Sligo Rovers head to Greenogue Park on 20 September for a key Women’s Premier Division clash against Peamount United, kick-off 17:00. With just four games left in the season, Rovers are determined to keep building momentum and secure as many points as possible as they aim for a strong finish.

Rovers have shown plenty of belief and attacking intent in recent games. Their last outing against Treaty United was a perfect example of that spirit. Trailing 2-0 with only minutes to play, Muireann Devaney’s strike sparked a comeback that was sealed by Paula McGrory from the penalty spot, earning a dramatic 2-2 draw. Manager Steve Feeney reflected on the performance:

“The Treaty game was a strong performance, even though we found ourselves 2-0 down. Full credit to the girls, with only six or seven minutes remaining and being 2-0 down, they kept pressing and driving. That first goal gave them belief, and they were rewarded with a second to earn a point.”

Peamount United arrive in excellent form, having won four of their last five games, scoring freely and conceding just three goals. Ellen Dolan has been in particularly strong form, scoring four goals during this period and providing a challenge Rovers will need to manage carefully. Feeney added:

“Peamount have been on an excellent run of form, despite a narrow loss to third-placed Galway United. We know we’re facing a strong Peamount side that is scoring goals and getting results, so we must be at our best to give ourselves a chance.”

The sides last met on 3 May at the Showgrounds, with Rovers securing a 1-0 victory through Anna McDaniel’s early strike, marking Sligo Rovers’ first win over Peamount since March 2022.

In terms of squad availability, Kya McKenna is the only new injury concern following an academy game. A few other players remain sidelined from earlier in the season, but Rovers have plenty of options to keep playing with energy and attack positively.

“For this game, the focus is on being switched on, taking the belief from the Treaty game, and being positive in attack. We’ve been scoring more recently, which is pleasing, and we want to build on that. With four games left and 12 points to play for, we want to finish as high as possible. DLR are three points ahead, but Waterford and Cork are breathing down our necks, so every point counts.”

Kick-off is at 17:00 on Saturday at Greenogue Park, with all the action available to watch live on LOITV.

Jack Dempsey

John Russell hopes to have the luxury of a full squad to choose from as his Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Friday at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Drogheda United will provide the opposition for this rearranged clash, rescheduled to accommodate Rovers’ visit to Galway on Monday. 

Will Fitzgerald returns having missed the defeat to Kerry last week through suspension. While Cian Kavanagh is available again having missed that game due to illness. 

An even contest will be expected, as both Rovers and Drogs have matching records in their last five league outings, having taken seven points from a possible 15. This is a huge game for Rovers, as a positive result for the hosts could move us ahead of Galway in eighth depending on the Tribesmen’s result against St Pat’s on Friday. 

United have the better head to head record between the clubs this term, with two wins over Sligo and a draw. They go into this game having too suffered FAI Cup disappointment having been beaten on penalties by Shamrock Rovers last weekend. 

Reflecting on that galling night for the Bit O’Red in Tralee, Russell tells sligorovers.com that although his players want to quickly move on from that result, they will use the memories of the disappointment to fuel themselves in the coming games. 

“Sometimes in sport it’s hard to make sense of a defeat when you are in a position of such dominance”, Russell says. 

“What unfolded last week in our cup exit against Kerry hurts and will continue to hurt for a long time. We had a huge opportunity to put ourselves into a semi-final, but we didn’t take it.

“It was a tough dressing room after the game and an even tougher journey home. We all knew the importance of the game and what was at stake. I very much understand the frustration of our supporters and the backlash. We as a group must take our medicine after such a defeat. 

“However, it’s important not to lose perspective after a defeat and to remember the transformation of our team since the mid-season break. 

“We have such a talented group of players who are giving everything for the club. I and everyone at this club have such belief in them. We have clawed back a lot of points over the last two or three months and the boys deserve all the support they get along the way.” 

Russell wants both players and supporters to show togetherness once more as Rovers look to continue our march up the table. 

“We are now entering the last seven games and we need our supporters more than ever on Friday”, he rallied.  

