Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park on 27 September for their penultimate Women’s Premier Division away fixture. Kick-off is at 15:00, with all the action available live on LOITV.

Rovers aim to secure valuable points as the league nears its final stages. Despite a 4-1 defeat to Peamount United last week, the first-half play and counter-attacking moments highlighted the team’s potential.

In team news, both Leah Kelly and Cara King are set to miss the trip and could be sidelined for the remainder of the season, with assessments due in the coming days. Cara King was forced off the pitch during last Saturday’s defeat, while Leah Kelly completed the full 90 minutes despite carrying a knock. Their absence will be a setback as Rovers prepare to face Bohemians.

Bohemian FC sit sixth in the table and have won three of their last four games, including a 2-2 draw in their most recent match after trailing 2-0. Rovers have drawn both meetings with them this season, but this will be their first trip of the campaign to Dalymount Park.

Manager Steve Feeney said: “Bohemians have had a great season. They are a well-drilled, organised team with some talented young players. They were runners-up in the All-Island Cup, are in the FAI Cup final, and are performing strongly in the league. We take confidence from drawing with them twice this year, so we know we can compete on the day. But we must turn up and learn from the mistakes in last Saturday’s defeat, because they are a team that can punish us.”

Jack Dempsey

Sligo Rovers moved out of the Premier Division’s bottom two for the first time in over six months following victory over Galway United in an energy-sapping Connacht derby at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Substitute Cian Kavanagh headed the game’s winner on 54 minutes to hand Rovers the points and a third win over the Tribesmen this season. 

Victory moves Rovers to seventh ahead of Saturday’s league clash with St Pat’s at the Showgrounds. 

John Russell made one change for this one. Gareth McElroy, one of the visitors’ stand-out performers on the night, came in for John Mahon at the heart of the Sligo rearguard. 

The hosts produced the best chance of the first half in a relatively tight affair as Rovers dealt with John Caulfield’s direct approach. 

McElroy headed Rob Slevin’s goalward header away from danger on 22 minutes, the closest either side came to an opener in the first period.

Rovers began the second half on the front foot, Owen Elding testing Brendan Clarke on 53 when man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki cut out a loose ball from Bobby Burns. Hakiki fed Ryan O’Kane, who in turn set Elding through. But the club’s top-scorer was denied by Clarke who spread himself well to deflect away Elding’s low effort. 

There was joy in the away end from the resulting corner however. 

McElroy headed Will Fitzgerald’s out-swinger towards Kavanagh, who beat Clarke to the ball as he nodded over the former Rovers ‘keeper and to an empty net. 

Galway threw everything at Rovers for the final half hour, but Russell’s charges limited United to mostly shots from distance.

Slevin fired over, while Sergeant and Paddy McClean did enough to deny Patrick Hickey from a Dara McGuinness cross. 

The tireless Hakiki had Clarke at full stretch twelve minutes from the end when the midfielder sent a beautifully struck, bending effort towards the top corner. Clarke’s finger-tip save was just enough to push the ball beyond for a corner following a superb Rovers counter strike. 

McGuinness could only fire straight at Sargeant from three yards out as the Tribesmen spurned their chance to level the game on 82. While the same player headed into Sargeant’s arms in the third of the six minutes added on at the finale. 

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Jeannot Esua, Killian Brouder (Vincent Borden 84), Garry Buckley, Bobby Burns; Aaron Bolger (Jeremy Sivi 64), Jimmy Keohane, Rob Slevin, Ed McCarthy (Stephen Walsh 64), Patrick Hickey; Dara McGuinness.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje, Patrick McClean, Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart (Ciaron Harkin 63); James McManus (Matty Wolfe 63), Seb Quirk (Cian Kavanagh 46); Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 83), Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.

Referee: Paul Norton.

Ollie Denham is Sligo Rovers’ only injury worry ahead of Monday’s huge Connacht derby with Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

The centre-half was withdrawn from the starting eleven ahead of last Friday’s draw with Drogheda having picked up knock to his hip in the warm-up. 

