By Jim Gray

Within hours of last Friday night’s humiliating result in Drogheda, the WhatsApp Group of the Sligo Rovers Annual Draw volunteers was buzzing. Not, as might have been a reasonable reaction, with recrimination or self-pity, but rather with a resolve to double-down on efforts to make this year’s fund-raiser the most successful ever. The show must go on.

“Funnily enough, results on the field have never had any relevance to the success or otherwise of the draw,” Mark Cummins confirms. “The worry might be more about the effect on the morale of our sellers, but the response on our WhatsApp group demonstrated that everybody is still up for it, not deterred in any way, still raring to go. That’s the spirit which keeps this club going, in good times and bad.”

Mark is the club’s Stadium Development Officer. In recent years, he’s taken on the role of the Annual Draw co-ordinator, planning, plotting, perfecting a military-precision operation which in the last two years alone has raised a staggering 212,000 euro. His father, Seamus, is a former Chairman of the club who oversaw the historic 1983 FAI Cup campaign but who also steered the club through some difficult financial storms. So, Mark knows the value of a few bob in a community-owned and run club where a ravenous wolf is constantly gnawing at the door.

The Annual Draw is one of three vital pillars in the club’s fund-raising operation, alongside the weekly Lotto and the 500 Club. It comes at a crucial time in the season, its earnings plugging holes which might otherwise prove catastrophic.

Mark explains: “The proceeds come in at a very important time of the year. There’s the mid-season break, maybe we’re out of the FAI Cup, there’s no European football, but the wages still have to be paid every week.  It helps the club trade throughout the months of June, July, August and September, often lean times in terms of other income. Without that cash flow at that particular period of the season things could become extremely difficult.”

Initially mainly a town-based effort with a more restricted time-span, the draw has built huge momentum in recent years, with an increasing number of volunteers enabling a much wider area to be covered. The team now numbers 30 committed men and women who pound the streets, knock on doors, drilling deep into previously uncharted territory over a period of about three months. 

With almost evangelical zeal, and a hunger which would put electioneering politicians to shame, they painstakingly cover the terrain, inching across the county from North to South, East to West, traversing borders into Leitrim and Roscommon, spreading the Rovers gospel as they go. 

They take to the road on three nights each week, one of which will be a dedicated ‘blitz’, where they’ll hit an area with more than a dozen bodies, seeking out even the most obscure addresses.

“We cover all the bigger towns and villages, and we’ve been down practically every country road and boreen. The more volunteers we have, the more mileage we’ll cover. This year, we’ve been in Boyle for the first time; last year we went to Easkey and Dromore West for the first time; hopefully next year we’ll get as far as Ballina. It’s not rocket science, the more bodies we have on the ground, the greater the return will be,” Mark points out.

Although the effort represents a huge workload for those involved, Mark insists it’s a thoroughly enjoyable undertaking.

“There’s a great spirit amongst the sellers,” he confirms. “We’re always messaging each other after a night on the road, so we know how things are going and we’re able to boost each other. There’s always a bit of craic.  People say it must be tough, but to us it never seems that way.

“Our aim setting out each night is to hit every door possible, even doors where we’re fairly sure we won’t get a sale. Sometimes it can be briefly demoralising, but the point is that even if we don’t sell a ticket at a particular door, we still get 15 or 20 seconds to talk to people about Rovers. So, it’s a PR exercise as much as anything, an opportunity to promote the club.  We’d often come across people who’ll tell us they’ve never been in the Showgrounds, but they want to help anyway. It is never time wasted.”

Emphasising that the reaction is seldom directly related to results, Mark subscribes to the view that if on-field success was the only criteria in keeping Rovers afloat the club would have run aground decades ago.

“The reality is this club has never relied on trophies for its survival,” he maintains. “People talk about the glory years, which is fair enough. But, in a sense these are the glory years. Since relegation was introduced, this is the longest period we’ve gone without going down. That’s success.

