Sligo Rovers return to action on Saturday night in The Showgrounds as Waterford FC visit in the SSE Airtricity League. Kick-off is 7.45pm,

The team will meet, on the pitch, for a third time this season and the first in Sligo as the earlier home meeting was not played due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Waterford squad. Rovers were awarded a 3-0 win in that fixture.

Rovers claimed 2-1 victory in the first away match but the Blues secured the points in the other match in a 1-0 success.

Match ticket are available at turnstiles for all supporters with no pre-booking needed.

Rovers were hit with a number of absentees last week as Garry Buckley, Greg Bolger, Robbie McCourt, David Cawley and Shane Blaney were ruled out for the game in Dundalk.

Buckley returns from a one-match ban while Bolger and McCourt have trained this week and look set to be available, but Blaney is still out with a foot problem.

Cawley and John Mahon will serve suspensions on Saturday so they miss out.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We were disappointed with how things went last week. I do think the scoreline flattered Dundalk somewhat but it wasn’t enough from our point of view over the course of the 90 minutes.

“We were down a couple of players late in the week and that certainly didn’t help as we had to juggle a few things around. We lost the game and we move on from it.

“It will happen, you’re not going to win every game, particularly with the way the league has panned out this season. Ultimately what matters is how you respond, how consistently you can find results over the year, and I can see the players are looking forward to this week’s game.  

“Waterford are a good side, desperate for points like every other side in the league, and they’ve won six out of their last nine league games and qualified for the FAI Cup semi-finals. The matches they did lose were narrow defeats away to Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic, so it tells you how they’ve been doing in the last few months.

“We’re not setting targets because I think it’s entirely unpredictable how the rest of the league season will turn out. It’s the old expression of one game at a time but it really has to be that way because one result makes a difference. Our approach all season has been to battle for every result we get and that every three points is the same.

“We were the rising team last year, getting better as the season went on, and got into the top four on the final day of the season. I know there are teams out there looking to emulate what we did last season.

“This season we’ve given ourselves a better platform. We feel we have improved as a group, we’re right in the mix battling it out for that European finish. It would be fantastic to get it over the line but it’s going to be a fight to the wire to get there and there is any number of teams chasing it.

“As we look to Saturday, it’s a home game with the great support we get here and we did pick up a couple of wins last month. We would like to replicate that if we can.

“John and David will serve suspensions but we do have Robbie, Greg and Garry back with us. The game will come too soon for Shane and he’s working hard to be back soon.  

“As much as it will be a challenging six weeks from now to the end of the season, it’s also an exciting one as well and we’ll go into this game looking for the result and performance that we desire.”

There are three games down for decision at Academy level this weekend, with our Under 17 men and Under 19 men and women all in action.

Tonight, Friday sees our Under 17 men host Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre at 7.30pm. The lads lost to Shelbourne last Saturday but are still in a good position in the group table.

On Sunday afternoon, our Under 19 women’s team travel to Woodlands to take on Greystones at 2pm. The girls picked up a rare defeat last Sunday in Donegal and will be looking to bounce back this time around in another tricky away game.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, our in form Under 19 mens side host Galway United. This will be a crucial match as the lads sit on top of the group table and will be hoping to maintain that position with victory over the Tribesmen.

Admission to all our home games are free and we encourage all Bit O’ Red supporters to get out and show support to our teams.

The Chilean Ambassador to Ireland Her Excellency Carla Serazzi  visited Sligo on Tuesday to lay a wreath at the O’Higgins  monument in Stephen Street Car Park. Bernardo O’Higgins is regarded as the founding father of Chile and is the son of Sligo native Ambrose, a Spanish officer who was Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru.

The name of Bernardo O Higgins lives on in Chile through the football team that bears his name.  It is a connection recognised and valued by Sligo Rovers., and the Ambassador called to the Showgrounds to unveil a new plaque at the Outdoor Museum presenting the story of the O’Higgins Club.

The Ambassador was presented with a copy of Sligo Rovers Official History, and made a presentation to Chairman Tommy Higgins on behalf of the O’Higgins Club.

We are delighted to announce the details of our 2021 Halloween Camp, which will take place in The Showgrounds from Monday October 25^th until Friday October 29^th.

Following on from the success of this year’s Summer Camps, it is expected that our Halloween Camp will sell out quickly.

Parents are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Prices remain the same, with one child priced at €70, two children from the one family €120 and three children from the one family priced at €170.

The camp will run from 10.30am until 3pm daily.

Each participant will receive an official Sligo Rovers training top.

To make a booking, click here.

For more information, email shane@sligorovers.com.

