Last weekend saw just three of our academy teams in action across Saturday and Sunday.

Our Under 17 Women and Under 14 & 15 Men’s sides all had the weekend off, so it was business as usual for the rest of the academy.

On Saturday our Under 17 Men’s side defeated Longford Town 4-0 at The Sean Fallon Centre. Goals from Niall Holohan, Oisin Tighe, Adam Nugent & Sam Tuohy were enough to secure the points. The visitors had a couple of chances of their own throughout the game but couldn’t find the net past the Rovers’ keeper.

Sunday saw both our Under 19 sides in action.

Our Men’s team defeated Drogheda United 4-1 at The Sean Fallon Centre. Ciaran Jennings’ goal saw the sides go into the break level after an even first half. Josh Mulrennan scored his second penalty in as many games to give Rovers the lead early in the second half and goals from Aidan McHale and Kailin Barlow wrapped up all three points.

The Women’s team travelled to Dublin to take on Peamount United in Greenogue. Both sides created a number of good chances in the game with Rovers’s losing out 5-2, with goals from Eimear McIntyre and an OG.

This coming weekend, Cavan/Monaghan are our opponents at Under 14, Under 15 and Under 17 Men’s level, with our Under 19 men taking on Finn Harps.

Our Under 19 Women’s team host Bray Wanderers with our Under 17’s taking on Galway.

As always, thanks to our sponsors for their support.

If you haven’t bought your virtual ticket, you can now buy a streaming pass only for the game on Thursday at 6pm.

The match will be broadcast on LOITV.

Click here to buy for €10 when you’re registered for LOITV.

Virtual ticket holders will be issued an access code.

Sligo Rovers can today confirm the signing of midfielder Adam McDonnell.

McDonnell began his career at Shelbourne before moving to Ipswich Town under Mick McCarthy.

Two successful spells at Aldershot Town saw McDonnell play some of the best football of his career before a switch to Boreham Wood for the last two campaigns.

The 24-year-old officially joined the club last weekend and has completed Covid-19 protocols so he trained with the first-team squad this morning.

He is already eligible to play in the league and European action.

Speaking to www.sligorovers.com, McDonnell said: “It’s brilliant to get it over the line. In the last few weeks my agent and the club were in conversation and for me it was a no-brainer to sign for Sligo Rovers.  

“I know what Liam Buckley teams are like, I remember it from playing against St Patrick’s Athletic at the start of my career and I didn’t forget it. I was up against Greg Bolger that day actually and the style of football will be a great fit for me.

“I’m a ball-playing midfielder who can play six or 10. I think defending matters when it comes to midfield so if I play six I like to get on the ball and protect the defence, and if playing further up the pitch create chances or score goals.

“I absolutely loved my time in England. The last year or so was not as enjoyable with lockdown and it was right time to come back to Ireland.

“I’m in Sligo so I’ll be able to travel home to Dublin at times and see my family which I wasn’t able to do in England. I know Robbie McCourt and Danny Kane so I spoke to them about the club and when you just hear good things, it made me want to come here.  I can see the positive mindset here and a winning mentality and it’s fantastic to be part of that. Even after one session I can see that positivity.

“There’s so much to play for in terms of the league and obviously there’s Europe on Thursday. I trained today, I’ve been ticking over since I left England and while I may need match sharpness, I want to play as soon as I can.”

Liam Buckley said: “We’re very pleased to bring Adam in.

“I’ve known of Adam since he was a young kid starting out at Shels with a lot of potential, he’s gone over to England and done very well for the last six or seven years.

“He brings experience and he’ll be a help to us over the season. We are only at the midway point so between the league, the Cup and the rest of the European season, there’s a lot of football to be played.

“Adam can play in a couple of midfield roles, he’s got a lot of quality and he’ll get a chance here.

“We’re working off a very good squad here but a tight squad on numbers so we will need everyone.

