Sligo Rovers 0

Shamrock Rovers 5

BY CONALL COLLIER

Shamrock Rovers maintained an unbeaten Women’s Premier Division away record with a comfortable victory against hosts Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday where defensive lapses proved costly for the Bit O’Red.

Both managers made three changes from the previous weekend defeats. Sligo Rovers lost (1-2) away to Galway Utd with the concession of two penalties after taking the lead while the Dublin women lost at home to Peamount Utd and finished with 10 players following the dismissal of Roisin McGovern.

Abby Rooney, Cara King and Anna McDaniel started for the Bit O’Red at the expense of Emma Hansberry, Alice Lillie and Ella Karolak as manager Gavin Hughes sought a winning formula.

For the visitors, Mia Dodd, Della Cowper-Gray and Caitlin St Leger started for James O’Callaghan’s side with McGovern (suspended), Sadhbh Doyle and Emily Corbett missing out.

Early and late goals in a high-tempo opening half gave Shamrock Rovers a two-goal interval advantage with the first from a sixth minute Ellen Molloy penalty and the second on 43 minutes from Katie O’Reilly.

Defensive lapses by the Bit O’Red contributed to both goals but in between those scores, the hosts created a number of chances with Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory and Sydney Stephens piling pressure on the Dublin women.

Six minutes into the second-half Stephens brought a finger-tip save out of Amanda Budden with a well-struck effort as the hosts made a valiant effort to get back into contention.

However, all that effort counted for nothing midway through the half when the Dublin women were gifted a third goal. Mia Dodd got a touch on the edge of the penalty area at the expense of the out-rushing Bonnie McKiernan and the ball rolled into the net.

Substitute Alice Buggle added some extra gloss to the victory when she grabbed a couple of opportunist late goals for the Dublin side as they eased to victory.

Shamrock Rovers were also fortunate to finish with 11 players following some retaliation in the 80^th minute after a Sligo Rovers player was yellow-carded.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Kelsey McQuillan, Sabrina Hillyer, Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory, Abby Rooney, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. 

Subs – Emma Duffy for Rooney, Manu Baptista Filipe for McGrory and Emma Hansberry for McQuillan all 65 mins, Alana Doherty for Hallinan 82m.

Shamrock Rovers – Amanda Budden; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Maria Reynolds, Therese Kinnevey, Ella Kelly, Mia Dodd, Katie O’Reilly, Ellen Molloy, Della Cowper-Gray, Jaime Thompson, Caitlin St Leger. 

Subs – Sadhbh Doyle for Dodd and Alice Buggle for Cowper-Gray both 67 mins, Emily Corbett for Molloy 70m, Taylor White for Thompson and Mia Gaff for O’Reilly both 85m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant-referees – John Hanney, Klaudia Pawula.

Fourth official – Dylan Redmond.

Match sponsor: Ivor Parkes Decorators

Match ball sponsor: Sligo Park Hotel

Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at the Showgrounds as Shelbourne squeezed past the Bit O’Red in a tightly fought contest. 

Daniel Kelly scored the game’s only goal just past the hour, while Shels goalkeeper Wessel Speel pulled off a wonderful save in added time to deny Archie Meekison and preserve the Dubliners’ points.

This was Rovers’ final outing before the international break with John Russell having to prepare his side for this game without creative winger Ryan O’Kane who faces up to two months out with a fractured arm sustained at Oriel Park on Monday night. Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Sean Stewart also missed out with knocks. 

O’Kane was one of two changes for Russell from that loss in Louth. Meekison took his place in the Sligo starting eleven, while centre half Sean McHale replaced Gareth McElroy who dropped to the bench. 

Chasing the tails of fellow Dubliners and early challengers Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs, Shels boss Joey O’Brien looked to keep up their recent impressive record in the north west. Kelly, John Martin, Ali Coote and Sam Bone all coming back in having missed the recent testy stalemate with Bohemians.

Sligo hadn’t recorded a win over the Tolka outfit in almost two years and looking for a first win in three, they did manufacture an early opening. However, nobody was willing to meet Meekison’s flated ball to the back stick six minutes in. 