“On the doorsteps people might moan about a particular result, but they’ll do it as they’re filling in a ticket and handing over a tenner. In most cases, people are much more likely to talk about the work we’re doing in the community, or the regional summer camps, or the birthday parties at the Showgrounds. It’s always much more than results. The club reaches out and connects with people in a manner which is much deeper than whether we’ve won or lost a couple of games.”  

The admirable work of the foot-soldiers is augmented by a number of individuals who take 50 books of tickets and distribute them amongst family and friends, amounting to an impressive return of 5,000 euro. In addition, the Bit’O’Red Supporters Trust (BORST) sell up to 20,000 euro worth of tickets, and the Dublin Supporters’ Club chips in another 5,000 euro. Online sales attract support from America, Australia and countless other locations around the globe where exiled Rovers fans are glad of the opportunity to lend a hand.

In 2022, a new record was set when the draw raised a total of 104,000 euro. Last year, that figure was surpassed by another 4,000 euro. The target this year is to create a new milestone of 110,000 euro, as sales efforts are intensified in the final three weeks.

The draw, which carries a first prize of 5,000 euro and an enticing array of other rewards, will take place at the Showgrounds on September 21^st, during half-time of the tie against Dundalk. Tickets, priced at 10 euro each, will be on sale right up to the last minute. 

The heroic efforts of those involved in the annual draw illustrate yet again that win, lose or draw, Rovers persevere because of the efforts of selfless volunteers and supporters. It has always been this way. The show must go on.

Tickets for the 2024 Annual Draw can be bought using the link below 👇

https://srfcdirect.com/annual-draw-ticket-2024

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Glasgow Celtic will travel to the Showgrounds to take on the Bit O’Red for a mid-season friendly on Wednesday October 9th, kick-off 7.30pm.

The game will honour the memory of the late Tommie Gorman, lifelong Sligo Rovers supporter, who was instrumental in initiating this visit of the Scottish giants to Sligo before he sadly passed away in June. It will also celebrate the friendship and close links between the clubs along with marking Celtic’s historical links to County Sligo.

This match will take place just a few miles from the birthplace of Andrew Kerins, better known as Brother Walfrid, a Ballymote native who founded Celtic all the way back in 1888. Statues honouring Brother Walfrid are erected both at Celtic Park and in Ballymote town itself. 

Another intrinsic tie and a huge figure which connects Rovers and Celtic will also be celebrated on the day and that is Sean Fallon, the Sligo native who not only played for both clubs but was also Celtic’s assistant manager when the famous Lisbon Lions beat Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup final. That incredible triumph marked Celtic as the first ever British side to win this competition, the precursor to the modern day Champions League. 

Fondly remembered in Glasgow as Celtic’s ‘Iron Man’, the astro-turf facilities at the Showgrounds are also named after Fallon.  

This meeting follows on from Rovers’ meeting with Everton in July of this year and once again, there is expected to be huge interest as another giant of European football visits Church Hill Road. 

Celtic first team manager Brendan Rodgers will travel with his squad. He is looking forward to visiting Sligo and bringing some of his first team to the Showgrounds. 

“When you’re working at a club like Celtic you are reminded every day of its history”, he says. “So it’s great to be able to visit and play in Sligo, a place where the club has so many amazing links.  The game takes place during the international window so it’ll be a good work out for the first team players who aren’t involved with their countries that week. We know there is a huge Celtic following in Ireland, nowhere more so than in the north west, so it will be a great chance for so many to see the players in action.”

“For myself personally, its always great to go home so this is a trip I am really looking forward to but for everyone else of course, both sets of fans and both clubs, I know this will be a great occasion.”

Rovers boss John Russell is also anticipating the visit of the Scottish Premiership champions. 

“It’ll be a great day for both clubs given the history Celtic have here in Sligo”, he notes. “I’d expect the game to sell out straight away and it’ll be great to see the Showgrounds packed to the rafters. It’ll be a nice test for our boys to see how they get on against one of the biggest clubs in the world. The excitement in the area when Everton visited in the summer was amazing and I’d expect a huge amount of attention will be focused on this game also.” 

