Sligo Rovers make a return to league action following last weekend’s international break this Friday, with a trip to the RSC to face Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red will again be without John Mahon. While full back JR Wilson will be assessed on the day having picked up a hamstring strain, but is doubtful to recover in time.

Rovers face into a busy Easter weekend, with the almost 600km round trip to Waterford coming first. While we are back on the road three days later to face St Patrick’s Athletic in Dublin on Monday evening. 

Friday’s game against Keith Long’s charges will be Rovers’ first against the Blues since their promotion last season and a first journey to the RSC for Rovers in three years. 

With two wins in our last three, Rovers are in good form heading into what manager John Russell expects will be a stern encounter.  

“Waterford have had a good start to the season”, the Rovers boss says. “They have some really good players so we know it will be a tough test on Friday night. 

“We come into the game looking to build on our performances so far. We have a new group so it’s important we continue to improve our connections on the pitch while still picking up points.”

The club have today unveiled a major fundraiser towards the Showgrounds redevelopment.

Donations are now open for the fundraiser – Benny’s Bull Run – which will culminate in the 24 hours prior to our next men’s home game v Galway United on Saturday 6th April.

Over Friday 5^th and Saturday 6^th of April, Benny will be making the 1,928 metre journey from Queen Maeve’s Square to the Showgrounds. Every euro donated will help Benny move along on his journey from Queen Maeve’s Square to the gates of the Showgrounds. For every €20 donated, Benny will move one metre closer home.

Full details of the important fundraiser can be found on the dedicated website below, where donations can now be made:

https://bennysbullrun.com

Rovers captain for 2024, Niall Morahan, chatted to Leo Gray at the start of the season, about his rise through the Showgrounds academy, his pride at leading out the Bit O’Red and his hopes for the 2024 campaign.

Niall Morahan carries the responsibility of leadership lightly.

Being one of the youngest captains in the attritional arena of the League of Ireland is a daunting challenge but the Leitrim man embraces the task enthusiastically, inspired rather than inhibited by the role.

At 23 years, he’s one of the youngest players to skipper Sligo Rovers. If that sets him apart in the pantheon of great warriors who have worn the prestigious armband, there’s something else that distinguishes him. He’s the first man from his county to captain the Bit O’Red.

“It’s a huge privilege to captain this great club,” he insists. “As a proud Leitrim man, it’s an honour for my county too. I’m aware Rovers have always had a solid base of supporters in the Carrick-on-Shannon area and throughout North Leitrim and if my involvement with the club, especially in the role of captain, gets a few more people from my native county following Rovers that would be a nice bonus.”

Articulate, engaging and displaying maturity beyond his years, Morahan’s progress through the club’s under-age ranks to first-team regular and on to the coveted role as skipper reflects the impressive development of Rovers as a modern, self-sustaining club devoted to nurturing home-grown talent and utilising regional resources.

When he joined the Showgrounds academy as a raw teenager, the whole concept of under-age football within the League of Ireland was in its infancy and nobody was quite sure if the fledgling project would stand the test of time.

But Morahan, talented and ambitious, was delighted to be among the early recruits to the revolution, signing on with Rovers under 17s.

“Lads like Ed McGinty, Jack Keaney and John Mahon were a year ahead of me in the academy and there were plenty of really good players in my own age group,” he recalls. “Liam Kerrigan and Mark Byrne were there too. Niall Harrison, Colm Jinks and Danny O’Leary were our coaches, really top class guys were who were a major influence.

“The first priority was to go in every day, learn and improve as much as possible. But of course the ultimate objective was to make it all the way to the first team. Once Ed, Jack and John got the breakthrough, it was a great boost for everybody in the academy. It showed there was a genuine pathway, a real chance to become a professional footballer which was the dream we all shared at that stage of our development.”

A native of Leitrim village, Niall and his sisters, Dara and Niamh, were actively encouraged by their parents, Michael and Orla, both teachers, to engage in sporting pursuits from a very young age.

Niall played soccer with the under-age teams at Carrick Town in Carrick on Shannon and Gaelic football with Allen Gaels in Drumshanbo. His Dad, a coach with the youth set-up at Carrick Town, offered inspiration and guidance, not to mention invaluable schooling in the art of football know-how, and soon the tigerish young midfielder caught the attention of the Sligo/Leitrim squad.

He played with the League’s under 14s in the prestigious Kennedy Cup before linking up with Strand Celtic, another club dedicated to nurturing talented young footballers. Trials with Rovers under 17s followed, eventually leading to a place in the Showgrounds academy.