McHale got a foot in front of Kelly’s shot towards the bottom corner as Sam Sargeant closed in. The Pat’s loanee’s intervention perhaps had a bigger impact than from first viewing, as it looked as if Kelly’s effort might have sneaked in following a superb through ball from former Sligo midfielder Jack Henry-Francis.

Even early on, this game was stretched, which opened up the pitch for either side. 

The Shels rearguard was left scrambling to clear the ball on 21 minutes when a panicked Speel fired an attempted clearance off the back of his own player. Shels blessed by the positioning of defender Sam Bone who scooped Alex Nolan’s follow-up shot on off his own goal line.

Kameron Ledwidge fired a rocket from 25 yards over the Rovers goal 90 seconds later. While a rare mishap from Ollie Denham allowed Kerr McInroy space to progress and find Harry Wood but Rovers skipper Will Fitzgerald returned in time to block away Wood’s goalward strike. 

Sligo were left aggrieved in Dundalk when Fitzgerald conceded a questionable late penalty for the Lilywhites’ winner. The Limerick native had a shout for a spot kick for his own side late on in the first period when he tangled with Ali Coote in the Shels area. Referee Paul Norton decided to go against Fitzgerald again, booking him for simulation. 

McHale headed a Fitzgerald corner past Speel’s front post thirteen minutes into the second half, after the Dunboyne native battled his way to the end line.  

The Drumcondra men made the most of hesitant Sligo defending on 63 minutes when they hit the lead. Rovers sat off, allowing Kelly to pull inside on his left foot before rifling a superbly executed drive into the opposite corner of Sargeant’s goal. 

Wood nearly doubled Shels’ lead five minutes later but Sargeant managed to shepherd the ball past his post. While Rovers pair Gareth McElory and Seb Quirk had opportunities at the Shels end as Sligo’s search for a first goal in three games went on.

Rovers did create once more chance in added time, but Speel reacted in time to get in front of Meekison’s hammered effort. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Gareth McElroy 70), Seb Quirk, James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 79); Alex Nolan (Mai Traore 70), Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.  

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Zeno Rossi, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris (Sean Gannon 77); Jack Henry-Francis (JJ Lunney 86), Kerr McInroy; Daniel Kelly (Evan Caffrey 86), Ali Coote (Maill Lundgren 67), Harry Wood; John Martin (Sean Boyd 76). 

Referee: Paul Norton 

Attendance: 2,878.

Sligo Rovers men’s senior team will look to head into the international break on a high as we face Shelbourne at the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Match sponsor for this weekend’s game is Ivor Parkes Painters and Decorators, while match ball sponsor is Sligo Park Hotel.

This will be the first meeting between Rovers and the 2024 Premier Division champions since last October, when Shels ran out winners at Tolka Park. 2026 will provide the Bit O’Red with a chance to improve on 2025’s record against Joey O’Brien’s side, with the Drumcondra outfit recording four wins from as many meetings between the clubs.

Rovers come into this game on the back of defeats over the St Patrick’s Day weekend to both Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds and Dundalk at Oriel Park.

In team news and as of Friday morning, boss John Russell will go into this game without Daire Patton who continues to struggle with illness. While Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds continue to recover from injuries and will miss out. Russell is hopeful full back Sean Stewart may recover from a knock he picked up against Galway last month, in time to make the bench. 

Winger Ryan O’Kane will miss out for an extended period having fractured his arm in that narrow defeat in Louth on Monday evening. The former Dundalk man underwent surgery yesterday (Thursday) morning and is set to be out of action for a considerable period of time. 

Looking ahead to a big night at the Showgrounds, Russell acknowledged the setback of losing a player like O’Kane, but is keen to see members of the squad take up the opportunity. 

“It’s so frustrating for us as we only had Ollie Denham and Carl McHugh back last week and Sean (Stewart) is moving along nicely”, Russell tells sligorovers.com. 

“But now we won’t have Ryan for a while so it’s a big blow for us.

“As disappointing as it is to lose a lad of Ryan’s talent, we’re now looking for someone to step up and take the opportunity. This is why you have a squad. Archie Meekison and Guilly Priosti both came on in Dundalk and did very well for us so we’ll be looking for our players who maybe haven’t had much time this season to now step up.”

