Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty is keen to show his worth as he begins the Republic of Ireland Under-21 training camp this morning after helping the Bit O’ Red get through to the quarter-finals of the Extra.ie FAI Cup last night.

McGinty was part of the Rovers side which secured a 3-1 victory over the Students.

He told sligorovers.com: “It is great to get through. We knew we were playing a good side but we also know we’re playing well ourselves. At 1-0 down we kept playing and eventually got on top. The goals came as they have been doing from all of the boys so we’re really happy to get through to the quarter-finals.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. If we drop our standards we won’t be winning games. You see how good UCD can be and it’s the same in the league. Every game is tough. We’re winning because we’re working hard, on and off-the-ball. That is what is important to getting these results. As long as we keep doing that we’ll have a chance of keeping the run going. “

McGinty played some excellent passes from the Rovers goal to Junior and Ronan Coughlan in particular.

He is working on such a tactic regularly each day at The Showgrounds.

“That is what we practice is training when it comes to distribution. We can play it over the top and get them on the break. We have a lot of players with pace.

“We talk about it, putting it in behind and get players in or for them to chase it.”

While Rovers have secured five wins in six, and with some excellent defensive and goalkeeping displays, clean sheets have not been as regular with a deflected goal last night, a late penalty against Dundalk and a last-minute goal against Shels. It has been somewhat unfortunate, but goals have been flying it at the other end.

McGinty is unperturbed by how the wins are coming, as long as they keep doing so.

“It’s funny, it doesn’t bother me to be honest with you. All I care about is winning games. My first priority is for the team to win.

“If we win, and a clean sheet comes along with it, then happy days. But as long as the team does enough to get a victory, then I’m happy.”

The recently-turned 21-year-old travelled north after the game last night to be part of Jim Crawford’s group where he will be one of three goalkeepers, alongside Gavin Bazunu of Manchester City and Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool.

The Rovers goalkeeper has more club experience than the rest of the squad and is eager to show his value to the group in the training camp.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m really honoured to be involved and have my name in there.  I want to show what I can do. I’m sure I’ll learn some new things being in the international camp but I’m travelling up to show what I can do and see where it can get me.

“The gaffer [Liam Buckley] has trusted me here. He gives me great confidence. He really believes in me and he has been brilliant to work under and Leo (Tierney as well). I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s nice to be progressing as a team and for myself as well.”

Sligo Rovers came from behind to book their FAI Cup quarter-final spot with a hard-earned 3-1 win over UCD in Belfield.

Goals from Kyle Callan-McFadden, Rónán Coughlan and Jesse Devers saw Liam Buckley’s side to victory after Paul Doyle had given the Students an early lead.

In what was a superb advert for League of Ireland football, the game was wide open from the off as both sides looked intent on embracing their traditions of attacking, passing football. 

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Liam Kerrigan exchanged early efforts before a mix-up between Alex Cooper and Sligo keeper Ed McGinty almost saw the left-back head into his own net.

UCD piled the pressure on with a succession of corners and got their reward in the eighth minute when former Sligo player Paul Doyle found the net.

As Sligo struggled to clear, wing-back Evan Weir teed up Doyle on the edge of the box and the midfielder’s shot deflected off Teemu Penninkangas and past the wrong-footed McGinty.

Within eight minutes, Sligo were back on terms as Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header that left Lorcan Healy in the UCD goal with no chance.

Junior and Ryan De Vries went close in the minutes that followed, before Coughlan spurned a gilt-edged chance to volley home at the back post following a lovely chip from Cooper.

Sligo drew level when Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header

They continued to press and it took a perfectly-timed last ditch tackle from Michael Gallagher to deny De Vries a certain goal.

Though the Bit o’ Red created no fewer than nine clear chances in the first half, it was UCD who who were aggrieved not to have taken a lead into the sheds at half time.

Yoyo Mahdy was one-on-one with McGinty when he was tugged back by Sligo full-back Cooper but referee Adriano Reale thought otherwise and waved away the penalty appeals.

The second half began much as the first with Sligo continuing to create, and Coughlan was wasteful once more as he dragged his shot wide from close range.

The sense it might not be Coughlan’s day was palpable when he was set up De Vries for a free header but once again failed to hit the target.