“Every player we bring in will get the opportunity and Adam comes into the mix now. With this move being in the offing for a while, Adam has kept fit and from training today he looked good. We’ll see how things go for when he makes a debut but it’s another good addition to us.”

Buckley added: “We’re still in the mix with the window still open. As I said we don’t have the biggest of squads so if something does materialise we will assess it as we continue to do on an ongoing basis.”

                                                          U19 – Sligo Rovers 0 DLR Waves 1

Sligo Rovers Women were unlucky to be beaten by DLR Waves at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday, an 87^th minute Robyn Bolger strike was all that separated the teams. A draw would probably have been a fair result in a game between two very evenly matched sides, although the weather was determined to take centre stage as the heavens opened wide and remained ajar for all but the first 10 minutes of this contest.

Sligo were looking to build on the 1-1 draw with Bohemians in the opening round of games but were on the backfoot early as Zoe Leonard created space on the right for the visitors, her ball inside found Ella Maree but the DLR midfielder shot high over the bar from just outside the penalty area. Perhaps the ball struck a low flying cloud as that was the queue for the rain to appear and suddenly cascade upon the Showgrounds for the majority of the first half. Both sides deserve credit for playing some neat stuff in midfield in such trying conditions, however, the newly slick surface frequently saw the final pass elude a teammate and zip away for a goal kick. DLR probably just shaded the first half as far as attempts went, Lucy Edwards playing just behind Bolger started to find some space and it was her attempt on 26 minutes that brought the first save from Farrah McDonagh in the home goal. Rovers did force the first corner of the game a few moments before half-time but the out-swinging cross sailed just above the head of Sarah Kiernan as she broke free at the near post.

Centre back Keela Scanlon, who was having a very impressive game for Sligo, was unfortunately forced from the pitch with a facial injury and replaced by midfielder Nola Eivers within two minutes of the restart. Eivers went into central midfield to partner Alison Langdon-Long as Kate Nugent dropped back into defence alongside Nadine Hargadon. Sligo slowly gained the upper hand as the half progressed with Eivers growing into the game and it was her strike from distance on the hour mark that just flew over the crossbar. She was at it again sixty seconds later from an identical position but this time her shot was blocked by an increasingly worried looking DLR backline. The rain had eased somewhat but continued to fall as Rovers began to grow in confidence. Left back Kiernan had started to push further forward and it was her run on 73 minutes that almost brought the first goal. She raced into the DLR half, slalomed past two challenges on the edge of the box, cut in on her right foot and curled an effort towards the bottom right corner that was well saved by Rugile Auskalnyte. It was a good stop by the goalkeeper recently called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 side.

Ella Vahey replaced Rebecca Doddy up front for Rovers and the pressure increased, Vahey involved in Rovers best chance on 81 minutes. All four Sligo subs combined brilliantly as Erin Somers picked out Alicia Hogge who threaded through for Vahey, her strike was firm but brilliantly saved by Auskalnyte who somehow got up to block the rebound as well. That scare seemed to rouse DLR who began finding space behind the full backs, their fresh legs on both wings stretching a tired Rovers backline. Holly Rutherford combined with Nicole O’Neill to pick out Bulger who rattled the crossbar with a strike from 20 yards. The Waves pinned Rovers back from the resulting throw in forcing a mistake from Eivers, her under hit pass was leapt on by Bolger who sped towards goal and fired home off the left post. It was cruel on Sligo who had been the better side in the second half and on Eivers especially who was terrific after a tough start. Moments later, the excellent Kerri O’Hara came off injured leaving the home side down to 10 women and their hopes of finding a late equaliser quashed.  Overall it was a tremendous performance from a clearly well coached and talented side who play good football even in biblical conditions, the future for Sligo Rovers women looks very bright indeed.

Report: Richard Mullan

Sligo Rovers must overturn a one-goal deficit if they are to progress in the Europa Conference League after they were beaten by Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur at Kaplakriki.

The Bit O’Red, who created the better of the chances, had Greg Bolger dismissed seven minutes before reigning Icelandic player of the year Steven Lennon netted the Urvalsdeild side’s winner.

