David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Match Day Sponsor: Callan Tansey Solicitors

Match Ball Sponsor: Sligo Branch of the Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club

Sligo Rovers’ old habits continued at the Showgrounds as they conceded in injury time at the end of their game with Drogheda United at the Showgrounds in what was new boss Darren Purse’s first game in charge. 

The Bit O’Red had dug themselves out of a hole courtesy of a Cian Kavanagh brace after Thomas Oluwa had volleyed Drogs into the lead. 

But Rovers, who finished the game with ten men, were unable to hold on and for the fourth time in five league outings, dropped points to an injury time goal as Shane Farell levelled the game in the 95th minute.  

The result leaves Rovers anchored to the bottom of the table, while Drogheda remain four clear of Waterford in the play-off spot. 

Without former manager John Russell in the home dugout for the first time in seven years following stints as both boss and assistant, Rovers and new man Purse made three changes from the Sligo side which knocked Janesboro out of the FAI Cup last week.

Skipper Will Fitzgerald came back in having missed that game in Limerick. While midfielder James McManus and centre half Gareth McElroy also returned. 

United boss Kevin Doherty stuck with the same eleven which progressed past Lucan United in the cup. New signing Alfie Bates made the bench.

The visitors opened the scoring in this one but it was Rovers who threatened first on a drizzly evening in the north west.  

Archie Meekison volleyed wide after five minutes after Fitzgerald’s cross was cleared out as far as the waiting Scot at the edge of the area.

Purse has been charged with tightening up one of the leakier defences in the division and he saw first hand how vulnerable Rovers have been in front of their own goal this term when Drogs went ahead. 

Conor Kane’s cross found Oluwa unmarked in front of goal. Unmarked, the former Wexford striker easily swept Kane’s cross, first time, beyond Sam Sargeant. 

Sligo’s veteran midfielder Carl McHugh let a speculative volley fly from 25 yards shortly after, as the hosts quickly settled back into this tie.

60 seconds later, they were level. Meekison was the supplier as Kavanagh took a touch to control the ball, before delivering a neat finish into the corner of Luke Dennison’s net for his third goal in two games.

Four minutes later, the Dubliner had his and Rovers’ second. 

The build up was patient in front of the Drogheda area before McManus sprung a smart through ball to Luke Pearce just yards from the end-line. The ex-Cardiff man slotting the ball across to the back post for Kavanagh to knock home for his fifth goal of the season. 

Kavanagh went agonisingly close to a hat-trick on the next Sligo attack, heading Fitzgerald’s corner on to the roof of the net. 

Both sides pressed the other for periods early on in the second half without joy. 

Indeed, the Showgrounds had to wait until the 75th minute for the next half chance when Sligo’s Jeannot Esua pulled off a smart one two with substitute Jamie McGonigle. McGonigle’s cross found the Cameroonian at the front post, but the full back got his attempted header all wrong as he mis-timed his effort and the chance was gone.

The Boynesiders then had their first sight of goal in the second half one minute later when Jason Bucknor’s cross from the left was deflected wide by a Sligo leg, the ball almost creeping inside Sargeant’s post. 

The Louthmen thought they’d levelled the game in the first of the six minutes added at the end of the game, only for the referee’s assistant to flag for offside.

Their frustrations turned to joy however three minutes later when Farrell smartly turned away from a Sligo challenge before firing home as Rovers were left to deal with further late heartbreak. 

Purse’s charges completed the game with ten men when Meekison swept the legs from under Bucknor as Drogheda went in search of a dramatic winner. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Gareth McElroy; Jeannot Esua, Will Fitzgerald (Sean Stewart 69); James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 84), Carl McHugh; Archie Meekison; Luke Pearce (Jamie McGonigle 69), Cian Kavanagh (Ryan O’Kane 84). 