“It was all a big change from what I was used to, “ he explains. “There were lads from Mayo and Donegal and Sligo and it was a huge step up in terms of the standard of football. I would have been playing as a full-back or in midfield at the time and, thankfully, I settled in very quickly.”

Rapidly establishing himself as a young player with immense potential, Morahan was offered  his first professional contract in the summer of 2018, just after finishing his Leaving Cert at  Carrick on Shannon Community School.

Thanks to the highly successful partnership between Sligo ATU and Sligo Rovers, he was able to combine academic and sporting paths, studying business at College while continuing his football development at the Showgrounds.

Within weeks of signing his first professional deal, Morahan made his first team debut, coming on as a late substitute against Limerick at the Market’s Field in August 2018.

He recalls: “I was only on for a couple of minutes but it was a great thrill. It was what I had aimed for from the moment I joined the club so to make my senior debut was a very special occasion, not just for myself but for my family too. And once I got a taste of it, I wanted more. I remember I was quite nervous coming on but the senior lads were great. David Cawley and Raff Cretaro looked after me and helped me settle into the game. I think that experience, brief though it was, made me even more determined to work harder and try to become a regular. I was determined to grasp whatever opportunity came my way and make the most of it.”

As is the case with a lot of up and coming youngsters, Morahan was in and out of the team for a couple of seasons before nailing down a permanent place in 2020.

“The season was disrupted by Covid so it was all a bit strange,” he remembers. “We had a poor start to the year but we came back after the enforced break and everything seemed to click. We ended up qualifying for Europe and I won the player-of-the-year award. Liam Buckley really put his trust in me that season. He believed in me and gave me the opportunity to prove that I could play at this level of football. I will always be grateful to him for that.”

Rovers unforgettable adventure in European football in 2022 further enhanced Morahan’s reputation as one of the most accomplished midfielders in the League and nobody could have predicted the sudden decline which dragged the team into a relegation battle last season.

While the Leitrim man readily concedes 2023 was hugely disappointing, he insists the experience will make the squad more determined than ever to put the record straight this year.

He says: “The frustrating thing is that we know we’re better than we showed last year. That’s why I feel there will be added motivation this time around among the lads who were here in 2023. That whole experience will make us stronger.”

He’s excited by the new-look squad assembled by manager, John Russell, and very impressed by the quality and application of the new players.

“The manager worked us really hard in pre-season. Already, there’s a great bond within the group. The lads who’ve come in have settled very quickly and there’s a real desire about the place. We’ve got a young and hungry squad and I feel quite confident that we’ll have a good season. The fact that so many people had written us off before the campaign even started is an added motivation. We’ll take that on board and use it to fuel our efforts to prove people wrong.

“On a personal level, it’s a massive honour for me to captain the side this season. I’ve been at the club since I was 12 years old so to come up through the various under-age grades and get to a stage where I lead out the team is something I’m very proud of.”

John Russell says his side are in a positive frame of mind going into Sligo Rovers’ Premier Division clash with Drogheda United this Saturday at the Showgrounds, kick off 7.45pm. 

Unbeaten in two and following clean sheets against both Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers, the Bit O’Red boss is keen to maintain that good form this weekend, heading into what will be another huge night under the Showgrounds floodlights. 

With the exception of John Mahon, Russell has a fully fit squad to choose from as we face the Drogs for the first time this year. 
The County Louth side proved a tough nut to crack last season, and the Rovers manager is well aware of the threat Kevin Doherty’s side will pose this term. 

“Drogheda played well last week against Galway United”, he said.  

“They have brought in new players this season but have kept the core group that did well last year so we know we’re in for a tough test.”

Rovers come into this game in steady form following that win in Oriel Park, followed by a really impressive showing against Shamrock Rovers last weekend. Russell now wants to see his squad produce more of the same. 

“We come into the game on the back of some good performances. It’s vital that we take confidence from those games but still keep our focus on improving and raising our levels as the weeks go by. 

“This league is so tough and you need to make sure you arrive at each matchday with the right focus and the right mindset to win the game.”

“It’s another home game for us and one where our supporters can play a huge part in helping us over the line. The atmosphere has been electric so far so we’re hoping for another big night at the Showgrounds.”

Sligo Rovers 0 – 0 Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers were unfortunate not to pick up their first home win of the season as they played out an entertaining scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Both sides had chances to win the game with the best of them falling to Sligo’s Ellis Chapman in the second half. The former Cheltenham attacker unlucky to see his effort swept off the line. While the visitors were fortunate to end the game with the full compliment of players after goalkeeper Leon Pohls smashed into Simon Power outside his own area late with a quarter of an hour to go.

