The 500 Club members draw for 500 Club Winners was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

March 2026

€500 Michael Colreavy – Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
€100 Maurice Monaghan – Strandhill, Co. Sligo
€100 Mary Gilmartin – Glasnevin, Dublin
€100 Patrick Feeney – Blackrock, Dublin
€100 Jim Gallagher – Kintogher, Co. Sligo
€100 Paschal Donahoe – Nanuet, USA
€100 John Donaghy – Aberdeenshire, Scotland
€100 Austin O’Callaghan – Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo
€100 David Bagnall – Grattan St, Sligo
€100 Frank Keane – Holden Way, USA

May 2026

€500 Niall Brady – Ballinfull, Co. Sligo
€100 Stephen Taylor – Ballisodare, Co. Sligo
€100 Conor Heagney – Blackrock, Dublin
€100 Paul Hamilton – Strandhill, Co. Sligo
€100 Michael Travers – Southampton, England
€100 Gerard Kilfeather – Grange, Co. Sligo
€100 Enda Molloy – Ballinteer, Dublin
€100 Martin Reilly – Carraroe, Co. Sligo
€100 Kathy Rouse – Dooly Park, Sligo
€100 Kieran O’Dowd – Gurteen, Co. Sligo

A solid week for the academy teams this weekend with various wins right across the board. The girls set the standard with some really strong results and performances. There were positives right across all squads, with some players continuing to develop and push closer to first-team involvement.

U20 | Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 Galway United
Our U20s bounced back from a frustrating result last week to edge past Galway United by a goal to nil in the Connacht derby. It was a cagey affair, with Guilherme Priosti scoring the only goal of the game in an enjoyable win for the Rovers.

U17 | Shelbourne 5 – 2 Sligo Rovers
It was a tough afternoon on the road for the Rovers against title-chasing Shelbourne at the AUL Complex. A slow start allowed Shels to go two goals up inside the opening half an hour, leaving the lads with it all to do. Dillon Doherty pulled one back before the break, taking his tally to four for the season. However, the hosts proved too strong on the day, with their dangerous forward line helping them run out 5-2 winners, despite a late consolation goal from Scott Williams.

U15 | Galway United 6 – 1 Sligo Rovers
A strong first-half display wasn’t enough for our U15s as they were ultimately undone after the interval in Galway. We went into the break 1-0 up after Aaron Brehony played through the in-form Ryan Tuffy, who made no mistake in finishing, making it his fifth goal in two games. However, six second-half goals from the league leaders saw United turn the game around and secure all three points. A special mention also to Jack Ivers Brehony and Daniel Mate from our U14s, who both lined out for the U15s over the weekend. An opportunity for the lads to bounce back next week with an away trip to Longford in the cup.

WU23 | Sligo Rovers 4 – 1 Drogheda United
Our WU23s got back to winning ways on Sunday with a huge result at home to Drogheda. We went in at half-time 1-0 down and frustrated, but whatever was said at half-time sparked a brilliant response as the girls came out to score four times in a dominant display. Mairead McIntyre equalised in the 52nd minute, followed by a Sophie Quinn goal to deservedly put the girls ahead. The introduction of Arlin Barrett proved crucial, with the forward coming off the bench to score a late brace to secure the 4-1 win. This result puts our WU23s 7th in the table, with the aim of continuing to climb in the weeks ahead.

WU17 | Sligo Rovers 1 – 0 Mayo
Our WU17s got off the mark for the year at the Showgrounds with a fantastic result against Mayo. The only goal of the game came through centre midfielder Caragh Guckian in the 49th minute. A great performance across the pitch meant that goal was enough to secure the first three points of the season for the Rovers. The girls will look to continue this form next week as they face Treaty United in the cup on Saturday.

Tom Lavery

BY CONALL COLLIER

Hosts Shamrock Rovers recorded a hard-earned 3-1 All-Island Cup victory against Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday where Sydney Stephens scored her sixth goal of the season for the Bit O’Red.

However, missed chances late in the opening half proved costly for the Bit O’Red and on this occasion that Stephens strike wasn’t sufficient to take anything from the game.

The concession of a couple of early goals gave the hosts a platform for victory despite a determined effort from Sligo Rovers throughout the 90 minutes.

Sligo Rovers manager Gavin Hughes started the same 11 that defeated Bohemians in the Women’s Premier Division last weekend whereas the Dublin side’s manager James O’Callaghan made four changes to the side that had a scoreless draw with Treaty Utd at the Markets Field.

For the hosts, Erica Turner took over between the posts with Ella Kelly, Jamie Thompson and Caitlin St Leger all starting in the outfield positions at the expense of Amanda Budden, Sadhbh Doyle, Emily Corbett and Della Cowper Gray.

