Sligo Rovers made it four wins from their last five matches as they impressed against a struggling Dundalk at the Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. 

The Lilywhites missed a first-half penalty as the Bit O’Red led at the break courtesy of a superb Regan Donelon set-piece.

The champions, on their first time out without former boss Vinny Perth, fell further behind in the second period when Ryan de Vries and Junior both registered their first goals for Rovers.

Stefan Colovic did notch a reply for Dundalk from another spot-kick, but Sligo held on for what was their fourth victory of the season.

Under the stewardship of caretaker duo Alan Reynolds and John Gill, it was the visitors who should have gone ahead early on.

The unmarked Daniel Kelly shot wide despite being left unmarked at the back post after the winger latched on to a Michael Duffy cross from the left.

Rovers’ late winner against Waterford four days previous came from a set-piece, and Liam Buckley’s charges were to profit from another well struck free-kick as they hit the lead 13 minutes in.

Darragh Leahy tangled with Ronan Coughlan at the edge of the area before Donelon sent his bending effort around the wall and beyond Gary Rogers.

Rovers nearly doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Junior showed strength to hold up play, finding De Vries, with the New Zealander flashing his effort across the face of goal.

Sligo had to rely on bravery from the returning Kyle McFadden just short of the half hour, with the Ramelton man diving to take Kelly’s volley off Ed McGinty’s goalline after the Rovers goalkeeper had misjudged Daniel Cleary’s cross.

The visitors had accumulated plenty of possession at this stage and were gifted an opportunity to level proceedings on 33 minutes when Teemu Penninkangas was adjudged to have handled Cleary’s cross inside his own penalty area.

Hoban was favourite as he faced McGinty from 12 yards, but the young Scot pulled off a magnificent save as he got in front of the Galway native’s powerful drive.

The second half was just five minutes old when Rovers had their second.

Skipper David Cawley started the move with a neat one-two between himself and Coughlan. The former’s cross from the end line reached De Vries on the far side, who arrowed a low drive past Rogers for his first goal for the Yeats men.

Incredibly, Sligo had their third on 62 minutes. Rogers came to meet Cawley’s outswinging free, only for Junior to make the most of the space behind the netminder, heading the ball over Rogers’ reach for what was his maiden goal for his new club.

Dundalk pulled one back with 14 minutes to go as they threw everything at their opponents, with substitute Colovic converting from the spot after referee Rob Hennessy saw a push from McFadden on a Dundalk player.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, Teemu Penninkangas, Regan Donelon (Alex Cooper HT); David Cawley, Niall Morahan; Jesse Devers (Darragh Noone 69), Junior, Ryan De Vries (Sigitas Olberkis 86); Ronan Coughlan.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Daniel Cleary (Dane Massey 61), Brian Gartland (Nathan Oduwa 54), Sean Hoare, Darragh Leahy; Chris Shields, John Mountney; Michael Duffy (Sean Murray 83), Patrick McEleney, Daniel Kelly (Stefan Colovic 54); Pat Hoban (David McMillan 83).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Our underage teams are all in action this weekend, with five games down for decision today and tomorrow.

Alan Farry and Kieran Brick take their under 13 squad to Aileach, Donegal for a 2pm kick off against Derry City. The lads have had a long pre season since February and are ready to kick start their campaign this afternoon. We want to wish all our under 13 squad the best of luck in their first competitive game for the club.

Also today, Saturday in Ballisodare, Conor O’Grady, Marcel Gordon and Paul Masterson will see their under 15 squad take on Cavan/Monaghan at 2pm. The lads had an impressive start to the season last weekend against Derry City, winning 5-0 in Donegal. The game is strictly behind closed doors with only one parent per player permitted to attend. We wish to thank everyone at Ballisodare United FC for the use of their fantastic new all weather facility for today’s game.

In Letterkenny at 5.30pm this evening, Danny O’Leary and our under 17 ladies team take on Donegal. After the dissapointment of last weekend’s fixture against Peamount being postponed, the girls will be looking forward to starting their season with a tough away fixture. The ladies staff and committee have put in fantastic work in 2020 to get the squad ready for today’s game, and we wish them all the best of luck for the season.

On Sunday, Ryan Casey, Packie Lynch, Nigel Naughton and Ultan McKenna travel with their under 17 squad to Bishopsgate to take on Longford Town at 2pm. The lads had an entertaining game against Derry City last weekend at The Sean Fallon Centre which ended all square. This talented group of players will be looking to pick up their first three points of the shortened season against a good Longford side.

Finally, Brian Dorrian, Johnny Dunleavy, John McAteer and Brian Morihan have been preparing their under 19 players for tomorrow’s season opener against Derry City. The squad have been working hard in pre season and over the past few months as they awaited for a return to play.

