The final curtain falls on Sligo Rovers’ season this Friday night as the Bit O’Red take on Derry City at the Showgrounds for what will be our last game of the current campaign.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm, with the Belfry Bar, Sligo providing match night sponsorship. While Flynn’s Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon is the match ball sponsor. 

This clash with the Candystripes will be Rovers’ final outing as a Premier Division club for one year at least as we prepare to try to bounce straight back up next season. 

Manager Darren Purse already has his eye on an instant return to the top-flight and wants to pay back the supporters and people of Sligo who have backed his side each week regardless of venue or form. 

“There’s a few things that I’ve learned about myself and the players we have”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“I’m still so disappointed we’ve got relegated. I thought we had enough in us to keep us in the division but obviously the last ten games didn’t work out. We’ve not ended up where I expected or wanted us to be. 

“I know there’s a lot of work to be done to make it my team for next year.

“I was at Cardiff two years ago when they got relegated. Everyone was really down but it brought out the best in the club in a way because they developed a lot of the younger players that were there. 

“I can see that happening here too. 

“We’ve got some really good young talent who probably aren’t good enough for the Premier Division at the moment. But in a year’s time, they will be and hopefully that’ll be with a promotion under their belt. 

“But there’s a lot to look forward to both on and off the pitch. 

“I can’t thank our supporters enough. They’ve been exceptional both home and away and we’re doing everything we can to give them something to cheer about next season.”

Derry will arrive in Sligo under interim boss Mark Connolly in buoyant form having been beaten just once in their last five league games. 

The Brandywell side also have a Club Orange FAI Cup final on their horizons, but with the league’s fourth place still on offer, Purse is expecting whatever eleven they put out, will be one looking for points. 

“All I’m concentrating on is the team I’ll put out”, he continues. 

“But even if Derry drop a few, they’ll be very strong on paper and we need to be at our best to get a result we’re looking for. It’s our last home game and we’re looking to put in a performance and pick up a win we’ve deserved over the past few weeks.”

Striker Luke Pearce will be assessed ahead of Friday and is struggling with a back injury. Carl McHugh is likely to sit this one out as he continues his rest following a knee injury, while young midfielder Rueben Gillespie is expected to return to the squad. 

The off-season will be all about graft on all fronts as Rovers look to start our first year back in the First Division in 22 years on the front foot. 

Purse says he will do everything he can in the coming months to ensure Sligo’s stay in the second tier is no longer that the minimum needed.  

“It’ll be all about recruitment for me”, he states. 

“I won’t be having any time off. I’m going back to the UK for a while watching as many games as I can and meeting up with contacts and agents and that’ll be my next six to eight weeks. 

“We’ll come back in for some strength and conditioning work the week before Christmas and straight after new year, we’re back in getting ready for the start of the new season.” 

David Goulden

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

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

September 2026

€500 Michael Farrell – Kintogher, Sligo
€100 Niall Hever – Grange, Co. Sligo
€100 Kevin/Rosaleen O’Grady – Kevinsfort, Sligo
€100 Jim Gray – Cartron, Sligo
€100 Natasha Rushe/McDonald – Shannon Eighter, Sligo
€100 Colette Crowne – Lower Pearse Road, Sligo
€100 Ciaran Ryan – Orchard View, Sligo
€100 Ryan Quinn – Tonaphubble, Sligo
€100 Conal Collier – Navan, Co. Meath
€100 Richard Wherly – Larkhill Road, Sligo

October 2026

€500 Michael Doddy – Gurteen, Co. Sligo
€100 Geroid Surlis – Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
€100 Thomas Carty – Lissadell, Sligo
€100 Mark Heraghty – Celbridge, Co. Kildare
€100 Gerry Quinn – Pearse Road, Sligo
€100 John Logan – Urlur, Carney, Co. Sligo
€100 Michael Cunningham – Ohio, USA
€100 Kate T. Lawlor – Dalkey, Co. Dublin
€100 Eileen Rossitor – Collooney, Co. Sligo
€100 Ian Duggan – Kevinsfort, Sligo

 BY CONALL COLLIER

Early and late second-half goals from Paula McGrory and substitute Haylee Mersereau with her first touch gave Sligo Rovers a merited 2-1 Women’s Premier Division (WPD) victory against Peamount Utd at the Showgrounds on Sunday.