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Edwin Agbaje, Conor Keeley, James Bolger, Conor Kane (Warren Davis 75); Brandon Kavanagh (Alfie Bates HT), Shane Farrell; Jason Bucknor, Mark Doyle (Keegan Ancelin 60), Ryan Brennan (Jago Godden 65); Thomas Oluwa. 

Referee: Rob Hennessy

Attendance: 2,411

BY CONALL COLLIER

First-half goals from Alana Doherty, Cara Jordan and Ava Hallinan gave Sligo Rovers the platform for a 3-2 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory at Dalymount Park on Saturday as they survived a two-goal second-half Bohemians revival.

Those first-half goals were the positives for the Bit O’Red, but the big negative was the loss of Emma Hansberry to a 40^th minute ankle injury with Paula McGrory deputising.

This was another battling and determined team performance from the Bit O’Red with stand-out displays from Alice Lillie, Ella Karolak and Olivia Rush with second-half substitute Grace Dunaway also making an impact.

Wind-assisted Sligo Rovers hit the front when Alana Doherty headed a fifth minute goal after Cara Jordan’s determination earned a corner for her side.

Soon after, the hosts had a narrow escape when Jordan’s speculative effort from distance clipped the woodwork, but the reprieve didn’t last as the Dublin women conceded a penalty on 32 minutes.

Fiona Donnelly took a pull on Ava Hallinan’s jersey in the penalty area and referee Ruben Collins pointed to the spot with Jordan converting with confidence.

It got worse for the Dublin side close to the interval when Hallinan created her own opening and won the race for possession with Rachel Kelly in the Bohemians penalty area and slotted home for a 3-0 interval lead. 

Against the second-half wind the Bit O’Red had to defend tenaciously, but conceded a72nd minute penalty that gave Bohemians a lifeline after Alannah McEvoy converted.

Neither side created any clearcut chances for the remainder, but a sensational 92^nd minute Aoife Fennell goal for Bohemians left the remainder of added-time on a knife edge, but Sligo Rovers weathered the storm to extend an unbeaten WPD sequence to nine games. 

Bohemian FC – Rachel Kelly; Sarah Power, Aoife Fennell, Lauryn McCabe, Aoife Brophy, Fiona Donnelly, Alex Devoy, Savannah Kane, Leiagh Glennon, Aoibhe Brennan, Lisa Murphy. 

Subs – Sarah McKevitt for Glennon, Katie Malone for Devoy, Alannah McEvoy for Murphy and Hannah O’Brien for McCabe all half-time, Hannah Healy for Kane 71 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sabrina Hillyer, Alana Doherty, Ella Karolak, Alice Lillie, Emma Hansberry, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Ava Hallinan, Anna McDaniel, Olivia Rush. 

Subs – Paula McGrory for Hansberry 41 mins, Gracie Dunaway for Hallinan 59m, Sarah McCaffrey for McDaniel and Leah Kelly for Hillyer both 81m

Referee – Ruben Collins.

Assistant-referees – Aaron Pisarnik, Ray Jason.

Fourth official – Conor Harkin.

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Purse as manager on an 18-month contract.

The 49-year-old arrives at the Showgrounds from Cardiff City, where he spent almost five years working with the club’s Under-23 and Under-21 sides, running their loan programme and serving a spell as assistant manager of the first team.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” he tells sligorovers.com.

“When the opportunity came up I rang a few people I know who have worked in football around Ireland, and every one of them said the same thing. It’s a really good football club, and one I’m looking forward to taking places.”

Purse inherits a side bottom of the Premier Division after 24 games, and he is under no illusions about the immediate task.

“You can have a long-term plan as much as you want, but the big thing for us is winning games over the next 12 and staying in this division,” he says.

“After that you can set your plans for the season after, and the season after that. Right now it’s about winning football matches.”

Purse succeeds John Russell, who left the club earlier this month after just over four years as men’s first team manager, having previously represented Rovers as a player and served as assistant manager. Purse’s appointment concludes a recruitment process in which the club interviewed a wide field of candidates.