Interest in this game is expected to be high and supporters are advised to secure their tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment. 

A priority window for tickets for Rovers supporters will take place at the Showgrounds for season ticket holders, Super Reds, 500 Club members and full members of the club this Monday, September 9th and Tuesday, September 10th between 10am and 5pm. All those purchasing tickets must provide proof that they are eligible to purchase tickets under one of the aforementioned categories. 

Tickets will then go on general online sale this Wednesday, September 11th at 10am

Tickets are €25 general admission and there will be a limited number of concession tickets available, with OAPs/students/over 12s costing €18 and U12s costing €12. 

All online tickets are subject to a €2 booking fee. 

Sligo Rovers can confirm that defender Nando Pijnaker has left the club with immediate effect and will continue his career closer to home, with a fee being agreed with his new club.

Pijnaker leaves the Showgrounds following over two and a half years at the Bit O’Red. The 25-year-old initially joined the club on a loan deal from Portuguese side Rio Ave in early 2022 before Rovers made the deal permanent later that year. 

The Kiwi international made his Rovers debut at Richmond Park on the opening night of the 2022 season in a win over St Patrick’s Athletic and went to appear 84 times for the club. 

Pijnaker established himself as one of the League of Ireland’s top defenders and in doing so, understandably attracted the interest of a host of clubs from across the world. 

Speaking about Pijanker’s departure, Rovers boss John Russell thanked the centre half for his contribution to the club and explained the circumstances around the move.

“Every transfer window, there’s been interest in Nando. We turned down bids in the past and even last January he was close to leaving but we persuaded him to stay on”, Rusell says.

“We had an agreement with Nando that if the right move came for him, we would not stand in his way. He has an opportunity now to play at a club closer to where he is from and I and the club have kept our word in regard to that.

“Nando has been a big player for us since joining the club. His game has developed over the seasons he’s been here and that’s a testament to him and the staff that have worked with him.

“I would like to thank Nando for all his efforts and wish him all the best in his future career.” 

Sligo Rovers go in search of a fifth league win on the bounce this Sunday as the Bit O’Red travel to Dublin to take on St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park, kick-off 6pm. 

Initially due to take place on Friday evening, this game was moved back by two days to accommodate Pat’s Europa Conference League campaign. Rovers will be looking for a second win over the Saints this season after May’s one goal defeat of the Inchicore side at the Showgrounds, Ellis Chapman with Sligo’s goal that evening. 

Pat’s did beat Rovers a month previous in Dublin. A Luke Turner brace followed by a strike from Mason Melia handed John Daly’s men all the points. 

Stephen Kenny is now in charge of Pat’s and the former Republic of Ireland manager will lead his side out against Rovers for the first time this weekend. 

Rovers are boosted by the return of both Stephen Mallon and JR Wilson from suspension, while Kailin Barlow returns after he missed the win over Galway United with a knock picked up in the recent mid-season friendly with Everton. 

Stefan Radosavljevic will not make the game after he picked up an injury during the week. John Mahon and Conor Reynolds also continue their recoveries. 

As above, Rovers are looking to make it five league wins in a row after victories over Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Bohs and Galway United saw the Bit O’Red shoot up the league table in recent weeks. 

That win over Galway came courtesy of goals from the in-form Wilson Waweru and recent signing Luke Pearce who found the net on his league debut. Manager John Russell says he wants both players to work hard in their efforts to make the starting eleven.

“Wilson has been in great form in front of goal recently”, Russell says. “Luke has just come in but already has a league goal and scored one against Everton and has hit the ground running. You want to be in that situation, with players being in-form all over the pitch. That breeds positive competition and you want to be able to bring one goal scorer on for another, should it be required.”

Although they are in the middle of a European campaign, Russell expects no rustiness from Pat’s. He is also hoping for a big crowd in the away end on Sunday. 

“We are not expecting them to take the eye of the ball at all. Their next game is against Sligo Rovers and that will be their focus until Sunday night. Pat’s have a deep squad, full of talent and are extremely dangerous as any Stephen Kenny side would be. 