Shels come to Sligo unbeaten in three having drawn with champions Shamrock Rovers, beaten Derry away and played out a stalemate with Bohs on Monday last. 

“They’ve talent all over and are in decent form”, Russell continues. 

“We need to be more ruthless in the final third and that starts on Saturday. Against Dundalk, we had more of the ball, created many more chances and had the overall better of the play. Unfortunately, decisions didn’t go for us but now it’s about how we react.

“We’ve got to now keep turning the screw and things will go for us. We have a tremendously talented group here and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and things will fall into place.”  

David Goulden

Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan scored a controversial late penalty as Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at Oriel Park.

The Irish international’s winner arrived in the 83rd minute after Eoin Kenny fell to the floor inside the Rovers area following a less than physical challenge from Will Fitzgerald.

This wasn’t the only questionable refereeing decision on the night as the away side were denied what looked like genuine penalties of our own when both Ollie Denham and James McManus were impeded in front of Enda Minogue’s goal. 

The Lilywhites finished this contest without their full quota of players when Aodh Dervin was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Fitzgerald. 

In a game in which Rovers were well on top for large swathes, McManus fired a powerful effort inches wide of Minogue’s goal early on. While Fitzgerald pulled a stretch from the Dundalk ‘keeper shortly after in a first half that struggled to provide any real goal-scoring chances.

John Russell was forced into an early switch when Ryan O’Kane was stretchered off with a serious arm injury after he fell awkwardly contesting a header. Archie Meekison his replacement. 

The Scot came within inches of the opener four minutes into the second half. The once Bohs attacker cracking a superb, rising effort on to the Louth men’s crossbar following impressive pressure from the visitors. 

Rovers had Minogue spinning around again on 53 when he got his fingers to Gareth McElroy’s header from a Fitzgerald corner, the goalkeeper pushing McElroy’s effort on to his crossbar. 

Sligo were denied what looked like two penalties in this second period when a Dundalk defender awkwardly smashed through McManus just feet inside Minogue’s box. While Denham was pulled down by two defenders as he challenged for a ball swung into the area a few minutes later. 

Referee Oliver Moran then raised the night’s biggest talking point when he pointed to the spot after Kenny threw himself on the ground with Fitzgerald behind him. 

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Wilson (Buckley 51), Dervin; McDaid (Mullen 51), Kenny, Horgan; Arub (Groome 62) (Warren 84).

Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; Quirk, McManus; Nolan (Rego Priosti 83), McHugh, O’Kane (Meekison 45+7); Kavanagh (Traore HT).

Referee: Oliver Moran.

Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team continue our busy St Patrick’s weekend schedule on Monday evening with a trip to County Louth to take on newly promoted Dundalk.

Kick-off at Oriel Park is 7.45pm as the Bit O’Red look to return to winning ways following defeat to Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday evening. 

This will be the first Premier Division meeting between the sides since September 2024, but Rovers did meet the Lilywhites in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park last year. Goals from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes saw John Russell’s side progress on that occasion.

Ciaran Kilduff’s charges have been impressive since their promotion following their First Division title success last year. 

Beaten just once in their opening five games, Dundalk have already taken points from Galway, Drogheda and champions Shamrock Rovers. While they put five past Waterford on Friday evening.

In team news and as of Sunday morning, Rovers go north east without Jad Hakiki, Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart who are injured. Daire Patton is expected to miss out with illness although Carl McHugh returns following a suspension. 

Previewing the match, Rovers boss Russell sees this game as an opportunity for Rovers to get points on the board ahead of the visit of Shelbourne to Sligo on Saturday.

“It’s a big game for both sides, no doubt”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“Dundalk have had a super start to the season and are playing very well at the moment. We have to give them a lot of respect for that. They have signed very well and have a good mix of youth and League of Ireland experience. 

“We’re looking to flesh out and improve on our performance against Shamrock Rovers. We were well in the game for most of the first half and dealt with them. 

“But conceding twice late on in that half was a real kick in the teeth. Second half, we had the majority of the play and I think had the surface been a bit kinder to us, we would have had a much better chance of coming back into it.

“We’re not big fans of astro pitches but I believe their new one is a big improvement on the old one and I know the firm surface will suit our type of play if we try and move the ball with pace.

