The need for change

According to Tommy Higgins, club chairman, ‘Sligo Rovers status as a community club is a valued element of our history and tradition. The club has survived some very difficult times due to the relentless commitment of our dedicated volunteers. These people contribute enormously to the funding and operation of our club.

The League of Ireland is now a different place. Clubs have adopted new commercial models and are benefiting from significant external investment. Success in the League of Ireland leads to European competition and the substantial financial benefits that brings. The gap is widening every year.

I think our ambition as a proud club must not be limited to survival, every supporter wants to see their beloved Rovers compete, thrive and prosper.

The model we have has served this club well for almost a hundred years. But the football environment we find ourselves in has changed around us. The Society must ensure that its structures are fit for the challenges Sligo Rovers faces, and can attract the resources we need to compete at the highest levels.

Thankfully, when we are looking at potential structure and funding models, it is not an ‘either/or’ scenario. It is not a binary choice between a rigid membership structure and an openly commercial arrangement.

Since our last AGM in April we have been researching the legal, financial and administrative issues to increase funding for the Club. We are heartened and encouraged to discover that viable funding and investment opportunities do not have to undermine the role and benefits of member ownership. The members can remain in control, and can determine the opportunities to be taken.’

The Sligo Rovers restructuring proposals

It is envisaged that the Sligo Football and Sport Development Society – Sligo Rovers – will establish a new company to manage the football operations of the Club, including the men’s and women’s senior teams and the Academy.

The Society will own 100% of the shares in the new company and will appoint its directors. The Society itself will continue to hold the lease on Sligo Showgrounds, which runs until June 2064, and will remain responsible for operating the physical facilities at the grounds and for delivering the new stadium.

Showgrounds secure

It is important to note that the legal status of the Showgrounds is not affected in any way by this proposal, the Society is the tenant under the lease with the Trustees of Sligo Showgrounds until June 2064, this will not change, The Trustees are fully supportive of the proposed restructuring.

Additionally, the development plan for the new stadium is fully funded and external funding is not required. The €16.4 million Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund grant awarded to the Society, and the €6 million in Immigrant Investor Programme funding for facilities at the new stadium, are unaffected by the proposals.

New era

Tommy concluded ‘We are embarking on a process that is open and transparent. Our members will make a fully informed decision based on our engagement with them

The Club is at a pivotal juncture, the next few weeks are critical.

This is about modernising how the club is run and securing what we hold for the generations coming after us.

We urge all the members of our Society to participate in these vital decisions on the future of the club.’

What happens next

As a member owned co-operative, the decision on the restructuring rests entirely with the Society’s shareholders, who will consider the proposals at upcoming special general meetings.

The Society has written to shareholders to inform them that proposals for the modernisation of the Society’s structure will be brought before general meetings in September and October.

In the coming days the Society will also write to long-term contributors to the Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club who may be entitled under the Society’s Rules to apply for membership. These important supporters of the club will be invited to complete applications so that they can attend and vote at the general meetings.

Formal notice of the general meetings will be issued by post to members in early September. The frequently asked questions below set out the proposals in more detail. Questions may be directed to the Membership Team by email at membership@sligorovers.com, or by telephone on 071 9171212, selecting option 8, which allows the caller to leave a message.

The Society & the Club
Who owns Sligo Rovers?
Sligo Rovers is owned and operated by the Sligo Football and Sport Development Society, a community-based, member-owned co-operative governed by the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. The Society oversees the club’s men’s and women’s senior teams and Academy, develops sporting and recreational facilities, and delivers community football responsibility programmes for all ages, including Easter and summer camps for children.

Who owns Sligo Showgrounds?
The 12 acre Sligo Showgrounds is held in trust forever for the benefit of the public, particularly the people of County Sligo. The Trustees lease the grounds to the Society and the current lease runs until June 2064. The restructuring proposal will not affect this lease.

What is Being Proposed
Is Sligo Rovers being sold?
No the club is not being sold. The changes proposed will modernise our club, strengthen our football and property management operations, improve on-field performance and create new commercial opportunities to grow and sustain Sligo Rovers into the future.

What changes are proposed?
It is proposed that the Society establish a new company to manage and operate Sligo Rovers’ football activities, with the aim of competing at the highest possible level in Ireland and Europe. The Society will own 100 per cent of the new company and appoint its directors.

What stays with the Society?
The Society will continue to manage the Showgrounds, including its community and football social responsibility activities. It will also oversee the development of the new stadium and manage its facilities once completed. The new company will be licensed as the football club to use the facilities it needs for matches, training and Academy activities at the Showgrounds.

Will members own shares in the new company, and what happens to existing shareholders?
No. The Society will own 100 per cent of the shares in the new company, while members will continue to own shares in the Society. Nothing changes for existing shareholders. The Society will continue to hold the lease on the Showgrounds, the club’s public funding grant awards and the Sligo Rovers identity.

