Sligo Rovers and Cork City say that unity will be important for the league going forward as the sides are set to face off in a unique fundraising match to be played virtually this weekend.
The game, hosted by the Bit O’ Red, will take place on the night the teams were due to play in The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League.
Club staff have been busy preparing for the game all week, while the Rovers fans have picked the side to line out in the game. Gate receipts have already totaled thousands of euro to give some relief in difficult times and likely even harder to come.
A match programme has been created, a half-time raffle will take place and a video walk through of the ground as you take your seat will also be part of the night.
The e-programme will be a souvenir item with lots of different features, with Tommie Gorman and Tony O’Donoghue writing articles over 24 pages.
Click here to buy the package of match ticket, programme and raffles
The match will be broadcast live on YouTube, played on FIFA 20, with commentary from RTE Sport’s Adrian Eames and analysis from Alan Cawley of Soccer Republic.
RTE Soccer Correspondent Tony O’Donoghue will bring us the team news ahead of the game.
A bundle package of a match ticket, programme, half-time and full-time raffle is €20 with proceeds going to the club.
An individual match ticket is just €10. All items are listed here
Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “For me it is brilliant to be able to hold this event with another club in tandem. We need unity going forward and I think there will be that.
“On Saturday we see two clubs coming together for a virtual game that will not only raise some vital funds but brings the League of Ireland community together as well.
“That is important. We all want to be back playing football as soon as possible and we wait and see how that will pan out.
“There are many different types of clubs in the league. One thing Sligo Rovers and Cork City share is superb fan bases and they are run by their supporters.
“Those supporters are coming out on Saturday night, albeit in their own homes, and I’m delighted to welcome Declan Carey and his colleagues to the virtual Showgrounds.
“This is going to be a great evening of entertainment. I’ve watched some of the contributions already and I think people will be surprised by the quality of the broadcast.
“There is archive, interviews, guests from the media world, raffles. It’s the closest thing we can have at the moment so I would encourage all our fans to watch with us.
“We’re offering tickets from just €10, or €20 with the programme and raffles, and it will be great value for money when you see the product on your screens on Saturday.”