Sligo Rovers play their penultimate home game of the season against Derry City at The Showgrounds. The match is live on #WATCHLOI and Ocean FM.

Rovers were defeated 1-0 by Waterford in a close game on Saturday evening. As a result the Bit O’ Red are sixth in the table, with City three points behind. 

This game is brought forward from 11 October due to international call-ups. No other date was available for the fixture. 

Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. David Cawley will serve a one-game ban. 

Liam Buckley said: “It was a fantastic goal out of nothing that won the game, a brilliant strike and they didn’t trouble us much thereafter. It was their only really chance. We huffed and puffed, we made some openings, we could have produced more. You need a bit of luck and it just didn’t fall for us. I thought we could have got the draw but it didn’t happen for us. It was frustrating, but we’re still in there. I said to the players that we have no time or reason to look back on that game and feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve got five matches to try to win, we’re looking at every game as must-win because of what it can do. You see St Pat’s moving up with one win, how close Derry were to joining them last Friday.

“They would have felt aggrieved with a draw against Bohs so to lose the game must have been tough to take. They were the better side. Both teams will see this game as a chance to be better and get the points. 

“We got to keep focused, in this context it doesn’t matter how quick the games get thrown at us. We’ve got five games to get the points we need to take us up the table and we’ll give it our all on Tuesday to do so.”

All five academy teams were in action against this weekend with three games taking place at our Sean Fallon Centre and two games on the road, with our ladies team in Athlone and Under 15 team in Cootehill, Cavan.

Our youngest group got the action underway with a home game against Derry City on Saturday morning. The lads battled well throughout the game and can be proud of their efforts against a good Derry team. Plenty of chances were created by the game finished 3-0 to the visitors.

Later on Saturday, our under 15 team travelled to Cootehill in Cavan to take on Cavan/Monaghan. Rovers were top of the group going into the game, and had a youthful look to the starting eleven. Goals from Michael Clifford, Sam Tuohy, a first of the season for defender Eoin Stinchon and an Owen Elding brace saw Rovers win 5-2.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, Rovers Under 17’s hosted Longford Town. Rovers were top of the group ahead of this game and consolidated that position with a big win thanks to a Johnny Kenny hat-trick, as well as goals from Eanna Clancy, Peter Maguire, Oran Groarke and Aidan McHale.

In Athlone Town Stadium our Ladies Under 17 team took on the Midlanders at 3:30pm and were narrowly defeated 2-1, thanks to a late goal by the home side. Aine Gorman scored Rovers only goal. The result sees Rovers on four points from the opening four games, with plenty left to play for in the remaining four fixtures.

Next up for the girls is a trip to Peamount United in a fortnight’s time.

On Sunday, our Under 19 team hosted Longford Town at 2pm. The sides met just 11 days previous and Rovers were clinical in front of goal again and won comprehensively thanks to goals from Tubbercurry natives Aaron Perry and Sean Kerrigan, Cillian Heaney, Johnny Kenny, Rossa McAllister and Ciaran Jennings.

All academy boys teams now enter phase two of their divisions with fixtures released this week.

Matthew Smith’s stunning goal was enough for a 1-0 win for Waterford over Sligo Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this evening at the RSC.

Smith’s volley flew into the top corner after nine minutes and was enough to give Fran Rockett his first win as manager. Rovers had most of the play thereafter, but were largely ineffective and Waterford saw it out comfortably to move into third position in the table.

The home side made two changes from the 6-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Monday. Michael O’Connor departed for Ross County this week, so Niall O’Keeffe started. Will Fitzgerald was also included at the expense of Kurtis Byrne. 

Sligo opted for a much more attacking line-up after failing to  score in their last two games. Ryan De Vries, Alex Cooper and Niall Morahan came in to the side, with Will Seymore, Jesse Devers and Teemu Penninkangas dropping to the bench. Garry Buckley lined out at centre-half. 

It was a tepid opening to the game, which was brought to life by Smith’s opener.

Ali Coote’s knockdown fell into the path of the former Dundee United forward and he gave Ed McGinty no chance in the Sligo goal. 

Sligo’s best opening of the period came when Alex Cooper dispossessed Oluwatunmise Sobowale and was in on goal. 

The winger went around Brian Murphy but the angle meant he couldn’t shoot and the cross was cleared away by the Waterford defence. 

Liam Buckley’s men looked dangerous without creating any great chances, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was prevented from shooting by Murphy after David Cawley’s crisp pass on 28 minutes. 

Tyreke Wilson’s free-kick went over McGinty’s crossbar with 10 minutes left in the half and then a neat Sligo move involving five players ended with Cawley powering a cross into the box, but there wasn’t a red and white shirt there to convert. 