This game is again behind closed doors at The Sean Fallon Centre, and we ask people not to congregate outside to watch the game as this will not allow for proper social distancing.

Thanks to all our underage sponsors Joma Sport, Pure Telecom, O’ Connor Cabins, Ivor Parke, ejmenswear.com and Verus Metrology.

Sligo Rovers will conclude their first series on matches in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Saturday when Dundalk visit The Showgrounds, kick-off 5pm, live on WATCHLOI.ie.

Rovers made it three wins in four matches last Tuesday when beating Waterford FC. The previous win was another 2-1 success over Shelbourne.

The Bit O’ Red enjoyed a 2-1 victory over the Lilywhites in 2019, one of just four defeats in the season.

Dundalk avenged that defeat in the FAI Cup semi-finals in front of a sold out Showgrounds crowd. This game will be played in front of no supporters due to the latest Covid-19 preventative restrictions.

In team news, John Mahon, Johnny Dunleavy and Garry Buckley are ruled out with injury.

Will Seymore will have a late fitness test because of a hamstring problem.

Kyle Callan-McFadden returns from injury.

Liam Buckley said: “It was a pleasing result on Tuesday night. The manner of the victory obviously made it even better. I thought we got what we deserved, the players kept at it and the performance was one we can really build on. We’re looking for more of that. It gives everyone confidence and after a difficult few months where we had to sit with that poor start, it is good we’ve put a few wins on the table. There’s still a lot to be done.

“We knew we would improve when some of our injured players returned. We have had the likes of Lewis Banks come back in, Danny Kane has done well and Alex Cooper made his mark on Tuesday. We’ll be calling on all of our players over time I’ve no doubt. It’s going to take a collective effort and we want the team performing well in that manner.

“This is one of the hardest games you’ll get in an ultra competitive division.

“I’m sure Dundalk are hurting from Wednesday and obviously now there is a change of manager. They’ve a fantastic squad so it doesn’t change a lot for us, it’s going to be a massive challenge. They’ll be looking to prove a point I’m sure. To be honest we’re focused on what we can do in the game.

“We’re only going to give ourselves a chance if produce our best. We passed and moved the ball better on Tuesday and we’ll look to do that again. It’s almost the halfway point so it would be good to get a result and tee ourselves up for the rest of the season.”

The 2020 Sligo Rovers summer camps have concluded, after five action packed and enjoyable weeks in The Showgrounds.

The club took the decision to run summer camps back in June, with each of the five weeks capped at 60 participants. The five weeks sold out over the course of just a few days, with the camp taking place from July 20^th until August 21^st.

Sligo Rovers would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the camps including the coaches, children and parents.

Camp Co-ordinator, Shane Crossan, spoke of his appreciation in having the camps back up and running and said:

“The last few months have been tough on everyone in the community, especially children. They lost normality in their lives and were forced to stay away from school, their friends and in some cases loved ones. To be in a position to offer our younger supporters a summer camp after a tough few months was magnificent.”

Shane added “A lot of hard work was put in behind the scenes at the club in order to make the camps safe and successful for everyone. I’m delighted to say the hard work paid off and the camps proved to be a major success”.

Sligo Rovers would like to wish all children the best as they go back to school in the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to The Showgrounds at our Halloween Camp in October.

View photos from last night’s game.

Liam Buckley is hopeful that last night’s win over Waterford FC is a sign of things to come, as he admits the feeling of being bottom of the table cannot be forgotten in the wake of a positive restart by the Bit O’ Red.

Alex Cooper struck in the final seconds of an exciting SSE Airtricity Premier Division game at The Showgrounds.

It gave Rovers a third win in four matches.

Buckley said he felt his side earned the three points on the night and bounced back well from the defeat in Cork City.

He said: “I think we deserved it over the 90 minutes. The lads put in a serious shift over the second half. We had all the chances. They did hit the crossbar. But overall I thought we did well.

“It is important [for us to move up the table and off the bottom]. The optics for us on that have been a disaster. We’ve now pulled a few wins out.

“There is not a lot between Waterford, St Patrick’s Athletic, Finn Harps. There’s not a lot between us all so you do need to win a few games.

“Hopefully we can continue this sort of form. We were a little bit out of sync in Cork and this is a great response. We did have the better of the chances in Cork in the first half and didn’t take them.

“We were chasing it in the second half. It wasn’t a disastrous performance but it was a poor result albeit a bit flattering to them.”

The passing in the second half in particular pleased Buckley, who is still demanding more from his players.

Next up is Dundalk on Saturday in The Showgrounds.

“I thought our general play was far better and we moved the ball a lot quicker and better.

“Hopefully that is a sign of things to come. Individually we are very good. Collectively we need to improve.”