“I am delighted to welcome Darren to the Showgrounds,” chairperson Tommy Higgins says.

“He came through as the standout candidate in a thorough process and the panel’s decision was unanimous.

“He impressed us with his technical and interpersonal skills and with his vision for Sligo Rovers. We look forward to working with Darren in the seasons ahead.”

A centre-half capped at England Under-21 level, Purse played for over two decades and captained nearly every club he represented, including Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday. He was named Birmingham’s Player of the Season in 2000/01, a campaign in which he scored a last-minute penalty in the League Cup final against Liverpool.

He intends to bring that experience of leading dressing rooms with him.

“You have to be the leader who sets the standards. If you’re going to win football matches you need desire and work ethic around you, as a club and as a team, and that’s what I want to bring here,” he says.

“I’ve watched the last few games back and there’s plenty of quality in that dressing room to get us up the table. It’s my job to get the best out of each individual player to achieve that.”

Since moving into coaching he has built a reputation for bringing young players through. He joined Cardiff in December 2021 and oversaw a pathway that produced nine of their first-team players last season.

“I’ve been looking for the right project for a while,” he says.

“It’s a football club that wants to develop young players, and that’s something I’d like to think I’m good at. My history says that.

“We need to be developing young players who can play for Rovers’ first team, and if the opportunity arises to sell them on and further their careers, that’s good for the football club too.”

Alongside his coaching, Purse ran Cardiff’s loan programme, placing young players into senior football at home and abroad.

“That was a string I added to my bow over the last three years. Cardiff didn’t really have a loan strategy until that point,” he says.

“It’s a huge part of developing young players. They need the opportunity to go and play men’s football, and it bridges the gap between the Under-21s and the first team.

“In that role I built up an immense list of contacts, and I’ll be looking to tap into those before the transfer window closes.”

That window shuts Tuesday next, leaving the new manager a little over a week to add to his squad.

The supporter-owned model at the Showgrounds also drew him to the job.

“I’ve been involved with fan-owned clubs before, as a player towards the end of my career, and I always find people go above and beyond,” Purse says.

“Everybody talks about the number of volunteers, the people who give up their own time for the success of the club, and I’m hoping I can represent the club in the best way possible by being around the community as much as I can.”

On what supporters can expect from his teams, Purse is clear.

“Playing for the shirt is the biggest thing. It’s what I did most and best as a player,” he says.

“As a manager, you need that desire every time you cross the white line, and we’re going to need it in abundance. I like a side that wants to play through the thirds and be a positive, possession-based team.”

Purse will be in the dugout on Saturday night alongside Declan Boyle, who has led preparations for the game on an interim basis and will then return to his role as men’s Under-20s manager. Purse’s message to those coming through the turnstiles is a simple one.

“The biggest thing is to back the players. Are they going to make mistakes over the next 12 games? Yes,” he says.

“But I guarantee every single one of them will be playing for the shirt, which is a non-negotiable for me, and working as hard as they can to get us out of the situation we’re in.”

Sligo Rovers versus Drogheda United kicks off at the Showgrounds on Saturday night at 7.45pm.

Ryan Davey

Sligo Rovers can confirm that first team coach Ryan Casey has departed the club to join John Russell at Shelbourne FC. Ryan served as assistant to John during his time at The Showgrounds, playing a valued role in the development of the squad and in the day-to-day work of the first team. He leaves with the sincere thanks of everyone at the club and our very best wishes for the next chapter of his career.

The recruitment process to appoint a new Men’s First Team Manager is ongoing and has now reached the interview stage. The club hopes to have an appointment secured in advance of Saturday’s home fixture against Drogheda United.

In the meantime, Declan Boyle will take charge of the team’s preparations. Everyone at Sligo Rovers would like to thank Declan for stepping in during this period.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

Kerry FC will visit the Showgrounds for the first time after Sligo Rovers were paired with the First Division side in the third round of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup.

