Danny O’Leary named Women’s Under-17 head coach

The newly-appointed Sligo Rovers Women’s Under 17 head coach Danny O’Leary says he cannot wait to get the season up and running, after the first game was postponed this weekend.

The outbreak of Covid-19 delayed the season, and the late start meant that Martin McManus was unable to continue working with the girls.

Experienced coach O’Leary, who had a lengthy League of Ireland career as a player, has also enjoyed a spell as Head of Youth Development with Rovers along with coaching the U-17 boys with Colm Jinks and has been involved in coaching for years.

O’Leary has also coached Mayo senior side Manulla and the Mayo League Oscar Traynor team for a brief period. 

O’Leary told sligorovers.com: “I took this role because I want to get back coaching elite level players. The club made contact and it appealed to me straight away because they are elite level players. They’re a very good group of players, so it was something I wanted to get involved in. ”

O’Leary stresses that he sees this group as a squad of elite footballers, and they will continue to be treated as such.

“Football is football. The girls and boys are separated just by gender. The game of football is exactly the same. For me, it’s no different as in the coaching side of football is no different whether it’s elite level boys or elite level girls.

“It’s just they’re a different group and they have different needs at different times, no more than the boys will have different needs in where they want to go in football and education.”

In terms of his goals and objectives for the year, O’Leary is keen to help develop his players and prepare them for senior football.

Winning isn’t his priority, but it would be nice: “I said to the girls when I first came in, results are not important to me really. Obviously it’s important that girls know how to win and how to lose games, how to play against opposition. Winning isn’t the be all and the end all.

“My personal objective is to get them ready to play senior football in this country. For the girls in the group, we want to make sure that when these girls advance from the U-17s that they are ready to play senior football in this country.

“Hopefully if we do get a senior football team up and running soon so that we can hang on to players. In the meantime if they’re going to Athlone or someone like that, they might come back to us because they enjoyed it, and they were coached right.

“So when we do have a senior team, these girls will be well able. Hopefully we will win games but winning the competitions (is not a priority), if  it happens it happens.”

He has been impressed with the talent within the squad since he took over and is hopeful that he can give his players the right guidance.

“They’re all very talented, we’ve got a serious group of players. We’ve got 17 and I know there’s a lot of girls coming through from Sligo Leitrim who are excellent as well.

“The talent is there definitely and I think they might just need a little bit of guidance here and there to get them that extra step to make sure they’re playing international football for that little bit longer or playing senior football which gives them a chance further down the line of getting a call up.”

O’Leary took charge of his side for a friendly against the emerging talent U15s last week. Peamount were due to travel this weekend, but the game was called off as they have some players from counties in lockdown.

“We played our first friendly there last week against the Sligo/Leitrim team. It was good to see girls in positions and see what they’re capable of in units, defenders together and midfielders together because there’s only so much you can do in training to work on that.

“The girls are raring to go and I’m raring to go and I can’t wait to see them on the pitch when we do have a game. They’re such a talented group and such a great group to work with. They’re very receptive to any new ideas I’m throwing at them because I am going to challenge them.

“They’ve got to be challenged if they want to play senior football. I’m going to challenge them throughout the season. ”

Rovers paired with UCD in the FAI Cup

Sligo Rovers will face UCD in the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup following the draw this afternoon.

The match will be played in the UCD Bowl.

We await final date and time but ties are to be played on the weekend of 28-30 August.

Second Round draw

  • UCD v Sligo Rovers
  • Bray Wanderers v Finn Harps
  • Bohemians v Cabinteely
  • Shamrock Rovers v Cork City
  • Drogheda United v Derry City
  • Athlone Town v Wexford
  • Cobh Ramblers v Dundalk
  • Galway United v Shelbourne

Ties to be played on the weekend of 28-30 August

Waterford match re-arranged for next week

The postponed SSE Airtricity Premier Division match with Waterford FC has been re-arranged for Tuesday 18th August.

Kick-off is 5:45pm in The Showgrounds. A limited number of season ticket holders can attend, they will be contacted in advance.

The match will be streamed live on WATCHLOI.ie.

Buckley hails ‘important win’

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley hailed an “important win” for his side as the Bit O’ Red moved up to eighth in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Saturday.

Rovers picked up their first points of the season in The Showgrounds thanks to goals from Jesse Devers and David Cawley against Shelbourne.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the 2-1 success, Buckley said: “I was delighted with the effort put in again. It was a bit scrappy at times but nonetheless it was an important win to get us up the league table.

“You couldn’t ask for more with the goal early on. Ryan De Vries did fantastically on the left and in fairness to Jesse he took up a great position to score.

“You feel more comfortable with the second goal, but you knew they weren’t going to sit back. Ian Morris was changing bits and pieces, went 3-5-2 and made their five substitutes. It was important we stuck at it. They scored late and we just needed to see it out. It was a really good win for us.”

Rovers were set for a second clean sheet since the restart until Gary Deegan struck a spectacular finish in added-time. Buckley was disappointed for Ed McGinty, who turned 21 this week, but was pleased with his netminder overall.