Despite defeat and with the away goal rule no longer in play, Sligo will feel they have a chance of advancing from this first round tie, when the teams face each other again at the Showgrounds in a week’s time.

This was Sligo’s first European game in six years and the Bit O’Red looked comfortable against their Icelandic opponents in the opening exchanges.

The only change from the weekend’s win over Longford, goalkeeper Luke McNicholas easily claimed Bjorn Sverrisson’s effort early on.

Both sides struggled to manufacture chances and it took until the 35th minute for Rovers to test FH goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen. The Faroe Islands international was content to see Bolger’s volley from 20 yards fired straight at him following work from Romeo Parkes and Colm Horgan.

There were chances at both ends later in the opening half.

Former Dundalk man Lennon saw his header clip the post from an Ingi Gunnarsson cross on 38 minutes, before both players combined again as the latter fired wide off the outside of his left boot.

Rovers then had their best opportunity of the half in added time, but leading scorer Jordan Gibson was unable to get his shot away after a magnificent scooped pass from Parkes found the former St Patrick’s Athletic winger three yards out from goal.

Gibson flashed a speculative effort across the face of the FH goal on the hour as both camps took their time to settle back into the game after the interval.

Liam Buckley’s charges then squandered two golden opportunities to take the lead mid-way through the half.

Parkes inadvertently blocked Gibson’s goal-bound shot after wonderful work from substitute Walter Figueira, moments before Shane Blaney headed straight at Nielsen from a Bolger set-piece.

The visitors were reduced to ten on 77 minutes when Bolger was shown a second yellow card after Maltese referee Ishmael Barbara adjudged the Rovers skipper to have dived inside the FH penalty area.

Rovers were further punished on 85 minutes, with Lennon latching on to the end of substitute Vok Dimitrijevic’s cross as he steered his header into the far corner and beyond the reach of McNicholas.

FH Hafnarfjordur: Nielsen; Kristjansson, Vidarsson, Thorisson, Gunnarsson, Sverrisson, E Jonsson, J Jonsson (Gudlaugsson 93), Helgason (Dimitrijevic 82), Lennon (Hreidarsson 93), Vilhjalmsson.

Sligo Rovers: McNicholas, Banks, Buckley, Blaney, Horgan, Bolger, Morahan, Byrne (Cawley 64), Gibson, Parkes, De Vries (Figueira 64).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara (Malta).

FH Hafnarfjarðar will be providing the stream for the game in Iceland on Thursday.

You can sign up here or https://www.skjaskot.is/fh?fbclid=IwAR3LnWCb1zTE5B3WTnfRO7KniXVADc3m8KutAG–RX70HxO4Z2QAY4YYUdA

Kick-off is 7pm Irish time.

Please note this is organised and priced by FH at €16 with home commentary

Sligo Rovers have no control on the broadcast or cost of the stream.

The #bitored are undergoing regular Covid-19 testing ahead of the Europa Conference League first round first leg game with FH on Thursday.

Two separate instances have occurred this weekend.

One player has tested positive for Covid-19. The case has been traced to outside of the football club. The player has no contacts within the football club.

A second player continues to test negative for Covid-19. However he has been deemed a close contact of a case outside of the football club and will self-isolate this week as per protocols. 

Both players have complied fully with Covid-19 guidelines throughout.

All other players are negative and are not impacted. The squad were tested again this morning which is part of standard protocols. Results will arrive before departure for Iceland.

The squad will also undergo testing in Iceland before returning to Ireland as per protocols.

Sligo Rovers can today confirm a capacity of 400 spectators and updated ticketing arrangements for the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round second leg against FH of Iceland at the Showgrounds on Thursday July 15^th.

This new capacity has been set after the match was upgraded to a test event for the return of spectators to sport.

The Bit O’ Red will distribute the 400 tickets to season pass holders. All will be chosen at random and given a time to take up and pay for their ticket. Supporters will be contacted if successful in the ballot via e-mail by Wednesday evening and have a 48 hour window to buy

All details will be in emails and please check spam/junk folder.