“They have the potential to score all types of goals and can score from any position. They have already shown us this year that they will punish you if you give them a chance. 

“We’ve been in excellent form recently and I think we are surprising a few people but that work has to continue. I said it before the Galway game, but our form is irrelevant once 6pm Sunday comes. We’re really looking forward to this one and I know our supporters are too. I would expect them to travel well, as they always do.”

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt praised his players on Saturday evening despite a narrow defeat against hosts Bohemian FC in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) at Dalymount Park.

Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt was full of praise for his players on Saturday evening despite a narrow reversal against hosts Bohemian FC in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) at Dalymount Park.

It was the first game for a month for the Bit O’Red following various postponements and missing out on a round as the odd team of 11 in the WPD at the beginning of July.

The loss of Emma Doherty, Kelly Crompton and Zoe McGlynn, who transferred to other clubs, and the absence Keeva Flynn and Cara King meant that on this occasion almost half the team from the previous outing against champions Peamount at the of June had to be replaced.

To suggest that the changes were seamless wouldn’t be quite accurate, but what was obvious and evident was the depth of young talent that the club is producing though the Academy.

There was also the inclusion of Yvonne Hedigan for her first start for the Bit O’Red since she joined from Bohemian FC this season following a lengthy spell on the sideline after a serious injury.

Yvonne sustained a broken leg in 2021 and the road to recovery included a few setbacks along the way, but on Saturday the Sligo native, who attended Ursuline College with Emma Hansberry, got through 65 minutes at the centre of the defence.

Her experience was vital as the Bit O’Red defended tenaciously in the opening half and then pressed for what proved to be an elusive equaliser in the second-half.

That she departed with 25 minutes remaining wasn’t a reflection on her performance and more to do with that long absence from competitive action.

“We had a long break, about a month, we were coming into this game off the back of a defeat against the champions Peamount Utd, but I genuinely am very proud of the girls and although we lost it doesn’t feel like a loss,” stated the Bit O’Red manager.

“We were probably written off for this game because we lost players during the transfer window and we also had players on GAA duty in an All-Ireland final for Sligo.

“I felt we were the better team, especially in the second-half, it took us a while to find a rhythm, but that was to be expected with five changes.

“All we were missing was a goal, and that has been the story of our season so far, but everything else was positive and you must remember that Bohs defeated Galway Utd here a few weeks ago in their last home game.

“Yvonne (Hedigan) was immense, it was her first game in three years and it was understandable that she found the pace a bit much so it was as a precaution that she was substituted in the second-half.

“She (Yvonne) brings a wealth of experience to the team and I also have to mention young Mairead McIntyre who came on, she’s only 15 and didn’t look out of place.

“The two girls from the Gaelic will be back next week also and that will give us an extra dimension when it comes to picking the team for what will be a big test for us in the FAI Cup against another Dublin team, Terenure Rangers,” he concluded.

Bohemians 1 – 0 Sligo Rovers

By Conall Collier

Katie Malone’s 33rd minute goal gave Bohemian FC a hard-earned Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory against Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Saturday afternoon.

This was a much-changed Sligo Rovers team compared to the one that finished the last outing some 28 days ago against Peamount Utd while Bohemian FC came into this game with a 1-0 victory against Galway to their credit in the last home outing

Five enforced changes gave manager Tommy Hewitt plenty to ponder, but at the end of a pulsating 90 minutes the Bit O’Red boss had only one disappointing aspect of the game to deal with – a narrow reversal.

That aside, there was plenty to admire about a battling performance that saw the hosts under sustained pressure for about 20 second-half minutes as Sligo Rovers went in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser.

The most encouraging element was the return to action after a three-year absence of former Bohemian FC player Yvonne Hedigan who had an excellent outing for the Bit O’Red in central defence alongside Kelsey Munroe.

