By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will bid to extend an unbeaten sequence to four games when defending Women’s Premier Division (WPD) champions Athlone Town visit the Showgrounds on Saturday, 3pm.

The Bit O’Red kept a cleansheet at Tallaght Stadium last Saturday and were well worth a draw as they made it three successive games unbeaten, but Athlone will pose a huge challenge.

On the injury front, almost half a team of regular starters will be absent again as Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Amber Hardy, Rachel McGoldrick and Jessica Casey remain on the sideline and Rovers manager Steve Feeney is well aware of the challenge this weekend.

STEVE FEENEY

“Athlone are in great form and look like a formidable team at the moment, with seven wins and draw so far in the league and they are scoring plenty of goals also,” he stated.

“Roisin Molloy has returned to action from injury and when you add her to players like Maddie Gibson, Kelly Brady and quality in other positions, they have a strong panel.

“It will be another big test for us this weekend, but then that’s what we want and we are really looking forward to the game against the reigning champions,” he added.

“We’ll prepare as best we can, just like we did last week and the week before and the target will be to extend our unbeaten sequence.

“We are certainly under no illusions about the task that we face, if we are not on our game then we will be punished.

“However, the girls deserve great credit for the way they have found improvement over the last few weeks, especially the way they executed our game plan at Tallaght Stadium last Saturday.

“If we can improve on that against Athlone, then we will be in with a chance, but it will require total concentration for 90 minutes.

“We have conceded only one goal in our last three games while in the three before that, we conceded 11 goals, that’s a reflection on all the players and we now want to build on that, another clean sheet on Saturday would give us a great chance,” he concluded.

ATHLONE TOWN

Currently, Athlone Town lead the way at the top of the WPD with a point to spare ahead of 2023 champions Shelbourne.

The formbook would certainly favour an unbeaten Athlone Town side that has won seven out of eight WPD games this season with a draw at Tallaght Stadium in mid-March where they finished with 10 players following a red card with about 20 minutes remaining.

There was also a defeat (1-0) in the All-Island Cup away to Glentoran where Athlone finished with nine players following two red cards around the 90^th minute mark and despite a red card last weekend after 20 minutes, the Westmeath side carved out an impressive 3-0 victory against Waterford.

LOITV

Kick-off at The Showgrounds is at 3pm and the game is live on LOITV.

Kick-off at The Showgrounds is at 3pm and the game is live on LOITV.

The 500 Club members draw for March & April was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

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

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

March 

· €500 Dermot O’Hara – Fivemilebourne, Co. Sligo 

· €100 Dermot Costello – 45 Rathedmond, Sligo 

· €100 Tony Fagan – Church Hill, Sligo 

· €100 Christy Murphy – Calry, Sligo 

· €100 Conor Maye – Oakfiled, Sligo 

· €100 Stephen McGloin – Drumcondra, Dublin 

· €100 Kiara Killerane – New Circular Rd, Sligo 

· €100 Bartosz Bukowski – Carrney, Co Sligo 

· €100 Gannon and McNamara – 33 Cedar Drive, Sligo 

· €100 Martin Keavney – 26 Ceadar Drive, Sligo 

April 

· €500 Andrew Higgins – Tracey Ave. Sligo 

· €100 John McGowan – Hampton Wood, Dublin 11 

· €100 Cian O’Dowd – Ballinacarrow, Co. Sligo 

· €100 James Creed Rosses Point, Co. Sligo 

· €100 Sean O’Rouke – Moulton, USA 

· €100 Michael Leonard – Blackrock, Dublin 

· €100 Allen McGowan – Knocknare, Co. Sligo 

· €100 Thomas Marren – Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo 

· €100 Craig McGowan – Tonaphubble, Sligo 

· €100 Brenda Kearins – Boyle, Co. Roscommon

SHAMROCK ROVERS 0, SLIGO ROVERS 0

By Conall Collier

Bonnie McKiernan produced a superb display between the posts at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening as Sligo Rovers earned a valuable Women’s Premier Division point and made it three games unbeaten with a third clean sheet of the season.

The players have addressed the early-season problem of leaking goals and while few scoring chances were created at the Dublin venue, the first requirement was to make it difficult for the opposition, and that goal has been achieved.