“It’s a quick turnaround but we’re slowly getting players back. Ollie (Denham) played the last few minutes on Friday and we have Carl McHugh back so that’s two very experienced lads back in the squad which is a boost.” 

David Goulden

Showgrounds, 14 March 2026

Sligo Rovers began their 2026 Women’s Premier Division campaign with a draw against reigning champions Athlone Town at the Showgrounds, in a game where the hosts were unlucky not to come away with all three points. After falling behind in the second half, Rovers responded well and were rewarded when captain Emma Hansberry’s free kick found its way through to the net to bring the sides level.

Line-ups

Sligo Rovers:
Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Emma Hansberry (C) (Manu Baptista Filipe 78), Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory (Rachel McGoldrick 90), Ella Karolak, Sabrina Hillyer (Abby Rooney 90), Kelsey McQuillan (Mairead McIntyre 73), Alice Lillie, Sydney Stephens

Substitutes: Ivana McMahon, Alana Doherty, Emma Duffy, Abby Rooney, Katie Melly, Manu Baptista Filipe, Natalie Yoo, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre

Athlone Town:
Maria Matthaiou, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch (C), Dana Scheriff, Roisin Molloy, Isabel Ryan (Alexis Strickland 65), Emma Mooney, Melissa O’Kane (Hazel Donegan 65)

Substitutes: Courtney Maguire, Chloe Singleton, Kerryanne Brown, Alexis Strickland, Niamh Dundon, Hazel Donegan, Danielle O’Neill, Muireann Daly, Michaela Hand

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Rovers started brightly and forced two early corners as they looked to take the initiative. In the 17th minute, Cara Jordan came close to opening the scoring when she struck a powerful effort that forced Maria Matthaiou to palm the ball away for a corner. Two minutes later, Ella Karolak had a chance from a well-delivered free kick as Rovers created the better of the early opportunities.

Jordan continued to cause problems down the wing and was one of the standout performers in the early stages as the home side searched for the opening goal.

Athlone eventually broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Melissa O’Kane combined with Isabel Ryan before the ball found Dana Scheriff, who finished past Bonnie McKiernan, despite the Rovers goalkeeper having performed strongly throughout the game.

The goal briefly shifted momentum in Athlone’s favour as the visitors enjoyed a short spell of possession following the opener.

Rovers responded positively and pushed forward, with Cara Jordan’s persistence down the flank forcing Kayleigh Shine into a yellow card as she drove towards goal.

The equaliser arrived in the 69th minute when captain Emma Hansberry stepped up to take a free kick from distance. Her effort travelled through the players and beyond the goalkeeper to bring Rovers level.

Both sides made changes as the game entered its final stages. Mairead McIntyre replaced Kelsey McQuillan in the 73rd minute, while Manu Baptista Filipe came on to make her debut for Rovers shortly after, replacing Hansberry after the captain suffered an injury following a challenge from Athlone captain Hannah Waesch.

Rovers nearly found a late winner in the 86th minute when Cara Jordan delivered an excellent cross that was met by Paula McGrory, but the Athlone goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep the scores level.

Further late substitutions saw Rachel McGoldrick replace McGrory and Abby Rooney come on for Sabrina Hillyer in the closing moments as Rovers pushed for a winner.

Despite late pressure, the sides could not be separated and both teams settled for a point to begin the new campaign.

Sligo Rovers travel to Eamonn Deacy Park next Saturday, 21 March, where they will face Galway United.

Jack Dempsey

Match sponsor: Sleator Solutions.

Match ball sponsor: Sligo Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club. 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Shamrock Rovers picked up a first win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds since June 2023 as the Hoops kept pace with early leaders St Pat’s and Bohs at the summit of the Premier Division table.  

Strikes from Matt Healy and Danny Grant, late in the second half, decided this contest which the Hoops ended with ten men after skipper Roberto Lopes was dismissed on 66 minutes having picked up a second booking.  

Rovers did have the majority of the play in the second period, but were unable to breach the Dubliners’ defence as they fell to their fourth defeat in their opening six games. 

Bit O’Red boss John Russell stuck with the side who picked up their first win of the season against Drogheda United last week, as they looked to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since last September. 