Sligo drew level when Callan-McFadden met David Cawley’s corner with a towering header.

Rovers moved in front courtesy of a move that was started and finished by Ronan Coughlan.

The dam finally broke with 25 minutes remaining and it was a move started and finished by Coughlan, who finally got the goal to match his all-round play.

The striker showed good strength to set Devers free out wide and sprinted into the box to meet the Mayoman’s cross with a bullet header, though Healy might have done better.

UCD went close to equalising, first through substitute Mark Dignam’s header and then ex-Sligo midfielder Jack Keaney’s free kick, but Sligo wrapped it up with ten minutes left.

Junior worked the ball to Devers on the right hand side of the box and the winger flicked the ball clear of Evan Osam before smashing a low volley into the net.

UCD: Lorcan Healy; Harry McEvoy, Josh Collins, Evan Osam; Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Paul Doyle, Liam Kerrigan, Evan Weir (Michael O’Keane 75); Colm Whelan, Yoyo Mahdy (Mark Dignam 65).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle Callan-McFadden (Sigitas Olberkis 39 (Darragh Noon 75)), Teemu Penninkangas, Alex Cooper; David Cawley, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries; Jesse Devers, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, Rónán Coughlan.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Sligo Rovers begin their Extra.ie FAI Cup campaign on Sunday when taking on UCD at the UCD Bowl, kick-off 7:45pm and live on WATCHLOI.

The teams met last year at the quarter-final stage. A place in the last eight is on offer when they clash on Sunday night.

Rovers won 2-0 in both games in the UCD Bowl last year. College have three former Sligo Rovers players in their ranks in Jack Keaney, Liam Kerrigan and Paul Doyle.

They are one of the form teams in the First Division, including a 3-0 win over leaders Cabinteely last week.

Rovers, meanwhile, made it four win from five when seeing off Dundalk last Saturday.

The 3-1 success moved Liam Buckley’s side to fourth in the table.

The Bit O’ Red were beaten at the semi-final stage last year against the Lilywhites.

In team news Danny Kane (ankle) is the only player unavailable.

Regan Donelon (calf), John Mahon (broken leg), Will Seymore (hamstring) and Garry Buckley (groin) have trained this week and are all available to be part of the matchday squad.

Liam Buckley said: “We are chuffed to have a bigger group of players available again. Some players are coming back from long spells out. We have decisions to make in terms of the matchday squad, and keeping in mind match-fitness, but it’s a welcome scenario for us. We’ll be making some tough choices not just in terms of the XI but the overall squad and that’s a situation we want. The more options we have, the better.

“It was a fantastic result for us last week. I felt we played well in patches and created lots of chances. We’re still looking to get that better. As I look at the league, in the blink of an eye you can be at the bottom of the table or you can find yourself fourth. We’ve found a bit of form so we’ve moved up but it’s all to play for with every team. We’re going to need to continue the work-rate, the effort and all of that to keep it going or we’ll quickly find ourselves being overtaken and back down again. We’re all aware of that.

“The focus is on the FAI Cup this week, the competition is wide open and anyone can win it. That may sound like something you hear all the time but I really believe it is the case, because particulary in this type of season, anything can happen where a team can go on a run and it doesn’t matter what division they are in.

“We’d love to be in the mix late in the competition, and I feel we can be, but the only way that is going to happen is if we start by overcoming UCD. That is the only objective. We’ve studied them, Dave Campbell has been to see them live, we’ve given them due respect and they are your typical UCD side in terms of style and playing out. I think Andy Myler will be pleased with how they are shaping up and undoubtedly they will be looking for at least a play-off spot, if not trying to get that automatic place. Their result last week certainly showed that.

“We were able to condition the players correctly this week given the eight-day gap from the last game, it’s always more preferential to coming off a midweek fixture. We’re under no illusions and we have to produce a similar performance to some of our previous games if we are to get through. It’s a one-off game where anything can happen so we have to be prepared for it. The FAI Cup is a big part of any season so we have to go out and get the result we need to progress in it.”

It was a mixed weekend for our academy teams last weekend with two wins and two defeats from our four league matches.

Tonight sees the start of our next game week with our under 19 team facing Longford Town at 7pm at Bishopsgate. The Bit O’ Red are without Tyler Stallard who is suspended and Darragh Forde who continues to recover from injury. Rovers will be looking to get points on the board after last weekends 2-0 defeat at home to Derry City.