Rovers boss John Russell is expected otherwise, to have a fully fit squad as the Bit O’Red look to climb ahead of Galway with a win and out of the relegation zone. 

Both sides are deadlocked on 31 points each, with John Caulfield’s men ahead of Rovers based on their superior goal difference. 

Rovers have had the better of the three meetings between the clubs this season, with two wins over the Tribesmen from three attempts. While United beat Sligo at the Showgrounds in the first match between the sides in 2025 back in April, their first league win on Sligo soil in decades.

Rovers go into this game with two wins from their last five in all competitions. Galway have taken just one win from their previous five. 

Looking ahead to this much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, re-arranged due to recent FAI Cup games, Rovers boss John Russell is looking for his team to take the points which would push us out of the bottom two for the first time in over six months. 

“We’re hugely looking forward to this one and we’re looking to bounce straight into it after the Drogheda game”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“I thought we were the better side on Friday. You only have to look at how many times we worked their ‘keeper in comparison to how much Sam (Sargeant) had to do. We’ve also hit the post twice.

“Our shape and our energy was good. We created plenty and it’s a harsh handball decision that gets them back in the game. We just couldn’t crack Drogheda a second time. So we got that reaction we asked for from the boys after the Kerry game.”

Facing his home-town club, Russell is excited by the prospect of the occasion itself.

“It’s a derby game with a lot on the line. You have two sides looking to pick up points for the same reasons so it’s all set up to be a big atmosphere and a big occasion. I’m sure they will have a big crowd backing them and our fans will travel well. We packed out the away end last time out and that really pushed us on. We know it’s a Monday night and not ideal for supporters but we hope we bring big numbers and I know our fans will get right behind us. 

“It’ll be a real test for us. We’ve got to stick our chests out now and be counted as it’s so tight at our end of the table, every point counts and everyone is running out of games. As a club, we have massive belief in these players to go out and get results and perform for us. We need to make the most of the occasion.” 

David Goulden 

Greenogue Park, 20 September 2025

Sligo Rovers fought hard in Dublin but were beaten 4–1 by hosts Peamount United, who controlled the majority of possession throughout the match.

Line-ups

Peamount United:
Ciara Glackin; Lauryn O’Callaghan (C) (Grace Moore 86), Mary Phillips, Sadhbh Doyle, Eleanor Ryan Doyle (Lucy McCartan 22); Ellen Dolan (Karla Moore 86), Abby Tuthill, Sorcha Melia (Mia McGonnell 86), Dearbhaile Beirne; Antea Guvo, Aisling Spillane

Substitutes: Niamh Coombes, Lucy McCartan, Karen Duggan, Mia McGonnell, Toni Marie Ceno, Ruby Gallagher, Grace Moore, Abigail Quinn, Karla Moore

Sligo Rovers:
Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King (Ava Hallinan 70), Eimear Lafferty, Kate Nugent, Katie Melly (Alice Lillie 58); Leah Kelly (Paula McGrory 58), Emma Hansberry (C), Alana Doherty, Mairead McIntyre (Bernie Ferreira 79); Muireann Devaney, Anna McDaniel (Rachel McGoldrick 70)

Substitutes: Louise Masterson, Paula McGrory, Bernie Ferreira, Alice Lillie, Eve Caprani, Rachel McGoldrick, Ava Hallinan, Lauren Devaney, Natasha Kelly

Referee: Daryl Carolan

Rovers started brightly, with Alana Doherty making early defensive interventions to limit Peamount’s initial attacks. On nine minutes, Muireann Devaney drove down the left and her shot was saved by Peamount goalkeeper Ciara Glackin, but the rebound fell to Emma Hansberry, who calmly finished to give Rovers the early lead.

Peamount responded and equalised on 28 minutes through Sorcha Melia. Despite the home side dominating possession for most of the first half, Rovers stayed organised and kept the game level at 1–1 going into the break.

The second half saw Peamount take control. Ellen Dolan scored twice, including a well-struck effort from distance, while substitute Ruby Gallagher produced a rocket of a strike into the far corner to seal the result.