A string of fine saves in the second period from Ed McGinty brings the total number of clean sheets this year to three.

Winger Power returned to the Sligo starting eleven to face his old team, having missed the hosts’ five goal trouncing of Dundalk the Monday previous. While Stephen Bradley was able to name skipper Roberto Lopes in the Shamrock Rovers team for the first time since his escapades with Cape Verde at the African Cup of Nations, their only change from their late draw with Derry City. Gary O’Neill, due to start, was a late withdrawal due to an injury sustained in the warm-up.

Both sides created chances during a first half which was frenetic at times. Former Hoops winger Power’s early set-piece found its way to the back post. Both Max Mata and Ollie Denham close to the crucial touch that would have turned the ball home.

Another player going up against his former club, Aaron Greene had the Tallaght side’s first opportunity but McGinty got behind his low effort.

The lively Power struck the outside of Pohls’ near post 60 seconds later after a well worked one-two between the Greystones native and Mata. 
The end-to-end nature of the half continued although the crowd had to wait until the 33rd minute for the next chance. Graham Burke’s finish let him down at the far post, after Darragh Burns’ dipping cross evaded the Rovers defence.

John Russell’s charges did end the half the stronger.

Chapman stabbing Power’s free-kick toward goal where Pohls reacted in time to fumble the ball away for a corner. Fabrice Hartmann then dragged his shot from the resulting set piece narrowly wide.

McGinty easily dealt with Burke’s shot from the angle early in the second period, before Chapman’s opportunity on 51 minutes.

JR Wilson’s hard work saw him to the end line before the former Shels full-back squared for Chapman whose weak effort from seven yards was hacked off the line by birthday boy Dan Cleary with Pohls nowhere near the situation.

With plenty of possesion in front of the Sligo penalty area, the Dubliners looked to turn the screw although McGinty was suitably protected by the well-marshalled rearguard in front of him. Although the loanee goalkeeper was called into play in the 72nd minute when he traveled from his goal-line to fall at the feet of Sligo native Johnny Kenny after Burke had scopped the ball into the path of the second-half substitute.  Sligo were left exasperated two minutes later when Pohls crashed into the surging Power outside the Hoops area. Referee Rob Hennessy deciding a Shamrock Rovers defender was covering, opting to flash a yellow card at the German net-minder.

Rovers defender Ollie Denham then got in front of Kenny’s goal-bound effort as the points hung in the balance, while McGinty denied Kenny again with three minutes to go, spreading his body to cover the space between himself and his near post.

Rovers’ next game is Saturday March 16th as we host Drogheda United at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets can be purchased below.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Sligo Rovers:Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Nando Pijnaker, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan (Kailin Barlow 89), Conor Malley; Simon Power, Ellis Chapman, Fabrice Hartmann (Will Fitzgerald 61); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 77).

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Darragh Burns, Josh Honohan; Dylan Watts (Darragh Nugent 88), Markus Poom; Graham Burke (Conan Noonan 88), Rory Gaffney (Johnny Kenny 63); Aaron Greene (Richie Towell 76).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Attendance: 3,674

Sligo Rovers are on the road for the second time this season as we travel to County Louth to take on Dundalk at Oriel Park, on Monday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red go into this game searching for their first win of the season following last Friday’s narrow defeat to Shelbourne. Rovers will be without defender John Mahon who continues to recover from a long-term achilles injury, while there is positive news with the return of JR Wilson to the squad.

Speaking ahead of the game, manager John Russell said: “Dundalk will be a tough opponent tomorrow night. They have brought in a lot of new players and even though they were beaten by Galway United in their last game they showed a lot of quality throughout, so we will need to be at our best to get a result.

 “I’ve been very pleased with what the players have shown so far for such a new group. We have been very competitive in all the games and unlucky not to have more points on the board. We know we need to improve in the final third and I feel that will come.

“There is already a real connection between this team and the supporters. They can see the quality we possess as well as the effort and desire on display and they’ve really gotten behind us.

“We know the league is extremely competitive but we travel to Dundalk aiming for the three points on Monday night.”

Sligo Rovers 0 – 1 Shelbourne

A 12th minute John O’Sullivan goal was the difference between Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne as the Bit O’Red narrowly lost out to the Dubliners at the Showgrounds.

Damien Duff’s charges hit the lead early on when O’Sullivan deflected Sean Gannon’s effort following a short corner, beyond Ed McGinty.