Steve Feeney made one change from the previous week’s win over Peamount, with Keeva Flynn coming into the starting 11 at the expense of Kate Nugent, while his opposite number, Collie O’Neill, also made one change as Republic of Ireland player Ruesha Littlejohn returned to the side in favour of Jaime Thompson.

With Women’s National Team manager Carla Ward watching the action, the hosts were intent on making an impact, but the Bit O’Red produced another battling rearguard action during the opening 45 minutes and went in scoreless at the interval.

They repeated the performance after the resumption and were well worth the point, as solid defending was the hallmark, with Keeva Flynn, Sarah Kierna and Alice Lillie holding the line with tremendous backup from ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan, who produced a string of smart saves.

Twice she denied Áine O’Gorman with fingertip saves, and she also thwarted Joy Ralph and Katie O’Reilly as the hosts enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to make any impact on the scoreboard.

The pattern was similar in the second half, where the tireless efforts of Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry and Alanah Doherty limited chances for the hosts, who went close on two occasions through Aoife Brophy, denied by the crossbar, and Ella Kelly.

Substitutes Muireann Devaney and Kate Nugent were crucial additions in the closing stages, and Devaney almost scored with her first touch as the Bit O’Red launched a late attack.

Overall, this was yet another encouraging display from a Sligo Rovers team that is showing consistent improvement each week.

Shamrock Rovers – Katie Keane; Scarlett Herron, Maria Reynolds, Katie O’Reilly, Melissa O’Kane, Joy Ralph, Emily Corbett, Áine O’Gorman, Aoife Brophy, Keelin Comiskey, Ruesha Littlejohn. Subs – Ella Kelly for Corbett 57 mins, Jaime Thompson for O’Gorman, Fiona Owens for Brophy and Anna Butler for O’Reilly all 75m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Leah Kelly, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Alice Lillie, Emma Hansberry, Eimear Lafferty, Alanah Doherty, Mairead McIntyre, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Muireann Devaney for McIntyre 71 mins, Kate Nugent for Doherty 85 mins.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant referees – Simon Drislane, Dylan Redmond.

Fourth official – John Sconnie-Walsh.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Lys Mousset stuck in the 88th minute of this game as Sligo Rovers were beaten late on by Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

To make matters worse for the Bit O’Red, Owen Elding saw an early penalty hit the crossbar as Rovers fell to their second defeat on the bounce.

Rovers came into this game on the back of just one win and two draws in their last five, while the visiting Gypsies were very much in the in-form side here with four victories in their last five outings. 

Rovers boss John Russell, without centre half pairing John Mahon and Ollie Denham made two changes from their defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Jake Doyle-Hayes returned from suspension while Harvey Lintott made his first start in nine games. Midfielder Conor Malley made the bench having been dropped from the squad for the trip to Tallaght. 

A resurgent Bohs named both Rob Cornwall and Colm Whelan in their starting team, their only changes from the late win in Galway five evenings previous.

Eleven years to the day since their last trophy win in the form of the final edition of the Setanta Sports Cup, Rovers went within inches of taking the lead in this one when Elding’s penalty after three minutes came off Kacper Choraka’s crossbar after Cian Kavangh was sent sprawling inside the Bohs area by Rob Cornwall. 

The Dubliners finished the opening half on the front foot, but Rovers did fashion another good chance on 26 minutes when Kavanagh stabbed Elding’s cross narrowly past the post.

Aware a win would move them within striking distance of the top two, the Phibsboro outfit asserted themselves as the half wore on. 

Reece Hutchinson swept a Dayle Rooney effort off his own line after goalkeeper Sam Sargeant had gone travelling. While the net minder diverted Dawson Devoy’s powerful volley over his goal on the next attack. 

The Dalymount outfit continued to press but Rovers dealt well with anything Bohs could muster. Jordan Flores’ drive took a lick off Elding’s heel as it fizzed wide, followed by another decent save from Sargeant who pushed a Cornwall header away from danger. 