The draw took place on RTE Radio One on Tuesday evening and was conducted by former League of Ireland players Stuart Byrne and Conor McCormack.

This will be the second time in two seasons that the sides will face each other. Kerry beat Rovers after extra-time in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park last September. 

Kerry currently sit eighth in the First Division table and progressed past Shelbourne in the last round. 

The tie is due to take place at the Showgrounds on the week ending August 16th. 

There was plenty to be proud of across the academy this weekend, as every squad put in committed performances in their latest league fixtures. Several excellent results, along with plenty of determined displays, reflected the hard work being done by the players and coaches throughout the academy. Attention now turns to another busy weekend of fixtures, with all of the squads hoping to build on this week’s performances and continue their positive progress.

U20 | Sligo Rovers 2–0 Klub Kildare

It was back to winning ways for our U20s on Sunday as they welcomed a strong Klub Kildare side to the Showgrounds. Following last week’s disappointing 2-1 cup defeat to Drogheda United, the lads were eager to get back on track and continue their impressive league form.

The game got off to a quiet start, with neither side creating many clear-cut chances or really testing the opposition goalkeeper. That changed on the half-hour mark when Ross Dalton-Ruane broke the deadlock, finishing well to give Rovers a deserved lead.

The game opened up after the goal, with both goalkeepers called into action as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. However, Charlie McGarvey, making his U20 debut at just 16 years of age, produced a composed performance between the posts and dealt well with everything that came his way.

With Klub Kildare piling on the pressure late on and the three points still in the balance, Stoskus sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the 80th minute.

It was a brilliant all-round performance from the lads, who claimed a deserved clean sheet and all three points. The result leaves them sitting third in the league, just one point off top spot.

U17 | Sligo Rovers 4–2 Athlone Town

The excellent start to the second round of fixtures continued for our U17s on Sunday as they maintained their impressive run of form.

Although the lads went into the game as league leaders, they knew they were in for a tough test against Athlone Town, and that certainly proved to be the case.

Rovers made the perfect start when David Newman finished neatly after just 12 minutes to give the lads an early lead. However, Athlone responded well and found an equaliser on the half-hour mark. Just before the break, Stephen Gibbons played Ryan Quinn through on goal, and he made no mistake to restore Rovers’ advantage and send the lads in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

The topsy-turvy contest continued early in the second half when Duffy grabbed Athlone’s second goal to level the game once again. Both sides continued to push for a winner, and if it hadn’t been for a number of outstanding saves from 14-year-old Donagh Oates between the posts, the scoreline could have looked very different.

Thankfully, centre-back Scott Williams stepped up to restore Rovers’ lead with a well-taken third goal. Then, just as it looked as though the game would finish 3-2, Ryan Quinn grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 91st minute to wrap up all three points for the lads.

The late goal took Quinn’s tally to six league goals in six games since the start of the second round of fixtures, while the victory sees Rovers strengthen their position at the top of the league table.

U15 | Sligo Rovers 1–4 Derry City

After last week’s emphatic 4-1 win over Klub Kildare, it was always going to be a tougher afternoon for the lads as they welcomed league leaders Derry City to the Showgrounds on Saturday.

A slow start against a side boasting a 100% league record was always going to be punished, and Derry raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

To their credit, the lads responded well and pulled one back before the break when Sean Monaghan showed great composure to finish neatly and make it 2-1 at half-time.

Despite many brave and impressive performances from the Rovers lads, it wasn’t to be, as Derry produced another strong second-half performance and ran out comfortable winners in the end.

The lads will look to improve in their next outing at home to Finn Harps.

U14 | Sligo Rovers 3–3 Longford Town

Our U14s showed great character on Sunday afternoon as they came from two goals down to earn a draw in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Longford Town on The Showgrounds AstroTurf.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start, with Oisin O’Donnell striking twice inside the opening five minutes to give Longford a commanding 2-0 lead.