Aaron Heaney, Kailin Barlow and Sean McAteer fired our men’s Under 19’s to a fourth consecutive win in the league last Sunday evening at Baldonnell, Dublin. Heaney gave Rovers a deserved lead just before half-time with Barlow adding a second two minutes after the restart. Midfielder McAteer made certain of victory in the 86^th minute before the hosts netted a late consolation. The 3-1 victory over the Students maintains our 100% record and sends the boys five points clear of Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Elite League as we approach the midway point of the season. Up next, we welcome Galway United to The Sean Fallon Centre this coming Sunday. Galway’s opening day 8-2 win over Derry City was their only win so far, losing their next three games.

Our Women’s Under 19 side lost their own 100% record on Sunday afternoon at Leckview Park against Donegal and slipped to second in the group, albeit only on goal difference. Ella Vahey scored for the second week running but this time it was merely a consolation as Donegal hit five to take revenge for their 2-1 defeat in Sligo last month. We travel to the Woodlands this coming Sunday to face Greystones United in a repeat of the game two weeks ago (a 3-1 home win for Rovers) hoping for a similar outcome. Victory in Wicklow, in our penultimate game, would almost certainly guarantee a top two finish and a subsequent post-season Semi-Final spot for the girls.

The blueprint for that result was outlined by our Women’s Under 17 on Saturday evening as we went top of the group with a 2-0 win over Greystones. Rebecca Doddy did what she always does – score for Sligo Rovers – and became the highest scoring player amongst all the academy teams this season. Katie McGuire was on the scoresheet also as Rovers pulled three points clear at the halfway stage. Winless Athlone Town visit the Showgrounds in two weeks (Saturday Oct. 9) with the pressure all on the visitors. Athlone’s only goal in the group so far came in their 2-1 home defeat to Rovers in early September whereas our girls have scored almost double the next highest scorers in the group. A place in the Semi-Finals looks a distinct possibility even now.

The second of three 100% records went by the wayside this weekend as our Under 17 side were beaten 3-2 by Shelbourne at the AUL Complex. Both sides are tied on nine points along with UCD at the summit, Rovers in second by way of goal difference. Aaron Heaney matched Eimear McIntyre’s fantastic efforts from last week as he too scored at two different age levels over the weekend, Conor Cannon netting Rovers’ second. Rovers (14 scored, 5 conceded) face Finn Harps (8 scored, 9 conceded) this Friday night at The Sean Fallon Centre in what could be a goal fest with 36 goals scored in their 8 combined matches so far. And with just two games remaining after this, a win is vital before a trip to UCD in two weeks.

Finally, after terrific wins over Athlone and Galway our Under 14s bowed out of the cup on Saturday at the Quarter-Final stage. A strong Finn Harps won 5-0 in Killygordon to progress to the final four and leave us to turn our attention to the final group game of the season on October 9^th at home to Longford Town. A 3^rd place finish is within sight and potentially another Quarter-Final place, this time in the league’s post season.

Richard Mullan

Sligo Rovers can confirm a capacity of 2,100 will be in operation for Saturday’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division match in The Showgrounds against Waterford FC, while pre-booking seats in the main stand will no longer be necessary.

The stadium will be open seating with the exception of away supporters.

Fixture:

• Saturday 2 October, Sligo Rovers v Waterford FC, The Showgrounds, 7:45pm

SEASON PACK HOLDERS

Season Pack holders must bring your season pack booklet and present one ticket at the turnstiles.

If your season pack has expired with no vouchers remaining, you can pay cash at turnstiles. The main stand will be open for all fans on a first come basis.

Please note the stand will close when at capacity under regulations.

There are four home games left this season if you still have tickets remaining in your pack. Any remaining match passes can be used in 2022.

Tickets can be removed from the pack and given to friends or family for this season if desired.

GENERAL SALE FOR HOME FANS

All other home fans can gain entry by paying cash at turnstiles. There will be no online sale prior to the game for home supporters – they can purchase tickets at turnstiles with cash.

With 1,900 tickets for home supporters, we encourage supporters to arrive on time.

AWAY FANS – PAY ON THE GATE

Away fans can purchase tickets on the gate on the night.

Away fans will be situated in the usual away section, in sections T, U and V of the Jinks Avenue Stand.

There are five academy games down for decision across Saturday and Sunday as we approach the business end of the season.

If we enjoyed home comforts last weekend, with all games taking place at The Showgrounds, this weekend is the opposite, with all teams bar The Under 15 men’s team who have the weekend off facing tough away assignements.

