Sligo Rovers would like to thank everyone who entered our colouring competition.

There are a lot of talented artists in the North-West region and indeed further afield.

There were three categories in total, with a prize for each winner in their respective category. The prizes include a signed 2021 Sligo Rovers jersey and a personal zoom call from members of the first team.

The winners, as voted by members of the first team, are as follows:

• Category 1 (4-7 year olds) : Kayne Scanlon, Treacy Ave Sligo.
• Category 2 (8-10 year olds) : Shane O’ Brien, Tubbercurry.
• Category 3 (11-12 year olds) : Annie O’ Connor, Boyle Co. Roscommon.

All winners have been contacted and will receive their prizes later this week.

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley says he can see far better performances coming from his side after they secured a 1-0 victory over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

Rovers were not fluent in a stop-start game in which they had more of the chances, but had to handle Longford pressure in the second half.

Garry Buckley’s header was enough for the Bit O’ Red on the night, as they moved top of the SSE Airtricity League table.

Buckley told RTÉ Sport: “A great three points

“The performance, from both teams, was compromised a little bit by the pitch. But a great three points from where we’re at.

“It was important, third game into the season, to get a win up here is great.

“I’m pleased with the amount of points we have. It’s great, we’re unbeaten in three games

“That said, our general play has to be far better. We have too many good players to not be playing as well as I can see us playing in my head.

“I do see us getting better, but we just need that happening sooner rather than later.”

The Rovers manager said the tricky pitch at Bishopsgate made it hard for a passing game on the night.

“Look, the pitch hasn’t helped – I’ll be straight – for both teams,” he said

“The ball is bobbling all over the place. When you’re trying to get it in to people’s feet, it’s difficult. So, we had to change up our game plan a little bit, which is not what we’re about here.”

Now at the head of the table at this early stage, Rovers are enjoying their best start since 2013.

Next week sees champions Shamrock Rovers visit The Showgrounds in what will be a fascinating encounter.

“I’m just pleased for the group.

“We need to be a bit more creative… we are in transition, we’ve a few new players, we need to be trying to pick up some points – which we’re doing.

“While we are getting better, we’ve got a nice tally of points. To see us up at the top of the table… last year we were bottom for four or five months. It’s nice from that end. We’re only three games in unfortunately.

“We’ll have to play far better against Shamrock Rovers. It’ll be an interesting game. I’m happy with where we are points wise, but we’ll be looking to be better next week.”

Watch highlights as Sligo Rovers notched a 1-0 win over Longford Town on Friday evening in the SSE Airtricity League.

Sligo Rovers continued the excellent start to the season with a 1-0 win over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

In a difficult encounter, Buckley rose at a corner early in the second period to give Rovers the victory.

Johnny Kenny had come closest to scoring in the first half after Lee Steacy’s fine save.

Rovers threatened late on when on the break as Longford added pressure but a resolute display was rewarded with three points.

It was enough for the Bit O’ Red to move top of the league for the night. Next up is Shamrock Rovers on Saturday 10 April in a 6pm kick-off in The Showgrounds.

As part of Sligo Rovers FC’s long term plan for the women’s team, we are looking to expand our coaching team ahead of the 2021 Season.

We will have two underage teams in the Women’s National League 2021, adding an Under 19 team alongside our Under 17 team which will enter its fourth season in the league.

We are seeking a 2^nd Head Coach to work alongside current Head-Coach Danny O’Leary who managed our Women’s National League Under 17 team last season.

Job Description
– Help club achieve its vision to ‘Build a brand that is associated with excellence on and off the pitch for women’s football, to be considered as an example of excellence and best practice, and one of the major developer of players within the country at underage, and eventually senior level’.
– The development and nurturing of a pool of elite players to facilitate their current and future success as individuals and as a team.
– Organise, plan and deliver a suitable player development programme in line with the FAI and Sligo Rovers coaching syllabus.
– Uphold the clubs code of conduct and implement club’s vision on and off the pitch.
– Set high standards for the players both on and off the pitch.
– Create and maintain appropriate communication with players / parents / clubs / leagues and any stakeholders relevant to the team
– Ensure the club adheres to FAI & Women’s National League rules and regulations and competition rules. . 
– To ensure that all delivery satisfies the clubs safeguarding and welfare procedures 
– The successful candidate will report to the Women’s Football committee within the club. The women’s committee includes members of the club management committee and is governed by the management committee of Sligo Rovers.