Early goals of the soft variety gave the Dublin side a 2-0 advantage without having to over-extend themselves. Ella Kelly found the net in the third minute and Therese Kinnevey added to that tally in the 12^th minute.

Sligo Rovers eventually showed some energy and it was rewarded with an opportunist Sydney Stephens goal as the hosts appealed for a free after failing to capitalise on an advantage that was applied by referee Shane O’Donoghue.

Stephens was denied an equaliser by a smart Erica Turner save for the hosts in the 28^th minute while at the other end Kinnevey missed the target when she blazed over a gilt-edged opportunity.

The Bit O’Red emulated that feat when Cara King fluffed an equally good chance close to the interval.

Trailing by a goal, Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half smartly but didn’t seriously trouble the hosts who had an excellent chance of a third goal when Rosin McGovern failed to hit the target in the 66^th minute.

Soon after, Emily Corbett had a chance for the hosts, but Bonnie McKiernan averted the danger.

With 10 minutes remaining Emma Duffy’s speculative effort skimmed the crossbar and as the clock ticked towards added time Cara Jordan’s centre was headed narrowly over by Manu Baptista Filipe as the Bit O’Red pushed for an equaliser.

Then in that added time the hosts added the all-important third goal from substitute Emily Corbett and that sealed the win..

Shamrock Rovers – Erica Turner; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Therese Kinnevey, Mia Dodd, Maria Reynolds, Katie O’Reilly, Ellen Molloy, Ella Kelly,Roisin McGovern, Jamie Thompson, Caitlin St Leger. Subs – Emily Corbett for Thompson 60 mins, Della Cowper-Gray for O’Reilly 68m, C McLoughlin for Molly 86m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Kelsey McQuillan, Sabrina Hillyer, Alana Doherty, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Ava Hallinan for Hillyer 72 mins, Paula McGrory for King 79m, Abby Rooney for Duffy and Emma Hansberry for McQuillan both 87m.

Referee – Shane O’Donoghue.

Assistant-referees – Endrit Malaveci, Eric Eaton.

Fourth official – Mark Patchell

Sligo Rovers are unbeaten in all but one of our last seven games after a resolute Bit O’Red picked up a much deserved point from Tolka Park on Friday evening. 

Both sides had chances in this game, with Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant putting in another stellar performance to keep Shelbourne scoreless as he claimed his third clean sheet in his last five appearances. 

Rovers may have taken the full quota of points from this one with a little more luck.

Archie Meekison looked like he had put Rovers in the lead in the second half, but the linesman somewhat controversially ruled out the goal for offside. While Ollie Denham went close at the death as Rovers moved to within five points of the top four.

John Russell welcomed back Daire Patton and Sean McHale for this one and it was the Rovers rearguard who were the busier in the opening half. 

Net minder Sargeant reacted quickly to palm away a John Martin header low down on eleven minutes, while the Londonder denied Ali Coote and Harry Wood. While Rovers’ Carl McHugh tested Wessell Speel in the Shels nets with a header from a cross from April’s player of the month Will Fitzgerald.

The second half was 12 minutes old when Rovers were denied what looked like a legitimate goal.

The superb Gareth McElroy headed a Fitzgerald corner into the air for Meekison to nod past Speel from 3 yards for what looked like the opener. Rovers’ celebrations were cut short however when the referee’s assistant on the far side decided that the former Bohs man was offside despite a Shels player standing at the back post. 

Joey O’Brien’s outfit had a couple of chances in the second half but couldn’t find a way past that steadfast Rovers rearguard. 

Sligo almost scored a late winner when centre half Denham found himself in unfamiliar territory in front of goal. The defender smartly laid a Shels man on his back as he executed a turn to make the angle for himself before firing narrowly wide of Speel’s goal. 

Rovers’ next game is a huge provincial derby with Galway United at the Showgrounds on Saturday, May 16th. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge;JJ Lunney, Kerr McInroy (Ellis Chapman 77); Evan Caffrey (Sean Moore 77), Jack Henry-Francis (Ali Coote 23), Harry Wood, Will Jarvis (Maill Lundgren 64); John Martin (Sean Boyd 64).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sergeant; Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale; Will Fitzgerald, James McManus, Carl McHugh (Shane Blaney 63), Sean Stewart (Kyle McDonagh 72); Archie Meekison (Alex Nolan 90), Daire Patton; Cian Kavanagh.

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin).

Attendance: 3,610.

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers midfielder Will Fitzgerald has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for April.