Tomorrow, Saturday sees our Under 17 men’s team face Shelbourne at 2pm in Dublin’s AUL Complex. The lads enjoyed a break last weekend after victory over Cabinteely a fortnight ago.

Also tomorrow, Our Under 14 boys team face Finn Harps in the Under 14 cup. Kick off is at 2pm for the ever improving side.

Our Under 17 women’s team travel to Woodlands in Dublin at 4pm to take on Greystones. The girls had an entertaining 3-3 draw against DLR Waves last Saturday.

Both Under 19 sides are in action on Sunday. Declan Boyle’s Men’s side face a tough game in Balldonnell against UCD at 5pm while in Donegal, 30 minutes later, our Women’s team kick off in against Donegal Ladies.

Both Under 19 sides won last weekend and will be looking to continue their good form this weekend.

Thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of the Bit O’ Red Academy.

EJ Menswear

Ivor Parke Painters & Decorators

Alzheimers Society Ireland, Sligo

O’ Connor Cabbins

Overstock Ltd

Verus Metrology Partners

Oh Hello Clothing

Sweet Beat Cafe

Sligo Rovers begin the fourth and final series of matches with a fixture in Oriel Park on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity League.

Rovers sit in third place in the table and clash with Dundalk for a fourth time. The teams met last week when Lewis Banks scored a winner in a close game.

In team news, Lewis Banks and Johnny Kenny return after missing last week’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers with minor injuries.

Garry Buckley serves a one game ban, while Shane Blaney is out with a foot problem. The latter is set for a return early next month.

Greg Bolger will have a late fitness test and is doubtful.

Liam Buckley said: “I was reasonably happy last week. We’d like to have our general play a bit better and create more chances but bearing in mind we were playing Shamrock Rovers who are the leaders, we did okay. It was a hard game but we competed well.

“There is a quarter of the season left and our position is a good one. That said, it’s a starting point from now to the end of the season we have to pick up our fair share of points in order to keep inside the top three or four.

“It certainly won’t be easy and the nature of the league is any team, at any time, can go on a run of games where they win matches. We’ve seen it with nearly all of the teams and from our point of view it’s about getting results and we know we’re capable of doing so.

“Dundalk did well against us in Sligo last week in what was a very tight game, they won the FAI Cup game deservedly on Tuesday and their squad is of the nature than even when missing players, you can still pick an XI with lots of quality and experience. We’ve all experienced it this season to have players out and indeed we are missing two centre halves in Garry and Shane this week. You have to get on with it and I’m sure that victory has lifted them and we have to be ready.

“We’re focusing on ourselves and how we approach the game. It’s great to have Lewis and Johnny back as they are top players and we’ll check on Greg this week.

“As I said, we’ve got these nine games to do all we can to get results. We’re really looking forward to them as well because the players have worked hard to get us to this point. We trained well this week and recovered from the busy period so we look forward to the game.”

Sligo Rovers can confirm a capacity of 2,100 will be in operation for our next two SSE Airtricity Premier Division matches in The Showgrounds, while pre-booking seats in the main stand will no longer be neccessary.

The stadium will be open seating with the exception of away supporters.

Fixtures:

• Saturday 2 October, Sligo Rovers v Waterford FC, The Showgrounds, 7:45pm
• Saturday 9 October, Sligo Rovers v Longford Town, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm

SEASON PACK HOLDERS

Season Pack holders must bring your season pack booklet and present one ticket at the turnstiles.

If your season pack has expired with no vouchers remaining, you can pay cash at turnstiles. The main stand will be open for all fans on a first come basis.

Please note the stand will close when at capacity under regulations.

There are four home games left this season if you still have tickets remaining in your pack. Any remaining match passes can be used in 2022.

Tickets can be removed from the pack and given to friends or family for this season if desired.

GENERAL SALE FOR HOME FANS

All other home fans can gain entry by paying cash at turnstiles. There will be no online sale prior to the game for home supporters – they can purchase tickets at turnstiles with cash.

With 1,900 tickets for home supporters, we encourage supporters to arrive on time.

AWAY FANS – ONLINE ONLY

Away fans of both Waterford and Longford Town can purchase tickets online on the week of the game. We will issue a link to both clubs and they will be available in the days before the match

Away fans will be situated in the usual away section, in sections T, U and V of the Jinks Avenue Stand. Waterford and Longford Town supporters can only enter through online sales with no tickets available at the stadium

We are delighted to support ‘The Green Ribbon Campaign’ which is aimed at getting as many people as possible to talk about mental health, while also ending the stigma surrounding it.

Pictured are members of the first team along with club staff wearing green ribbons, which are an international symbol for mental health awareness.

For more information on the campaign, click here.