“You support your team in good times and bad times. We had a bad night last week. But Friday is another opportunity for us all collectively, to show our resilience and strength, not only as a team but as a club. 

“Drogheda have performed above all expectations this season, but all our games have been close and now it’s up to us to get that win which we know would be huge for us. We’re ready to go and are really looking forward to the game and getting back on track.” 

David Goulden 

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell admitted his side’s shock cup defeat to First Division side Kerry FC was ‘unforgivable’ after the Bit O’Red threw away a three goal lead to be dumped out of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Owen Elding’s hat-trick had Russell’s men well on course for a first FAI Cup semi-final spot since 2020, with just 30 minutes left of the tie.

But an impressive Kerry, managed by Colin Healy, showed real grit and determination to force extra-time, and deservedly slow.

The hosts were by far the better team in the second-half, and Elding’s third was certainly against the run of play.

Cian Brosnan’s first goal on 66 minutes gave Kerry, in their first ever quarter-final, real belief that this tie was there for them.

Healy’s changes in the second-half were a help, with Daniel Okwute proving a real problem for the Rovers defence.

He won a penalty after he was clattered by Seb Quirk in the box, with Joe Adams making it 3-2 on 77 minutes.

It was all Kerry, and Rovers were desperately clinging on their narrow lead.

Then two minutes into added time at the end of the 90, Brosnan’s second forced extra-time, and it was nothing less than Kerry deserved.

Russell made changes of his own, but still they couldn’t contain Kerry, and Okwute found the winner with two minutes to go at the end of extra-time, amidst incredible scenes in Mounthawk Park.

But the manner of the defeat, at least from a Sligo Rovers perspective, will go down as one of the most embarrassing defeats in recent memory.

A stunned John Russell admitted he was ‘in a bit of shock’ afterwards, and was left reeling as his side ‘couldn’t manage the chaos’, with ‘horrendous defending’ leaving him furious.

“It’s unforgivable to be 3-0 up with 30 minutes left and the way the game transpired. The first goal is poor to give away, the second goal, there’s no need to commit the foul in the box. There’s no danger.

“You give momentum when it goes to 3-2. But even still, we didn’t weather that storm and you see the board going up. It’s the 90th minute. There’s four minutes added on. You just need to see the game out and you’re into the next round. And we don’t. It’s horrendous defending.

“It’s come across the six yard box and it’s a tap in. We just have to mark it. It’s schoolboy defending. I’m, to be honest, in a bit of shock. We played well in the first half, in complete control.

“In the second half, we didn’t start great, to get the goal and go 3-0 up. It’s unforgiveable to be knocked out of the tie after being in such a commanding lead. It goes to extra-time, we had chances, they had chances.

“The goal we’ve given away again is crazy. It’s so bad. I have to give credit to Kerry. They beat us. Good young players, they deserve to be in the semi-final, we didn’t manage the game.”

On paper, this is a game that Rovers should have won comfortably, and it was seen as being a favourable tie.

Russell warned all week about the threat that Kerry posed, particularly with Healy at the helm, but even still, few would have predicted this result, although those at Kerry would tell you they were quietly confident in the lead up.

But even still, at 3-0 down, it looked as though the game was dead and buried, and that’s probably the hardest pill for Russell to swallow.

“It’s a crazy result. Especially the way the game went. We were in complete control. We’ve thrown away an unbelievable opportunity to get to a cup final. I said that to he players in there. We are in good form, lads are training well, we’re 3-0 up, we’ve dominated the game, we put ourselves in a commanding position.

“Football’s crazy. We’ve seen that over the years at different levels. Tonight we couldn’t manage the chaos when the game swung on us. I came in after the game and I see that Shamrock Rovers won on penalties, we didn’t even get to penalties, last year Bohs went to extra-time and penalties as well, we just lost the run of it.

“We’ve missed a massive opportunity. I’m gutted for our supporters, gutted for the players and for the staff I have around me because I know everyone is working extremely hard. It’s a shocking result.”

But, why couldn’t Russell’s charges ‘manage the chaos’?