That made some amends for the absence of Keeva Flynn and Cara King who were both on Ladies GAA All-Ireland Minor final duty for Sligo in a match-winning display at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

Also absent were the trio of Emma Doherty, Zoe McGlynn and Kelly Crompton who featured against Peamount at the end of June, but have since moved to Galway Utd, Glentoran and Linfield.

The players on duty stepped up to the plate with another excellent performance from Amber Hardy between the posts as she made some sensational saves in each half and continued to enhance her reputation.

And the Bit O’Red had a good chance as early as the 12th minute when Paula McGrory’s shot had home ’keeper Rachael Kelly in action, but at the other end goalscorer Malone missed a sitter from about five metres.

Hedigan also produced some excellent tackles that averted danger and she used her experience to good effect as Bohs continued to search for an opening goal.

That goal eventually arrived 12 minutes before the interval when Sarah McKevitt centred from the right and Malone rifled to the net for what, at that stage, was a merited advantage for the hosts.

Hardy then made two smart saves before the break from Lisa Murphy and McKevitt.

Rebecca Doddy replaced Eimear Lafferty for the second-half and she certainly caused problems for the home defence as both ‘keepers’ made smart saves.

Hedigan was called ashore with 25 minutes remaining and the play flowed from end-to-end. The Bit O’Red probed and pushed for an equaliser that proved elusive although Alice Lillie had a good effort in added time.

Next up for Sligo Rovers is a home tie in the FAI Cup next weekend against Dublin side Terenure Rangers who play on Sunday in the FAI Amateur Cup final as they bid to defend the title they won 12 months ago when they tackle Whitehall Rangers at the Belfield Bowl.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Katie Lovely, Aoibhe Fleming, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Sarah McKevitt, Alannah McEvoy, Katie Malone, Sarah Power.

Sub – Shauna Carroll for McKevitt 82 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Yvonne Hedigan, Kelsey Munroe, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Jodie Loughrey.

Subs – Rebecca Doddy for McGrory half-time, Kate Nugent for Hedigan 66 mins, Mairead McIntyre for Lafferty and Katie Melly for Kelly both 77m, Lauren Devaney for Kiernan 89m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant-referees – Simon Drislane, Paudie Hayes.

Fourth official – Kate O’Brien.

Sligo Rovers 0 – 3 Bohemians

Goals from James Clarke, Aboubacar Keita and Dayle Rooney saw Bohemians beat Sligo Rovers by three goals to nil at the Showgrounds. 

Rovers made one change from the stalemate in Galway a week previous. Rein Smit handed his second start for the Bit O’Red following the departure of Max Mata whose loan spell has ended. 

The Dubliners hit the lead two minutes in when Clarke nodded past Ed McGinty from a Dayle Rooney cross after two minutes. 

A determined Rovers were undeterred by this setback, however. 

Both Smit and Stefan Radosavljevic went close for the home side as Rovers bossed the game for a period. 

Bohs then took a hold of this game when Keita noded Rooney’s corner past McGinty before the break. 

Rovers introduced both Kailin Barlow and Wilson Waweru in the second half as John Russell’s charges chased for a goal that would bring them back into the tie. 

The visitor settled the tie mid-way through the second period. Rooney’s impressive drive from outside the area settled the points. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Ollie Denham (Kailin Barlow HT), Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Stefan Radosavljevic (Daire Patton 87), Ellis Chapman, Fabrice Hartmann (Wilson Waweru HT); Rein Smit. 

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Luke Matheson, Aboubacar Keita, Jevon Mills, Paddy Kirk; James McManus, James Clarke (Daniel Grant 79), Adam McDonnell; James Akintunde (Filip Piszczek 75), Declan McDaid (Dylan Connolly 62), Dayle Rooney (Martin Miller 66). 

Referee: Gavin Colfer. 

Attendance: 2,087.

By Jim Gray

When Robert Browning wrote his exquisite romantic poem, Home Thoughts from Abroad, yearning for the everyday delights of his homeland, he certainly couldn’t have had football in mind. Yet, his sentiments ring true for exiled supporters of Sligo Rovers, a football club whose global attraction bridges oceans and continents, providing a genuine link not only with its diaspora but with many others encountering the magic of the club for the first time.

