Preview: Buckley talks of ‘reward’ still there for Rovers

Sligo Rovers return to action on Sunday in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as they venture to Dublin to take on Shelbourne in Tolka Park, kick-off 5pm.

After a two-week break, the Bit O’ Red resume the final stages of the league against a side just three points behind in the table.

That difference came from a 2-1 win for Rovers back in August as Jesse Devers and David Cawley scored in The Showgrounds.

In team news, Kyle Callan-McFadden serves a one-game suspension. Regan Donelon (groin) and Ronan Murray (toe) are doubtful.

Danny Kane returned to training this week. He’s unlikely to feature on Sunday and more likely will be in contention next week. The news is better for Sigitas Olberkis who is back involved after a hamstring injury. 

Johnny Dunleavy is out with a knee injury. There are no other injury concerns.

Liam Buckley said: “After two weeks, we’re really eager it because there is a lot to play for in the season. If you even just look at the teams we have to face, Shelbourne need a result to secure their safety, Cork are looking for that one win to move them up off the bottom and Dundalk are looking to seal a European spot. That’s just one example and it really is all to play for in every game in the league.

“There is a reward there for us, for all of our effort, if we can produce a run of results in these matches. We’ve got the FAI Cup as well so it could be up to six games I hope. We’re in the mix for the things we want to be in and that’s what you want at this stage of the season. We’re looking for one result on Sunday and then see where it can leave us.

“Over the two weeks we have had time on the training pitch, rejigging and working on a couple of things. We’re aware there are prizes on offer still for all of the teams in the table, be it avoiding relegation, European places. It’s going to take a gigantic effort over the next month or so but we’ve shown we’re capable of putting results together.

“There wasn’t much in it in the game earlier in the season. We came out on top by the one goal and Shelbourne have been a hard opponent for every side this campaign. It’ll be a tough game. But as I said, there’s lots on the line and we go there knowing the result we want.”

Out: Kyle Callan-McFadden (suspended), Danny Kane (lack of match fitness), Johnny Dunleavy (knee)

Doubtful: Regan Donelon (groin), Ronan Murray (toe)

The match is live on WATCHLOI and OceanFM

Annual Draw 2020 launched with increased prizes

Sligo Rovers can today announce the launch of our Annual Draw for 2020, with sales moving to an online platform and set to run for the remainder of the year to aid finances for the club.

The Bit O’ Red hold an Annual and Christmas Draw every year but are this year amalgamating them into one with an increase in the value of additional prizes.

The main prize is €5,000, with vouchers for Pet Stop, Flynn Hotels and Cat and the Moon totalling at €1,450.

There are also a host of Sligo Rovers, Republic of Ireland and Premier League related prizes, including season tickets, match tickets and jerseys.

The Annual Draw finances a major part of Sligo Rovers’ income each year, generating up to €80,000 for the club.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ANNUAL DRAW TICKETS

Much of this is sourced in door to door sales around the north-west as well as through businesses and individuals who meet socially.

This year, with many of those opportunities restricted, we are asking fans to move their purchasing and sales online where possible.

Books of 10 tickets and individual tickets are now available on SRFCDirect, with tickets set to be sent via e-mail before the draw.

Click here to buy individual tickets

Click here to buy a book of 10 tickets

Sligo Rovers CEO Colin Feehily said: “We are beginning our Annual Draw at a most challenging but essential time. We are asking people who generously buy a ticket in a coffee shop or bar or from their home to try to support us online.

“We are keen to limit the interaction of individuals as much as possible for safety reasons in the Covid-19 environment.

“We will also have a phone service from 10am to 4pm in The Showgrounds during the week where people can purchase from our staff.

“Committee members can also distribute tickets and have books returned in a safe method. All of our ticket sellers will be briefed on how to do so, but where possible online sales are our preferred method. We are providing phone numbers to contact, below, for purchasing and the sale of books.”

Sellers

  • Mark Cummins – Strandhill & Sligo Town  – 087 9293527
  • Brendan Lacken – Skreen & West Sligo– 087 6175235
  • Andy Dodd – Calry & Hazelwood – 087 2464131
  • Michael Toolan – Tubbercurry & Ballymote – 087 9293318
  • David Finn – South Sligo & Tubbercurry Area – 086 1774448
  • Michael Clancy  – Glencar & Sligo Town – 087 2388215
  • Anthony Quinn – North Sligo – 086 1963073
  • Gary Kilcullen – Sligo Town – 087 6492752

Feehily added: “It’s been a really unique financial year for the club. Like every business we have had to adapt and adjust and manage our way through the last few months as best possible without the regular income from supporters attending matches.