Rovers were forced to defend for long spells but still created moments of danger on the counter. At the other end, Peamount’s Dearbhaile Beirne came closest to scoring with a half-volley that rattled the crossbar.

Manager Steve Feeney made several changes to respond to the pressure and injuries. Paula McGrory, Alice Lillie, Rachel McGoldrick, and Ava Hallinan all featured, with Cara King having to be lifted off due to injury after a strong defensive shift.

Throughout the match, Bonnie McKiernan was busy in goal, making a number of saves and helping to keep the scoreline from being wider.

Despite the result, Rovers showed promise in the first half and will look to build on that as they head to Dalymount Park next Saturday to face Bohemian FC.

Jack Dempsey

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Sligo Rovers go into Monday’s Connacht derby with Galway United on Monday level on points with the Tribesmen after they were pegged back by Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. 

Ryan O’Kane had fired the Bit O’Red into the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the Boynesiders leveled the game early in the second half courtesy of a Paul Doyle penalty. 

It was John Russell’s Rovers who took this game to their opponents early on. Golden boy Owen Elding struck the Drogheda post after eleven minutes, while O’Kane fizzed a driven effort wide of Luke Dennison’s post on the follow up.

Finding joy down their left side, Rovers went close again on 25 minutes when from defending their own penalty area, the hosts hit Drogheda on the counter. 

Jad Hakiki’s through ball found Elding who was denied by Dennison who did just enough to take the pace of Elding’s shot as he looked to sneak the ball under the Calfornian.

Dennison showed his value again on the half hour when he went down low to scoop Seb Quirk’s pot-shot over his crossbar. 

Doherty reacted to his side’s struggles by bringing on the experienced Ryan Brennan on and this affected the flow of the occasion straight away. 

Brennan, Conor Keeley and Darragh Markey all went close for Drogheda as they chased the lead. 

Sligo wrestled back control of this tie and went ahead in added time. Having pulled another impressive stop from Dennison, O’Kane was not to be disappointed with his next effort as he dragged his strike beyond O’Kane from the edge of the Drogheda box. 

The Louth men, who made a trio of changes at the break, were then gifted a way back into the game early in the second period. Paddy McClean handled the ball inside his own area, allowing former Sligo midfielder Doyle to dispatch the resulting spot-kick.

Quirk’s determination resulted in him blasting over again on 73 minutes, before Hakiki lashed an effort from distance off Dennison’s crossbar 90 seconds later in what was a tense second period. 

Both Drogs’ Thomas Oluwa and Rovers’ Matty Wolfe spurned great chances to claim the spoils late on for their sides. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje (Matty Wolfe 78), John Mahon, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart (Cian Kavangh 62); James McManus (Conor Reynolds 88), Seb Quirke; Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane; Owen Elding. 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger (Frank Cooper 66), Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley; Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise HT), Owen Lambe; Warren Davis (Shane Farell HT), Paul Doyle (Thomas Oluwa 76), Darragh Markey (Fuhad Kareem HT), Luke Heeney; Josh Thomas (Ryan Brennan 34). 

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Attendance: 2,357

Sligo Rovers head to Greenogue Park on 20 September for a key Women’s Premier Division clash against Peamount United, kick-off 17:00. With just four games left in the season, Rovers are determined to keep building momentum and secure as many points as possible as they aim for a strong finish.

Rovers have shown plenty of belief and attacking intent in recent games. Their last outing against Treaty United was a perfect example of that spirit. Trailing 2-0 with only minutes to play, Muireann Devaney’s strike sparked a comeback that was sealed by Paula McGrory from the penalty spot, earning a dramatic 2-2 draw. Manager Steve Feeney reflected on the performance:

“The Treaty game was a strong performance, even though we found ourselves 2-0 down. Full credit to the girls, with only six or seven minutes remaining and being 2-0 down, they kept pressing and driving. That first goal gave them belief, and they were rewarded with a second to earn a point.”

Peamount United arrive in excellent form, having won four of their last five games, scoring freely and conceding just three goals. Ellen Dolan has been in particularly strong form, scoring four goals during this period and providing a challenge Rovers will need to manage carefully. Feeney added:

“Peamount have been on an excellent run of form, despite a narrow loss to third-placed Galway United. We know we’re facing a strong Peamount side that is scoring goals and getting results, so we must be at our best to give ourselves a chance.”