Do the members benefit financially from the proposed restructuring?
No – the shares in the Society are essentially proof of membership, have no financial value and cannot be traded. The shares in the new company will have only a small nominal value and will be owned collectively by the Society.

Will assets transfer from the Society to the new company?
Yes. Those assets needed to operate the football activities will transfer to the new company, including cash resources, ticketing, merchandise, employment and supplier contracts, and equipment. Other assets, including the use of the stadium facilities and the club’s identity, will be licensed to the new company rather than transferred. Resources will be reallocated to ensure both the Society and the new company remain viable, with all arrangements made in accordance with legal and tax advice, and will be legally binding.

How will the club’s heritage be protected?
The club has played at the Showgrounds since 1928 and means a great deal to supporters across Sligo and the north-west as the spiritual home of the club. The club’s identity and its ongoing base at the Showgrounds will be protected through legally binding agreements between the Society and the new company. Sligo Rovers will always be the Bit O’Red, and the club’s heritage will have a prominent place in the new stadium, including a club museum and heritage displays in supporter hospitality areas.

I volunteer for Sligo Rovers – will the proposed changes affect this?
Most certainly not. Volunteerism is the lifeblood of our club and will continue to be so. Your help will still be needed and valued to sustain our community club.

The Need for Change
Why are these changes needed?
The League of Ireland has become increasingly competitive, particularly for member-owned regional clubs like Sligo Rovers. Privately funded clubs, especially those in larger population centres, have greater access to revenue streams, resources and players, and have reduced travel overheads.Sligo Rovers’ operating budget and operating costs have doubled in the past five years, while volunteer fundraising and existing commercial income are increasingly stretched. Borrowing to fund the club is neither sensible nor sustainable. The current financial model is no longer sustainable and the changes proposed will help us generate the resources and investment needed for our teams and academy to be competitive at the elite level of soccer in Ireland. The proposed structure will allow the club to modernise, grow its revenues and create the option to attract minority investment in the new company in the future.

Is this because of the club’s current league position?
No. These are long-term changes designed to secure the club’s future as it approaches its second century. They are not a response to the results of any one season. The stadium development and proposed restructuring will proceed as planned. The restructuring process will not detract from the club’s football operations. Everyone at Sligo Rovers remains fully committed to retaining our Premier Division status this season.

How the Decisions Will be Made
How will these changes be decided?
The Society is a member co-operative and operates on the principle of one member, one vote. Any changes to the Society and Sligo Rovers will be decided by its members. The Society Committee, chaired by Tommy Higgins, will present the proposals at two special general meetings, in September and October, with members expected to make a final decision at the October meeting.

How many members are in the Society?
The Society currently has just under 400 members. A further 600 people approximately are long-term contributors to the Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club and may be entitled, under the Society Rules, to apply for membership. All of these prospective members are being written to by the 500 Club in mid-August, advising them of their potential entitlement to membership and providing details of how to apply to the Society.

Why are new members being admitted now, shortly before an important vote?
This is the culmination of a long-running process to update the Society’s share register. Before a vote of this significance takes place, it is important that the Society’s membership register is as accurate and complete as possible, and that everyone entitled to participate has the opportunity to do so.

Who can attend the general meetings?
Attendance is limited to Society shareholders and those entitled to membership privileges under the Society’s Rules. Notices will be issued to everyone eligible ahead of the meetings. Eligibility to attend will be strictly observed, and a copy of the meeting notice will be required for admission.

I think I may be entitled to membership. What should I do?
Prospective members will be written to in the coming days and will be given details on how to apply for membership of the society if they are interested. Applications can be completed online using the link provided in the letter, returned by post using the enclosed form or the form can be emailed to the club. Please apply promptly, no later than Friday, 4th September, to allow time for your application to be considered so that you can be sent a meeting notice. If you do not receive a letter and believe you may be entitled to membership, please contact us at membership@sligorovers.com or call 071 9171212, selecting option 8 to leave a message at any time. Membership enquiries are being handled by a dedicated volunteer team and not by staff at the Showgrounds. Any enquiries made at the Showgrounds will be referred to this team. Please allow a few days for a response. Every message will be answered. Applications are considered by the Committee. Those approved for membership will be entitled to attend the general meetings and have their say on the proposed changes, and will receive notice to attend at least 14 days before the scheduled meeting.

What are the voting thresholds at the two meetings?
Each meeting requires a quorum of 50 members. At the first meeting, each resolution requires 75 per cent approval to proceed to a final vote. At the second meeting, a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one will confirm approval of the resolutions.

What happens if members do not approve the proposals?
If the proposals are not approved, the Society will continue under its existing structure. The Committee believes the proposed changes are in the Society’s best interests, but the decision to approve the restructuring changes rests entirely with members.