Sargeat was involved in proceedings again on the hour when he produced a magnificent double save to keep Rovers alive in the tie. Cornwall’s initial blast was parried by the former Waterford man and Sargeant repeated the trick when his timely reaction kept out Rooney’s follow up. 

Rovers had plenty of play in and around the Bohs box but couldn’t manufacture the final ball to beat Chorzka.  

The winning strike arrived two minutes from time when substitute Mousset arrived in time to volley past Sargeant for another late win on the road for the visitors. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Wilson Waweru 84), Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds (Kyle McDonagh 78), Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Jad Hakiki 68); Will Fitzgerald, Francely Lomboto (Stephen Mallon 68); Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh (Conor Malley 78).

Bohs: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Sean Grehan, Ross Tierney; Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 78), Dawson Devoy; Ross Tierney (Archie Meekison 83), James Clarke (Lys Mousset 78), Dayle Rooney; Colm Whelan (Rhys Brennan 59). 

Referee: Mark Houlihan. 

Attendance: 2,056.

Sligo Rovers return to the Showgrounds this Saturday night as the Bit O’Red take on Bohemians in Premier Division action, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Rovers are back on home soil after being narrowly beaten by Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Monday last. 

Two down at the break, Rovers rallied in the second period and had their hosts under the cosh for sustained periods. Manager John Russell will look to bring that momentum into Saturday’s game with Bohs.

Russell welcomes back Jake Doyle-Hayes from a one match ban. However John Mahon, Ollie Denham and Oskar Van Hattum are unavailable. Mahon serves a one game ban due to the accumulation of a total of ten yellow cards. While Denham and Van Hattum are both nursing knocks. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday, boss Russell says he wants his team to show the desire and creativity which saw his side outplay the Hoops in stages of that game earlier this week. 

“We showed yet again in Dublin that we are more than able to compete with any team in this league”. he said. 

“We were really pleased with the second half performance which really owed us at least a goal. First half, things didn’t go our way and huge improvement was needed and we got that. 

“But in the second half, we could have had two or three goals and we were very impressive going forward. Again, we must improve defensively, everyone knows that and the players are working hard every day in training on that. We’ll be without our two starting centre halves for Bohs but we’ve known that since Monday so we’ve been able to prepare to deal with that. 

“Bohs have really turned things around recently and I think that was always going to happen. They have a really strong squad and will cause us problems but our players will be prepared for that. 

“We’re looking to put a bit of form together now and a few good results in this league can really see you climb and climb quickly.” 

Supporters are asked to note that 2025 Annual Draw tickets will go on sale at this game, with the club hoping to surpass the record amount of €130,000 raised last year. 

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers will travel to Tallaght Stadium on Saturday for a Women’s Premier Division (WPD) showdown against a Shamrock Rovers side that currently sits in sixth place, some eight points adrift of leaders Athlone Town.

The Bit O’Red will go into the first of two big games on the back of an impressive victory last Saturday against four-time champions Peamount Utd, with Athlone Town set to visit the Showgrounds the following weekend.

Anna McDaniel’s 19th-minute goal was the platform for a thoroughly deserved win last Saturday as the Bit O’Red delivered a tremendous display with 90 minutes of non-stop pressure.

Bonnie McKiernan will start between the posts again as Amber Hardy continues her recovery along with the injured trio of Katie Melly, Jessica Casey and Rachel McGoldrick.

Against that background, injuries to four regular starters, Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney has been rewarded with some swashbuckling performances from the players who have deputised and who will now be looking for regular starting positions.

“The fact that we had players of the quality of Muireann (Devaney) and Keeva (Flynn) on the bench last Saturday was a reflection of the actual strength in depth of our panel, and it was a real boost to bring them on in the second half,” stated Steve.

“We got a performance over the whole game against Peamount, and that was something we were aiming for; getting the 1-0 win along with that was a bonus.

“Obviously, it’s a major setback that Katie Melly, Amber Hardy, Rachel McGoldrick and Jessica Casey are still on the injured list, but Paula McGrory and Kya McKenna could be available for selection.

“We are starting to look more solid throughout the pitch at this stage, and I think that was evident after we took the lead against Peamount. We will have to bring that type of performance to Tallaght Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s a bit of a cliché, I suppose, but there is no easy game in this league, and we will have to produce an even better performance this weekend.