The sides last met on 3 May at the Showgrounds, with Rovers securing a 1-0 victory through Anna McDaniel’s early strike, marking Sligo Rovers’ first win over Peamount since March 2022.

In terms of squad availability, Kya McKenna is the only new injury concern following an academy game. A few other players remain sidelined from earlier in the season, but Rovers have plenty of options to keep playing with energy and attack positively.

“For this game, the focus is on being switched on, taking the belief from the Treaty game, and being positive in attack. We’ve been scoring more recently, which is pleasing, and we want to build on that. With four games left and 12 points to play for, we want to finish as high as possible. DLR are three points ahead, but Waterford and Cork are breathing down our necks, so every point counts.”

Kick-off is at 17:00 on Saturday at Greenogue Park, with all the action available to watch live on LOITV.

Jack Dempsey

John Russell hopes to have the luxury of a full squad to choose from as his Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Drogheda United will provide the opposition for this rearranged clash, rescheduled to accommodate Rovers’ visit to Galway on Monday. 

Will Fitzgerald returns having missed the defeat to Kerry last week through suspension. While Cian Kavanagh is available again having missed that game due to illness. 

An even contest will be expected, as both Rovers and Drogs have matching records in their last five league outings, having taken seven points from a possible 15. This is a huge game for Rovers, as a positive result for the hosts could move us ahead of Galway in eighth depending on the Tribesmen’s result against St Pat’s on Friday. 

United have the better head to head record between the clubs this term, with two wins over Sligo and a draw. They go into this game having too suffered FAI Cup disappointment having been beaten on penalties by Shamrock Rovers last weekend. 

Reflecting on that galling night for the Bit O’Red in Tralee, Russell tells sligorovers.com that although his players want to quickly move on from that result, they will use the memories of the disappointment to fuel themselves in the coming games. 

“Sometimes in sport it’s hard to make sense of a defeat when you are in a position of such dominance”, Russell says. 

“What unfolded last week in our cup exit against Kerry hurts and will continue to hurt for a long time. We had a huge opportunity to put ourselves into a semi-final, but we didn’t take it.

“It was a tough dressing room after the game and an even tougher journey home. We all knew the importance of the game and what was at stake. I very much understand the frustration of our supporters and the backlash. We as a group must take our medicine after such a defeat. 

“However, it’s important not to lose perspective after a defeat and to remember the transformation of our team since the mid-season break. 

“We have such a talented group of players who are giving everything for the club. I and everyone at this club have such belief in them. We have clawed back a lot of points over the last two or three months and the boys deserve all the support they get along the way.” 

Russell wants both players and supporters to show togetherness once more as Rovers look to continue our march up the table. 

“We are now entering the last seven games and we need our supporters more than ever on Friday”, he rallied.  

“You support your team in good times and bad times. We had a bad night last week. But Friday is another opportunity for us all collectively, to show our resilience and strength, not only as a team but as a club. 

“Drogheda have performed above all expectations this season, but all our games have been close and now it’s up to us to get that win which we know would be huge for us. We’re ready to go and are really looking forward to the game and getting back on track.” 

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell admitted his side’s shock cup defeat to First Division side Kerry FC was ‘unforgivable’ after the Bit O’Red threw away a three goal lead to be dumped out of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Owen Elding’s hat-trick had Russell’s men well on course for a first FAI Cup semi-final spot since 2020, with just 30 minutes left of the tie.

But an impressive Kerry, managed by Colin Healy, showed real grit and determination to force extra-time, and deservedly slow.

The hosts were by far the better team in the second-half, and Elding’s third was certainly against the run of play.

Cian Brosnan’s first goal on 66 minutes gave Kerry, in their first ever quarter-final, real belief that this tie was there for them.

Healy’s changes in the second-half were a help, with Daniel Okwute proving a real problem for the Rovers defence.

He won a penalty after he was clattered by Seb Quirk in the box, with Joe Adams making it 3-2 on 77 minutes.