“I don’t understand it. It was just direct play and long balls, and Ollie (Denham) and Paddy (McClean) have been unbelievable for us, and Sean (Stewart) and Edwin (Agbaje), (Sam) Sargeant, they’ve built up a really good understanding.

“Those long balls up top, we just didn’t defend those moments well. The penalty as well, Seb doesn’t need to dive in. Defending the moments, being dialled in all the time, we spoke before the game, you can do all the talking it’s action on the pitch and we didn’t manage it.

“That one is going to sting for a long, long time. There’s no getting away from it. The importance of the game, what was at stake, and the position that we found ourselves in. In complete control for 60 minutes, moments of madness have cost us the game.”

On another night, the post match analysis would focus on 19-year-old Elding, who bagged a hat-trick on the night, although the third may well still go down as an own goal.

The much sought after Rovers attacker was visibly distraught at full-time on Friday, with his team-mates consoling him after the game had ended.

“He’s been amazing for us,” Russell added. “From minute one until the end, he ran his guts out for us. He got a hat-trick for us and he was devastated.

“The likes of Will Fitzgerald who was suspended tonight, we wanted to get to a semi-final for him. he’s devastated. Everyone is devastated. What an opportunity we’ve thrown away.

“It’s going to be a hard one to take because I know the group, it’s not that we played poorly, I’ve never experienced a game like it. It’s going to be a hard one to take.”

But Premier Division survival now becomes the sole focus for the remainder of the season, with a double game weekend next weekend when Rovers take on Drogheda United on Friday night before travelling to Galway the following Monday.

And Russell wants his players to use Friday’s shock as fuel for the remainder of the season.

“That’s the focus. We’ve missed the opportunity. It’s gone, it’s done. We have to move into next week. Full focus on the league. Seven games to go, we have to win as many as possible to get ourselves out of ninth.

“We can’t let the disappointment of tonight affect us for the next game, we’ve got to use it as fuel and try and get a win.”

Jessica Farry

Sligo Rovers’ hopes of a first Sports Direct FAI Cup Cup success since 2013 were dashed by Kerry FC in a dramatic quarter-final tie at Mounthawk Park, Tralee. 

Rovers dominated this opening half, leading by two following an Owen Elding brace. 

Elding had his hat-trick and his 14th of the season early in the second half. 

However, Kerry struck three times in the second half before finding a winner two minutes from the end of extra-time courtesy of Daniel Okwute. 

Attention turns back to Premier Division duties on Friday September 19th, as we face Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm.  

Sligo Rovers will look to progress to a first Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final since 2020 as the Bit O’Red take on Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, in what will be an historic night for both clubs. 

This last eight tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm, will be the first senior competitive game between the clubs at men’s senior level as John Russell continues his mission to guide Rovers to a first FAI Cup decider in twelve years. 

Rovers find themselves in the quarter-final following defeats away from home of both Dundalk and Bohemians as we continue our cup odyssey on the road. 

Colin Healy’s Kerrymen saw off Athlone Town in the second round following an extra-time win over their First Division rivals, before the men from the Kingdom beat promotion hopefuls Cobh at home in the following round. 

Rovers are unbeaten in their last three and have taken wins from three of their last five in all competitions. While our opponents are also in a solid vein of form and are unbeaten in their last four having also taken three victories from their last five. 

In team news, Rovers are without vice-captain Will Fitzgerald who is suspended having been booked in both the second and third round. Both Cian Kavanagh and Kyle McDonagh will be assessed closer to the game. 

Midfielder Jad Hakiki returns from a successful stint on international duty with the Irish under-21s. 

Approximately 300 Rovers fans are set to take the trip south with the away end selling out in minutes two weekends ago. The home end is also a sell-out. 

The limited capacity of Mounthawk means only a small number of tickets were available to the Red Army, but manager Russell is looking forward to seeing the colour and noise which the Rovers fans will bring.

“I think if there were three times the amount of tickets available, the Rovers end would have still sold out such is the appetite for a cup run amongst our supporters”, he says. 

“They’ve been superb everywhere we’ve been and we expect more of the same on Friday. It’s a new experience and a new ground for us so I’m sure it’s a tie they’re all looking forward to.”