Ronan Coughlan’s best moment in the game came just 25 seconds into the second half as he advanced towards goal, cut onto his left foot and shot straight at Murphy who parried it away. 

Sligo had come out firing, it was Ryan De Vries’ turn next as he got in behind and tried to pick out one of three team-mates arriving into the box. Again, it didn’t land for the visitors, in what was a theme for the evening. 

Will Fitzgerald had a rare opening for Waterford as he was unmarked when Wilson crossed. However, he failed to get a proper connection on the head and it trickled wide. 

Sligo built a head of steam and were really pressurising a strongly-performing Waterford defence. Ronan Murray and Jesse Devers were introduced, Junior’s overhead kick failed to connect with just Murphy to beat and Regan Donelon couldn’t convert the follow-up. 

While it looked life Sligo were going to lay siege in the final 15 minutes, it certainly didn’t materialise as Waterford grew more into the game and comfortably saw it out, Buckley’s men creating no further chances of note. 

Sligo must now regroup for a must-win game against Derry City on Tuesday, while Waterford face the same opposition three days later, knowing they are now in pole position to repeat their finish of the 2018 season, and possibly challenge Dundalk for third position. 

Waterford: Brian Murphy; Oluwatunmise Sobowakle, Jake Davidson, Robbie McCourt, Tyreke Wilson; Alistair Coote, Robert Weir John Martin (Kurtis Byrne 71); Niall O’Keeffe (Shane Griffin 74), Matthew Smith, William Fitzgerald (Will Longbottom 84).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Lewis Banks, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Garry Buckley, Regan Donelon; Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Ryan De Vries (Jesse Devers 70); Alex Cooper (Ronan Murray 70), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Darragh Noone 84), Ronan Coughlan.

All five academy teams are again in action this coming weekend with three home games and two games on the road.

On Saturday morning, at the earlier time of 11:15am at The Sean Fallon Centre, our Under 13 team host Derry City.

The lads will he looking to finish the group stage strong with this tough fixture against a strong Derry side.

At 2pm, at the same venue, our under 17 side look to continue their unbeaten run in the group going when they host Longford Town. Last weekend saw Kailin Barlow score the only goal against Derry City away from home to continue Rovers’ good form.

Conor O’ Grady, Marcel Gordon & Paul Masterson take their under 15 side to Cootehill in Cavan to take on Cavan/Monaghan at 2pm. This is the final group game with Rovers top of the group on maximum points.

At 3:30pm our ladies team make the journey to Lissywoolen to take on Athlone Town. The team were down bodies last weekend against Peamount at home, and will be looking to bounce back here on Saturday.

Finally, our under 19 side host Longford Town on Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Rovers were well beaten in Derry last weekend, But will look to finish the group off with a win here.

Again we thank all our coaching staff for their continued hard work, the players for their efforts so far this season and their parents/guardians for their help in getting the kids to training and games since the return to football.

Sligo Rovers travel to Waterford on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the RSC.

It’s fourth v fifth in the table as the teams meet for the second and final time this year. 

Rovers, after making a blistering start to the resumed season, have a draw and defeat in their last two games. 

Bohemians claimed a 1-0 success in The Showgrounds last Friday. This is the beginning of three matches in six days for Rovers, half of the remainder of our games. 

In team news Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. Niall Morahan returns from a one-game ban

Kane, Olberkis and Collins are set to return to full training at stages next week. 

Liam Buckley said: “With six games to go, it’s all to play for in our season and we’re positive about the position we find ourselves in. This game is one that can have a big say in the outcome of the season, and I’m sure Waterford feel the same. 

“It was a tight game last week, there wasn’t a lot in it and Bohs scored late on. There’s more in us without doubt. It’s gone now and we have to look at the overall picture. We have a chance of a really good finish in the league and our target is to pick up as many points as we can. There’s going to be lots of twists and turns to come over the next five weeks.

“When we started back we said we’d take one game at a time and it’s been the case. We’ve also spoken about the ability we had within our group and the standing we had didn’t reflect it. The players have been terrific in terms of their application and effort and they’ve got us to this position by their own hard work. 

“We have this period to take us further, so we go to Waterford looking for the result.

“We’ll need to find a big performance to get it. It was an even game up the 41st minute for Waterford last Monday in Tallaght. We saw what a good side Bohs were last week and this Waterford team beat them 2-0 in a really impressive fashion. We know the dangers we face going down there. That said, we’re looking forward to the chance to respond to last week after a good week of training and preparation. The previous game was won with the last kick of the ball last time we met and it’s going to be as competitive again .”

Sligo Rovers trained today for the penultimate time before facing Waterford FC this Saturday in the RSC.