The lads responded well and gradually worked their way back into the game. Their pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Daniel Maye picked out Jack Ivers-Brehony, who finished well to halve the deficit.

Rovers carried that momentum into the second half and were back on level terms almost immediately after the restart. Jayce Murray did well down the wing before setting up Ivers-Brehony for his second goal of the afternoon to make it 2-2.

The game continued to swing from end to end, and Longford regained the lead in the 76th minute when Oisin O’Donnell completed his hat-trick.

However, the lads never gave up and were rewarded late on when a goalmouth scramble ended with the ball finding the back of the net to rescue a deserved draw for Rovers.

WU17 | Sligo Rovers 1–4 Mayo FC

The deficit proved too much for the WU17s to overcome after an uncharacteristically slow start left them 3-0 down inside the opening 13 minutes. To their credit, the girls showed plenty of fight and determination throughout the game, but the early lead ultimately proved too much to recover from.

Substitute Freya Fitzpatrick pulled a goal back in the 88th minute, but it wasn’t enough as Mayo ran out comfortable winners.

The girls will now turn their attention to their next outing away to Klub Kildare, where they’ll be looking to bounce back with an improved performance.

Tom Lavery

Sligo Rovers will be included in Tuesday’s draw for the third round of this year’s Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, after the Bit O’Red comfortably saw off junior side Janesboro at Pearse Stadium on the outskirts of Limerick City on Saturday evening. 

Luke Pearse hit a brace, his first goals since returning to Sligo recently, while Sean McHale and Archie Meekison also got on the scoresheet for thre run-away victors. 

Rovers now join the likes of Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs in the hat for the third round draw which takes place live on RTE Radio One on Tuesday evening. 

The five time cup winners hit the lead after less than two minutes in this one. Jeannot Esua and Archie Meekison combining as the Cameroonian full back delivered the perfect ball for Pearse to dive onto and nod past Aaron O’Sullivan in the Janesboro goal. 

Sam Sargeant performed a small miracle when he somehow kept out an opportunity for the hosts a few minutes later. The Londoner stretching into the top corner of his goal to push away a header from a set piece which looked like it would beat the Rovers number one. 

One became two on the half hour as Rovers, marshalled from the sideline by Ryan Casey, effectively put the game to bed.

A Janesboro defender managed to clear an Esua cross from under his crossbar, but the home side were unable to manage as Meekison arrived to volley into the bottom corner. 

Half-time sub Jamie McGonigle struck the crossbar early in the second period in the sunshine, before Sean McHale made it three with his second goal for the club.

Pearse rounded off a good afternoon for Sligo when he grabbed his second of the day just after the hour. 

Rovers’ next game is a crucial Premier Division clash with Drogheda United at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers: Sargeant; Esua (McDonagh 58), Denham, McHale (McGonigle HT), Stewart (Harkin 58); Quirk, McHugh (McManus HT); Meekison, O’Kane (Nolan HT); Pearce; Kavanagh.

David Goulden

Photo: Donal Egan 

Sligo Rovers’ FAI Cup journey begins this Saturday as our men’s side travel to Pearse Stadium in Limerick to take on local district league side Janesboro in the second round of this year’s men’s competition.

Kick-off at the Colbert Avenue venue is 4.30pm as the Bit O’Red hope to make a mark on the 106th edition of a competition the club has proudly won five times. 

The sides were paired together in the draw, which was conducted earlier this month, after Janesboro overcame Tipperary town side St Michael’s after extra-time at Cooke Park.

Rovers will be managed on the day by Ryan Casey following John Russell’s exit from the club earlier this week. 

In team news and as of Friday morning, Jad Hakiki, Kevin Zefi and Conor Reynolds are injured and therefore miss out. 

Midfield pair Daire Patton and Ciaron Harkin will be given late fitness tests. 