On Saturday, our under 15 and 17 teams both face Finn Harps at 2pm. The under 15 side have made a good start to their league campaign with maximum points from the opening two games. A number of the squad were present at an FAI assessment day at Abbottstown on Thursday, but are fit for selection against the Ballybofey side.

Ryan Casey’s under 17 side travel to The Curragh in Donegal to face the same opposition at 2pm. Johnny Kenny’s impressive hat trick as well as a Kailin Barlow free kick and a Bridel Bosakani goal saw the Bit O’ Red win 5-0 in Longford on Sunday last, and they will be keen to impress again against a good Finn Harps team.

Our under 13 team have no game this weekend, but continue to train with a training session on Sunday morning under manager Alan Farry.

Danny O’ Leary and his ladies team must wait patiently for their next game, with a free weekend for them again. The girls train this evening at The Showgrounds, with their next game being next Saturday at 2pm against Shamrock Rovers at The Sean Fallon Centre.

We wish to thank our sponsors Pure Telecom, Ivor Park, O’ Connor Cabins/Knoxpark Developments, ejmenswear.com and Verus Metrology.

Congratulations to Ed McGinty on his call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their upcoming training camp. #bitored

Ed is one of three goalkeepers in the 25-player group for the camp to take place in Northern Ireland.

It is a four-day training camp in Northern Ireland from 31 August – 3 September.

He will be back for training with Rovers from Friday 4 September ahead of the game with Finn Harps three days later.

Liam Buckley said: “I’m delighted for Ed. He is an outstanding goalkeeper. From my first days here I could see what a talent he is and I’ve been delighted with his progress and his contribution to the team.

“He has just turned 21, we know he has a great future, he has established himself as number one goalkeeper and this is a deserved reward for all of his efforts.

“We’ve a host of good young goalkeepers at the club. They work Leo (Tierney, goalkeeping coach) every day in training and with the group, as well as the underage as well where we see even more talent coming through. Ed is proving himself as an example to all.

“They are the present and the future of the club which is great for everyone.

“Ed will be in the squad this Sunday, he can then join the Ireland camp and be back in time to prepare for the Finn Harps game which is important.”

Ireland U-21s have three crucial qualifiers in October and November against Italy, Iceland and Luxembourg and the training camp will provide crucial preparation time.

Republic of Ireland U-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers).

Defenders: Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Danny McNamara (St. Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (QPR), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers), Luke McNally (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Thomas O’Connor (Southampton).

Midfielders: Dan Mandroiu (Bohemians), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United), Will Ferry (Southampton), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Connor Ronan (Grasshoppers Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Attackers: Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Jonathan Afolabi (Celtic), Zach Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Ryan Cassidy (Watford).

Sligo Rovers were saddened to learn of the death of former Rovers and Celtic footballer Pat McCluskey at the age of 68.

The Scottish footballer was a member of the Sligo Rovers team that reached the 1970 FAI Cup Final  -the club’s first for 30 years.

He arrived as a 17-year-old, with Sean Fallon instrumental in the loan move to Rovers.

He also played 115 times for Celtic.

We send our condolences to his family and remember Pat for being part of our history. May he Rest In Peace.

WATCHLOI have launched the half-season Pass for the 2020 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season run-in.

Supporters will be able to watch the Premier Division for just €39 in Ireland and €45 for the rest of the world which works out at less than €1 per game with 50+ matches available on the platform.

The streaming service was launched by the FAI, RTÉ Sport and GAAGO for the restarted SSE Airtiricty League. 

The half-season pass announcement is made ahead of the Extra.ie FAI Cup second round weekend with six of the eight matches available.

Our FAI Cup match with UCD will be broadcast on Sunday from 7:45pm in the UCD Bowl.

WATCHLOI has also launched FAI Gold as part of the half-season pass package. FAI Gold is a new section of the service which will have selected Republic of Ireland matches available to watch from the RTE Archive, starting with Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in 1987.

“We’re delighted to launch the half-season pass for WATCHLOI,” said League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon.

“WATCHLOI has been a fantastic success so far with supporters able to enjoy every match on the platform and it has also led to a greater awareness of the SSE Airtricity League in Ireland and overseas.