Has legal advice been taken?
Yes. Legal advice has confirmed that the proposed changes comply with the Society’s Rules and the laws governing Industrial and Provident Societies.

Does the FAI have any say in the proposed changes?
The FAI has a pivotal role in the licencing of clubs for the competitions it organises. The club has consulted with the FAI, which has outlined the important licensing requirements that will apply. Licensing transfers are only considered by the FAI in the League of Ireland off season (mid-November to mid-February). If the proposed changes are approved by members, an application to transfer the club’s FAI licence to the new company will be made, with the hope that the transfer will be approved by the FAI before the 2027 season begins.

Could this cost Sligo Rovers a European place under UEFA’s rules on change of legal entity?
UEFA’s “three‑year rule” is designed to prevent clubs from artificially altering their legal or operational status to gain a competitive advantage. In our case the changes proposed are for genuine operational and commercial reasons and the club can seek a UEFA dispensation should it qualify for Europe in the 3 years after the changes take effect.

What is the timescale?
The immediate focus is on securing member approval at the special general meetings in September and October. If approved, the restructuring and FAI licensing process would then be completed during the close season, ahead of the new season in February 2027.

Sligo Showgrounds & the New Stadium
What happens to Sligo Showgrounds if the restructuring is approved?
Nothing changes. The Society will remain the tenant in the Showgrounds until June 2064, at which time a new lease can be sought. The Society will continue to manage the facilities and lead the development of the new stadium. The Trustees, custodians of the grounds, are supportive of the proposed restructuring. The new company providing football operations will license use of facilities at the stadium including the 2 pitches, changing rooms, officials rooms, medical and anti-doping rooms, gymnasium, broadcast facilities, ticketing facilities, merchandise shop and coach/staff parking. As the Society itself is remaining unchanged the €16.4 million Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund grant and the €6.0 million in funding approved through the Immigrant Investor Programme are unaffected. The Government grant also places long-term protections on the Showgrounds, including requirements to maintain the stadium and its continued use as a multi-sport facility for at least 25 years from its completion.

What is the status of the new stadium project?
The Committee is working to complete the final legal approvals with Government Departments. All local authority approvals, including planning, fire safety and disabled access, are in place, and the detailed pre-tender design is nearing completion.The Society expects to publish the stadium delivery programme by October, with the tender process to follow. The stadium remains on course for delivery in late 2028, Sligo Rovers’ centenary year.

Future External Investment
Is there a new investor coming into the Society or the club?
There is no current proposal to bring a new investor into Sligo Rovers.

How might an investor come into the club in future, and when?
The new company will provide a structure for a future strategic partnership and investment in Sligo Rovers, with the Society retaining majority control. Any investment proposal will be put to Society members for approval. There is no current plan to bring in an investor, but the Committee believes the process to assess investment opportunities could begin as early as 2027 if the proposed changes are approved.

Would the Showgrounds or the Society itself form any part of a future investment?
No. Any future external investment will be in the new company, not the Society or the Showgrounds. The new stadium development at the Showgrounds is fully funded and does not require external investment. The Society will remain a 100 per cent member-owned co-operative.

Match night sponsor: Alert Fire Protection, Sligo

Match ball sponsor: Kilfree Limited.

The Showgrounds hosts Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup football for the first time in two years this Saturday, as Sligo Rovers take on Kerry FC in a repeat of last year’s dramatic last eight tie at Mounthawk Park.

This third round tie will be the first time Rovers have been at home in four games in this competition after all of last year’s rounds and our 2024 defeat to Drogheda, were played away from home. 

A win for Rovers would put the Bit O’Red in the quarter-finals for the second year running. Last year’s cup run ended with a chastening night for Rovers in Kerry, the hosts reversing a three goal deficit to win the game by a goal. 

Colin Healy’s side are in superb form at the moment, with seven wins from their last ten games, including a penalty shoot-out victory over Shelbourne in the last round. The Kingdom currently sit in sixth in the First Division, lying just outside the play-offs. 

Archie Meekison returns to Rovers’ match-day squad having missed the last two games through suspension. Luke Pearce, a late withdrawal from the Derry game, will be assessed having picked up a muscle injury in the Drogheda game. As will Daire Patton who continues to recover from a bout of appendicitis.

New signings Kaiyne Woolery and Luke Young’s international transfer clearance was approved on Friday and both will be available for selection.

“If previous results affect you then you’re probably in the wrong game”, Darren Purse tells sligorovers.com when pressed on whether or not last year’s result will play on minds ahead of the game. 

“You have to put those bad results to the side. I don’t think that will affect our lads at all in their approach.

“Was it disappointing? Yes. But that’s well gone and now the players prepare for a game which will hopefully see us progress.”