Ahead of next week’s game with Cork City, the Rovers boss is envisaging the competitive nature of the league continuing.

“It would have been nice, especially for the goalkeeper. It’s like a centre forward with goals and we do challenge them for that end of it. Nonetheless it was an important win.

“There isn’t an easy game in this league, honest to God. I’m sure other teams are looking at us and saying ‘we are bottom of the table’. We’ll be competitive as will Shels, Waterford, Cork, Finn Harps.

“We’ll all be competitive because we are fighting to get out of the bottom end of the table. That said, we have another difficult game going to Cork now, we’re looking forward to that. We’ll have another one or two players back from injury I think. We’re getting closer to our full quota.”

Buckley is hopeful Will Seymore can feature against Cork, describing it as a slight hamstring strain that the midfielder didn’t report to be too bad. He added it would need further assessment.

One player that did overcome an injury was Danny Kane, making just his second appearance in 10 months, and slotting in superbly.

Buckley said injuries contributed to the start Rovers made this season and as more players come back, he would like to improve on their team display.

“We had so many defenders out. I thought Danny had a fantastic game. I had intended to take him off at one stage, but he got through the game well.

“Some of them were tight. We were down six defenders and we have a squad of 20. That said, there wasn’t a lot in those games. I know we won last week and tonight, but there is still improvement in this group.

“We still have a couple of players to come back in. We need to find our way of playing. It was a bit scrappy at times with not a lot in it. There is much more in this group. Hopefully we can grow into it and push on.”

The Rovers boss also confirmed Junior will join training this week after being isolated for the last 14 days.

“Junior will be available for us. He was top scorer last year. We’re looking forward to getting him in and he will be a big addition to the group going forward.”

Rovers make it back-to-back wins

Sligo Rovers struck early in both halves as they claimed their second win on the spin with victory over Shelbourne at the Showgrounds.

The 50 supporters in attendance had barely reacquainted themselves with their surroundings following an extended period without football on Church Hill, when Jesse Devers headed Liam Buckley’s men into the lead.

While captain David Cawley secured Sligo’s second win of the season when he struck on 51 minutes.

Gary Deegan replied for Shels deep in injury time, but the points were to stay in Sligo as the home side held on.

Without a win at the Showground since September 2019, Sligo started this tie in ideal fashion, hitting the lead after just 30 seconds.

Ronan Coughlan linked up with Ryan De Vries down the left before the New Zealander found Devers from the end line. The Ballina native nodded De Vries’ cross past Shels goalkeeper Colin McCabe from six yards for his first goal for the club.

Sligo’s early pressure almost told again on six and nine minutes respectively. Again, Devers kept the opposition defence busy. His first effort flashing across the face of goal, while McCabe had to scramble to keep the winger’s shot from squeezing between him and his front post three minutes later.

Looking for their second win from the north west this week, Ian Morris’ charges spurned a great opportunity to find themselves level on eleven minutes. Target man Ciaran Kilduff latched on to Dale Rooney’s ball from the left, but was unable to stab the ball home from close range having muscled off the attention of the last Rovers defender.

Sligo remained on the front foot for the remainder of the half. Devers twice going close, while Coughlan’s header sailed narrowly over the Dubliners’ crossbar at the stroke of half-time.

Goal scorer Devers (left) and Alex O’Hanlon battle for possession

The second period was less than one minute old when the visitors spurned another glorious opportunity to level proceedings. Jaze Kabia blazing over whilst right in the face of Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

Kabia’s misfortune was compounded five minutes later when Rovers pounced again.

Coughlan redirected Regan Donelon’s corner into the path of skipper Cawley who rifled past McCabe for his first of the year.

The game became somewhat scrappy as the second half wore on. De Vries wasn’t too far away with a powerful drive from the angle after the wide man robbed Daniel Byrne at the corner flag eleven minutes from time.

Shels had their reply in the fourth of the six added minutes. Deegan lacing the ball past McGinty who couldn’t get a strong enough wrist to the midfielder’s viciously struck volley.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Darragh Noone, Kyle McFadden, Danny Kane, Regan Donelon; Niall Morahan, David Cawley, Will Seymore (John Russell 59); Jesse Devers, Ryan De Vries (Alex Cooper 85); Ronan Coughlan.

Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Aidan Friel (Oscar Brennan 80), Daniel Byrne, Luke Byrne (Daniel O’Reilly 60), Alex O’Hanlon; Gary Deegan, Sean Quinn (Alex Cetiner 80); Dale Rooney, Ryan Brennan (Georgie Poynton 53), Jaze Kabia (Aaron Dobbs 53); Ciaran Kilduff.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Preview: Rovers back in The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers are back in The Showgrounds for the first time in 22 weeks as Shelbourne visit in the SSE Airtricity League, kick-off 5pm. Buy the game on WATCHLOI here.

Rovers returned to action last Friday with a 2-0 victory against Derry City, the first points of 2020.

Shelbourne have made a strong return to the Premier Division, winning three matches for six, including an impressive 1-0 success over Finn Harps on Tuesday.

It is the first League game between the teams since 2013, when Rovers won all three matches 2-0. 