It was all Kerry, and Rovers were desperately clinging on their narrow lead.

Then two minutes into added time at the end of the 90, Brosnan’s second forced extra-time, and it was nothing less than Kerry deserved.

Russell made changes of his own, but still they couldn’t contain Kerry, and Okwute found the winner with two minutes to go at the end of extra-time, amidst incredible scenes in Mounthawk Park.

But the manner of the defeat, at least from a Sligo Rovers perspective, will go down as one of the most embarrassing defeats in recent memory.

A stunned John Russell admitted he was ‘in a bit of shock’ afterwards, and was left reeling as his side ‘couldn’t manage the chaos’, with ‘horrendous defending’ leaving him furious.

“It’s unforgivable to be 3-0 up with 30 minutes left and the way the game transpired. The first goal is poor to give away, the second goal, there’s no need to commit the foul in the box. There’s no danger.

“You give momentum when it goes to 3-2. But even still, we didn’t weather that storm and you see the board going up. It’s the 90th minute. There’s four minutes added on. You just need to see the game out and you’re into the next round. And we don’t. It’s horrendous defending.

“It’s come across the six yard box and it’s a tap in. We just have to mark it. It’s schoolboy defending. I’m, to be honest, in a bit of shock. We played well in the first half, in complete control.

“In the second half, we didn’t start great, to get the goal and go 3-0 up. It’s unforgiveable to be knocked out of the tie after being in such a commanding lead. It goes to extra-time, we had chances, they had chances.

“The goal we’ve given away again is crazy. It’s so bad. I have to give credit to Kerry. They beat us. Good young players, they deserve to be in the semi-final, we didn’t manage the game.”

On paper, this is a game that Rovers should have won comfortably, and it was seen as being a favourable tie.

Russell warned all week about the threat that Kerry posed, particularly with Healy at the helm, but even still, few would have predicted this result, although those at Kerry would tell you they were quietly confident in the lead up.

But even still, at 3-0 down, it looked as though the game was dead and buried, and that’s probably the hardest pill for Russell to swallow.

“It’s a crazy result. Especially the way the game went. We were in complete control. We’ve thrown away an unbelievable opportunity to get to a cup final. I said that to he players in there. We are in good form, lads are training well, we’re 3-0 up, we’ve dominated the game, we put ourselves in a commanding position.

“Football’s crazy. We’ve seen that over the years at different levels. Tonight we couldn’t manage the chaos when the game swung on us. I came in after the game and I see that Shamrock Rovers won on penalties, we didn’t even get to penalties, last year Bohs went to extra-time and penalties as well, we just lost the run of it.

“We’ve missed a massive opportunity. I’m gutted for our supporters, gutted for the players and for the staff I have around me because I know everyone is working extremely hard. It’s a shocking result.”

But, why couldn’t Russell’s charges ‘manage the chaos’?

“I don’t understand it. It was just direct play and long balls, and Ollie (Denham) and Paddy (McClean) have been unbelievable for us, and Sean (Stewart) and Edwin (Agbaje), (Sam) Sargeant, they’ve built up a really good understanding.

“Those long balls up top, we just didn’t defend those moments well. The penalty as well, Seb doesn’t need to dive in. Defending the moments, being dialled in all the time, we spoke before the game, you can do all the talking it’s action on the pitch and we didn’t manage it.

“That one is going to sting for a long, long time. There’s no getting away from it. The importance of the game, what was at stake, and the position that we found ourselves in. In complete control for 60 minutes, moments of madness have cost us the game.”

On another night, the post match analysis would focus on 19-year-old Elding, who bagged a hat-trick on the night, although the third may well still go down as an own goal.

The much sought after Rovers attacker was visibly distraught at full-time on Friday, with his team-mates consoling him after the game had ended.

“He’s been amazing for us,” Russell added. “From minute one until the end, he ran his guts out for us. He got a hat-trick for us and he was devastated.

“The likes of Will Fitzgerald who was suspended tonight, we wanted to get to a semi-final for him. he’s devastated. Everyone is devastated. What an opportunity we’ve thrown away.

