Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that we will host EFL League One side Mansfield Town at the Showgrounds on Tuesday, July 15th at 7.30pm.
This mid-season friendly takes place as part of Nigel Clough’s side’s preparations for the upcoming EFL season, which gets underway in early August and is part of the Stags’ four day visit to Ireland ahead of a planned training camp in Galway. The game between Mansfield and Rovers will be the English side’s only game in Ireland during the trip.
The outing will provide John Russell’s side with game time in the lead up to our FAI Cup clash with Dundalk at Oriel Park on July 18th.
Clough’s charges finished last season in 17th position and will look to push on in the coming year having achieved promotion to League One at the end of the 2023/24 season. Their squad features Irish goalkeeper Owen Mason, who is an underage international and Donegal born defender Stephen McLaughlin who is a former Derry City and Finn Harps attacking midfielder.
Also plying their trade at Mansfield, is former England underage international Louis Reed, striker Will Evans and goalkeeper Liam Roberts who signed for the club in recent weeks.
Looking ahead to hosting Mansfield, who are based out of the ‘One Call’ Stadium, Rovers boss Russell says the friendly will provide his players with the experience of pitting themselves against a team preparing for a season in a league with some big names.
“We’re looking forward to hosting Mansfield here”, Russell says. “We’ll be careful to choose the squad wisely as it’s between two big games against Derry and Dundalk but both sides will give the other a good game, I am sure.
“Mansfield will be facing some really recognisable names like Bolton, Cardiff, Wigan, Barnsley and Bradford in League One in their upcoming season, so we’re pleased that they’ve chosen Sligo Rovers as an opponent. As with Celtic and Everton last year, it’s a testament to the players and indeed our facilities and what we can offer here in Sligo that they feel the Showgrounds is an ideal spot to prepare for competitive action.”
Tickets are on sale at https://t.co/FQquBLO5B7
Admission prices: Adult – €15. Concessions and children – €10.
David Goulden