Rovers’ army of international supporters continues to grow. For a club based on the periphery of Europe, once regarded as a distant soccer outpost even in its own country, the club’s global appeal is truly remarkable. Some of these ardent followers are Sligo natives whose life paths have taken them to every corner of the world; others are people with no connection to Sligo, or indeed Ireland, who have discovered and been entranced by the irresistible lure of the bit’o’red.

In this article, we feature two of these devoted long-distance supporters – one a native of the town now living and working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and another from Alabama, USA, who first discovered the club through a FIFA video game and has since crossed the Atlantic on a number of occasions to sate his appetite for the joy of following Rovers.

Argentina-based Eamonn Maye, is a proud member of Rovers international family. He was born and raised in Sligo, literally in the shadow of the Showgrounds.

“My father’s house stood just across the tracks behind the railway end stand. I could see the games from my bedroom, but thankfully didn’t need to as he would take me, along with my brothers, to the games,” Eamonn recalls.

Those early experiences shaped his love of the club, a life-long attachment which has defied both disappointment and distance.

“Right from the start Rovers gave me a sense of community”, he enthuses. “We would meet our cousins and friends on the terrace and spend most of the

game running around playing, with little idea of what was happening on the pitch! This sense of community would only grow over the years, as I made friends through Rovers, found jobs through Rovers, and found accommodation through Rovers. There is almost no aspect of my life that hasn’t been impacted by the club.”

Becoming a dedicated supporter in his own right as he grew older, Eamonn travelled to away games all over the country as well as a couple of European adventures, before leaving Sligo for foreign shores in 2014. He spent several years travelling and living in various countries before settling in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2019.

“My relationship with Rovers is one which has endured the long distance, though at first it was difficult to follow closely from abroad. Time zones did not always allow for following games live, and very little was televised. Mostly I was listening to games on Ocean FM, and getting some more detail afterwards from family or friends who had attended,” he says.

Oddly enough, Eamonn believes the best thing that happened to LOI fans abroad was the Covid pandemic. It brought with it the opportunity to watch every game live, which thankfully has stayed around afterwards.

He gives a special shout-out to the guys from BORST: “Their podcast really brought back that connection to the club that was almost lost over a few years away and is still eagerly anticipated each week. It’s a huge boost for the international fan”.

In Argentina, he reports, the question ‘which is your team’ gets asked at least a couple of times a day: “I always tell them that here, I am a neutral, happy to go along to watch any game but I don’t need another team, I already have Sligo Rovers.”

Generously, Eamonn says to any Rovers fan considering visiting Buenos Aires not to hesitate to get in touch with him.

“I’m always happy to meet up to talk Rovers, give some advice on Argentina or help out with securing tickets to games here,” he confirms.

While Eamonn’s love of the club could be described as an ‘accident of birth’, the case of an American devotee illustrates Rovers’ uncanny knack of getting under the skin even of those who had previously never heard of Sligo.

Forty-two years old, Sean Rourke from the U.S Southeastern state of Alabama, discovered Rovers about nine years ago through playing a FIFA video game.

“From there, I looked into the club and started following and got hooked,” he explains. “Owen Heary was manager at the time when I started supporting. I have been to the Showgrounds four times and have only seen one goal scored other than the penalty shootout against Bala Town but I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m looking forward to getting over again in September for the Dundalk game.”

For long-distance supporters, following the club’s fortunes has become much easier in recent years, as Sean explains.

“When I first started, I was only able to follow the games on the team website or twitter or through the Rovers Hour on Ocean fm. Since then, it has become easier and better. We have the Borst podcast, we can watch the matches on Loi TV, or listen to the full match commentaries on Ocean fm.”, he says.

Sean immediately fell in love with the town on his first visit.