“We know that it will be a big challenge on a big pitch, but it’s something the players will relish, and they will be aiming to extend an unbeaten sequence and add to our points tally.

“The bottom line is that we have two big games ahead of us with Athlone Town at the Showgrounds the following weekend before the trip to Belfast to play Linfield in the All-Island Cup.

“I suppose the target for Saturday is to back up our performances against Bohs and Peamount and see where that takes us.

“Shams will have a certain confidence about them and will, no doubt, be expecting to push up the table at our expense,” he added.

The Dublin women will go into Saturday’s game on the back of a 10-goal haul in the last two outings, a 6-0 win and a 4-1 win in the All-Island Cup and WPD, respectively, against bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves.

Republic of Ireland international Ruesha Littlejohn has added to the quality, although she didn’t start last weekend at the Belfield Bowl, where, in a post-match interview, manager Collie O’Neill wasn’t impressed with the condition of the pitch.

Emily Corbett (two) and Joy Ralph scored last weekend against DLR Waves, and there was also an own goal. Prior to that they lost against Galway (3-2) and Wexford (3-2), with a 1-1 draw against Peamount sandwiched between those defeats.

The Dublin side will be going for goals on Saturday and will have the benefit of last season’s joint top scorers, Joy Ralph and Áine O’Gorman, who scored eight goals apiece, to boost the prospects of a first WPD home victory since mid-March.

Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday is at 5pm, and the game will be live on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers are excited to launch the club’s 2025 Annual Draw, our yearly fundraiser which has year-on-year become more and more vital to the operation of the club.

As one of the only remaining supporter-owned clubs in the League of Ireland, we rely on this and all other vital fundraisers in our mission to make the club stronger with each passing year.

All monies raised will go towards the day-to-day running of the club in an effort to keep us financially healthy off the pitch and as competitive as possible on it. 

The club are keen to match and we would hope to surpass the incredible record breaking total of €130,000 which was raised by our hard-working supporters in 2024.  

The draw will take place at half-time during our Premier Division match with Bohemians at the Showgrounds on August 30th. Tickets go on sale at this Saturday’s game with Bohs. 

This year’s top prize is again €5,000 in cash, a great boost for anyone in the current climate. While there are a host of other great prizes including stays in any Clayton Hotel in the country, Breaffy Hotel and Resort in Castlebar, the Waterford Marina Hotel and the Broadhaven Bay in Belmullet. 

There are also a number of vouchers kindly sponsored by local businesses such as Elvery’s, Kate’s Kitchen and Empire Hairdressing. While there is also a €200 voucher from Ticketmaster up for grabs. 

Sligo Rovers is a football club not just for the people of Sligo, but also for those of the greater north-west area and our loyal army of ticket-sellers will be pacing the streets of towns and villages across county Sligo and parts of Leitrim, Mayo and Roscommon. The club will also be working extremely closely with our friends and supporters in the Bit O’Red Supporters’ Trust and Dublin Supporters’ Club, contact any member of either to purchase tickets. 

If you would like to get involved in selling tickets in your area, please contact Rovers’ Annual Draw Coordinator Mark Cummins at markjcummins76@gmail.com. 

Tickets will also be available from the club’s official website, sligorovers.com and supporters, those based away from Ireland in particular, are greatly encouraged to purchase tickets through this medium. 

Rovers Chairperson Tommy Higgins outlined just how important the draw is to the club. He said: “Anyone following the League of Ireland will know how tough it is to keep clubs going, especially a club ran in the unique way Sligo Rovers is. The annual draw is crucial to keeping the club going and we’re hoping our supporters will really get behind the draw in a big way this year as we look to keep the club financially sustainable and give John Russell the greatest chance of achieving success that we can.” 

“We would like to again thank our loyal supporters for raising such an incredible amount last season”, annual draw coordinator Mark Cummins says. 

“We are really looking forward to getting out there again and we’re hoping to match and surpass last year’s total figure. A huge thank you to all who have assisted with sales over the years and I encourage anyone who is interested in selling tickets to get involved by contacting myself.”