The Rovers boss thanked supporters for getting behind the team.

They will not be able to attend games against Dundalk and Finn Harps, but went out on a brilliant note.

“I’m disappointed for all of our fans. Even with the 50 that are in tonight, there is a little bit of an atmosphere.

“I’m delighted for them and hearing them encourage us on. Not to have anybody at games is disappointing but if it has to be, it has to be.”

An injury time winner from Alex Cooper saw Sligo Rovers pick up their third win in four as they beat Waterford at the Showgrounds.

A slow start from the Bit O’Red saw John Sheridan’s side deservedly lead at the break courtesy of Michael O’Connor’s opener.

But Sligo dug in and levelled proceedings through Ronan Coughlan before Cooper’s 93rd minute winner finally broke Waterford’s resolve.

A hesitant Rovers allowed Waterford plenty of space in dangerous areas in the opening period. Robbie McCourt’s speculative volley three minutes in was easy for Ed McGinty, but along with Will Longbottom’s early effort served as a warning to a slack looking Sligo.

All the play continued in the home side’s half and a Kurtis Byrne snapshot on the quarter hour had McGinty on his toes.

The focus on the Rovers left side in particular, paid dividends for the visitors on 16 minutes when they took the lead.

With Rovers pinned back, Byrne’s through ball easily found the roaming Tunmise Sobowale who squared for the waiting O’Connor.

The ex-Linfield marksman afforded ample time to pick his spot before firing past the sprawling McGinty.

Despite being on the back foot, Liam Buckley’s charges did have opportunities of their own.

Teemu Penninkangas could only head the ball into the ground after he met Regan Donelon’s set piece. The Finn’s effort bouncing in front of the Blues’ goalmouth with no Sligo takers willing.

While Coughlan should have profited on 27 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with Tadhg Ryan. The Limerick native unable to lift the ball over the Waterford goalkeeper.

Sligo went close again just past the half hour. Lewis Banks forcing Ryan into a save down low with an effort from distance.

The Munster men were responsible for the second half’s first shot in anger as the Yeats men still struggled to click.

O’Connor cushioning a ball from the back into the path of Byrne. But McGinty got in front of the former Dundalk man’s half-volley from the edge of the area.

The hosts had gotten to grips with their opposition at this stage and won’t know how they didn’t level the game on 61.

Coughlan and Jesse Devers combining as the former clipped the ball towards the back post for David Cawley. The Sligo captain left to look on in agony as his close range header came back off the woodwork.

Waterford then struck the frame of the Sligo goal when Tyreke Wilson’s free-kick bounced off the crossbar before Ryan kept Cawley out at the other end just moments later.

Tails up, Rovers finally found their leveller on 72. Devers the architect as he picked out Coughlan who tucked the ball past Ryan for his third of the season.

Both McCourt and Coughlan saw shots sail across the respective goalmouths as the game hung in the balance.

But Rovers were to have the last say as Cooper’s magnificent strike from the angle left Ryan flat-footed three minutes into added time.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks (Darragh Noone 62), Teemu Penninkangas, Danny Kane, Regan Donelon; David Cawley, Niall Morahan; Jesse Devers (Alex Cooper 82), Junior, Ryan De Vries; Ronan Coughlan.

Waterford: Tadhg Ryan; Tunmise Sobowale, Jake Davidson, Sam Bone (Niall O’Keefe 45+4), Robbie McCourt; Matthew Smith, Will Longbottom (Will Fitzgerald 88), Tyreke Wilson; Robbie Weir; Michael O’Connor (John Martin 88), Kurtis Byrne.

Referee: Damien MacGraith

Sligo Rovers are set to finally face Waterford FC in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Tuesday night in a re-arranged fixture at The Showgrounds. Kick-off is 5:45pm.

The match has been postponed twice this season, before and after the restart, and is our penultimate match in the first round of games.

Last Friday’s defeat to Cork City leaves Rovers in ninth place in league. A draw or win would move the Bit O’Red above City, but Waterford secured another impressive result against Dundalk in an unbeaten restart to play, and a tricky encounter awaits Liam Buckley’s men.

The match will be streamed live on WATCHLOI and in front of a small number of Rovers fans who were successful in the season ticket ballot.

In injury news, Will Seymore, Garry Buckley, Johnny Dunleavy and John Mahon are unavailable due to injury.

Kyle Callan-McFadden is an injury doubt, Alex Cooper is available.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought the scoreline was harsh on Friday. We didn’t take our chances and Cork punished us. It’s a reminder you have to make the most of the opportunities you get.

“We see in the league that teams will get beaten and we’re looking to move on from Friday and get the right outcome in this match. It is an important game but in truth every game is in this type of season.