“We’re determined to build on the success with the Half-Season Pass and we’re hoping supporters will sign up for the rest of the campaign as it is the best way to support the clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It should be a really exciting end of season run-in at both the top and bottom of the table, and the half-season pass offers incredible value for supporters to be able to enjoy every minute of it.”

Click here for more. 

Illustrator Annie West has teamed up with Sligo Rovers to create an iconic portrait of generations of supporters of the club.

The image shows countless Bit O’ Red characters that created the spirit of Sligo Rovers and show the support behind the club for the coming months.

Annie West is an award-winning illustrator and cartoonist, her work was recently added to the National Library of Ireland’s permanent Cartoon & Illustration Archive.

The image, created in recent weeks, are available to purchase for €12 in local retail outlets and also available online, plus postage. 

They are available in Barton Smiths, Eason’s, Carraig Donn, The Record Room, Centra Maugheraboy and more to come.

Buy online on srfcdirect.com here

There will also signed special limited edition high resolution  museum grade print, signed and numbered by Annie West, which will be processed directly via www.anniewest.com. A small number of these posters remain.

It was unveiled on social media in recent weeks to widespread praise and huge demand to purchase, and will be a souvenir item for Sligo Rovers fans to treasure for years to come.

Explaining the inspiration behind the project, Annie West said: “I’m not really a football fan, I just got a sense of something bad happening for Sligo Rovers because of Covid-19 and I just thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice to do something’. 

“I’ve passed by The Showgrounds after a game and I’ve always been struck by the colour and the energy. And the banners. Lots to work with. 

“I didn’t have a lot of time but with lockdown it was that bit easier to find it. I spoke to Tommy Higgins and he was very positive about it.

“I spoke to some well-known veteran Rovers supporters, discovered more and more about these mad characters, stories I didn’t know. These people were just so committed to Sligo Rovers. I saw all the banners, the flags. It quickly all added up.”

Annie, who has donated the picture to Sligo Rovers as a fundraiser, was taken aback by the response.

“Well what I discovered what was there are Sligo Rovers fans everywhere firstly because I was getting messages from all over the world. 

“And then I just wanted to look more and more into the people who have followed the club and just what an impact it makes. I saw that mural of Nancy Callaghan, but I never really knew the story.

“The more I read, I discovered what an amazing woman she was, with her chair. Johnny Chadda. All the people who dedicated all their time to keeping Sligo Rovers going.  At first I thought we could do this and just post it online for a bit of a lift for people. 

“But with the situation of no crowds being allowed to attend games, I thought let’s do it as a fundraiser for the club. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “I’d like to thank Annie showcasing Sligo Rovers with her incredible talent 

“This wonderful piece captures so much of our people and our club in a way that only Annie can do. 

“We are simply thrilled to have it available to us and for our supporters to cherish.” 

Liam Buckley was pleased with the fitness and application of his players as they secured a shock win over Dundalk FC in The Showgrounds on Saturday evening in The Showgrounds.

The Rovers manager saw his side move inside the top half with a terrific team performance – something the Rovers manager was seeking in the run-up to the game.

He said: “We’ve done well in fairness. We sat back quite a bit in the second half – probably a bit too much for my liking. Nonetheless it is a great result.

“We took our goals very well. We had one or two other good chances to nail it. I’m just delighted we’ve picked up a win against Dundalk. Not too many teams will do that

“I thought Ed’s penalty save was critical. 1-0 and 1-1 at half-time is very different. We wanted to build on it. To bag a second and third goal was great. To be honest with you I was still nervous at 3-0 because it is Dundalk.

“Themselves and Shamrock Rovers have gigantic squads where they can juggle things around and change things in a heartbeat.

“They did have one or two chances in the second half. Nonetheless the lads have worked hard and deserved their win.”

Buckley is quick to play down the current form, saying if Rovers are to repeat the success, it will take continued application.

“We’ve done well in the last few games. That said, I’ve said this before, there are no easy games in this division. There is very little in a lot of teams. You have to turn up every week and in fairness we have turned up every week and put in a shift.

“Even losing in Cork, I thought the lads worked extremely hard and were a little bit unlucky. Outside of that we’ve done really well, we’ve worked extremely hard and their fitness has been really good. Long may that continue.”