First half goals did all the damage as Shamrock Rovers overcame a superb second half fight-back from Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Behind by two at the break, the visiting Rovers were a different team in the second half but were unable to find the net.

Graham Burke had the Hoops ahead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes, while former Rovers striker Aaron Green doubled the lead as the game headed for half-time. 

John Russell’s side knocked on the door on several occasions in the second half and were all over their Dublin opponents, a dominant Rovers falling just short in the Dublin sunshine. 

Referee Rob Hennessy awarded Shams the spot-kick after the ball hopped up and on to Conor Reynolds’ arm, an unlucky moment on what was another fine performance from a rising Rovers star. 

Burke dispatched the penalty to give the hosts the lead while the 2023 champions had their second on 42. Greene turning to finish off a neat flick over the Rovers rearguard from Jack Byrne.

Rovers were a totally different side in the second half and were unfortunate early on not to be awarded their own penalty after a Shams defender looked like he had handled the ball inside Ed McGinty’s area. 

McGinty was by far the busier goalkeeper in the second 45 and scrambled to keep out a Matty Wolfe effort. While Owen Elding had a header taken on McGinty’s line by Roberto Lopes as the visitors continued their relentless press for a goal of their own. 

Rovers kept trying but couldn’t unlock the Hoops door, going close through Francely Lomboto after Elding’s through ball had caused chaos amongst the Shams’ defence. Ronan Manning then had former Rovers number one McGinty racing across his line to push a late free-kick over his crossbar. 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan; Adam Matthewst, Darragh Nugent, Matt Healy (Gary O’Neill 67), Jack Byrne (Nichael Noonan 67), Danny Grant (Victor Ozhianvuna 83); Graham Burke (John O’Sullivan 67); Aaron Greene (Rory Gaffney 83).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sergeant; Conor Reynolds (Harvey Lintott 77), Gareth McElroy, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Matt Wolfe (Daire Patton 77), Ronan Manning; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki (Cian Kavanagh h-t; Stephen Mallon 82), Will Fitzgerald; Francely Lomboto (Wilson Warweru 77).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Tallaght Stadium is Sligo Rovers’ destination this bank holiday Monday evening as the Bit O’Red travel to Dublin for the third time this season, this time to take on Shamrock Rovers. Supporters are reminded kick-off time has been revised to 7pm. 

Rovers go into this one on the back of home draws against Cork City and Drogheda United, while the Hoops are without a win in four having played out draws with Cork, Shels and Pat’s and were recently beaten by rivals Bohemians who Sligo Rovers face at the Showgrounds this coming Saturday.

Tallaght hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for John Russell’s men recently. Our last win at the south Dublin venue was back in 2021 and since then, Sligo have lost in each of our seven visits bar a draw in April 2022. 

However, Sligo Rovers did win the last meeting between these two teams back in March at the Showgrounds. A Reece Hutchinson strike before half-time was cancelled out by Graham Burke, but Sligo skipper John Mahon struck for what was our first win of the season twelve minutes from time. 

Rovers head to the capital again without Ollie Denham and Oskar Van Hattum, both of whom are continuing to recover from injury and are Russell’s only injury concerns. Jake Doyle-Hayes is also unavailable due to suspension.

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of the game, the Rovers boss says he wants to see his team improve defensively but is full of optimism ahead of what will be a challenging contest.  

“Every ground you visit in this league is a tough place to go to”, he says. “There simply just aren’t any games that aren’t tough and Monday will be the same. Our record up there isn’t great but we’re using that as motivation to go and give a good account of ourselves. 

“We’ve been the architects of our own downfall at times this season and have given other teams headstarts. We’ve been so impressive going forward, creating chances and scoring goals and I’m really happy with that. But what’s been killing us is the concession of silly goals. 

“If you make it easy for the opposition somewhere like Tallaght, then chances are you’re not coming back from it so we need to be on our game from the start. 

“We’ve a good group here and we know what we can achieve this season if we get things right. We showed against Shamrock Rovers in Sligo in March that we can put it up to the strongest teams in this league. We just need to get the basics right and our talent will bring us the rest of the way.

“We’re really looking forward to this one and hopefully it’ll be a good evening for us.”

David Goulden