The Bit O’Red winger topped the players’ poll ahead of Pat’s Kian Leavey and Dundalk’s Gbemi Arubi and also finished ahead of Galway’s David Hurley, Danny Grant of Shamrock Rovers and Derry goalkeeper Ed Beach. 

He is the fifth Bit O’Red player to win the award in the last five years after Greg Bolger (2021), Adian Keena (x2) (2024) and Wilson Waweru (2025). 

The Limerick native has been a constant for Rovers this season, playing each and every minute of our 16 games so far this season, scoring four times and contributing to several goals. 

Club captain, he made his 156th appearance for the club against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday night last and recently surpassed his 250th League of Ireland cap. He has assisted in 31 goals in his time at the Showgrounds so far. 

He has played an integral part of Rovers’ recent good form, scoring in consecutive wins over Bohs, Waterford and Dundalk. 

“Sligo is my second home now and I have enjoyed every minute of it since coming up here to the north-west of the country. We have a great club and a great fan base,” said Fitzgerald on accepting the award.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that things are picking up for us as a team and our performance levels have picked up big time in the last month. It was a very difficult start to the season for us with a lot of new players, but once the weather improves, the results start to pick up and the pitches start to get a bit better too.

“We can focus on our style of play that we have worked so hard on every day in training. We just needed that confidence boost with that win against Bohemians away and that’s what led us to go on our current run of results and to put points on the board. 

“I think I have matured as a player and this is my tenth season in the League of Ireland. I have enjoyed every minute of my career so far. I have matured off the pitch as well and that extra responsibility of being appointed club captain is a huge honour for me and my family,” he added.

“John Russell has been a massive influence on my career and anyone who has been around the club in recent years and worked under him, they have huge respect for the man not just as manager but the person he is. We have full belief in him and we always have even after the tough start we had to the season.

“He sets the work ethic every single day and when you have your manager working that hard for the club, it trickles down to the senior and younger players and that makes my job as captain that much easier. I have the utmost respect for John (Russell) and he has a long and successful managerial career ahead of him.” 

Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team return to the east coast for the second time in the space of eight days tonight, this time travelling to the capital to take on Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Kick-off in Drumcondra is 7.45pm as both sides face off in round 16 of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, the second match between the clubs this season.

Daniel Kelly scored the only goal of a tightly fought contest at the Showgrounds back in March, the only meeting of the clubs so far in 2026. While the Bit O’Red will be looking for a first win at Tolka since 2024, a victory which would move Rovers ahead of Shels in the table. 

John Russell’s side come into this contest in the better form with three wins and a draw from their last five, while the Dubliners have taken four points from their last five. 

The Rovers boss will again be without a few bodies due to injury, but defender Sean McHale will return having missed Monday’s eventful draw with Pat’s due to the rules of his loan. As of Thursday evening, Russell also hopes that Ciaron Harkin and Jeannot Esua will be fit enough to be included in the match day squad at least. 

“We’ve shown good grit and real determination in recent weeks and not always under easy circumstances”, Russell says ahead of tonight’s game. 

“We’ve been without our full compliment for pretty much all season. We haven’t had a fully fit squad yet. But the players that we’ve called on throughout, I cannot question their character or willingness to fight for everything and we’ll need them all again. 

“We’ve come from behind in a few games too and a few lads are playing with niggles so we’ve all really been together as a unit, all pushing in the same direction.

“They’re such honest players and give it all for each other. They’ve left everything on the pitch the last few months and they will have to do it again tonight in Dublin.

“Prep has been good for this one. It’s always tough to have three games in such a short space of time but we’re ready to go.”

Tolka Park hasn’t been the kindest of venues to travelling Rovers sides in recent years. Sligo have only managed one win there since 2022 but Russell knows his team have it in them to take the game to Joey O’Brien’s men.

“It’s going to be tough, no doubt. They have some of the best players in the country and have experience all over the pitch and on the bench”, he says.

“They went very close to winning a Dublin derby against Bohs last week and we need to be careful that they don’t hit us with a backlash tonight. But you have to expect it at least. 

“We’ve given some good teams a good rattle in recent weeks and we’re full of confidence and really looking forward to this one.

“We’re scoring goals, creating chances and we’ve only conceded three in our last six so we’ll be looking to give a good account of ourselves up there.

“Tolka is always tough but you’re always striving to get that consistency in your play and a few good results in a row. If we can continue the way we’re going, then we won’t be far off keeping up this good form.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that our 2026 Summer Camps in The Showgrounds are now on sale.

The camps will run for eight consecutive weeks, starting W/C Monday June 29th.