Kerry come into this tie on the back of a defeat to runaway First Division leaders Cork City, a game which they led for 44 minutes until the Rebels equalised and scored two more before the end. 

Purse feels the Green and Gold won’t lack confidence or desire as they look to cause another FAI Cup shock, but is eager for his squad to progress at the weekend and use this game as a confidence booster for games ahead. 

“We watched the Cork game and they’re a good side on a good run”, he says. 

“They’ll come expecting to hit us with another upset but it’s up to us to put to bed what went on last year. 

“We need to build some sort of momentum as quick as we can because we have three really big league games coming up. Winning on Saturday can give us a springboard to go and pick up results in the league.

“When we play a system which sees us nick a couple of results, we’ll know that that is our system. So let’s see how the weekend goes and we’ll take it from there.

“We have more players within the group and that should bring competition and impetus with it to go and do well. If the game goes for us, then we’re on a run of losing just one game in five going into the last round of league fixtures.” 

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm.

David Goulden

Darren Purse has added experience and attacking power to his Sligo Rovers squad with the addition of both Luke Young and Kaiyne Woolery, both of whom have joined the club on deals until the end of the current season.

Young, 33, is an accomplished central midfielder and brings with him to the Bit O’Red, the experience of almost 600 senior career appearances in English football, including time with Wrexham, Plymouth and Cheltenham Town.

While winger Woolery, who can play up top is 31 and arrives at the Showgrounds following spells in the UK, Greece and Turkey.

Both players have signed subject to international transfer clearance and the club is hopeful both will be available for Saturday’s Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup tie with Kerry at the Showgrounds.

A former club captain at Wrexham, Young began his career alongside his new manager Purse and assistant Warren Feeney at Plymouth. Here, all three helped the Pilgrims survive relegation from the football league with two games to spare, despite being nine points adrift mid-way through the season.

Young was a regular feature in the Wexham side which won the National League in 2023 and finished runner-up in League Two a year later.

“He’s had an exceptional career and is someone myself and Warren know really well”, Purse tells sligorovers.com.

“Luke is in our position now when we were at Plymouth given that we were the elder statesmen. It’s not surprising to me how well he’s done in his career and hopefully he can help us do what he, myself and Warren did at Plymouth all those years ago and stay in the division.

“We’ve got some good young talent in our squad but they need some help. Both Luke and Kaiyne are that little but older. I think they’ll help not only the younger boys but also lads like Carl McHugh who is a lone voice a little bit and Gareth McElroy who’s an exceptional young leader and I feel the new boys can bring him on.

“We’ve had a lot of offers of younger players here but I don’t think that’s what we need at this moment. It’s taken a week or two longer to bring them in, but I wasn’t happy with just signing anyone. I want to sign the right ones that give us the best possible chance of getting out of the position we’re in.”

Six points off safety but with a full round of games yet to play, Plymouth native Young says he is keen to repay the trust shown in him by his former team-mates and is ready to go to battle as Rovers attempt to pull off a great escape of our own.

“I know the manager from playing with him at Plymouth when I was a young pro. I was in touch with him shortly after he became boss here and the move came from there”, Young says.

“It’s great to come to a club where you are wanted and Darren knows exactly what I’m like, both as a player and a person. He made it very clear to me that he wanted me at the club and now it’s time for me to prove I’m good enough to earn his trust and that of the fans and club.

“I’ve done my research into the league and the club. I won’t say I know too much about either but I do know it’s a tricky league to play in. It seems any team can beat any team really and to me that is part of the challenge, to be on top of your game every week. I’m looking forward to it.

“We’re obviously not in the best situation in terms of the league table. But we need to hit that challenge full on. I’ve had my experiences with relegation battles and have come out the right end of them. Hopefully my time at Rovers will be no different. Any little bit of help I can give, I will.

“I’ll do my best to squeeze every ounce of experience I have out of myself and drive up standards. I’m here to fight and to try and make sure this club is still in the Premier Division come the winter.”

Winger Woolery is a native of Hackney in London who most recently lined out for League Two side Tranmere Rovers who he assisted in avoiding the drop.

His career spans fifteen or so years and has brought him from England to Motherwell in Scotland and Sakaryaspor in Turkey to Ionikos in Greece.

“He was in a battle with Tranmere last year and we spoke with plenty of people around Tranmere”, Purse says.

“What kept coming back to me was the message that Kaiyne is the sort of person you’d go to war with. And that’s what you want when you’re fighting to stay in a division. He’s experienced, athletic and wants to run in behind. He brings versatility to our front line, which we maybe lack at the moment.”

“I like to play with power, be direct and carry the team up the pitch and play in behind or on the counter”, Woolery states.

“It only takes a few good results and you’re right back in amongst the other teams in the division and that’s what I’m here to help do.

“What’s exciting for me is that anything can happen. We have a full round of games still to go so there’s plenty of time for anything to happen and we’ve got the cup to look forward to.