In search of first victory on the banks of the Garavogue in five attempts, a run going back almost three years, Stephen Bradley made just the single change from the Tallaght men’s draw against Shelbourne at Tolka Park earlier in the week. Ex-Sligo midfielder Connor Malley, who played just short of 50 times for the Bit O’Red over a year and a half before moving east, was dropped in favour of the influential Jack Byrne. 

The league and cup holders have looked rusty at times in their opening games, but Sligo were reminded of their ability to devastate within seconds of the first whistle. 

A Grant effort after just 23 seconds drifted past Sam Sargeant’s far post, while Aaron Greene’s attempted lob from distance was well handled by Sargeant after Sligo’s James McManus ran into bother on the ball in the middle of the field. 

Sligo did look able to deal with all the Hoops were throwing at them although all the play was with the visitors. 

Grant was again involved on 21 minutes when Dylan Watts delivered a superbly weighted ball into the path of the former Bohs man who tried to clip a finish past Sargeant. While Grant left the next opportunity behind him 90 seconds later when he volleyed over on the half volley from 6 yards out with only Sargeant to beat. 

Shamrock Rovers’ press paid dividends late in the opening half. 

Sligo were unable to clear the danger as possession landed to John McGovern who laid the ball on to Healy who rifled the ball to the bottom corner for his first goal of the year. 

The FAI Cup holders stamped their authority on this tie in added time at the end of the half. Stationed at his front post, Sligo’s scouse midfielder Seb Quirk cleared Byrne’s corner only as far as Grant who floated a wonderful, first-time cushioned finish inside the post. 

Defender Lee Grace almost gifted Sligo a way back into the game early in the second half when he sent a stray pass straight to Kavanagh on his own end line. But Ed McGinty was able to tidy up as he fell at the feet of the once St Pat’s striker. 

Greene went close to further punishing his old employers when he flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle, after Sargeant had palmed away a McGovern shot from close range. 

Shams were reduced to ten on 66 minutes when Lopes was shown a second yellow for an awkward challenge on Ryan O’Kane as he charged at the Hoops defence. 

Sligo dominated from here and went close to halving the deficit 15 from time when Jeannot Esua nodded an O’Kane cross past McGinty’s back post. 

The hosts continued to have a go with late chances for Kavanagh and substitute Mai Traore.   

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Oriel Park on Monday night to face Dundalk, kick-off there is 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Sean McHale (Ollie Denham 95), Gareth McElroy, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus (Mai Traore 72), Seb Quirk; Alex Nolan, Daire Patton (Ciaron Harkin HT), Ryan O’Kane; Cian Kavanagh.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Cory O’Sullivan; Mise Sobowale, Danny Grant (Adam Brennan 78); Matt Healy, Dylan Watts (John O’Sullivan 83), Jack Byrne (Victor Ozhianvuna 64); Aaron Greene (Michael Noonan 63); John McGovern (Adam Matthews 78).

Referee: Rob Harvey 

Attendance: 3,065. 

Sligo Rovers begin their 2026 Women’s Premier Division campaign this Saturday as Athlone Town visit the Showgrounds for a 17:00 kick-off. It is the first league outing of the season and a strong early test for Rovers, who take on the reigning Women’s Premier Division and WFAI Cup champions.

There is a fresh feel around Rovers heading into the new campaign, with a new manager in charge and several new faces added to the squad during the off-season. Athlone arrive in Sligo in strong form after lifting the Women’s President’s Cup last weekend, setting the stage for a competitive opening fixture.

Rovers wrapped up their pre-season preparations last weekend with a 2–1 victory over Peamount United at Greenogue Park. Despite several new additions joining the team, it was familiar faces on the scoresheet as Anna McDaniel and Cara King found the back of the net in the first half. Mia McGonnell pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but Hughes’ side saw out the game to round off a successful pre-season.

Manager Gavin Hughes has been pleased with how preparations have gone in the lead-up to the start of the season.

“We’ve had a good pre-season. Training has been good, the girls are in good form and they’re excited for the game on Saturday. It’s been a long pre-season but the girls are nearly there and we’re all set for Saturday.

“The game against Peamount was a good test for the girls. We got minutes into a lot of the girls’ legs which was positive and we liked what we saw in the game.”