There were chances at either end before this. McGinty keeping out Mark Coyle in the opening exchanges when the Shels skipper found a way past the Rovers back line. While Shels’ Paddy Barrett had to clear Simon Power’s cross off his own line from under the Shels crossbar.

Rovers looked the stronger side following the goal and applied the pressure in their search of an equaliser. Ellis Chapman twice denied by last ditch Shels defending. His shot from close range on the turn was held by Conor Kearns on 37. While the Shels net minder was caught outside his area 60 seconds later as he attempted to tidy up a long ball from the Rovers rearguard. 
Stranded, the ex-Galway stopper rescued by a recovering challenge from a Shels defender on Chapman in front of goal.  

Rovers were denied what looked like a legitimate goal when Wilson Waweru looked to have bundled the ball beyond Kearns. Referee Declan Toland signaled to give the goal, but was over-ruled by his assistant who had adjudged a Rovers player to have strayed offside, much to the dismay of the home side.  
McGinty then reminded the bumper crowd of over three thousand why he’s regarded as the league’s best shot-stopper when he pulled off a fantastic double save in the 63rd minute as Shelbourne found a second wind. McGinty keeping the hosts’ chances alive by denying both Will Jarvis and then Gavin Molloy.   

It was all Rovers late on, but Shels held out to take the points.  
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Nando Pijnaker; Simon Power (Will Fitzgerald 90), Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 90); Wilson Waweru (Fabrice Hartmann 61), Max Mata. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Gavin Molloy, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson; John O’Sullivan (Kameron Ledwidge HT), Mark Coyle, Jonathan Lunney, Will Jarvis (Shane Farrell 83); Matty Smith (John Martin 60), Liam Burt (Evan Caffrey 60). 

Referee: Declan Toland. 

Attendance: 3,087

Our men’s team return to the Showgrounds for an eagerly anticipated first home game of the season.

John Russell has a full squad to choose from with John Mahon being the only absentee due to long term injury. Conor Walsh won’t also be available as he begins his loan spell with Finn Harps.

The team had an impressive performance in Dalymount Park last Friday night where they were a few minutes from taking all three points before a late Bohemians equaliser.

Tickets have been selling well with a large crowd and likely full house anticipated. There are still tickets available as things stand and supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets using the link below to avoid disappointment.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Season Tickets are still available and can be collected in time for the start of the game v Derry City. The Showgrounds offices will be open from 2-5pm tomorrow Saturday 24th February for Season Ticket purchase or collection.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Thank you for your support!

Sligo Rovers Football Club is delighted to announce PHD Access will become the club’s first Diamond Partner for the 2024 season.

PHD Access is an international award-winning scaffolding and access provider with operations in Ireland, UK, Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Dubai and the Bahamas.

Founded by Sligo native Bernard Dwyer, the company has been a consistent supporter of the club since 2015.

Sean Dwyer, International Director for PHD Access expressed his delight at the opportunity for PHD to continue their support for his dad’s hometown club stating:

“We are thrilled to be extending our support to the Men’s Sligo Rovers Football Club for the eighth consecutive year.

“This long standing partnership reflects our shared values of dedication, excellence, and community engagement. We look forward to another exciting season of football and collaboration.”

While this marks the eighth consecutive year of collaboration, the company has committed to its most significant commercial partnership to date with the club.
The PHD Access logo will feature prominently on the back of the jerseys, while the company will also become the club’s first Diamond Partner announced under the club’s new tiered commercial partnership model.

The partnership aligns with PHD’s dedication and commitment to fostering growth and development in both sports and construction.

Sligo Rovers Chairman, Tommy Higgins, warmly welcomed the new partnership with PHD Access.

“We are excited to add PHD Access as a Diamond Partner for the 2024 season.

 “The company is hugely successful in the construction industry with global operations across a number of countries and are fantastic partners to have on board.

“As a community owned club, it is becoming even more important to align with businesses such as PHD Access. They are exactly the type of partners that will help contribute to the continued success of Sligo Rovers on and off the pitch.

“We know that the club’s community focus is a big attraction for the company matching their own. We are really pleased to have the company’s support year after year and feel the partnership will only grow stronger ”

https://www.phdaccess.ie/

Feature Image: Ed McGinty with PHD Access logo on back of shirt

OPENING HOME GAME THIS SATURDAY

We are looking forward to our return to the Showgrounds. Tickets are currently still available for our first home game of the season this Saturday night. We would encourage supporters to secure their ticket early to avoid disappointment. Ticket sales have been very strong and as last year’s opening home game sold out, we are expecting a large crowd.