Job Specification:
The successful candidate will be working alongside the club’s elite level coaching staff and gain invaluable experience in the role.

The successful candidate will receive pre-negotiated expenses for any travel costs incurred during the role.

Essential Criteria
– A current valid UEFA B Licence holder as a minimum (for a head-coach role).
– Successful candidate will be subjected to garda vetting clearance. 
– Up to date Safeguarding 1 / Child Welfare Certificate.
– An ability to produce verbal and written reports.
– Access to both email and phone.
– Experience and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring elite young players and coaches.

Desirable Criteria
– Administrative and organisational skills.
– Previous experience of coaching in female game.
– Coach mentoring experience.

To express your interest in joining the coaching team, please send football CV to  sligoroverswomen@gmail.com  by Friday 9^th April 2021.

In episode three of Meet the Players, Mark Halton chats to Jordan Gibson who joined the club from St Patrick’s Athletic in the off-season.

He tells us of his career so far, scoring the spectacular goal last week in Waterford and loving life in Sligo.

Sligo Rovers face Longford Town on Friday evening at Bishopsgate in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Rovers have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the league season with a draw and a win.

Rovers will face Longford for the first time in five seasons in the league. There has been two FAI Cup meetings in the meantime with Town winning in 2017 and 2018.

In team news, Lewis Banks will have a late fitness test on a thigh strain. Rovers have no other concerns.

Liam Buckley said: “We were happy with the result in Waterford. There is room for improvement on the performance. We are in some transition, with the new players we have brought in this season, and the most important thing is to pick up points. We’ve done that so far and hopefully we can continue on Friday evening.

“The other positive was how we stuck at it last week. We went 1-0 down which we were disappointed about. Ed made a couple of great saves and the goals we scored to win the game were top class.

“Romeo’s finish was outstanding and Jordan’s shot, it was right in the angle of the goal and you couldn’t position it any better.

“We’ve got a good group of players here and they’re all going to want to play. The most important thing is to keep everyone fit and we go from there.

“We’ve been busy in training the last week and we’re looking forward to another game. 

“Longford have done very well so far. They’ve kept their core group and added even more quality as well. I’ve no doubt that it helps them to have that consistency there from last season.

“They have good energy and drive in the team. It was a brilliant year for them last season.

“They showed character to get promoted through the difficult play-offs in the First Division and we saw it again last week in Dalymount when coming from 2-0 down.

“They’re going to put it up to us, we know that. We go there looking to build on the win last week.”

A reminder that entries for our colouring competition must be in by this Friday, April 2nd.

All entries must be posted and addressed to Shane Crossan, C/O Sligo Rovers FC, PO Box 275 Sligo.

The competition is open to all children aged from 4 to 12 years.

There are three categories, 4-7 years, 8-10 years and 11-12 years. There will be one winner per category, each receiving a signed Sligo Rovers jersey and a personal zoom call from your favourite player.

You can print the image for the competition below.

Romeo Parkes and Jordan Gibson smashed home two wonder-goals as Sligo Rovers came from behind to beat Waterford at the RSC.

Cian Kavanagh had nodded Waterford into an early lead when he turned home a Jamie Mascoll corner with six minutes gone.

But a powerful volley from Parkes had Rovers level before the break, while man of the match Gibson continued his impressive start to life at the Showgrounds with a spectacular winner on early in the second period.

Having tasted defeat on the opening night in Drogheda, the hosts were looking for their first points of the season and took hold of this game early on.

Johnny Kenny registered an effort for Rovers in the opening moments, but the tie’s opener was to arrive at the opposite end on six minutes.