“I’m delighted to work with Darren as he has so much experience in the game and plays football the way I like to play so I’m excited to see how we can implement his style on our own. Hopefully it works out now and we get back to winning ways.”

David Goulden

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers extended an unbeaten Women’s Premier Division (WPD) sequence to 10 games following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds against Galway Utd as Gracie Dunaway and Emma Doherty traded goals in each half.

Dunaway gave Sligo Rovers the lead with her first goal for the club midway through the opening half while Emma Doherty equalised for Galway five minutes into the second-half.

Galway Utd came into the crucial encounter after failing to win midweek at Dalymount Park while in the Women’s FAI Cup quarter-final last weekend they needed extra-time for a 2-1 victory after a scoreless 90 minutes against the Bit O’Red.

Saturday’s draw at the Showgrounds saw Phil Trill’s side drop from second to third in the table some four points adrift of leaders Athlone Town while Sligo Rovers consolidated fifth place with eight games remaining.

Both teams featured changes from the WFAI Cup game with Haylee Mersereau making her first start for the Bit O’Red after a substitute appearance last weekend against Galway when she replaced Sabrina Hillyer.

For Galway, Remina Tillotson was unavailable following a red card in that midweek game against Bohemians while Aoibhin Donnelly and Cara Griffin also dropped to the bench. The trio of Aislinn Meaney, Ava Mullins and Ella Raimondi deputised.

There were a number of individual battles over the 90 minutes with the Doherty duel the most intriguing as Alana Doherty for Sligo Rovers curtailed Galway’s Emma Doherty who was frequently caught offside.

Then there was the midfield tussle between Cara Jordan and Galway’s Niamh Farrelly as both players enjoyed periods of dominance. Jordan certainly shaded the verdict in terms of work rate and carved out numerous chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Sligo Rovers lost Anna McDaniel to an early injury and she was replaced by Cara King in what was a high-tempo opening half.

The warning signs were there for Galway as early as the 17th minute when Gracie Dunaway beat two Galway defenders and tested Amanda McQuillan’s shot-stopping ability.

However, McQuillan had to pick the ball out of the net midway through the half when Dunaway swivelled smartly on Jordan’s cross into the penalty area and gave her side a merited lead.

The Jordan – Dunaway combination continued to test the Galway defence for the remainder of the half with McQuillan saving well on the stroke of half-time.

Galway resumed the second-half smartly and on the one occasion that offside wasn’t a factor, Emma Doherty headed her side level with an excellent finish from a 50th minute corner.

Both sides worked hard for the remainder and it was evident that Galway found the going tough in the closing stages as they resorted to the long ball in an effort to grab that elusive second goal.

At the other end, the assistant-referee appeared to flag for a 90th minute infringement against a Sligo Rovers player on the edge of the Galway penalty area, but the referee let play continue ahead of the final whistle.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Ava Hallinan, Haylee Mersereau, Alanah Doherty, Alice Lillie, Emma Duffy, Cara Jordan, Ella Karolak, Olivia Rush, Gracie Dunaway, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Cara King for McDaniel 13 mins, Sarah McCaffrey for Hallinan 60m, Gio Dionicio for Dunaway and Paula McGrory for Duffy both 85m.

Galway Utd – Amanda McQuillan; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isabella Beletic, Niamh Cotter, Niamh Farrelly, Aislinn Meaney, Ella Raimondi, Amy Tierney, Ava Mullin, Emma Doherty.

Subs – Aoibhin Donnelly for Tierney 63 mins, Cara Griffin for Meaney 74m.

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant-referees – Richard Storey, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Darren Corcoran.

Sligo Rovers suffered defeat for the first time under the stewardship of Darren Purse on Friday night as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Second half strikes from Barry Cotter and Adam O’Reilly saw Rovers defeated for the first time in four games and extends our search for a league win to ten games, when we face Waterford at the Showgrounds on August 21st. 

Without a number of players through injury including the late withdrawal of Luke Pearse and Kevin Zefi along with suspended winger Archie Meekison, Purse’s side were up against it from the start at a venue Rovers haven’t won a game at in six years.  

City’s James Clarke struck the frame of the Sligo goal on the quarter hour, while clumsy play in our midfield allowed Michael Duffy the chance to find the opener. Mercifully, he dragged his effort across goal with an incoming Derry player unable to get to the ball at the back post. 

Clarke fired wide again on 25 minutes, Cameron Dummigan pulled a save from Sam Sargeant, while the Rovers keeper denied Darragh Burns before the break as the managerless Derry continued to ask questions of Rovers’ rearguard. 

The game’s first goal arrived on 53 minutes when Cotter headed a Burns corner past the busy Sargeant, who did get a touch to the ball. 