The final game of the WPD season produced a tough and uncompromising encounter as each side gave it 100 per cent in terms of effort and determination throughout the 90 minutes as the home supporters were well entertained.

Unusually, Sligo Rovers utilised three centre-backs with Emma Hansberry starting in the position. She was replaced at the interval by Alana Doherty who then limped out of the action on 81 minutes with Haylee Mersereau deputising.

Her first contribution was to rocket a header to the Peamount net from an Ella Karolak corner in the 82^nd minute.

That goal gave the Bit O’Red the lead for the first time after Paula McGrory had equalised a minute into the second-half when she raced on to a Cara Jordan pass and finished confidently.

However, it was the Dublin women who were in the ascendancy at half-time with a 1-0 advantage from Millie Daly’s 12^th minute goal despite the home side dominating the first 45 minutes.

Sligo Rovers battled bravely against the elements, but trailed to that Millie Daly goal after she ran on to a Freya Healy pass and benefited from a rebound when home ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan attempted to clear the danger.

Both sides had chances prior to that opening goal with Cara Jordan’s effort blocked by Peamount ‘keeper Summer Lawless and at the other end Daly’s shot was saved comfortably.

The Bit O’Red worked hard in an effort to find an equaliser with Olivia Rush twice going close on 19 and 20 minutes while Cara Jordan won a race for possession with Lawless in the Peamount penalty area soon after, but the Dublin women scrambled a clearance.

Close to the interval Emma Duffy rifled over from the edge of the Peamount penalty area and then she had a shot saved by Lawless who handled well in the blustery conditions.

Paula McGrory had the sides level in the 46^th minute and soon after Gracie Dunaway hit over after another Cara Jordan run made the opening.

Peamount squandered a gilt-edged opportunity in the 78^th minute when Sophie Byrne blazed over and the Dublin women suffered the consequences of that miss when the Bit O’Red hit the front from that Mersereau goal.

Olivia Rush and Cara Jordan were unlucky not to add further goals in the closing minutes as Sligo Rovers finished the season on a positive note.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Ella Karolak, Sabrina Hillyer, Emma Hansberry, Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory, Gracie Dunaway, Olivia Rush, Gio Dionicio.

Subs – Alana Doherty for Hansberry half-time, Emma Malone for McKiernan, Anna McDaniel for Dunaway and Sarah McCaffrey for McGrory all 66 mins, Haylee Mersereau for Alana Doherty 81m

Peamount Utd – Summer Lawless; Maeve Russell, Della Doherty, Abby Tuthill, Mary Phillips, Aoife O’Connor, Freya Healy, Ciara O’Neill, Millie Daly, Sophie Byrne, L O’Rourke. 

Subs – Mia McGonnell for O’Connor and Mia Murtagh for Russell both 61 mins, Robin Bair4d for O’Rourke and Mia Gaff for Daly both 71m, Carrie Sinnott for Phillips 78m.

Referee – Kate O’Brien.

Assistant-referees – Thomas Joyce, Pawula Klaudia.

Fourth Official – Vicki McEnery.

Sligo Rovers’ final away game of 2026 finished in defeat as Shamrock Rovers put four past the Bit O’Red at Tallaght Stadium.

The visitors had chances in this game and were comfortable in the first period in dealing with what the league leaders had to offer.

Kaiyne Woolery went close early on from a Jack Shorrock cross and probably should have scored with one of his three attempts in quick succession. While Liam Hughes kept out Roberto Lopes with a superb last ditch stop with his legs. 

Shams had plenty of possession in front of the Rovers box but were unable to pick out that final ball, with Darren Purse’s side defending well.

Sligo were eventually broken late in the first half when Adam Brennan hit a late brace, but James McManus did clip the frame of Ed McGinty’s goal between those strikes. 