“The Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust GoFundMe was obviously a huge factor in getting us here, along with the 500 Club and the various methods of fundraising we have. We’re very appreciative of that. The Annual Draw will be combined with the Christmas Draw primarily with the remainder of 2020 in mind. The income will be used to fund the club for that period.”

Club chairman Tommy Higgins added: “The Annual Draw is the most successful yearly individual fundraiser in the league. We will adapt our techniques over the coming months, we ask fans our fans to try to go with us in that. It won’t be easy but we will do our best and history has shown we can be inventive and reach our goals. Over the coming weeks we will be revealing our plans for 2021.

“The rest of this season is still to play out but we look back on some of the moments since 31 July fondly and know that all of the efforts to restart and revive our season have been worth it. There has been nights to bring us the type of happiness we associate with Sligo Rovers, even when we couldn’t be there, and when those moments can be harder to find right now in day to day life.

“I want to thank anyone and everyone that supports the draw in whatever way they can. As we know one €10 ticket or €100 book quickly adds up to the remarkable sums we have seen raised in recent years. I look forward to speaking more to you all soon.”

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE ANNUAL DRAW

Masterplan continues as sub-committee appointed

Work on a masterplan to curate the future of Sligo Rovers is ongoing by Rhatigan’s Architects, with the plan set for completion before the end of the calendar year.

A sub-committee has been elected to assist Rhatigans as they work on the project, made up of representatives of the club’s management committee, the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust and former committee members.

They will provide guidance for the research and logistics in completing the masterplan, consultation will now take place with a host of groups and individuals to devise the plan.

Separately, pictured at The Showgrounds to mark the ongoing work were chairman Tommy Higgins, Dorothy Clarke – Chief Officer, Sligo Local Community Development Committee, Hugh MacConville – Assistant Chairperson, Sligo Local Community Development Committee, Cllr Dara Mulvey – Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council and Shona Heffernan – Programmes Co-ordinator, Co Sligo LEADER Partnership and Colin Feehily, CEO of Sligo Rovers.

Sligo Rovers wish to thank all parties for their ongoing assistance.

Fixture list revised as season extended

The fixture list for the remainder of the season has been altered to factor in cancellations due to Covid-19.

The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season will now conclude on Sunday November 8 while the FAI Cup has been brought forward to Friday 30 October.

If Rovers progress to the semi-finals, the match will take place on weekend of 21/22 November. 

The decision to extend the 2020 season has been ratified by the National League Executive Committee with the final rounds of both divisions pushed back for competition integrity purposes, with all fixtures scheduled for the same time and date.

An update on whether fans can attend the FAI Cup game will follow when possible.

Sligo Rovers schedule:

Sunday 18 October – Shelbourne away – 5pm

Saturday 24 October – Cork City home – 5pm

Friday 30 October – Derry City home (FAI Cup) – TBC

Sunday 8 November – Dundalk away – 7:30pm

Academy Weekend Preview

Our academy teams continue to play during level three restrictions nationwide, and this weekend sees two teams face Dublin opposition on Satuday.

At 2:30pm at St Aidan’s CBS, our Under 17 mens team face Bohemian/St Kevin’s in their first game in Phase two of the Under 17 league.

It’s two weeks since the squad’s last outing, where they defeated Longford Town at The Showgrounds. Manager Ryan Casey knows it will be a tough test against a strong opponent, but Rovers good form this past couple of months sees them go into the game full of confidence.

At 6:30pm at Greenogue, our Under 17 Ladies team face Peamount United. The sides last met in The Showgrounds in September in a game that the visitors won 3-0. Rovers were missing some key members of the squad on the day, and will be confident of a tighter game this time around.

The girls were last in action in Athlone where they were narrowly defeated by the Midlanders. The girls have four games remaining in their group, with all still to play for.

Our Under 13, 15 and 19 teams all have no fixtures this weekend.

Halloween Camp Cancelled

Sligo Rovers can confirm that the 2020 Halloween Camp has been cancelled.

The decision to cancel the camp was taken in light of the recent government restrictions.

As a club, we feel cancelling the camp is the best way to protect our community.

All parents who had booked the camp have been contacted by the club and will be refunded accordingly.

Dundalk date changed

Sligo Rovers’ final match of the season against Dundalk has been moved from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November.

