Darren Purse says the belief he and his staff have in his squad is unwavering ahead of what is a pivotal four days in Sligo Rovers’ season.

Five points adrift at the foot of the Premier Division table, Rovers face second from bottom Drogheda United at Sullivan and Lambe Park on Friday at 7.45pm. While Galway United are the visitors to the Showgrounds on Monday night, for what will be the fourth and final Connacht derby of 2026. 

Seven games remain as Purse looks to maintain Rovers’ presence in the top flight, a run stretching back two decades. Only the never relegated St Pat’s and Bohs have a better current run in the division. 

Friday’s trip to Louth will also be our fourth meeting with Kevin Doherty’s side and a second for Purse who took charge at the Showgrounds for the first time against United back in July. That game ended in late heartbreak as Drogs snatched a late equaliser to deny Sligo a much needed win.

But Purse says he sees it in his team, the chance of a big weekend. He’s also hopeful that he’ll have a few players back, after there were some forced absentees for the cup defeat to Waterford last Friday. 

“We’ll prepare for these two games the same as any game gone by”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“We’ll be looking to go and win both games, the way we have done in every other game since I’ve been here. 

“Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to get out of it, then I will never say it’s over. 

“But starting Friday, that is such a big game for us and we need to come out with three points. Not a game has gone by that the players haven’t given me everything they have. They haven’t finished a game where they haven’t battled, haven’t tried. 

“Some of the teams we’ve played against have had that bit more quality, yes. But from an endeavour and intensity point of view, I think my players have been fantastic pros.  

“I think there’ll be one or two who missed out recently who should be back. We certainly should have a stronger bench than last week to change the game should we need to. So this week was about trying to manage the players’ work loads ahead of what’s going to be a hectic weekend. 

“We have two games now in four days and it’s about trying to put out the best possible side for both those games.”

The former Millwall and West Brom defender is under little illusion in terms of what is needed for a side who are without a league win since May, to go and win twice in four days. But Purse’s motivation to prove the doubters wrong and achieve something truly remarkable is driving him and his players on.  

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, grit, determination and intensity but I believe we’ve got it in us”, he booms. 

“The players are in good form. I know the results don’t say it, but performance wise, they have shown what they can do but they need to produce starting Friday night. 

“Drogheda would be happy walking out of the ground with a draw Friday. That doesn’t mean they’ll look to play for it, I’m sure they’ll look to win and extend their lead. 

“So we need to be on it and I believe if our players play to the levels they can, we have enough in this squad that can win in Drogheda and do the same against Galway. If we can do that, then by Monday night, we’ll be looking at a different scenario than the one we’re in right now.

“If I’m lucky enough to keep us in the Premier Division, it’d be up there with some of my best achievements. I’ve been lucky enough to have some really great experiences in football. But that career is done and if I can pass on my experiences to these players and give them the best possible chance to achieve something, then that would be incredible. 

“But I always back myself, my staff and my players and I really do believe that we have enough in this group to get us out of it and hopefully that starts this weekend.” 

David Goulden

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.

July 2026

€500 Gerry McMunn – Dromard, Co. Sligo
€100 Rory Howard – Knocknahur, Co. Sligo
€100 Ronan Keogh – Maynooth, Co. Kildare
€100 Andy Dodd – Old Cartron, Sligo
€100 Stephen Gilroy – Tonaphubble, Sligo
€100 Michael Leonard – 42 Avoca Park, Dublin
€100 John Keane – New York, USA
€100 Michael Mullvaney – Maugheraboy, Sligo
€100 John Burns – Dromard, Co. Sligo
€100 Liam Rooney – Lyndale, Sligo

August 2026

€500 Ronnie Brennan – Greenfort Est, Sligo
€100 Seamus Cummins – Hazlewood, Co. Sligo
€100 John Reidy – Caltragh, Sligo
€100 Liam McGettigan – Knocknagganny, Sligo
€100 Sinead O’Donnell – Bundoran, Co. Donegal
€100 Michael Cunningham – Ohio, USA
€100 Denis Gormalley – Achonry, Co. Sligo
€100 Janet Benson – Strandhill, Co. Sligo
€100 Kilian Kelly – Meadow Walk, Longford
€100 Tony Fagan – Church Hill, Sligo

Sligo Rovers FC, in partnership with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), is inviting applications for two positions within the Sligo Rovers FC / MSLETB Development Programme:

Development Programme Co-ordinator

Development Programme Assistant Co-ordinator

The full-time programme combines education, personal development and high-performance football, supporting male and female participants, including early school leavers, secondary school graduates and aspiring young footballers.