“Even though I had never been there before, it felt like home. The people are great, I have made friends with the Borst guys and socialise with them when I’m over. We have become friends, not just people who support the same team. Also, I have had many interactions with the office staff and everyone has been amazing. I love that the club is owned and run by the supporters. It sets Rovers apart from every other team and makes for more passionate fans,” he insists.

His first trip was in 2018. Since then, he has been over in 2019 for the start of the season and caught two games at the Showgrounds, and the last time he visited was for the Bala Town game.

“I’ve been to two battles of the Rovers, as well as St. Pats, and Bala, and I’ll be over for Dundalk in September this season. I make the trip mainly to see the Rovers play, and work in seeing other parts of Ireland around the fixture.

“I have Irish ancestry but don’t have any family connections that I know about. I would like to think that the O’Rourke Castle remains on Lough Gill were

related to me, being we have the same last name, and maybe that’s why the Sligo area feels so much like home.”

Not surprisingly, Sean agrees that some people might find it strange that he’s so passionate about a football club on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean that few, if any, of his peers have even heard of.

“My family are supportive, although they’re not really into sport. Most people at home wouldn’t be into soccer anyway, much less League of Ireland, so I guess I’m thought of as a bit odd. But I love it and am so delighted to have found this unique club”, he declares.

*We will feature more members of Rovers’ amazing global supporter family in forthcoming editions of the E-programme. Next stops on our world tour are Abu Dhabi and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic

Ellis Chapman’s 23rd minute strike gave Sligo Rovers a much needed shot in the arm as they saw off St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds.

Chapman’s strike from range, handed the Bt O’Red their first win in seven and moved the Connacht men to within a single point of their opponents in the league table.

Without a host of first team players courtesy of injuries and suspension, Sligo boss John Russell handed 18-year-old Conor Reynolds a first senior start in place of the suspended JR Wilson, while Fabrice Hartmann returned to the first eleven for the first time in three games.

The starting Saints, looking for a fourth win on the spin over their opponents, included Kieran Freeman, Jamie Lennon and Jake Mulraney each of whom missed Friday’s win over Drogheda.
Rovers led this game at the interval and although they impressed at times, it was the Dubliners who fashioned the majority of the play in front of goal.

John Daly’s charges should have been ahead on nine minutes when Chris Forrester and Brandon Kavanagh combined to find former Sligo youth Ruairi Keating. The striker, unmarked, fluffed his lines from a goal-scoring position as he somehow blazed over from ten yards out.

Conor Keeley’s header from a Kavanagh free landed on the roof of the Rovers net on the quarter hour as Pat’s issued another warning shot, Mulraney in particular causing concern down their left flank.

Chapman then fired the home side in front on 23 minutes when the midfielder struck for his fourth goal of the year. The former Cheltenham man steadying himself before lashing past Danny Rogers from 25 yards, somewhat against the flow of proceedings.

Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty had to bat away an effort from the angle from Keating early in the second period, as Russell’s side looked to map a way to their first win over Pat’s since last year’s May Bank Holiday.

McGinty was in the thick of things again on 61 minutes when he executed a magnificent reaction save to deny Forrester’s stab at goal from a swerving Kavanagh set piece.

The home support thought they had a penalty on 71 when substitute Rein Smit went to ground following a challenge by Pat’s net minder Rogers. Referee David Dunne translated the situation differently however, awarding a free out and booking the Dutch striker for simulation.  

Connor Malley’s drive from 30 yards whistled over the Dubliners’ crossbar with twelve to go as Rovers, now the better side, sought to kill the game.
There was a late push from the visitors, who looked unconvincing going forward although Rovers did have to rely on a heroic late block from skipper Niall Morahan on Pat’s sub Mason Melia.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Conor Reynolds (Kailin Barlow 68), Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 57), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 84); Max Mata (Rein Smit 68).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Kieran Freeman, Conor Keeley, Luke Turner, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon; Chris Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Romal Palmer 68); Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy 73), Alex Nolan (Mason Melia 68), Ruairi Keating.  

Referee: David Dunne

Attendance: 2,548.