The Camps will run Monday-Friday from 10.30am until 3pm daily, with all participants receiving a complimentary club training top.

Too book a week of your choice, click here.

Match Sponsor: The Junction, Collooney.

Match Ball Sponsor: SealTec.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Sligo Rovers stretched our unbeaten home run to four games as the Bit O’Red picked up a much deserved point against St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds. 

Kian Leavy hit a stunning opener early, while Rovers battled back to level the game before the break when Archie Meekison converted from the penalty spot.

This result extends Sligo’s run without defeat at the Showgrounds while Pat’s now sit three points off the lead having dropped points in both Galway and in this one. 

Unbeaten at home in three, Rovers came into this game without seven match day regulars including defender Sean McHale who sat this one out due to the terms of his loan from the Saints. Boss John Russell made two changes to the side who were narrowly overcome by Drogheda on May Day. Alex Nolan and Shane Blaney, his first start in twelve games following a torn hamstring, replacing Daire Patton and the ineligible McHale respectively.

Seeking a return to the league summit, Stephen Kenny made two switches from the late drama in Galway on Friday with defenders Sean Hoare and Anto Breslin back in the starting eleven.

The visitors laid down a marker early on in this one and were ahead courtesy of the superb Leavy after just seven minutes. 

The Ardee man found space by playing a neat one-two with skipper Joe Redmond, before peeling away from the pack and delivering a sublime left-footed finish from the edge of the Rovers area, which swerved around the reach of Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant. 

It was mostly one-way traffic in this opening period as Rovers struggled to get the ball forward early on. 

Sargeant pulled off a wonderful reaction save to fist Jamie Lennon’s thunderous first time volley onto his own crossbar on 32 minutes after Sean Stewart cleared a James Brown corner only as far as the Pat’s midfielder. While the same player skied an effort from a similar position after Rovers struggled to clear their lines. 

The hosts found themselves level five minutes before the break. Rovers midfielder Carl McHugh looked like he had crashed into Luke Turner as the Saints defender tried to clear the ball. However, having spotted an infrigment on Turner’s behalf, referee Marc Lynch awarded a penalty to Sligo. 

Meekison didn’t allow the brief Pat’s protests to affect him as he slotted the ball beyond Joe Anang, sending the Ghanian the wrong way for his second goal in four outings. 

The Dubliners were almost caught out by a Sligo counter on 55 when Meekison played the ball into the path of Cian Kavanagh who didn’t spot the run of the unmarked Alex Nolan to his right. Running out of options, Kavanagh could only fire the ball against a defender’s leg and the opportunity was gone. 

Rovers’ James McManus’ effort at the first attempt from an Ollie Denham cross spun past Anang’s post mid-way through the second period as Rovers looked much more comfortable in this game. 

Nolan might have done better with Rovers’ next chance twelve from time when Denham found the former Saint on his own at the edge of the area. But Nolan’s resulting effort lacked conviction. 

The Inchicore men did have two late opportunities to take the points. Substitute Glory Nzingo fired over from the angle eight from time after skipping past the hard working McHugh. While Max Mata, who spent two terms in Sligo, blazed over on the volley in the fifth minute of added time. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Shane Blaney, Gareth McElroy; Will Fitzgerald, Sean Stewart (Kyle McDonagh 70); James McManus, Carl McHugh (Daire Patton 84), Archie Meekison; Alex Nolan; Cian Kavanagh. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joe Anang; Luke Turner, Sean Hoare, Joe Redmond; James Brown (Zach Elbouzedi 63), Anto Breslin (Jason McClelland 78); Jamie Lennon (Darragh Nugent 63), Barry Baggley; Kian Leavy, Chris Forrester (Glory Nzingo 63); Ryan Edmondson (Max Mata 78).  

Referee: Marc Lynch. 

Attendance: 3,163. 

Sligo Rovers are back at home this Bank Holiday Monday evening to face St Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds, kick-off 5pm. 

Today’s Match Sponsor is Sligo Junction, Collooney while Match Ball Sponsor is Sealtec. 

The Bit O’Red will look to return to winning ways after defeat to Drogheda United on Friday ended a four match unbeaten run. 

Mark Doyle hit the game’s only goal in the opening quarter and despite Rovers asking plenty of United in the second half, John Russell’s side were unable to breach a dogged Drogs rearguard.

Tonight’s game is the second meeting between Rovers and the Saints this term. Stephen Kenny’s side came out the winners in our meeting last month, despite Sligo taking an early lead. 

The Dubliners will arrive on Church Hill this afternoon on the back of two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five. The Inchicore based outfit surrendered a two goal lead in Galway on Friday night, allowing Shamrock Rovers to take the top spot going into today’s round of games after the Tribesmen struck in the fourth minute of added time to claim a 2-2 draw.