Development Programme Co-ordinator – LTI

The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day delivery, development and evaluation of the programme, working closely with MSLETB, Sligo Rovers FC, tutors, learners and other stakeholders.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and delivering the full-time programme.
• Overseeing tutors, curriculum delivery and QQI accreditation.
• Recruiting, assessing and supporting programme participants.
• Managing learner development, welfare and progression.
• Developing education and football pathways for participants.
• Supporting the delivery of a high-performance football environment.
• Liaising with clubs, schools, community organisations, the FAI and other relevant stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in education, programme management and football development, together with excellent organisational and communication skills.

A background in athletic and player development, ideally to UEFA A Licence level, and a recognised training qualification, such as QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer, is desirable.

Development Programme Assistant Co-ordinator – LTI

The successful candidate will support the Co-ordinator in the delivery and ongoing development of the programme across both education and football.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the day-to-day running and promotion of the programme.
• Supporting the delivery of QQI Level 5 modules in Sport and Recreation Studies.
• Assisting with participant recruitment, assessment and registration.
• Providing individual learner support, guidance and mentoring.
• Developing Individual Learning Plans and supporting progression into further education, training, employment or professional football.
• Assisting with daily football training and player development.
• Supporting performance analysis, sport science, strength and conditioning, and player welfare.
• Working closely with MSLETB, Sligo Rovers FC, the FAI and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have experience in education and football development, strong organisational and communication skills, and an understanding of QQI and ETB Quality Assurance systems.

A background in coaching and player development, ideally to UEFA B Licence level, together with a recognised training qualification, such as QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer, is desirable.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your CV to Academy@sligorovers.com.

For full details of the roles and candidate requirements, please see the complete job specifications below.

Sligo Rovers FC is an equal opportunities employer.

The closing date for applications is 11 September 2026.

BY CONALL COLLIER

Two goals from Gracie Dunaway and an Emma Duffy strike paved the way to a 3-0 Women’s Premier Division victory for Sligo Rovers against hosts Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Saturday.

After the disappointment of conceding an added-time winner to Waterford seven days earlier, the Sligo Rovers players were determined to make amends for that blip.

A solid performance was crucial and Ella Karolak made a major contribution to the victory while Bonnie McKiernan produced a number of important saves, especially early in the second-half.

Chasing a top four finish, a victory was vital and Sligo Rovers made a positive start with early pressure on the Cork City defence as Gio Dionicio and Cara Jordan posed some tough questions for the hosts.

Those tactics paid off in the 11th minute when Emma Duffy gained possession on the edge of the Cork penalty area direct from a corner and rifled a tremendous shot to the top corner of the Cork net for a merited lead goal.

The Bit O’Red continued to press and Gracie Dunaway added a second goal on 24 minutes when she tapped home from about two yards after Olivia Rush created the opening.

Trailing by two goals at the interval, Cork City were quick out of the traps for the second-half and Ellie O’Brien had a shot on target in the 48th minute before Yuna Go was denied in a one-on-one by Bonnie McKiernan.

The Bit O’Red weathered the mini-storm and forced a series of corners that finished in a Gracie Dunaway hitting the ball from the edge of the penalty area for an opportunist third goal on 58 minutes.

Cara Jordan set up a late opportunity for Dunaway who had a chance of a hat-trick, but she was narrowly wide four minutes from time.

Cork City – Una Foyle; Heidi Mackin, Ellie O’Brien, Holly O’Hagan, Stella Berezowski, Eva Mangan, Lauren Homan, Zoe Finnerty, Yuna Go, Leah O’Leary-Callender, Alex Mendez.