That following will be needed according to Russell who was in Tralee last week to watch Kerry draw with Munster rivals Cobh. 

“We’re going up against one of the most experienced people in Irish football when it comes to Colin Healy’s CV. He’s seen it all really and will know what it takes to cause an upset.

“We’ve studied them and Kerry can play and will look to bring the game to us on Friday so we need to be on our toes from the off. They have pace and know how to open teams up so we’ll have to be ready for them.”

Rovers have already seen off First Division leaders Dundalk in the second round of this year’s tournament. Russell’s charges will no doubt go into Friday’s tie the favourites given we are the Premier Division outfit. But the boss is expecting a tight game and a lot of hard work needed if his side are to progress to the final four.

“We were favourites against Dundalk at Oriel and won but then we were underdogs against an in-form Bohs at Dalymount a few weeks later in the next round and won, so we’ve seen it from both sides”, he continues. 

“It’s inevitable that we’ll be fancied to go through but if we think at any stage that we can take our foot off the gas, then we’re out of the competition, simple as. But the boys know that. We dealt well with the favourites tag in Dundalk and we need to do it again this weekend.”  

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers Football Club is pleased to confirm that its 2025 Annual Draw, held at The Showgrounds during half-time of the home Premier Division fixture against Bohemians on 30 August 2025, has raised a record-breaking total of EUR 153,360 in support of the club. This figure marks the highest amount ever generated by the fundraiser, surpassing the previous record of EUR 130,300 in 2024. That total had itself exceeded EUR 108,300 in 2023, EUR 106,970 in 2022, and EUR 49,660 in 2021. Taken together, this year’s achievement represents an overall increase of approximately 208.82 percent across the past four years.

The winner of the first prize, Jane Gamble (Carndonagh), is pictured above receiving her cheque from ticket seller Gerry Kilbride.

As one of the few clubs competing in the top tier of professional football across Europe that remain wholly supporter-owned, Sligo Rovers relies upon the loyalty and generosity of its fanbase through initiatives such as the Annual Draw to sustain its day-to-day operations.

Each year, dedicated teams of Sligo Rovers volunteers visit homes and businesses across County Sligo and neighbouring areas, selling EUR 10 tickets door-to-door as part of the Annual Draw. Their efforts are vital to the club’s success, not only in raising essential funds but also in strengthening the connection between the club and the wider community. This commitment from volunteers ensures the continuation of a tradition that plays a central role in sustaining the club and supporting its future ambitions.

Club Chairman Tommy Higgins praised the remarkable level of support demonstrated by the community. He stated: “I would like to thank our sponsors who contributed prizes, our wonderful volunteers especially our Development Officer Mark Cummins who drove us on and lastly, you our supporters for being so generous”.

The club is delighted to announce the full list of prize winners from the 2025 Annual Draw:

EUR 5,000 Cash – Jane Gamble (Carndonagh)
EUR 1,000 Cash – Pat McDonald (Ballisodare)
Clayton Hotels – Two Nights B&B – Eddie Grimes (Ballisodare)
Breaffy House Resort – Two Nights Stay – Norman Pugh (Kilmacowen)
Broadhaven Bay Hotel – One Night B&B – Siobhan Loftus (Tubbercurry)
Waterford Marina Hotel – One Night B&B – Dale (Swagman Bar)
EUR 200 Empire Hair Voucher – Con Cullen
EUR 200 Kate’s Kitchen Voucher – Micheal Healy (Ballisodare)
EUR 200 Elverys Voucher – M Dunleavy
EUR 200 Ticketmaster Voucher – Sinead McGee

Sligo Rovers extends its sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the 2025 Annual Draw, from those who purchased tickets to the volunteers who travelled across the north west region and further afield to sell them. The club recognises the commitment and dedication of everyone involved and acknowledges the vital role their efforts have played in achieving this record-breaking total. This support will deliver a lasting positive impact on club operations and sporting ambitions, while further reinforcing the unique bond between Sligo Rovers and its loyal community of supporters.