This Saturday, 24th February 7:45pm v Derry City

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/?ftredirect=1

HOME GAME ENTRY PRICE

Ticket prices for our men’s 18 home games will be as follows:

• Adult – €20
• Concession – €12
• U12 – €5

There will be no separate categories of games with the same entry price for the all home games of the 2024 season.

SEASON TICKETS

Supporters are encouraged to purchase a Season Ticket which remains, both the best value, and best way to support our supporter-owned club for the year ahead.

If you intend on purchasing a Season Ticket please allow enough time to purchase and collect should you intend to use it for our opening game this Saturday, 24th February. Season Tickets can be collected this week in the Showgrounds during normal working hours until Friday. There will also be a short collection period this Saturday from 2pm -4pm in the Showgrounds.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

SECURE YOUR SEAT

Seating is open in the Showgrounds except for those seats reserved through Adult Gold (Secure Your Seat) initiative. 

Season Ticket holders can reserve a specific seat for all home games for an additional cost of €60 with all funds going towards the cost of running the club.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

Should you have already purchased your Season Ticket and wish to secure your seat you can arrange in the Showgrounds by Friday 12am for it to be ready for opening game.

MATCH E-PROGRAMME

As part of entry to our home games the club will make a complimentary e-programme available to supporters. This will be accessible via QR codes at various points inside the entrance of the Showgrounds. 

To access the programme supporters can scan the QR code using their mobile phone camera. This will then provide a clickable link to download the e-programme. The e-programme will require internet access on supporters mobile phones to download. 

The decision not to undertake a physical programme for the season ahead was a difficult decision to make, with the printed programme becoming less viable year on year. As an alternative a complimentary e-programme was felt the best way forward for our supporter owned club.

HERITAGE NEWSLETTER

The Sligo Rovers Heritage group will provide a separate physical newsletter for collectors and supporters for a fee of €2, which can be purchased inside the entrance to the Showgrounds.

“Sligo Rovers Heritage Group was formed in 2012 with the objective of promoting and preserving the club’s history and heritage.
The Group has hosted local exhibitions, arranged, visits of former players, and has published two books, ‘Stories of the Showgrounds’ and the ‘Official Sligo Rovers History’, regarded as the most comprehensive history produced by a League of Ireland Club. The Group has also provided an outdoor museum display at the Showgrounds, the first facility of its kind in the country“

The first edition will be on sale at the first home league game of the season against Derry City, and contains features on David Pugh’s time in America, former players Gerry McDaid and Danny Ventre, along with tribute to former Chair of the Heritage Group, the late Aidan Mannion.The newsletter is priced at a very reasonable €2 and supporters are encouraged to support.

JINKS AVENUE – HOME SECTION

The home section of the Jinks Avenue stand will become standing only for the season ahead. This was a condition as part of the club licensing process. We would like to thank Forza, BORST, and other club volunteers for their help in removing the seating. With the removal of the floodlight pylons the view from the Jinks Avenue has significantly improved and the return to terracing will offer our supporters an alternative to our seated areas.

NEW MEGASTORE LOCATION

The Megastore has been moved from the BORST club house to a new location on the left before the Tracey Avenue stand. We would like to thank BORST and other club volunteers for their extensive help in refitting the new shop which is a welcome addition to the Showgrounds.

WOMEN’S TEAM

The women’s team’s season begins on Saturday 9th March away to Shelbourne in Tolka Park at 2:00pm. There will be 10 home league games in the Showgrounds with a new regular start time of 7:00pm on a Saturday night, unless otherwise advised. 

Supporters are encouraged to show their support by purchasing a Season Ticket or attending home games for 2024. The cost of a Season Ticket is €50 and helps fund the growth of our Women’s team which is in its third year. Season Tickets can be purchased below:

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/?ftredirect=1

VOLUNTEERING WITH OUR CLUB

Our supporter-owned club is built on the dedication and hard work of our committed volunteers. If anyone is interested in becoming involved as match-night volunteer for 2024, they are encouraged to contact: shane@sligorovers.com. 

Our match-nights are made possible by volunteers and we appreciate any new volunteers willing to assist for any number of our 18 men’s home league games or 10 women’s home league games. 

As always volunteers are free to choose which games they are available to help. Match-night roles include security, half-time raffle, BORST clubhouse, club shop.

If anyone would like to volunteer in any capacity with the club, we would encourage you to please let us know by email to: shane@sligorovers.com

THANK YOU

Thank you again to all our supporters, volunteers, commercial partners and sponsors who keep our supporter owned club strong. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Showgrounds as the 2024 season gets underway!