support is welcome.
Sligo Rovers return to League action tonight against Drogheda United at Weavers Park
The sides met last Friday night in the FAI Cup with Drogheda winning 2-1 and progressing to the next round.
Max Mata scored his 12th goal of the season in the first half but, the hosts drew level early in the second half and went on to win the game from a penalty of their own.
Manager John Russell is looking for a reaction from his side:
‘’We were very disappointed with the performance, and ultimately the result last weekend.
Our performance levels and results have been good in the league lately so we can’t let one bad performance impact our mindset’’.
The game is Live on LOI TV from 7:45pm and Ocean FM will provide updates.
Russell is keen for his side to continue their decent league form, winning two from the last three games:
‘’The staff and I have such belief in this group of players. They have the ability and mentality to put a run of results together.
We are now entering the business end of the season so a big performance is needed in front of our away supporters this evening’’.
In team news, Garry Buckley is now fit and available following his return to action from the bench last Friday.
Karl O’ Sullivan could return to the match squad after his long lay off with an ankle injury and James Finnerty is also fully fit again.
Will Fitzgerald will be sidelined with a groin injury while Mark Byrne and Gary Boylan remain out.
Daniel Lafferty is suspended.
Our Academy had another hectic weekend this past week with four games down for decision between Saturday and Monday.
Our Under 17 Women left it late to secure three points at home to Longford Town on Saturday lunchtime as goals from Kya McKenna and Tess Longworth were enough to get the home win on a terrible afternoon for football.
Sunday saw two Under 19 games taking place, with our Under 19 Men’s team in Enda McGuill Cup action as they hosted Athlone Town at The Sean Fallon Centre.
A tight first half saw Rovers lead 1-0 at the break after Eli Rooney’s early goal on his return from injury but Rovers pulled away in the second half with Owen Elding’s penalty three minutes in followed by the third goal from midfielder Ultan O’ Grady three minutes later to seal Rovers’ passage into the third round.
Our Under 19 Womens team hosted Cork City at Ballisodare United on Sunday afternoon and goals from Alice Lillie and Katie McGuire were good enough to secure the win in a tighly contested game.
Monday evening saw the final game of the weekend at The Showgrounds as our Under 15 side were taken to extra-time by visitors Galway United after an end to end game in the opening 80 minutes.
Rovers got the winner in extra-time through Troy Kelly and this means we progress to the next round.
On Wednesday night, Rovers Under 17 side take on Longford Town away from home at Bishopsgate in the League.
Kick off is 7pm.
Sligo Rovers get back to Premier Division action this Friday night with a trip to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm.
It is the second meeting of the sides at the Louth venue in a week as the hosts defeated Rovers 2-1 in last Friday’s FAI Cup First Round tie.
Tickets for Sligo Rovers supporters are available via the link below:
https://eventlist.store/droghedaunitedfc/dufcawaytickets?ftredirect=1