Duffy smashed the Rovers crossbar just short of the hour as Rovers continued to struggle and the defence was easily unlocked again on 64 when O’Reilly and Liam Boyce played a one-two before the former executed a smart finish. 

Rovers’ next game is our Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup clash with Kerry at the Showgrounds on Saturday, August 15th. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Derry City: Brian Maher, Barry Cotter (James Olayinka 74), Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McClean, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster; Nick Twisk (Tyler Smith 74), Adam O’Reilly, James Clarke; Darragh Burns (Conor Barr 64), Liam Boyce (Ellis Chapman 83), Michael Duffy.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Sebastian Quirk (Jamie McGonigle 64), Jack Shorrock, Cian Kavanagh, Oliver Denham, Carl McHugh, Trey George (James McManus 55), Kyle McDonagh (Sean Stewart 64), Ryan O’Kane (Alex Nolan 55), Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium is Sligo Rovers’ destination this (Friday) evening as the Bit O’Red take on Derry City in what is our final game of the third round of Premier Division fixtures.

Unbeaten in three, Rovers will travel to Derry hoping to pick up a first win at the Lone Moor Road venue since the summer of 2020, a game which marked the re-start of football after the covid 19 pandemic. 

This will be Rovers’ second visit to Derry this season and the first time since City’s new hybrid pitch was laid. Sligo were beaten by an injury time Josh Thomas goal on the opening night of the season, the last time we played there. While April’s joust between the clubs at the Showgrounds ended in a scoreless stalemate.

Darren Purse’s side go into this game three points adrift, knowing a win would move us level with Waterford who play on Sunday.

This is also the Candystripes’ first game since former manager Tiernan Lynch departed the club on Wednesday afternoon. Director of Football Mark Connolly will lead their side for tonight’s game. 

Rovers will travel north without Archie Meekison who will serve the second of a two match ban. 

Injured duo Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds are likely to be out for the rest of the season, while Daire Patton is struggling with appendicitis and is likely to miss out. 

Kevin Zefi should be OK, despite picking up an injury in the lead up to last week’s game with Dundalk at Oriel Park. 

Previewing the game, Purse tells sligorovers.com that a change in personnel on the Derry bench is likely to make little difference to what lies ahead. 

Purse is also looking forward to getting back to playing on grass after last week’s game on the Dundalk astro.

“Our preference is grass”, he says. 

“But I can understand why clubs change. But Derry looks fantastic now and it’s one that we can go up there and look to play some really good football on. But I think it’s what we do out of possession of the ball that will dictate whether or not we get a result from the game. 

“I thought we deserved more out of Drogheda but I don’t think we deserved much from Dundalk, so it’s been a tale of two games really. One we deserved the point and one we maybe didn’t. I think we need to try and get more control in games if we can and that’s one of our main aims. 

“Derry will be tough. They’ve a huge squad to choose from and they’ll provide a challenge but it’s one my players will be up for.

“Tiernan leaving doesn’t change much. They’ve still a big squad and plenty of options. They’ll probably change things a bit, their shape, they might go a bit more direct. We don’t know? We’ll have to be adaptable. 

“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves. We try to approach every game as best we can. It’s what we do as a team that can get us out of the position we’re in. That’s all I and we can focus on. Whatever happens after that, we’ll have to manage and deal with from there.”

Kick-off at the Brandywell is 7.45pm. 

David Goulden

BY CONALL COLLIER

Three extra-time goals decided this absorbing Women’s Club Orange FAI Cup quarter-final on Saturday as hosts Galway Utd survived a stern Sligo Rovers examination to emerge on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline.

Emma Doherty’s goals in each half of that extra-time gave Galway a hard-earned victory as they hung on after Cara Jordan’s opportunist strike revived the Bit O’Red and set up a nail biting conclusion.

The sides finished scoreless after a high-tempo 90 minutes during which each team enjoyed periods of dominance without breaking the deadlock.

Bit O’Red boss Gavin Hughes made one change from the team that won the previous week with Gracie Dunaway starting in place of the injured Emma Hansberry.

Galway supremo Phil Trill made two changes with Amanda McQuillan returning between the posts in place of Nicole Nix and Amy Tierney started at the expense of Eve Dossen

Sligo Rovers stood strong for the opening 45 minutes and successfully frustrated the best efforts of the hosts who created an early chance through Emma Doherty that Bonnie McKiernan tipped away for a corner.

Doherty was well-contained by Alice Lillie initially and when she switched sides there wasn’t any compromise from Sabrina Hillyer against the former Sligo Rovers striker.

Hillyer was harshly penalised with a yellow card on 34 minutes, but soon after a Galway player escaped censure following a similar type of challenge.

Galway ‘keeper McQuillan showed her quality close to the interval when she raced out of her penalty area and won a crucial race for possession with Gracie Dunaway and averted the danger as it remained scoreless at the interval. 