Subs – Amy McCarthy for Mendez half-time, P O’Shea for Homan 66 mins, S Redmond for Bereezowski 80m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Ava Hallinan, Alana Doherty, Sabrina Hillyer, Ella Karolak, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Gracie Dunaway, Olivia Rush, Gio Dionicio, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Mairead McIntyre for McDaniel half-time, Sarah McCaffrey for Duffy 66 mins, Leah Kelly for Hallinan 80m, Emma Malone for McKiernan and Katie Glynn for Dionicio both 83m.

Referee – Ian O’Keeffe.

Assistant-referees – Paul Braganza, Eoghan McAuliffe.

Fourth official – Ricky Crean.

Darren Purse believes his Sligo Rovers side have it in them to produce the type of performance required to progress to the last four of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, ahead of the Bit O’Red’s quarter-final tie with Waterford at the RSC on Friday. 

Rovers will look to progress to a first cup semi-final since 2020 as we take on what is the country’s form side. This last eight bout will be the fifth meeting between the sides this season, with both clubs winning one game each while the other two encounters ended in scoreless draws. 

Rovers reached the same stage last season, only to be knocked out by Kerry who we then progressed past this year, along with Janesboro in the round previous. While Waterford can count Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town as the sides they’ve got past to date.

This will be Rovers and the Blues’ first cup meeting since 2013, when goals from Danny Ventre and Anthony Elding saw us overcome Waterford at the RSC on our way to our fifth FAI Cup triumph that year. 

Previous to that, Rovers beat Waterford in the 2009 semi-final at the Showgrounds, while Waterford were victors at the same venue in the third round two years previous. 

Back to present day and Rovers go to Munster to face Graham Coughlan’s men who are in the midst of an astonishing run of form. Bottom of the league a few months ago, they have only been beaten once in their last ten league games, winning six of those, including a four goal win over Rovers back in June.

“They’re up there with Shamrock Rovers in terms of current form and that tells a story”, Purse tells sligorovers.com. 

“As draws go, it’s a tough one. But we know that on any given day, anyone can beat anyone on any given day in this division. If we produce a similar performance to what we did against Waterford a few weeks ago, then we give ourselves a chance. 

“They’re physical, they get the ball in the box and they’ve quality in the final third. Hence why they’re on the run they’re on. We’re going to have be on our mettle and have a little bit more quality in the final third and hopefully we can get through to a semi-final.”

Neither side managed to breach the other when the sides met two weeks ago and although Purse is drawing the positives from that game, he says it would be naive on his part to draw any conclusions ahead of Friday’s tie in terms of the opposition’s approach.

He is also keen to focus on Friday alone ahead of crucial league meetings with both Drogheda and Galway to come.  

“They (Waterford) play against us and then go to St Pat’s and play a different shape with one or two changes so it’ll be a bit of a guessing game to see how they line out but we’ll prepare the best we can”, he continues. 

“We’ll have contingency plans in place incase they try and surprise us. 

“But the performance against them is quite fresh in our minds and if we put in the performance we did against them a few weeks ago, it gives us the chance to progress. 

“We take and assess each game as it comes. Our priority today is Waterford in the cup and we’ll approach this game in the best manner we can and out out the best possible side we can to go and win the game.

“It’s a big occasion, the quarter-final of a cup and hopefully the gods will be with us and we walk away with a win.”

Purse also acknowledged and thanked the input of striker Jamie McGonigle and defender David Jonathan, both of whom left the club this week. 

The club ended the loan agreement between ourselves and Coleraine, which saw McGonigle return to Irish league football. 

“Jamie was away from his family and I think him moving back was a move that suited both parties”, Purse said. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision for either he or the club to make, especially because it’s left us short up front. I’d have liked to have come to an agreement with him a bit earlier to have time to get someone else in. But it is what it is and we move on. We wish both the lads the best of luck in their next steps.” 

David Goulden

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers created all the chances, but Waterford got early and late goals for a 2-1 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

After conceding in the 13^th minute to Waterford’s Fiana Bradley, Sligo Rovers dominated and piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser that eventually arrived from Gio Dionicio in the 86^th minute.

However, Waterford got in for a 93^rd minute winning goal when Jessica Lawler gained possession after Alice Lillie slipped on the wet surface as she went to clear the ball outside her own penalty area.