The change is due to Dundalk’s progression to the Europa League.

Kick-off will be 7.30pm in Oriel Park.

Preview: Rovers take on Shams in Tallaght, live on RTE2

Sligo Rovers play Shamrock Rovers on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 7:45pm, live on RTE2. 

The Bit O’ Red, fourth in the table, take on the leaders. The previous meeting ended in a 3-2 win for the Dublin side, prior to the shutdown of the league. 

Last Tuesday’s win over Derry City brought Liam Buckley’s side to 19 points, all achieved in the 10 games since the league restarted.

Fifteen have come in home matches, with an away win over the Candystripes and a point in Richmond Park against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Ryan De Vries scored his third goal of the season on Tuesday, one behind Ronan Coughlan who turns 24 on Friday, while there was a clean sheet for Ed McGinty, his third of the season.

In team news, Danny Kane and Sigitas Olkerkis are on the verge of returning. They will come into contention for the Shelbourne game on 18 October. Johnny Dunleavy is out with a knee problem.

David Cawley returns from a suspension. Regan Donelon is a doubt with a groin problem picked up on Tuesday night vs Derry.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought we played well against Derry. We had to keep going and the goal came late on. I felt it was deserved and the players got their reward. Our control of the ball and control of the game was good. We passed it better, linked it in better, and I was chuffed for the players because I want them to keep possession because it will lead to more chances and get results.

“If we can bring similar displays into the last four games, we’ll pick up more points. I don’t know how it will turn out when you see how the table is. All we can do is try to keep putting in performances to win one game. There’ll be more twists and turns and we have to dig in and give ourselves a chance of a strong finish. It’s important to be attached to the top end of the table, it can change in an instant.

“We’re playing the champions in waiting. It’s a tough game without doubt and a new challenge to take on. But it’s a one-off game. We got a point there last year and we had to really dig in. I’ve said to the boys that we need a big effort to finish off this season to make sure we stay away from the bottom and get up as high as we can. It would be a great result for us to come away with something and I do feel we can do it certainly. We’ll go there with that belief.”

Robbie Brunton – RIP

Sligo Rovers send our condolences to the family of Robbie Brunton following his sad passing at the age of 47.

Robbie played for the Bit O’ Red over two seasons, 1994-1995 and 1995-1996, and certainly made a big impression on our supporters.

He played 60 matches and scored three goals.

He was part of the Rovers side which beat Floriana in our first ever European victory, and also helped us to two FAI Cup semi-finals and a League Cup final.

A talented full-back, he was at the beginning of a great career in our league. Robbie’s committed performances

In the 1994–1995 season he was voted Rovers player of the year, named in the league team of the season and also nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award.

We will remember Robbie’s performances at the club fondly and his great contribution to a memorable time for the Bit O’ Red.

Our thoughts are with his wife Celine and his family and friends.

Halloween Camp 2020 – Details

We are delighted to announce the details of our upcoming 2020 Halloween Camp, which will take place from Monday October 26th until Friday October 30th.

The camp will run from 10.30am until 3pm daily in The Showgrounds and is open to children between 5 and 15 years of age.

Unfortunately, our breakfast club cannot take place at this time.

The cost of this years’ Halloween Camp is €70 per child, €120 for two children from the one family and €170 for three children from the one family.

Every child that participates will receive an official club training top.

Please note the booking process for our 2020 Halloween camp is strictly online only. The capacity of the Halloween Camp is set at 75 children.

We are aware that generally, our camps attract much more than 75 participants, however, we are also aware of our responsibilities as a club in making our environment as safe as possible for children, coaches and their families.

Priority will be given to our 2020 Super Red members, who are able to book the camp from now. Please note, bookings are open from today (Wednesday) until 9am Friday strictly for 2020 Super Red members only. (Super Red members are children under the age of 12 who have a 2020 season ticket).

Non super reds will be able to book the camp from Friday morning at 9am on a first come first served basis, subject to availability.

Please note parents will be asked to confirm their children are super reds before completing the booking process. Anyone that books between now and Friday morning at 9am will be refunded if they are not a Super Red. The booking will be deemed void.

Parents who book the Halloween Camp will be sent an information pack regarding health and safety protocols in advance of the camp, while parents will also be required to complete a health and well-being questionnaire on the first day of the camp.

To book your place, visit https://srfcdirect.com/kids-camps/

For more information on the 2020 Halloween Camp, please contact shane@sligorovers.com.