By Conall Collier

Second last home game of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) for Sligo Rovers with the visit of Treaty Utd to the Showgrounds on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.

Despite last week’s reversal against Shelbourne, Steve Feeney’s side will be well-motivated for this encounter and the emphasis will be solely on restoring some pride.

The Bit O’Red delivered a disjointed second-half performance against Shelbourne and that is a statistic that the players will be focused on as they bid for a third home win of the season.

A tough season in terms of injuries has posed a consistent selection headache for Steve Feeney who reported after the game at Tolka Park that goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan, one of the top shot-stoppers in the WPD, played most of the game with a dislocated finger.

Add in the absence of players of the calibre of the injured trio of Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn and Jessica Casey plus the loss of the recently-departed Annie McKinley, that has forced other players into covering roles, not an ideal scenario at any time, but definitely a major handicap with so many others also on the casualty list.

Assessing last week’s second-half display as the low point of the season would be a reasonable conclusion. It was in stark contrast to the opening half where the Bit O’Red matched Shelbourne in all departments with the exception of the scoreboard.

And that wasn’t a new phenomenon as it was the team with the lowest number of goals this season against the team with the highest number of goals scored.

Nevertheless, Paula McGrory was unlucky not to claim at least two goals in that opening 45 minutes as Muireann Devaney sprayed passes around the pitch. There was also the absence of Emma Hansberry until late in the game after she was delayed on the way to the venue.

“The second-half against Shelbourne wasn’t typical of what we can produce, we just looked very disjointed and we made it far too easy for a Shelbourne side that had to win to stay in the race for the title,” commented Steve Feeney.

“We told the girls at half-time that we could quite easily have been on level terms and that’s a positive we can take out of the overall performance.

“I felt we put it up to Shelbourne in the opening half and I certainly didn’t anticipate what happened in the second-half, but we can’t dwell on that now and we have an opportunity to rectify it this weekend against Treaty Utd,” he added.

The Limerick side could move into third place with a victory at the Showgrounds if results elsewhere are favourable and the players will also be vying for starting places in the WFAI Cup semi-final the following weekend.

There is plenty to play for in that sense for the Munster women who are unbeaten in their last six outings and they can also boast a victory over Galway Utd last weekend when Madison McGuane converted a late penalty for a 2-1 victory.

There was also a 1-1 draw against Athlone Town in that six-game unbeaten run, but in July the Limerick side lost 6-0 to Shelbourne in the All-Island Cup quarter-final.

Treaty also laboured to 1-0 (WPD) and 2-0 (WFAI Cup) wins against a DLR Waves side that had to work hard for narrow victories against the Bit O’Red this season.

Based on that form, it might depend on which Treaty Utd side turns up at the Showgrounds on Saturday, but they will certainly take positives from a 3-0 WPD victory they enjoyed against the Bit O’Red last April at the Markets Field.

Looking forward to the encounter, Steve Feeney confirmed that Katie Melly and Kate Nugent will be available for this weekend as he reflected on the intensity and competitiveness of the WPD this season.

“I’ve said it before, the standard has improved so much, it’s hugely competitive and Treaty will be a big challenge for us on Saturday, they are in the top four and have a cup semi-final the following weekend,” said Steve.

“We have a good panel of players, lots of quality, it mightn’t look that way if you are judging by our last result, but look at what Athlone Town have achieved so far this season, they are looking forward to a Europa Cup clash against Glasgow City and they also achieved three wins in Champions League qualifying.

“That’s the level that we can aim for and I am adamant that we have quality young players who will have learned from last week’s experience and will be eager to make a statement against Treaty on Saturday.

“We have only two home games remaining this season and it would be a great way to finish off with two home victories, starting on Saturday against Treaty Utd,” he concluded.

Sligo Rovers v Treaty Utd is live on LOITV from the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.

Sligo Rovers and Bohemians picked up a point a piece at the Showgrounds, although both sides will feel they could have taken all three points following a thrilling scoreless draw. 

The result likely does more for the Bit O’Red than the Gypsies, with Rovers moving level with eighth placed Galway United in their bid to climb the league ladder.