Sligo Rovers chief executive Colin Feehily said: “We’re very pleased that we’ll have our biggest attendance in well over a year for this fixture. 

“We’d like to thank the FAI, Mark Scanlon and all of the relevant bodies for facilitating the increased attendance. 

“In recent days we have begun to work on a plan to ensure that the event will take place in line with the strictest guidelines. We are increasing our matchday operation services even further to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone. 

“We can’t wait to see 400 fans in the stadium and already the uptake of our virtual ticket has been excellent so we encourage all of our fans to buy as soon as possible in order to stream the game.”

Virtual tickets can be purchased now from https://srfcdirect.com/european-virtual-ticket-europa-conference-league-qualifier-round-1/

Sligo Rovers meet Longford Town at Bishopsgate on Saturday evening in the SSE Airtricity League.

The Bit O’ Red face Longford for the third time this season.

The previous games ended in 1-0 and 2-0 wins for Rovers, although Town threatened on both occasions in games both teams had good chances. 

Rovers sit third in the table ahead of the remaining teams playing on Friday night. 

Last Saturday saw the next display of the season by Rovers, earning a 4-0 success over Bohemians. 

In team news, Robbie McCourt (wrist) is definitely out. Regan Donelon and Richard Brush are doubtful with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively.

Garry Buckley has now recovered from a muscle complaint and returns to the squad.

New signing Seamas Keogh is awaiting international clearance and it should come in time for this fixture. 

Luke McNicholas is back in training with Rovers after the conclusion of his loan spell with Finn Harps.

Liam Buckley: “We were delighted with the manner of the win last week. We created a number of opportunities and while Bohs were chasing the game in the second half which obviously made it more open, we moved the ball and linked it well throughout. Overall it was a very good performance and we also took some of those chances very well. 

“As I said to the players, it’s just three points and it’s the same three points on offer as in every game you play in this league. We got the result last week and we earned it. We’re going to have to do that again and that’s how we approach it. 

“We know how difficult it is in Longford from the first game. They’ve taken Shamrock Rovers to injury-time on a couple of occasions and both games were tricky for us. 

“We have a couple of knocks so we’ll assess them and we’ll also have the likes of Luke and Seamas too we hope which is great.”

Kick-off is 7.30pm with coverage on LOI TV and Ocean FM.

All six academy teams are in action again this coming weekend after a busy opening three days of the 2021 season.

Our opening games saw 1 win, 3 draws and 2 defeats across all age groups with all players finding their feet on opening day.

Friday night sees Alan Farry’s Under 14 team host Mayo League at The Sean Fallon Centre. Kick off is 7.30pm.

Saturday sees two games with our Under 17’s travelling to Aileach in Donegal to face Derry City. Ryan Casey & Packie Lynch’s men drew 1-1 with Dundalk last weekend after going ahead in the game late on, only to concede an injury time equaliser.

Aaron O’ Connor takes his Under 17 Womens squad to Roadstone to take on Shamrock Rovers at 3pm. They’ll be hoping to make it two wins from two after a successful opening day over Donegal.

Three games take place on Sunday with our Under 15 team making the short journey to Milebush Park to play Mayo at 2pm. The team are managed by Paul Masterson & Marcel Gordon who have been busy in pre-season preparing the squad for the campaign ahead.

Declan Boyle takes charge of our Men’s Under 19 team as we host Dundalk at 2pm at The Sean Fallon Centre. A 1-1 draw against Derry City last weekend got the lads off the mark in 2021.

Our Under 19 Womens team host DLR Waves on Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm in their first ever meeting. The game also takes place at The Sean Fallon Centre. Darragh Healy overseen his side draw 1-1 last Sunday at home to Bohemian FC.

As always we thank our Academy Sponsors for their support.

All updates and news will be over on our new academy Twitter page: @sligoroversacad