Kavanagh made the most of questionable marking in the Sligo box as he powered Mascoll’s corner past Ed McGinty with an authoritative header.

The visitors, who impressed last week against Dundalk, took their time to adjust to their surroundings.

They were almost level from nothing on ten minutes when teen Kenny struck the post having connected with Greg Bolger’s cross, after stellar work from Gibson and Colm Horgan down the right side.

McGinty made up for sloppy play from full back Robbie McCourt on 19 minutes when he pulled off a magnificent double save. The young Scot first denied Shane Griffin, before keeping out Kavanagh’s close range shot.

Sligo roared their way back into the game with a wonderful equaliser from Parkes.

The Jamaican meeting Gibson’s cross with a well timed full volley which soared past a stunned Brian Murphy in the Blues nets for Parkes’ second goal in as many games.

Indeed Rovers could and should have been ahead little more than 90 seconds later.

Parkes taking a punt forward from Garry Buckley into his stride, but he lacked the sharpness he exhibited just moments previous as he fired straight at Murphy from five yards.

Liam Buckley’s men finished last season with one of the poorer away records. They did their chances of coming away from the south east with something at least, when Gibson struck for the lead eight minutes into the second half.

The ex-Rangers youth cutting inside with a well crafted step-over before placing the ball into Murphy’s top corner from the angle.

Rovers threatened again on 68 when a neat exchange between Parkes and Kenny saw the former feed the in-form Gibson. The winger’s effort from the right fizzing across the face of the Blues goal this time.  

The alert McGinty had to rescue his team again four minutes later when he pounced to claim Buckley’s undercooked back-pass with substitute Daryl Murphy in close proximity. While Murphy was just short of fellow sub Eric Molloy’s cross to the back post moments later as Waterford began to assert themselves once more.

But despite the addition of extra fire power late on, Waterford were unable to turn Sligo a second time.

Waterford: Brian Murphy; Darragh Power, Kyle Ferguson, Cameron Evans, Jamie Mascoll; Adam O’Reilly, Oscar Brennan, Shane Griffin (Eric Molloy 67), Prince Mutswunguma (Daryl Murphy 63); James Waite, Cian Kavanagh (John Martin 80).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Colm Horgan, John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt; Niall Morahan, Greg Bolger: Jordan Gibson, Walter Figueira (David Cawley 67), Romeo Parkes; Johnny Kenny (Ryan De Vries 72).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Sligo Rovers face Waterford FC in the second game of the SSE Airtricity League on Friday night at the Regional Sport Centre, live on RTÉ Two and WATCHLOI.

The Bit O’Red earned a point in their opening game of the season last week, drawing 1-1 with Dundalk.

In a game which featured six debuants, Rovers competed very well in a game which ebbed and flowed throughout.

As well as good performances from the starting team, the Rovers bench also faired well as David Cawley and Mark Byrne impressed and contributed greatly.

Last season had two closes games between the sides. Rovers won 2-1 in The Showgrounds through a last-minute goal, while in the RSC the home side edged a 1-0 game.

Liam Buckley has no injury or suspension concerns for the game.

The Rovers manager said: “It was nice to get a reasonable performance to begin with last week. We had good parts of our game and also areas to work on.

“It was an intense game as you would expect from the first one of the season. Dundalk will be looking to compete at the top of the table so overall we did well.

“This week provided time for some players to get shaper. We had a few lads who had a shortened pre-season due to quarantining or little niggles they picked up meaning they missed out on parts. They are getting stronger now. We’ve got everybody fit for Friday so we’ll pick the team we feel is right.”

While there was a positive outlook following the opening weekend, Buckley has stressed that it has to be built upon.

“Everyone is looking to win matches. Waterford conceded an own goal in the closing stages against Drogheda, which was quite unfortunate, so we know that even after one game they are a difficult prospect.  

“Every match we play is going to a hard one. We’ve spent some time working on our fitness and tactics and trying to improve on last week. We go to Waterford looking for the result.”