“It’s going to be a hard one to take because I know the group, it’s not that we played poorly, I’ve never experienced a game like it. It’s going to be a hard one to take.”

But Premier Division survival now becomes the sole focus for the remainder of the season, with a double game weekend next weekend when Rovers take on Drogheda United on Friday night before travelling to Galway the following Monday.

And Russell wants his players to use Friday’s shock as fuel for the remainder of the season.

“That’s the focus. We’ve missed the opportunity. It’s gone, it’s done. We have to move into next week. Full focus on the league. Seven games to go, we have to win as many as possible to get ourselves out of ninth.

“We can’t let the disappointment of tonight affect us for the next game, we’ve got to use it as fuel and try and get a win.”

Jessica Farry

Sligo Rovers’ hopes of a first Sports Direct FAI Cup Cup success since 2013 were dashed by Kerry FC in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. 

Rovers dominated this opening half, leading by two following an Owen Elding brace. 

Elding had his hat-trick and his 14th of the season early in the second half. 

However, Kerry struck three times in the second half before finding a winner two minutes from the end of extra-time courtesy of Daniel Okwute. 

Attention turns back to Premier Division duties on Friday September 19th, as we face Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm.  

Sligo Rovers will look to progress to a first Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final since 2020 as the Bit O’Red take on Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, in what will be an historic night for both clubs. 

This last eight tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm, will be the first senior competitive game between the clubs at men’s senior level as John Russell continues his mission to guide Rovers to a first FAI Cup decider in twelve years. 

Rovers find themselves in the quarter-final following defeats away from home of both Dundalk and Bohemians as we continue our cup odyssey on the road. 

Colin Healy’s Kerrymen saw off Athlone Town in the second round following an extra-time win over their First Division rivals, before the men from the Kingdom beat promotion hopefuls Cobh at home in the following round. 

Rovers are unbeaten in their last three and have taken wins from three of their last five in all competitions. While our opponents are also in a solid vein of form and are unbeaten in their last four having also taken three victories from their last five. 

In team news, Rovers are without vice-captain Will Fitzgerald who is suspended having been booked in both the second and third round. Both Cian Kavanagh and Kyle McDonagh will be assessed closer to the game. 

Midfielder Jad Hakiki returns from a successful stint on international duty with the Irish under-21s. 

Approximately 300 Rovers fans are set to take the trip south with the away end selling out in minutes two weekends ago. The home end is also a sell-out. 

The limited capacity of Mounthawk means only a small number of tickets were available to the Red Army, but manager Russell is looking forward to seeing the colour and noise which the Rovers fans will bring.

“I think if there were three times the amount of tickets available, the Rovers end would have still sold out such is the appetite for a cup run amongst our supporters”, he says. 

“They’ve been superb everywhere we’ve been and we expect more of the same on Friday. It’s a new experience and a new ground for us so I’m sure it’s a tie they’re all looking forward to.”

That following will be needed according to Russell who was in Tralee last week to watch Kerry draw with Munster rivals Cobh. 

“We’re going up against one of the most experienced people in Irish football when it comes to Colin Healy’s CV. He’s seen it all really and will know what it takes to cause an upset.

“We’ve studied them and Kerry can play and will look to bring the game to us on Friday so we need to be on our toes from the off. They have pace and know how to open teams up so we’ll have to be ready for them.”

Rovers have already seen off First Division leaders Dundalk in the second round of this year’s tournament. Russell’s charges will no doubt go into Friday’s tie the favourites given we are the Premier Division outfit. But the boss is expecting a tight game and a lot of hard work needed if his side are to progress to the final four.

“We were favourites against Dundalk at Oriel and won but then we were underdogs against an in-form Bohs at Dalymount a few weeks later in the next round and won, so we’ve seen it from both sides”, he continues. 

“It’s inevitable that we’ll be fancied to go through but if we think at any stage that we can take our foot off the gas, then we’re out of the competition, simple as. But the boys know that. We dealt well with the favourites tag in Dundalk and we need to do it again this weekend.”  

David Goulden