While for Bohs, the point places them to within six of champions-elect Shamrock Rovers, who have two games more to play than their Dublin rivals. 

Plotting a way out of the league’s bottom two spots for the first time since March, a resurgent Rovers, with three wins in their last five on all fronts, made just one change from their win in Waterford last Friday. The move was enforced given the terms of on-loan midfielder James McManus, who is ineligible to face his parent club. McManus was replaced in the heart of the Rovers XI by Ciaron Harkin, the former Derry man’s third start since signing last month.

Sighting a second win on the bounce against a relegation threatened side following their win over Cork eight nights previous, Bohs boss Alan Reynolds brought duo Rob Cornwall and James Clarke back into the starting eleven in place of the recently departed Liam Smith and the benched Connor Parsons.

Only Derry City have amassed more points (19) than Sligo since the summer break and it was the hosts who fashioned the first opportunity of this encounter. 

Elding set upon a poor backpass from Jordan Flores towards Cornwall, winning possession before cutting inside and rifling an effort which was tipped over by an acrobatic stop from Kacper Chorazka. 

Both sides had chances shortly after, during an open and entertaining first half.

Flores almost capitalised but could only nod a free-header from a Dayle Rooney corner over Sam Sargeant’s crossbar. While Ross Tierney headed a Rooney set piece over six minutes later. 

Rovers did have the ball in the Bohs net on 26 minutes but the slipping Jad Hakiki was adjudged offside as he scrambled Sean Stewart’s cross past Chorazka. While the Bohs net minder had to use both fists to keep another Elding stinger out just before the half hour. 

There were chances at both ends as the interval approached.

The lively Elding pounced on a poor pass from a struggling Cornwall, but the much-scouted teen striker could only blast over from the edge of the area. 

The Dubliners might have led at the break, only for Clarke to stab his effort wide as Rovers looked loose at the back. 

Sargeant kept the scores even eight minutes into the second half as he pulled off a stunning one handed stop to keep out Flores’ drive at goal from a Devoy assist. 

The Rovers ‘keeper was again alert on 58 minutes to tip a Rooney header from a Clarke cross, on to the frame of his goal as the visitors pushed for an opener. 

Both Will Fitzgerald and Clarke went close for their sides as this contest somehow remained deadlocked. 

The Phibsboro outfit switched their approach with the introduction from the bench of Connor Parson and Colm Whelan to their attack. While Rovers moved Elding to the wing in an effort to stretch the Bohs rearguard, with Wilson Waweru brought on to occupy the centre forward role. 

Waweru went close late on, while Bohs had plenty of play around the Rovers penalty area but couldn’t breach Sargeant’s goal-line. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje (Daire Pattom 77), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Seb Quirk, Ciaron Harkin (Wilson Waweru 83); Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Matty Wolfe 64); Owen Elding.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores; Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 75); Ross Tierney (Connor Parsons 75), James Clarke, Dayle Rooney (Archie Meekison 82); Douglas James-Taylor (Colm Whelan 75). 

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,754. 

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers gave another battling Women’s Premier Division (WPD) performance but ended up on the wrong end of an 8-0 scoreline against title-chasing Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday evening.

Both teams went into this encounter on the back of defeats, but the Dublin women were focused on regaining a place at the top of the table at the expense of Athlone Town who were in winning European action on Saturday.

Emma Hansberry was named in the starting 11, but was replaced by Mairead McIntyre before kick-off while Sarah McDaniel and Eimear Lafferty replaced the departed Annie McKinley and Katie Melly.

Shelbourne created the more clearcut chances in the opening half, but Sligo Rovers also had some good opportunities and finished the first 45 minutes with a tally of six corners.

The main difference on the scoreboard was that Shelbourne finished three of those opportunities to the net whereas the Bit O’Red didn’t and had to be content with going close on at least three occasions, all through Paula McGrory.

Muireann Devaney’s ability to play defence-splitting passes was a highlight of the first-half, but all the plaudits went to the hosts after they were gifted a 23rd minute lead.