The second half was more straight forward for the champions, who claimed their second title on the spin with this win.

Former Rovers man Aaron Greene picked up their third before Dylan Watts’ deflected strike found a way past Hughes.

Rovers’ best chance of the half arrived when sub Cian Kavanagh found himself one-on-one with McGinty. But the striker’s first touch let him down as McGinty fell at the Dubliner’s feet to smother the ball. 

Rovers’ final game of the season takes place at the Showgrounds this Friday. Derry City are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Oluwatunmise Sobowale (Luke O’Regan 72), Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes (capt), Lee Grace, Will Fitzgerald (Jake Mullraney 46); Adam Brennan, Dylan Watts Gary O’Neill 78), John O’Sullivan; Graham Burke (Jonathan Afolabi 78) , John McGovern (Aaron Greene 61)

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy (capt), Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Daire Patton (Aidan Gabbidon 63), James McManus (Luke Pearce 55) Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 55), Jack Shorrock; Kaiyne Woolery

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 8,023

Darren Purse has encouraged his players to enjoy the challenge of bringing the Premier Division title race to the final weekend, ahead of Sligo Rovers’ trip to Tallaght Stadium, this Friday.

Hosts and table toppers Shamrock Rovers lead the gallop to the finish line and are three points ahead of bitter rivals Bohs and six clear of neighbours St Pat’s with two games to go. 

A positive result for the Bit O’Red could extend the chase for silverware to Friday week, the last night of league fixtures. 

Tallaght Stadium has proved tough hunting ground for Rovers over the years, but Purse’s side are unbeaten there since May 2025 and have already over-turned Stephen Bradley’s men there this season. 

Shams were the winners at the Showgrounds in both March and July, while Rovers picked up a second win on the bounce in D24 following last year’s final day heroics, beating the Hoops late on courtesy of a dramatic injury time winner from Carl McHugh in May of this year. 

That was Rovers’ last league win in what’s been a challenging season since. 

Purse is keen to move on to the challenge of returning to the top flight at the first attempt but has also pushed his players to play their part on Friday.

“In relation to this year, we’re using the last few games as preparation for next season and you can see that with the number of younger players who are getting a game”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“The next two games are the same. We want to finish the season as best we can but also try and ready the players we want to keep and have them prepped for next year.

“It’s a challenge, going to Tallaght. I want to challenge myself against the best managers in the country and the players are the same. They must go and show they can compete, regardless of whether or not they’re going to be here next year. 

“We don’t want to be the team that Shamrock Rovers beat to win the title. We want to bring it to next week. Can we maybe do the league some justice and try and be the best we can be on Friday? 

“Every time they cross that line, they’ve the chance to show they’re worthy and they have what it takes. That’s what the players have to do, give their best effort and sometimes that’s all you need to get a result. 

“You always want to put yourself up against the best. Now we have to show we can compete at that level.”

Purse is hopeful that winger Ryan O’Kane could return having missed almost two months with injury, while captain Carl McHugh is unlikely to feature either this or next week in our final game of the season against Derry City. 

“The scan results on Carl’s knee were better than we expected”, Purse explains. 

“But I don’t think we’ll see him for the rest of the year. He’s under contract next season and will be a big player for us. 

“We don’t want to push him for games that don’t mean much in terms of our league position and then aggravate the injury more. We want him back and ready to go for pre-season. 

“To have Ryan back, it’s a massive bonus for us because we’ve really missed him recently. He should be in or around the squad. We’d also hope a few more are back and can strengthen the bench.” 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers held a second Special General Meeting (SGM) at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo, this evening, where members voted to confirm approval of the club’s proposed restructuring.

Following the near-unanimous vote in favour of the proposal at the first SGM on 24 September, members have now voted by a majority to formally approve the restructuring.

The club thanks all members who attended and participated in both meetings throughout this important process.

Match Sponsor: Mooney’s Bar, Maugheraboy.

Match Ball Sponsor: The Fish Man.