With just six league games to go, the Bit O’ Red are in fifth place in the table and trail this weekend’s opposition by a point going into the game.

View images from today’s session compiled by our media team.

Sligo Rovers will play Derry City on a new date – Tuesday 29 September – with the game moved from October due to international call-ups.

The SSE Airtricity Premier Division match in The Showgrounds will kick-off at 7:45pm next Tuesday. The match had been due to be played on 11 October.

The game with Shamrock Rovers in Dublin next week will be live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and WATCHLOI.

Our new fixture list is published as below.

Due to international windows, and the rescheduling of another game involving Derry City, plus TV coverage meaning games can not be moved, it has left little room for an alternative date for this fixture and as such this Derry game will take place next week.

Supporters successful in getting a ticket for this Derry game will be contacted in the next 72 hours.

We are incorporating all season ticket and associate sponsor ticket holders who have not attended a game since the restart in a ballot.

On Friday our under 13 team made the short trip to Ballybofey to take on Finn Harps at Finn Park.

The lads created a number of chances and played some good football throughout, but were defeated 2-0 with Harps scoring two well taken goals.

Saturday saw our under 15 squad host Derry City at The Showgrounds. Sam Tuohy gave Rovers the lead with his first goal of the season after a clever run and finish after 20 minutes. The visitors levelled soon after with a fantastic goal of their own, with winger Trent Doherty finding the top corner.

Ronan Niland was intoduced in the second half and his strike gave Rovers all three points with one more group game remaining this weekend in Cavan.

Sunday saw the top two teams in our under 17 group face off in a tight encounter in Aileach, Donegal. The game was scoreless deep into the second half when captain Kailin Barlow struck to secure all three points for the Bit O’ Red.

Rovers remain unbeaten in the group and now face Longford Town on Saturday at The Sean Fallon Centre, hoping to secure our spot at the top of the group.

Also on Sunday our under 19 team suffered defeat at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, on a scoreline of 6-1.

Mark Byrne’s penalty proved only consolation on the day. Rovers now face Longford Town this Sunday at home in the final group game.

On Sunday evening, our ladies team hosted Peamount at The Showgrounds. The Dubliners took all three points with three well taken goals on a beautiful evening for football.

The girls face Athlone town this Saturday away from home, and will be hoping to bounce back as we pass the halfway mark in the group.

Team sponsors:

Under 13: Pure Telecom

Under 15: O’ Connor Cabins

Under 17: Ivor Parke Paintor & Decorators

Under 19: www.ejmenswear.com

Ladies Under 17: Verus Metrology

Sligo Rovers WU17s were defeated for the first time this season as they were defeated 3-0 by an impressive Peamount side at the Showgrounds on Sunday evening.

The Dubliners went ahead in the first-half, and added their second and third goals of the evening in the second-half, earning a well deserved victory against a steely Rovers side.

The Bit O’Red started well, and a good interception from Aoife O’Leary in the Peas defence put an end to a lovely move involving Ciara Henry and Alison Langdon-Long.

Amy Mahon in the Rovers goals kept the visitors scoreless with a super save from an Orlagh Fitzpatrick shot.

Keela Scanlon forced a good save from Ciara Glackin in the Peas goals after eight minutes when she got on the end of a fine through ball from Ciara Henry.

Another strong shot from distance was well held by Amy Mahon, before the Dubliners took the lead on 24 minutes.

Becky Watkins got on the end of the impressive Orlagh Fitzpatrick’s corner, knocking past Mahon from close range to make it 1-0.

Fitzpatrick forced another good save from Mahon seconds later, before the Dubliners should have extended their lead when Della Doherty played a great ball to Abbie Clarke, the tall striker just nodded her effort wide.

Rovers started well after the restart, but they went further behind on 49 minutes when Della Doherty headed past Mahon from close range.

The hosts didn’t give up, however, and went on in search of a goal with Kate Nugent trying her luck from distance, watching on as it was wide of the mark.

Substitute Ella Maree made it 3-0 on 74 minutes. Rovers fought hard for the remaining 15 minutes with Maeve Molloy troubling the Peas defence, but the stronger team won on the day.

Sligo Rovers: Amy Mahon, Keela Scanlon (Maeve Molloy, 75), Sarah Kiernan, Emer O’Neill, Kate Nugent, Erin Taheny, Alison Langdon-Long (Eimear McIntyre,18), Helen Monaghan, Ciara Henry, Jessica Casey (Aine Gorman, 58), Cathy Harrison.

(Jessica Farry)

View a selection of images from the 1-0 defeat to Bohemians on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity League. Photography by James Fallon.

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