It was a harsh verdict on what was a wholehearted Sligo Rovers performance, but a number of gilt-edged goal chances were missed, especially in the second-half and that ultimately proved costly.

Waterford goalkeeper Maeve Williams made a series of excellent saves throughout and denied Paula McGrory as early as the 10^th minute as the Bit O’Red made a positive start in the wet conditions.

Waterford then capitalised on some defensive hesitancy by the Bit O’Red for an opportunist lead goal from Bradley on 13 minutes and from there until the end, it was mainly a rearguard action from the Munster women.

Gio Dionicio had the best chances for Sligo Rovers in the opening half and as the intensity increased after the resumption, Gracie Dunaway, Olivia Rush, Sabrina Hillyer and Cara Jordan all went close.

Dionicio was denied by Williams in a one-on-one after 78 minutes, but she was eventually rewarded after Dunaway’s determination created the opening for that 86^th minute equaliser.

That goal was scant reward for the overall team effort, but it counted for nothing when Waterford did that ‘smash and grab’ in the 93^rd minute for a first WPD victory since the end of April.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Alana Doherty, Sabrina Hillyer, Ella Karolak, Cara Jordan, Olivia Rush, Paula McGrory, Sarah McCaffrey, Gio Dionicio, Anna McDaniel. 

Subs – Emma Duffy for McGrory and Gracie Dunaway for McCaffrey both 58 mins, Mairead McIntyre for McDaniel and Ava Hallinan for Hillyer both 84m.

Waterford – Maeve Williams; Kiera Burke, Jessica Lawler, M Doherty, Danielle Burke, Leah O’Donoghue, Chloe Atkinson, Mia Lenihan, Fiana Bradley, I sabel Walsh, Kaytlin Conroy. 

Subs – Cliodhna Malone for O’Donoghue 40 mins, Eva O’Gorman for Walsh 74m, Lauren Egbuloniu for Bradley 92m

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant-referees – Sahin Yasar, Klaudia Pawula.

Fourth official – Richard Storey.

Three first half goals from the home side were more than enough to win this game as Bohemians easily beat an underpar Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park.

In what was likely our last visit to Phibsboro before redevelopment works get underway, it was a night of disappointment for the Bit O’Red, who were second best at all levels. 

Dawson Devoy had the hosts ahead after eight minutes when he finished from the angle following some neat one touch football from Bohs. 

Sam Sargeant pulled off a great save from a Douglas James-Taylor header from immediate range, while Connor Parsons fired over from the angle having easily skipped past two Rovers challenges at the end line. 

The Dubliners had their second on 28 minutes when Harry Vaughan’s ferociously struck effort proved too much for Sargent to hold. No defender was quick enough off their toes, as James-Taylor nipped in to capitalise on more poor defending.

Rovers conceded a third before half-time when Jordan Flores converted a direct set piece. 

It was mostly Bohs in the second half bar a Jack Shorrock effort from a tight angle which drifted wide. 

Darren Purse’s side will look to quickly move on from this one as he prepares his side for Friday’s Club Orange FAI Cup quarter-final against Waterford at the RSC. 

Bohemians: Paul Walters; Darragh Power, Patrick Hickey, Cian Byrne, Senan Mullen; Dawson Devoy (Niall Morahan 82), Jordan Flores (Adam McDonnell 70); Ross Tierney, Harry Vaughan (Markuss Strods 70), Connor Parsons (Zane Myers 70); Douglas James-Taylor (Colm Whelan 60)

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Gareth McElroy, Carl McHugh (Ollie Denham 57), Sean Stewart; Alex Nolan (Ryan O’Kane 57), Luke Young (Kyle McDonagh 78), Seb Quirk, Jack Shorrock (Callum Lynch 78); Archie Meekison; Luke Pearce, Kaiyne Woolery (Trey George 33).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

Sligo Rovers supporters will visit Dalymount Park in its current guise for possibly the final time before its redevelopment takes place, as the Bit O’Red go up against Bohemians this Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Works are due to begin at the historic Phibsboro venue next year, a stadium at which Rovers are unbeaten in five of our last six games.

This will be manager Darren Purse’s first game in charge at the old ground and in Dublin. He goes there without midfielder James McManus who misses out due to the terms of his loan from the Gypsies. 