Seb Quirk will be available but will miss next week’s league meeting with Drogheda having been sent off in Galway last week. 

Rovers face the novelty of playing two games in as many weeks at different grounds with the same name but in different locations.

Casey knows that being the League of Ireland side places Sligo as natural favourites for this game and says the players have shown a ‘business as usual’ attitude following recent developments. 

“It’s been a week of a few changes but we move on. The players have prepped well and we’re looking forward to going to Limerick and hopefully getting through to the next round”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“Everyone knows how close the FAI Cup is historically to the club and we’d love to get the ball rolling on another good run.

“I’d expect Janesboro to have a nothing to lose attitude. Limerick junior football is traditionally strong and we expect a test, certainly.

“It’s a Saturday afternoon kick-off, a huge game and we hope that we have plenty travelling with us to see us through.” 

David Goulden

Following the departure of John Russell to Shelbourne FC, Sligo Rovers can confirm that the club has begun a recruitment process to appoint a new Men’s First Team Manager.

Suitably qualified candidates who wish to express an interest in the position are invited to contact the Club Secretary, Brendan Lacken, at secretary@sligorovers.com.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s Club Orange FAI Cup second round tie away to Janesboro FC, Ryan Casey will lead the team’s preparations and take charge of first team matters for this fixture. The club would like to thank Ryan for his commitment, and we ask all supporters to get behind the team in Limerick.

Further updates on the recruitment process will be provided in due course.

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers delivered a battling performance for a 1-0 Women’s Premier Division win against a Wexford side that will be wondering how they failed to score at least one goal at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

Anna McDaniel had Sligo Rovers ahead inside six minutes when she finished confidently after a smart pass from Sydney Stephens.

From there to the end, it was a determined team effort that earned the points with Cara Jordan the outstanding player.

Soon after the opening goal a cross from Stephens was scrambled away by a relieved Wexford rearguard as the Bit O’Red continued to press.

Wexford settled into the game and were denied by the woodwork on 20 minutes when a speculative Leah McGrath cross rebounded to Ciara Rossiter who had her effort saved by an alert Bonnie McKiernan.

That was as much as Wexford had to offer in the opening half due mainly to some solid defending by Sabrina Hillyer who kept a tight rein on Rossiter throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Cara Jordan was a constant threat going forward with great support from Anna McDaniel as the hosts took a well-deserved 1-0 interval lead.

Wexford were smartly out of the traps for the second-half and Megan Smyth-Lynch thundered a 47th minute free off the post and then Rossiter did well to keep the ball in play and got in a good cross that was scrambled clear.

Wexford went close on 75 minutes, but a relieved Sligo Rovers scrambled the ball clear before Wexford’s Courtney Chochol was unlucky following another scramble in the penalty area.  

However, with Cara Jordan driving the team forward, the Bit O’Red survived and were denied a spectacular Sydney Stephens 91st minute goal when her effort from close to the centre circle was finger-tipped away by Wexford’s Maria O’Sullivan.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Ava Hallinan, Alana Doherty, Ella Karolak, Sabrina Hillyer,Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Sydney Stephens, Sarah McCaffrey, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Emma Hansberry for McCaffrey 66 mins, Alice Lillie for Hillyer and Paula McGrory for King both 74m.

Wexford – Maria O’Sullivan; Emma Bucci, Lauren Dwyer, Kayla Concalves, Leah McGrath, Ciara Rossiter, Megan Smyth – Lynch, Devon Olive, Lauren Walsh, Courtney Chochol, Anna Carson.

Subs – Christie Gray for McGrath 57 mins, Molly Kirwan for Olive and Katie McCann for Rossiter both 70m. Freya de Mange for Dwyer and Maia Stokes for Goncalves both 82m.

Referee – Shane O’Donoghue.
Assistant-referees – Endrit Malaveci, Richard Storey.
Fourth official – Darren Corcoran
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