Darren Purse’s wait for a first league win as Sligo Rovers manager rolls on to an eleventh attempt after Ronan Teahan hit a 90th minute equaliser for Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

Kaiyne Woolery had given the Bit O’Red the lead early in the second period, but Teahan forced the equaliser in the final moment of normal time to extend Rovers’ run without a win to 16 league games.

Dundalk made two changes from their defeat to Bohs, Cian Dillon and Tyreke Wilson returned. While Rovers boss Darren Purse brought Cian Kavanagh, Ollie Denham and local lad Daire Patton back in for his first start since July. 

Rovers secured the services of goalkeeper Liam Hughes for 2027 this week and it was at his end where most of the action took place early on, dealing with no less than eight corners in the first quarter hour. 

However, it did take almost 20 minutes for the Craigavon man to face his first shot when he got in front of a powerdrive from Cian Dillon after a lapse in the Rovers rearguard.

The hosts did have a half chance when Woolery dragged an effort across goal in this a game between two clubs with the league’s poorest current form.  

The visitors, who lost Mayowa Animasahun early on, were inches away from the lead in added time at the end of the first half. Sligo skipper Gareth McElroy was well placed to swat away Aodh Dervin’s effort off Hughes’ line after Daryl Horgan’s assist. 

Rovers’ last home league win came almost six months ago, against the same opposition and we had the lead seconds after the re-start when Sean Stewart’s ballooned cross from the end line was met by the leaping Woolery. The former Tranmere man’s header bouncing off the underside of the crossbar on its way in for his second goal in as many games. 

Hughes was called up to make two stops on the hour. The best of these a wonderful dive into his corner to scrap away Egor Vassenin’s header.

Ciaran Kilduff’s charges leveled in the 90th minute when Tehan made the most of hesitation from the Sligo rearguard to slot the ball under Hughes after Declan McDaid reacted the quicker to a ball thrown forward. 

Rovers’ next outing is a visit to Tallaght Stadium to face Shamrock Rovers on Friday, our final away game of the season. 

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Aidan Gabbidon (Seb Quirk HT), Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Daire Patton (James McManus 66); Archie Meekison, Kaiyne Woolery (Luke Pearce 70), Jack Shorrock; Cian Kavanagh. 

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Tom Grivosti, Mayowa Animasahun (Egor Vassenin 24); Keith Buckley (Harry Groome 73), Aodh Dervin (Declan McDaid 62), Bobby Burns; Daryl Horgan, Ronan Tehan, Trevor Clarke (Shane Treacy 63); Cian Dillon (Leo Gaxha 73). 

Referee: Daniel Murphy. 

Attendance: 1,821.

Sligo Rovers’ penultimate home game of 2026 takes place this Saturday as the Bit O’Red look to finish off what has been a tough season, on a positive note.

Dundalk are the visitors this weekend, kick-off 7.45pm with the Lilywhites coming to the Showgrounds looking to confirm their place in next year’s top flight. 

Saturday’s match night sponsor is Mooney’s Bar, Maugheraboy while match ball sponsor is The Fish Man, care of Martin McHugh. 

This game is Rovers’ first since relegation was confirmed last week following defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park. 

However, the re-build and preparation for 2027 has already begun with the news on Thursday evening that goalkeeper Liam Hughes has committed his future to the club, signing a fresh one-year deal. 

“He’s impressed me since he even got in the team”, Rovers boss Darren Purse tells sligorovers.com. 

“He hadn’t played for four or five months and he’s someone who will get better as he gets more time.

“He’s proven that he’s worthy of a new contract and he’ll fight it out with another goalkeeper next year for the shirt. How he does in the next three games, could put him in a really good position for next season.”

Reflecting on the disappointment of relegation, Purse is hopeful has challenged his players to complete the current campaign on an upward trajectory with games against Shamrock Rovers and Derry yet to come.  

“It hit me hard and I hope it hit the players hard too”, he admits. 

“It’s not really something you want on your CV, relegation and it’s one you have to take on the chin because we haven’t been good enough across the whole season. 