Rovers were without Jeannot Esua for last week’s draw with Waterford, while Ollie Denham was taken off at half-time after both players suffered slight knee injuries. Purse is hopeful both will be available for Friday.

Conor Reynolds and Jad Hakiki are unavailable. 

This will be the fourth league meeting of Rovers and Bohs this year. Both have won at the other’s ground, with Alan Reynolds’ charges twice seeing off Rovers at the Showgrounds. While Dalymount was the scene of a memorable win for Rovers back in April, when goals from former players Will Fitzgerald and Sean McHale overturned Zane Myers’ early opener. 

Bohs currently sit third, seven points off their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers at the summit and have claimed three wins and a draw from their last five league outings. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Purse says he is expecting a different game following more ‘physical’ encounters with Kerry and Waterford at the Showgrounds.  

He says: “One thing you can say about our lads since I’ve come in is that they’ve been really resolute. They put their bodies on the line and play with heart and that’s a huge thing for me. 

“They’ll have to do the same again Friday in Dublin. It’s probably not going to be as physical as the last few games. 

“Bohs will look to play through the lines and they’ll want to play football. But we have to be as resolute as we have been the last few weeks, again. Hopefully we can add that bit quality in the final third to that and that will give us an opportunity, we hope, to win the match. 

“The number of goals Bohs have scored recently shows that they’ve got quality. They look to get the ball forward and it’ll be tough and they’ll be a bit different to what we played recently.”

Purse was pleased with the backing his team received from the stands back home at the Showgrounds last Friday in that tense stalemate with Waterford. 

At what will be a sold out Dalymount, he’s hoping for the usual noise from the ‘Mono’ Stand when and says his boys will need vocal backing throughout the tie. 

“Wherever we go, it’s important to hear our fans. It’s big for the players. 

“Sometimes, you go away from home and you’re under the cosh and that’s when we need them to come together.

“Also for the players and from our point of view, we need to give our supporters something to get excited about. We want to give them a club to be proud of. We’ve got eight massive games to come now so hopefully, we can give them something to sing for on Friday.”  

David Goulden

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Match day sponsor: Sligo Junction, Collooney.

Match ball sponsor: DPD Logistics, Sligo. 

Darren Purse believes his Sligo Rovers side have what it takes to still avoid the drop following Friday’s stalemate with Waterford at the Showgrounds.

The point, coupled with Drogheda’s loss to St Pat’s, means Rovers cut the gap to second bottom to five, with eight crucial games to go until the end of the season.

In what was an entertaining contest against the in-form team in the Premier Division, Rovers carved out chances in the first half and had to be defensively resolute in the second. 

Rovers’ main threat Jack Shorrock was foiled by a last ditch tackle from Hayden Cann early on after he was played through by skipper Carl McHugh. While Waterford’s experienced centre half Kevin Long charged down a Cian Kavanagh volley after Shorrock’s searching cross just evaded Rovers’ leaping Luke Pearse. 

Shorrock was at it again on 25 minutes when he found space behind Jordan Houston. The Port Vale loanee’s cross this time laid down by Kavanagh and onto the foot of Pearce. But the former Cardiff striker’s full volley was batted away by Blues’ net-minder Stephen McMullan. 

Suffering just two defeats in their last ten following an atrocious start to the season, Graham Coughlan’s men have picked up eleven points from their last five outings with the Munster side gathering wins recently against Bohs, Shels and Derry. 

They had their first sight at goal on the half hour when Conan Noonan fired over after some defensive hesitation from the hosts. While Padraig Amond’s header lacked the power of Benny Couto’s cross on the stroke of half-time as the former Sligo striker headed into the hands of Sam Sargeant. 

Former blue Sargeant kept the game scoreless when he palmed over a Noonan snapshot on the hour. 

Eight minutes later, McMullan pulled off a wonderful stop on his left hand at the far end, when he pushed away a swerving set-piece from Sligo sub Archie Meekison. 

The RSC side then had late chances courtesy of Couto, Lonergan and Noonan in a late dash for the winner.

Speaking after the game, Purse said he’s seen enough from his squad to suggest they have it in them to close further, that gap to Drogheda in ninth. 