Athlone Town arrive at the Showgrounds once again as the team to beat in the Women’s Premier Division. The Midlands side enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, securing the league title and the WFAI Cup, while losing just one league match throughout the entire campaign.

They have already started the new season on a high note after lifting the Women’s President’s Cup last weekend, underlining the quality within their squad.

Hughes is well aware of the challenge that awaits, but is focused on his side executing their own game plan.

“We’ve tough opposition, we know that. But we have to take care of our own business and hopefully the fans can be proud of the performance from the girls.

“I was at the game and they’re a quality team. We’ll give them loads of respect but at the same time we have to stick to our own game plan.”

The two sides last met on the final day of the 2025 Women’s Premier Division season, with Athlone coming away with the points on that occasion. Saturday’s meeting therefore marks the beginning of a new chapter for Rovers as they face the champions once again at the start of a new campaign.

Athlone have also made a number of notable changes during the off-season. Golden Boot winner Kelly Brady, who found the net in that last meeting between the sides, has since moved to Crystal Palace.

Head coach John Sullivan has strengthened his squad in a bid to become the first team to win three Women’s Premier Division titles in a row, bringing in Noelle Murray from Shelbourne while also welcoming back former Golden Boot winner Dana Scheriff, who came off the bench to score the winner in last week’s President’s Cup.

Rovers head into the opening fixture in relatively strong shape after coming through pre-season without any new injury concerns.

“Thankfully we’ve gotten through pre-season with no fresh concerns,” Hughes said.

“Keela Scanlon and Ciara Henry are both working their way back to fitness, while Jessica Casey and Keeva Flynn are unfortunately out for a longer period of time. Other than that we’re all good heading into the game.”

The game kicks off at 17:00 this Saturday at the Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers begin their 2026 Women’s Premier Division campaign against Athlone Town. Supporters can purchase tickets online or at the ground on matchday, and the team will be hoping for strong support as the new season gets underway in Sligo.

Jack Dempsey

Shamrock Rovers provide the opposition this Friday evening as Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior side look to build on last week’s win over Drogheda United. 

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 8pm and this game will be televised live by Virgin Media Television. Friday’s match is sponsored by Sleater Solutions and the match ball sponsor is the Sligo Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club. 

The first of two games in the space of four days, Rovers will welcome the Hoops on the back of our first win of the year over Drogs on Saturday last. While the Dublin Rovers will arrive in the north west on the back of a statement win over title rivals Derry City last week and a draw away to Shelbourne on Monday night. 

Sligo have the better of the recent form between the clubs with John Russell’s side recording two wins over the Tallaght men in 2025. Shamrock Rovers recorded a win over the Bit O’Red in May, while the sides played out a four goal draw in Sligo last July. Shams currently occupy third spot, five off leaders Bohs and are four visits to the Showgrounds without a win ahead of Friday’s contest. 

In team news and as of Thursday morning, Rovers will again be without defenders Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart due to injuries. Jad Hakiki also continues his rehab and is unavailable, while fellow midfielder Carl McHugh serves the second of a two match ban following his red card against Galway. He is due to return for the Dundalk game in Louth on Monday.  

Centre half Ollie Denham returned to full training this week and is expected to be fit to take part on Friday. 

Boosted by the win over Drogheda, Rovers boss John Russell is equally as aware of the threat last year’s double winners pose. He’s hoping to make Friday another special night under the Showgrounds lights.

“We were happy with how things went last weekend, but now focus is wholly on Shamrock Rovers.

“We showed particularly in the first half, against Drogheda how we can play. We created plenty and were relentless. To be fair, Sam (Sargeant) didn’t have a huge amount to do even after they scored and that was testament to our versatility and how well the likes of Will Fitzgerald and Seb Quirk did when they were asked to fill in at the back. 

“It was really an overall performance that was reflective of us and what we’re about as a team.

“We now have a Shams team coming to Sligo who are justifiably title favourites and are brimming with talent. It’s been the case now for a few years, but their biggest strength is their depth. 

“Against Shels they brought in Graham Burke, Michael Noonan and Jack Byrne from their bench. Then Victor Ozhianvuna and Adam Brennan come on, two of the best young talents in the country. No other club has that depth, so that illustrates what we’re up against.