“We have to be better in possession and get our general play better. We’ve regrouped over the last couple of days.

“Lewis got through it well on Friday, Teemu also got some minutes and a few more days of training and Alex Cooper is available again. We’re without the lads that didn’t make it on Friday but they’re all not too far away.

“We’ve got to be a bit more creative in our play and get our focus right on Tuesday. We’re looking for the performance and result.”

Our underage teams have been in training for the last 6 weeks in preparation for their respective league campaigns which begin this weekend.

It has been a long time since March when football was suspended due to the Covid 19 pandemic, but each player is ready to return to competitive action after some recent friendly matches as part of their mini pre season.

This weekend sees both our u15 and u17 teams take on Derry City. 

At The Sean Fallon Centre, Ryan Casey’s under 17 squad host The Candystripes this afternoon.

Conor O’Grady’s under 15’s make the long journey north to Greencastle, County Donegal to face the same opposition tomorrow at 4pm.

Our under 13 side travel to Athlone for their final pre season game on Saturday while our under 19 squad continue to train over the next week before their season opener a week on Sunday, also against Derry City. 

In The Women’s National u17 league our Bit O Red girls were due to face Peamount United this evening at The Sean Fallon Centre, however this game has been postponed due to lockdown measures in counties Kildare, Laois & Offaly, where some of the Peamount squad reside.

The girls’ season now commences in Letterkenny against Donegal on Saturday next. 

We would like to thank all our underage players and staff for their great efforts over the last few months which included some important charity donations to our friends at Sligo Cancer Support Centre.

Since March, all our players have been training on their own before returning to group training in July. This was driven by our dedicated group of coaches who continue to dedicate their time and effort into our youth system.

We also want to thank our players’ families who have shown great support to the players over the last few months and who have been extra patient and understanding lately with behind closed doors trainings and friendlies.

We wish everyone the best of luck on our return to action. 

Sligo Rovers are on the road on Friday as they travel to take on Cork City at Turner’s Cross, live on WATCHLOI from 7:45pm.

The Bit O’ Red make it back-to-back wins last week, beating Shelbourne 2-1, and moved above Cork in the table.

Two points separate the teams going into Friday’s game, a place where Rovers hold a good record, including a 4-2 victory last season in which Ronan Coughlan scored twice.

Ocean FM will also broadcast live commentary on the game, with the first half online on OceanFM.ie and the second half on FM.

In team news, John Mahon (broken leg) and Johnny Dunleavy are out (knee).

Will Seymore (hamstring) and Garry Buckley (groin) face late fitness tests. Lewis Banks is recovering from a groin problem and will also be assessed pre-game.

Teemu Penninkangas returns from a back injury

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has finished his quarantine process and is now part of the group. He is in the squad on Friday.

Liam Buckley said: “I think when you look at the table and where the teams are then it is a six-pointer. We’re expecting a very hard game. There’s very little between seven or eight sides in the division. Cork got through in the FAI Cup which will lift them and they haven’t conceded a goal in consecutive games as well. Neale is trying to impose a style of play, it doesn’t happen overnight and they will improve throughout the year.

“I see more improvement in this group as well. We’re doing very well individually and it’s collectively of a passing game and ball retention that we’re looking to get up to speed. I do see it coming, especially since the restart, but it can get better. We’re asking for more because we know it is in us. We’ve won two games, this league will grant you no favours so we have no choice but to improve if we want to get up the table and be consistent in our performances and results.”

With Junior joining the squad, it means more competition up front for the manager.

“It is important. I look to every player we put out on the pitch that I want them to have a desire to win.

“I know that whoever starts a game will bring a lot to the team. Ronan Coughlan, Ryan De Vries and Jesse Devers have done well but we also have Ronan Murray back to fitness, Junior in with us now and young Mark Byrne and Darren Collins have done really well. It gives us options. We’ll also be tested squad-wise throughout the year so every one of those players is going to play their part.”

Buckley also spoke about the policy of bring in academy players to first-team training days.

“We’ve introduced some of the academy players to the first-team squad. It gives them a feel for it and what they are aspiring to. We’ve invited quite a few in over the last month or so.

“Johnny Kenny for example is a very bright prospect. He has a lot going for him in many aspects of his game. Rossa McAllister and Darragh Reilly played in friendly games as well. They’re all bright prospects in truth.

“They’ll be playing in their underage teams and they’ll see the levels to get to. The opportunities are there for the young players at the club. There’s lots of great talent and I have to give credit to the coaches because they are nurturing it very well.”

Injured: John Mahon (broken leg), Johnny Dunleavy (knee)

Doubtful: Garry Buckley (groin), Will Seymore (hamstring), Lewis Banks (groin)