“The Derry game’s the only game since I’ve been here that we haven’t been at the races”, he says. 

“But the boys deserve huge credit for this evening. It could have easily gone our way, sometimes we just lack that bit of quality in the final third. I said that to the lads, our final third is what wins us games. Intensity, drive and dropping on second balls, that’s what keeps you in a game. We just need to add that bit of quality in the final third. 

“If we play like that for the rest of the season, we’ve got a right chance. I said before the game that tonight was a ‘must-win’ game. I still back that because if we’d won, we’d be in a much better position. 

“We have tonight’s game, Bohs and Drogheda and if we go and get seven points from those game, we’ll be looking up. 

“It’s a point gained tonight, especially with the Drogheda result and that game in a few weeks which again will be a ‘must-win’.”

Enthused by a crowd of almost two and a half thousand despite the game being televised and its staging on a non-traditional week-night, Purse reminded the Sligo sporting public how crucial their role is in the coming weeks as the squad continues to press on. 

“At times they were really good, up on their feet supporting the team and getting behind us and we need that”, the Londonder stated. 

“Other times, I think there was pressure and they felt it. And when the players feel pressure that’s when the players need the fans the most. To feel that support rather than be peeved with a poor pass or poor decision. But we need that support now for the last few games.” 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham (Archie Meekison HT), Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Carl McHugh; Jack Shorrock (Trey George 79), Alex Nolan; Luke Pearce (Kaiyne Woolery 62), Cian Kavanagh. 

Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Kevin Long, Hayden Cann (Blair McKenize 71), John Mahon; Jordan Houston, Beny Couto; Noah Mawane (Dean McMenamy 75), Evan McLaughlin; Conan Noonan, Padraig Amond, Tommy Lonergan. 

Referee: Neil Doyle. 

Attendance: 2,456.

Sligo Rovers boss Darren Purse says his team will give everything they can in their efforts to take three points from Friday night’s crucial game with Waterford, in what is to date, the biggest night of the season for the Bit O’Red.

Match night sponsor for this game, moved to Friday at 8pm for coverage on Virgin Media TV is Sligo Junction, Collooney. Match ball sponsor is DPD Logistics, Sligo.

Purse’s Rovers host one of the country’s in-form sides at the Showgrounds, sitting six points off Graham Coughlan’s men who have taken 18 points from their last ten games.

Rovers currently sit six points adrift with nine games to go as Purse looks to plot a course for survival. 

Form against the Blues this season has been reasonable, with Rovers collecting four points from a possible nine from the Munster outfit in 2026. 

Honest in his assessment of the game to come, Purse is aware that Rovers likely require the full quota of points on Friday. He says his side will ‘know what to do’ in front of what should be a big Showgrounds crowd. 

“My first game in charge against Drogheda was probably a ‘must not lose’ game, for me”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“This one is probably ‘must win’. At some point in the next few weeks, we need to pick up three points and then back-to-back three points. 

“The gap has grown over the last few weeks because of the form of Waterford, which has been exceptional. It’s a game we have to go and try and get maximum points from. If you don’t, then you’re still well behind and it’s another game ticked off. 

“But we know what we need to do. We’ve nine games left and our home games will be pivotal in terms of whether or not we stay in the division.” 

The Londoner, barely a month in the top job, has refuted suggestions that Waterford would be happy to come away from Sligo with a draw which would maintain that six point gap between ourselves and Waterford.

He says a win, which would be Rovers’ first league victory since May, is very much the target. 

“You’ve got to prepare for each game as if you’re looking to win it”, Purse continues. 

“It won’t be any different to any other game so far in that we’ll put as much attention to details in as we can. 

“Hopefully the hard work we will put in is rewarded with three points at the end. But the prep will be the exact same as what we’ve done in the past few games and that’s all geared to try and win.

“They’re coming to win the game, not to try and not get beat. Sometimes when you approach games thinking you’ll be alright with a draw, you tend not to perform. You look at the way Waterford have played recently, Graham’s done an exceptional job to turn things round. I know him and he won’t come looking for a draw.

“They won’t play for a point, they’ll come to win. And we need to be ready for it and match them with the quality we have.”   

In team news, Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds are out. Daire Patton continues to recover from illness. 

David Goulden