Bit O’Red ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan, who made a series of excellent saves, lost possession of the ball from a centre and Noelle Murray capitalised instantly for the opening goal.

Further goals from Mackenzie Anthony and Megan Smyth-Lynch eased the Dublin side into a 3-0 interval advantage.

Shelbourne upped the tempo for the second-half and the Bit O’Red simply had no response.

Anthony added three more goals and there was one apiece from Smyth-Lynch and substitute Halle Murphy Harcourt.

Before kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of the late Ollie Horgan.

Shelbourne – Amanda McQuillan; Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Alex Kavanagh, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Noelle Murray, Jess Gargan, Aoibheaqnn Clancy, Lucy O’Rourke, Mackenzie Anthony, Maeve Wollmer.

Subs – Rachel Graham for Clancy and Gabriella Del Pico for Kavanagh both 62 mins; Sarah McCaffrey for Murray and Madeline McKInley for Gargan both 70m
Halle Murphy Harcourt for Anthony 81m

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Alana Doherty, Eimear Lafferty, Leah Kelly, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Mairead McIntyre.

Subs – Kya McKenna for McGoldrick, Emma Hansberry for McGrory and Bernie Ferreira for M McIntyre all 62 minutes, Lauren Devaney for Doherty and Cara King for A McDaniel both 84m,

Referee – Mark Moynihan.
Assistant-referees – Ruben Collins, Christopher Daly.
Fourth official – Wayne McDonnell.

Sligo Rovers’ men’s team are in action at the Showgrounds for the first time in almost a month, this Saturday evening as we take on Bohemians, kick-off 7.45pm. 

This Premier Division clash will be the Bit O’Red’s fifth and final meeting with the Dubliners this season, just weeks after our FAI Cup win over Bohs at Dalymount Park on August 15th. 

Rovers’ last home game was a two goal defeat to Shelbourne on August 2nd, winning two of our three games on the road since.

Rovers are yet to beat Bohs in the league this season. Alan Reynolds’ side have twice taken the points, while the teams drew 1-1 in Phibsboro back in June. 

In team news, Russell waits on confirmation over both Conor Reynolds’ and Ronan Manning’s fitness. 

While James McManus misses out due to the terms of his loan deal with Saturday’s opponents. 

Oskar Van Hattum has this week departed the club to continue his career in Canada. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of Saturday, Russell is looking for his side to bounce into the weekend’s game after recent wins over Waterford and Saturday’s opponents.

“We showed a lot of character and spirit to come back into games this season and no more than in Waterford. I felt we were the better team throughout and really deserved our win down there.

“It was a win over a team we’re chasing and it gave us a lot of confidence and a big boost going into Saturday, which is going to be a really tough game for us. But we’re looking for the players to again raise their levels. The games between ourselves and Bohs this year really have had little in them so I think you can expect more of the same come Saturday. 

“We’re hopeful on Ronan and Conor who are two important players for us. We knew James would be out for this one and we’re happy we have a plan to deal with his absence.

“We beat Bohs a few weeks ago and they’ll be coming here looking to get one over us again, we know they will. They’re still chasing Shamrock Rovers and are so dangerous from all positions.

“Saying that, we are at home and it is up to us to set the pace and that’s what we want to do. We are aware of what a win would do for us in terms of the league table so we’ll look to start well, do the basic things in a correct manner and see where that takes us. 

“It’s been a while since we’ve played at the Showgrounds so we’re hoping our supporters missed it as much as we have.

“We’re hoping for big numbers and noise from all ends as Bohs will travel in big numbers and get behind their team. Our fans have been brilliant to us all season and have travelled in big numbers to follow us around the country recently. 

“I think they’re enjoying watching this team and backing them as they’re a really likeable bunch of lads who are giving everything for Rovers. They’re enjoying their football and our supporters are enjoying that too.

“There’s not just a togetherness within the squad, but also between our players and supporters and it’s wonderful to see.”

Sligo Rovers’ 2025 Annual Draw takes place at half-time on Saturday. Tickets remain on sale on sligorovers.com. 

David Goulden