Sligo Rovers dominated the early second-half exchanges but a number of promising moves were thwarted by the Galway offside tactic.

Nevertheless, Cara Jordan and Anna  McDaniel had shots on target, but Galway absorbed the pressure and gradually took a grip.

Remina Tillotson had the best chance for Galway when she denied in the 75^th minute, but her goal-bound header was cleared off the line.

Sligo Rovers countered swiftly and Cara Jordan’s pass set up Alice Lillie who shot narrowly wide.

Extra-time was only five minutes old when Galway broke the deadlock through Emma Doherty who got a vital touch from close range. 

Doherty made it 2-0 with a fine goal in the second-half of extra-time, but that late Cara Jordan goal had Galway scrambling for survival in five minutes of added time.

Galway Utd – Amanda McQuillan; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isabella Beletic, Remina Tillotson, Niamh Cotter, Aoibhin Donnelly, Cara Griffin, Amy Tierney, Emma Doherty, Niamh Farrelly. 

Subs – Ava Mullins for Griffin and Aislinn Meaney for Tierney both 63 mins, Grace Donnelly for Gleeson 117m

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

Subs – Haylee Mersereau for Hillyer and Cara King for Dunaway both 68 mins, Gio Dionicio for Doherty 85m, Paula McGrory for Hallinan 95m, Sarah McCaffrey for McDaniel 106m, 

Referee – Mark Patchell.

Assistant-referees – Paul Farrell, Thomas Joyce.

Fourth official – Shane O’Donoghue.

Sligo Rovers’ injury time hero Gareth McElroy believes his late equaliser at Oriel Park on Friday night will do wonders for his team mates’ confidence, as the Bit O’Red finally saw some small fortune swing their way.

McElroy netted in the 91st minute to rescue what may prove to be a vital point for Rovers come season’s end, after former Sligo winger and Dundalk skipper Daryl Horgan had the Lilywhites in the lead mid-way through the opening half. 

This was welcome luck and relief after the last few weeks which saw Rovers concede late on and drop vital points in games against Drogheda, Galway, Shelbourne and St Pat’s.

In what was new boss Darren Purse’s first away game in charge, Rovers found it difficult to set a steady foot in this game early on. Sam Sargeant had to deny Horgan from just one yard out at his back post ten minutes in. While Trevor Clarke smashed Sargeant’s crossbar nine minutes later, just after Luke Pearse had Rovers’ first chance of the game with a header. 

Clarke again went close once more, this time a mis-directed header before the break.

Rovers were much improved in the second period and new boy Jack Shorrock, one of the stand out performers of the evening, had Dundalk ‘keeper Enda Minogue reaching to push the Port Vale’s loanee’s hammered strike over his crossbar shortly after the re-start. 

McElroy caused issues for a Dundalk defence which was pulled all over the place from the resulting Shorrock corner. The former Derry youth’s header bounced off the floor in front of Minogue as the effort fizzed past the post. 

The home side went ahead on 53 minutes when Horgan finished into the roof of the net and things could have got a lot worse for Rovers eight minutes later only for more magic from Sargeant. 

Irish international Horgan nodded Bobby Burns’ over-cooked cross into the path of Cian Dillon who was denied by another close range stop from the superb Sargeant who then kept out a Ronan Teahan drive from distance as Ciaran Kilduff’s side looked to kill the game.

Sargeant’s fine work wasn’t to prove fruitless as Purses’ men campaigned their way to that injury time leveller.

The busy Cian Kavanagh won a free ten yards from the edge of the Dundalk area, which Daire Patton took. Patton’s initial effort was repelled by a Dundalk defender only for Kyle McDonagh to swing the ball back into the mixer. More chaos ensued inside the Louth side’s penalty area as Minogue failed to make clean contact with the ball which instead fell to debutant Trey George. 

The Cardiff loanee’s potshot took a deflection off a defender before landing in front of McElroy who gleefully prodded the ball between two Dundalk players to cap off some wonderful late drama. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com following all that late theatre, McElroy says he feels the result was some small justice following a few weeks of change and uncertainty at the Showgrounds. 

“I think it’s massive to be honest”, he told Jack Dempsey. 

“We really needed it. The position we’re in, points are vital. Some days, it just doesn’t go your way and if you can get a point, even three, then you know you’ve done something right. I feel like we had other chances so really, we could have won it.

 “We were disappointed in conceding a soft goal but we’ll work to make sure that doesn’t happen again.   

“Hopefully that’ll see our luck turn a wee bit.

“That’s three games unbeaten now and that gives us all confidence, the whole club.” 

Dundalk: Minogue; Burns, Animasahun, Cornwall, Teahan; Dervin, Buckley (Gaxha 71); Clarke (McDaid 71), Groome (Grivosti 63), Horgan; Dillon (Vassenin 87).