“The players now have their careers to play for in these last few games. The biggest motivation I can give them is, every time they put themselves across the white line, you’ve got to prove you’re good enough to play at the level you’re expected to play. Every time you take to the pitch, you’re there to be shot at and criticise you or praise you. 

“The question is now, can we go and get a bit of praise and try and finish the season on a high?”

Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk have only won once since June in the league, but will roll up at the Showgrounds knowing three points will be enough for them to avoid the relegation play-off.

Previewing the tie, Purse says there is still incentive there despite our fate already being decided. 

“They’ve done well to come up and find themselves in the position they’re in. They’ve a decent squad and a lot of experience but they’re not having a good run at the moment. For us, our motivation is can we go and put one over on them and get that win we’re desperate for?”

Rovers will be without captain Carl McHugh who limped out of the Shels game with a knee injury. While Seb Quirk and Daire Patton, both who were used subs in Dublin are pushing for starts. 

Purse also revealed that he is still holding talks with some players from the current squad about next season.

“There are conversations ongoing”. he concluded. 

“I don’t think there’ll be many new signings between now and the end of the season. 

“There are one or two that are here who I would like to keep but obviously that’s a decision that gets made between now and two or three weeks time. 

“Players will have options, but for me it’s about trying to keep our best players here and bring in the best we can. It’s a fine balancing act but we’re looking forward to a fresh start.” 

David Goulden

Goalkeeper Liam Hughes has signed a contract extension until the end of the 2027 season, the club is delighted to confirm.

The 25-year-old joined Rovers last December from Finnish side Haka, and the club has taken up the option of a further year on his contract. He becomes the first player to commit to the club for next season, with the aim of an immediate return to the Premier Division. A former Liverpool and Celtic youth player and Northern Ireland Under 21 international, Hughes has made three appearances in recent matches.

Manager Darren Purse said the move marks the start of the club’s preparations for 2027. “This is the first step in what is going to be a really important rebuild for the football club,” he said. “It is a good time for this one to be announced, and it gives us a bit of security in that area as we push on and hopefully get a few more over the line over the coming months.”

Purse spoke highly of Hughes’ progress since being given his opportunity. “I really liked him in training before he had even played a game. He has impressed since coming in and he is only going to get better the more games he plays. For me, it was a bit of a no-brainer to get it done.”

Hughes said he was delighted to commit his future to the club. “I am just happy to get it over the line. It has been a tough year for everyone involved in the club, so it is important to get started early for next season and hopefully we can bounce straight back up.”

He added: “It is great that the manager had trust in me. Everybody’s goal is for the club to get straight back up. Personally, I just want to play as many games as I can and help the team as much as I can.”

Sligo Rovers’ relegation to the First Division was confirmed on Friday night after the Bit O’Red fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Kaiyne Woolery struck for Rovers’ only goal of the game when he levelled Dan Kelly’s opener. 

However, quick-fire second half goals from Mipo Odubeko, John Martin, Milan Mbeng and Martin’s second on the hour rounded off a tough start to the second half for Darren Purse’s side from which they had no chance to recover.

The results means our relegation to the second tier is decided and we will play in the second tier for the first time since 2005. 

This brings to an end Rovers’ 21-year run in the Premier Division, the longest current run of consecutive seasons in the top flight, outside of Bohs and Pat’s who have never been relegated.

Our next game is at home to Dundalk on Saturday October 17th. Kick-off in Sligo is 7.45pm. 

Shelbourne: Ed Beach; Milan Mbang (Marco Untergrabner 64), Kameron Ledwidge, Odhran Casey James Norris (James Roche 76); Kerr McInroy (c), John Henry Francis (Ali Coote 64); Daniel Kelly, (Sean Boyd 76) Sean Moore Evan Caffrey; Ademipo Odubeko (John Martin 51)

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Aidan Gabbidon (Kevin Zefi 65), Gareth McIlroy, Carl McHugh (c), Sean Stewart; Luke Young, Reuben Gillespie (Seb Quirk 58); James McManus (Daire Patton 58), Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 58), Jack Shorrock; Kaiyne Woolery (Luke Pearse 81)

Referee: Paul McLoughlin