“But our form against them has been decent recently and we’ll back ourselves again. I think as the weeks go and we continue to work together and the pitches improve, we’ll get even better. So there’s plenty for us to look forward to over the next few days.” 

David Goulden 

Match sponsor: Paul Gallagher

Match ball sponsor: IPM Draper Financial Brokers (Adrian McHale). 

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers claimed a much needed first win of the season and in doing so moved off the foot of the Premier Division table as they saw off Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.

Goals from Will Fitzgerald and Alex Nolan either side of the interval had an pulsating Bit O’Red ahead by two before the hour.

Drogs’ Mark Doyle halved the lead on 61 minutes from the spot but Rovers kept the Louthmen scoreless for the remainder.

Victory pushes Rovers above Waterford while United’s search for a win at the Showgrounds is stretched to ten games. 

Rovers boss John Russell made four changes to his side that were beaten by Galway the week previous. 

Nolan, Cian Kavanagh and Daire Patton were all re-introduced to the Rovers starting eleven, replacing Mai Traore, Archie Meekison and the injured Sean Stewart, each of whom started last week’s defeat in the Connacht derby. 

While defender Sean McHale was named for his Rovers debut in place of the suspended Carl McHugh following a loan move from St Pat’s. Incidentally, McHale’s last game was against his new club in an FAI Cup tie for Dundalk last July in which he suffered a serious ankle injury. 

Without manager Kevin Doherty due to a suspension and any travelling support due to the recent incident at Oriel Park, United made three changes from their defeat at home to Shels. Seeking a first win at the Showgrounds since June 2021, Doherty named Leo Burney, Fuhad Kareem and skipper Ryan Brennan in his starting side in place of Shane Farrell, Thomas Oluwa and James Bolger. 

Disappointing in terms of the number of chances created in their outings to date, this first half saw a huge improvement from the hosts in this category. 

Drogs net minder Luke Dennison had to push an early close-range bullet from Patton onto his post with little more than two minutes gone. While there were further efforts from Seb Quirk and Nolan who each fizzed shots across the United goal.

Ryan O’Kane was a particularly busy customer on the Rovers left and he was involved on 18 minutes although it was his over-hit cross that sailed all the way to Esua who volleyed into Dennison’s side netting. 

Rovers maintained their tempo and striker Kavanagh struck the post with a header from an Esua cross four minutes from the break.

Sligo’s endeavour finally paid off in added time at the end of the first half. Again O’Kane was involved as the Drogheda rearguard made a mess of the ex-Shels winger’s corner. The ball landing to Sligo skipper Fitzgerald who was left with a simple finish from six yards out for his first goal since August 2024.

Searching for that first win under Benbulben in ten attempts, the Louth side fell further behind on 57 minutes.

Ethan O’Brien’s awkward challenge on Patton resulted in a set-piece at the edge of the visitor’s area. Nolan was let down by his initial effort, however he had the Showgrounds in raptures when he caught the rebound, firing the ball into the corner of Dennison’s goal for his first goal in red. 

This two goal lead lasted barely five minutes however. Only moments on the field, Sligo substitute Ciaron Harkin was penalised for blocking the ball with his arm inside his own penalty area. Doyle converting the resulting penalty, squeezing the effort between the post and the outstretched arm of Sam Sargeant. 

Kavanagh came close to settling the late tension when he did all the hard work, but flashed his shot beyond the far post, having done well to cut inside. 

Rovers will look to continue this form next Friday night when champions Shamrock Rovers visit the Showgrounds in front of the Virgin Media cameras. Kick-off is 8pm.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale (Ciaron Harkin 57), Will Fitzgerald; James McManus, Seb Quirk; Ryan O’Kane, Alex Nolan; Daire Patton (Mai Traore 69); Cian Kavanagh.  

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Leo Burney, Conor Keeley; Edwin Agbaje (Jason Bucknor 56), Conor Kane; Ethan O’Brien (Shane Farrell 76), Brandon Kavangh, Ryan Brennan (Jago Godden 56); Fuhad Kareem (Thomas Oluwa HT), Mark Doyle. 

Referee: Oliver Moran. 

Attendance: 2,548.