Rovers have a mixed record at the Showgrounds against the Saints in recent seasons with three wins and the same number of defeats on home soil against Pat’s in the last three seasons. Pat’s last visit to Sligo ended in a one goal win for Rovers with Jad Hakiki hitting the winner that day. 

Russell will potentially be without a number of players for today’s game. While a few bodies will be assessed this afternoon after picking up niggles in that loss in Louth.   

This evening is a chance for Rovers to quickly bounce back from that defeat at Sullivan and Lambe Park and Russell has reiterated that ahead of the game.

“We were very disappointed with how things ended up in Drogheda. I thought we struggled a little in the first half but we dominated the play in the second”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I thought our hard work, the amount of chances we had in the second half and our heavy press meant we deserved something out of the game.

“How and ever it wasn’t to be but Drogheda away is done with now.

“The positive is that we have a nice quick turnaround to the Pat’s game that keeps us on our toes. We’re down bodies again and it will be tough but it’s a huge chance for players to come in and impress.

“Pat’s are near the top for a reason. They have a really big squad and have experience and class to call upon when needed and tonight’s game will be a real challenge for us.

“But I thought we did everything well in the second half in Drogheda. We did everything bar put the ball past their keeper and I think if we can keep that momentum running into this game, then we’ll do well.”

David Goulden

BY CONALL COLLIER

Super Sydney Stephens deputised as Sligo Rovers captain and helped herself to a hat-trick in a 5-1 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory against Bohemian FC at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

This was a first WPD win of the season for the Bit O’Red with goals from Stephens (two) and Cara King for a 3-0 interval advantage and Cara Jordan and Stephens completed the tally in the 54^th and 93^rd minutes respectively for a comprehensive victory.

Despite the scoreline, Bohemians probably left the Showgrounds wondering how they hadn’t scored in the opening half, but they had to wait until the 85^th minute for Alex Devoy’s consolation goal.

The Bit O’Red starting 11 featured two changes from the draw against Peamount with Alana Doherty and Cara King starting in place of Emma Hansberry and Paula McGrory.

There were four changes for Bohemian FC following the defeat by Treaty Utd last weekend with Savannah Kane, Aoife Fennell, Leiagh Glennon and Hannah O’Brien favoured in place of Ciara Maher, Alannah McEvoy, Sarah McKevitt and Aoife Sheridan.

The Dublin women created some good early chances with Katie Malone’s ninth minute effort flashing over the bar and soon after the quality of that bar was tested when her well-struck shot rebounded and was cleared by a relieved Bit O’Red defence.

However midway through the half Sydney Stephens got her first goal when she broke through from Cara Jordan’s pass and rifled past Rachael Kelly.

Stephens then put pressure on the Bohemians defence from the resultant kick-off and almost grabbed a second goal, but Bohemians averted the danger,

Stephens was in creative mode in the 26^th minute when she won a race for possession in the penalty area with Rachael Kelly and her low cross was scrambled over the line by Cara King.

Trailing by two didn’t deter Bohemians and on the half hour Bonnie McKiernan produced a sensational save to deny Hannah O’Brien while at the other end, Stephens grabbed her side’s third goal with a deft header that crept inside the post from Sabrina Hillyer’s free and that 3-0 interval advantage.

Stephens maintained her input in the second-half and carved the opening for Cara Jordan’s 54^th minute goal that effectively sealed the victory.

Bohemians kept pushing forward and were rewarded with that late Devoy goal, but Stephens took the plaudits when she claimed her hat-trick in the 93^rd minute. She dispossessed Sarah Power and cut in from the sideline to finish from an acute angle.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Kelsey McQuillan, Alic Lillie, Alana Doherty, Cara Jordan, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sabrina Hillyer, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.

 Subs – Leah Kelly for McQuillan and Abbey Rooney for McDaniel both 61 mins, Mairead McIntyre for King and Rachel McGoldrick for Manu both 79m, Ava Hallinan for Hiller 86m.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly, Lisa Murphy, Hannah Healy, Katie Malone, Sarah Power, Aoife Brophy, Savannah Kane, Katie Lovely, Aoife Fennell, Leiagh Glennon, Hannah O’Brien. 

Subs – Robin Baird for Murphy half-time, Aoife Brennan for Lovely, Alannah McEvoy for Malone and Lauren McCabe for O’Brien all 57 mins,

Referee – Oisin Walsh.

Assistant-referees – Ciaran O’Reilly, Niall McLoughlin.

Fourth official – Richard Storey.