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Stewart (McDonagh 81); Pearce (Quirk 36), McHugh, McManus (Patton 63), Shorrock (George 63); Kavanagh, McGonigle.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

David Goulden

New manager Darren Purse brings his Sligo Rovers side on the road for the first time, as the Bit O’Red head to Oriel Park to face Dundalk, this evening (Friday).

Kick-off is 7.45pm at the Louth venue as Rovers go in search of a first league win in eight and the opportunity to move off the league’s bottom spot.

Sligo come into this tie on the back of late disappointment against Drogheda United at the Showgrounds last weekend. A brace from the now in-form Cian Kavanagh, overturned Drogs’ one goal advantage, only for the visitors to strike for an equaliser in the fifth minute of added time. 

Rovers have already faced the Lilywhites twice this term, with both camps enjoying wins over the other. 

One of the surprise packages of 2026, Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk occupy the league’s fourth spot ahead of tonight’s game with 36 points gathered from their 25 games played.

In team news and as of Friday morning, Rovers will again be without long-term injury victims Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds. Archie Meekison is suspended after he was red carded late on last week and will serve the first of a two game ban.

New signings Jack Shorrock and Trey George, both of whom arrived on loan this week are available for their debuts. While midfielders Daire Patton and Kevin Zefi should also be fit to play. 

Will Fitzgerald has departed for Shamrock Rovers, Sean McHale was re-called from his loan early and Ciaron Harkin has been loaned to Finn Harps. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of the game, boss Purse says he is already noticing signs that his players are moulding into his style, less than a week after the London native took charge. “The work we’ve done over the past three or four sessions we’ve had since the weekend, you can see straight away that the boys are really buying into the way we want to do things now.

“There’s been some really good quality in the sessions, so from that point of view, I think I’ve got the players here that can play the way we want to play. We have to keep building and keep layering the information we give to the players. 

“The longer we spend with them, the better they will become.

“Dundalk will be a big test now. Like us, they’ve had some changes over the past few weeks and they’ve adjusted well. I saw them against St Pat’s recently and they gave Pat’s a game and looked well settled. We’ll go there with fresh minds and try to do the best we can.” 

David Goulden 

BY CONALL COLLIER

Two of the current form teams in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) will go head-to-head on Saturday when Sligo Rovers make the shorter journey to the temporary home of Galway Utd at Moyne Villa FC in Headford for a crucial FAI Cup quarter-final tie with kick-off scheduled for 5pm.

This encounter will mark a 10th appearance in the Women’s FAI Cup for Sligo Rovers since entering the competition in 2022 – a journey that has already produced memorable moments, milestones and a growing Cup pedigree.

Sligo Rovers made it to the semi‑finals for the first time in 2023 where they were defeated by Athlone Town. The Bit O’Red repeated that achievement in 2024, reaching the last four and once again Athlone Town proved too strong.

For this weekend, Sligo Rovers can show a strong hand with a nine-game unbeaten WPD run plus a 2-1 away win in the FAI Cup against Waterford in the last round to make it 10 without defeat.

Despite the loss of super striker Sydney Stephens after the 1-0 victory against Wexford, Sligo Rovers tallied six goals in the last two outings, three per game, which demonstrates the strength-in-depth of the squad.

Emma Hansberry is a doubt for Saturday after she limped out of the action in the 40^th minute against Bohemians last Saturday at Dalymount Park, but manager Gavin Hughes will be optimistic that his side can extend that unbeaten sequence.

“The last time we played Galway, it was the second game of the season and there has been a lot of football played since then,” he commented.

“We need more players chipping in with goals and with assists and in the last couple of games we have scored six goals.

“That’s very pleasing, especially after the departure of Sydney Stephens, the younger players are making the step up now and the girls we brought in have contributed to that and it’s a very competitive environment.

“We are in a rich vein of form and we can really look forward to a good game and the aim is to get to the semi-final,” he added.

The Galway women will be quietly confident of building on an impressive 11-game unbeaten WPD sequence as they bid for a place in the last four.

Galway accounted for the Bit O’Red at Eamonn Deacy Park last March, despite conceding early, they got back on terms from a 45^th minute penalty and hit the winning goal from a spot kick in the second-half.

Add in the form that took Galway all the way to the All-Island Cup final, where they had to travel to Dublin to tackle Shelbourne at Tolka Park and were edged out narrowly in that contest.

They hosted Treaty Utd in the last round of the FAI Cup and emerged with a 1-0 victory with former Sligo Rovers player Emma Doherty finding the net after seven minutes.

Galway will be aiming to sign-off from their temporary home with another victory before a return to Eamonn Deacy Park at the end of August.

Surely, all the ingredients for what should be a fast-paced encounter.

The teams will meet again the following weekend at the Showgrounds in the Women’s Premier Division.