In team news, Danny Kane has trained all week and could be back in the squad for the first time since October 2019.  Alex Cooper has also played a full part this week after missing the Derry game with a knock. 

New signing Sigitas Olberkis could also be in the squad as he awaits international clearance. 

Garry Buckley (groin) and Teemu Penningkangas (back) face late fitness tests. Buckley was injured during the second half in Derry. 

Lewis Banks is ruled out with a groin injury which has hampered his season so far. Liam Buckley is hoping for Banks to resume training next week. 

Ronan Murray and Johnny Dunleavy returned to the bench last week and are available. 

John Mahon is not ready to return to action following his leg break in February. It is hoped he can make a full return in the coming weeks.

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe will sit out as his quarantine only ends at the end of week. 

Liam Buckley said on win over Derry: “It was a great effort last weekend. We’re looking for that again on Saturday. That is what it takes to win games in this league. We know how hard it is to win a game and follow it up, results since the restart have shown that. If you’re not on it, you’ll get turned over.  There were many good displays and that collective effort won us the game. We passed it well in periods in Derry and we’d certainly like to find more of that over a course of the game.  We’re still around the bottom of the table, so while it was good to pick up the points, it isn’t going to count for a lot if we don’t follow it up in games to come.”

On away wins becoming very regular in the league: “All that matters is the performance we produce, home or away. We produced one last week and we’ll have to do it again. Perhaps it may even out in time, but it isn’t really entering my thoughts. What is relevant is just how competitive the league is. That was the same at the start of the year and we were well in a lot of matches that we didn’t get the result in. We approach the game trying to get the result.”

On the Waterford game being postponed and facing Shels: “We were told on Monday morning that the game was off as we were about to conclude our preparations. It isn’t something to dwell on. When it happened we turned our attention to this game. Shelbourne had a good win on Tuesday, their start is a credit to them but my concern really is how we approach the game and what we do in it. We’ve seen some of what we can do, I’d like to get that better and get up the table. It’s going to be a tricky game and we’ll have to approach it right.”

On Junior not being available: “It took a few days to get Junior in because a work permit and visa are more complicated in the Covid landscape so his quarantine period hasn’t expired yet. He will be available for our next game but not on Saturday.

“From the outset of this we made a point of being transparent on these issues, both in terms of our five foreign players only being part of the squad for two weeks because they were in quarantine, and stating if new signings can play or not. 

“That isn’t something we should be getting credit for or seeking it, it’s our responsibility to the Sligo people and the commitment made to bring football back. These guidelines are for the entire country and are not something to mess around with. We rigidly follow protocols on a daily basis and will do so on Saturday. My hope is every club does so without failure from now to the end of the season. It is the only way the league can be completed this season and keep everyone safe.”

On availability: “We’ll see where we are on Saturday with some of the players who have come back from injury, one or two carrying knocks and Sigitas coming in. They could all be available and it’s nice to have a couple of extra players in the matchday group. That hasn’t been the case for a lot of this year. We had a good week of training and the lads are looking forward to another game. “ 

Returning: Danny Kane (foot), Alex Cooper (thigh)

Out: Lewis Banks (groin), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (quarantine), John Mahon (broken leg)

Doubtful: Garry Buckley (groin) and Teemu Penningkangas (back), Sigitas Olberkis (awaiting clearance).

Sigitas Olberkis signs for Sligo Rovers

Lithuanian defender Sigitas Olberkis has signed for Sligo Rovers for the rest of the 2020 season, the Bit O’ Red are delighted to announce today.

The 23-year-old joins from Senglea Athletic in Malta where their season was ended earlier this year because of Covid-19.

Olberkis, a centre-half, is a former Under-21 international and has also played in Belarus and Latvia.

He arrives in Ireland today from Lithuania, a country on the green list, meaning he does not need to quarantine.

Olberkis is awaiting international clearance.

Speaking to www.sligorovers.com, Olberkis said: “I’m very happy, and I say that because I can play.

“When football stopped at my previous club, the league was declared over for the season so that was it, I had to go home. I have been waiting for a new season.

“When it was put to me about moving to Sligo in Ireland, I know it is a good league and it is a good option for me.

“I streamed the game with Derry City last Friday and I could see the team is a good one. It also confirmed to me why Ireland often comes up as a league for players to go to. The standard is good and the football is good.

“I like to play as a defender but it is up to the manager what type he wants me to be. I listen, I do not decide, I learn and the coaches will tell me how the team should play.

“I will train with the team on Friday and then I hope to play as soon as possible. Of course it will be strange with no supporters but I have experiences of many things and I am here to play football.

“I am here for this season but of course I would like to be here for longer. For now I want to play as much football as I can. I will be ready to play, I have so much desire and I want to use that to help my team win matches.”

Liam Buckley said: “I’ve been looking at bringing in an additional defender because of injuries. From John Mahon at the start of the year, to a range of others, we’ve been really hit hard in that area.

“It is the way it transpired where we were down to one available defender in the squad at times. 

“Sigitas is a great addition, a really good ball player and he has played in a few leagues so it’s not a major transition to come here. He was with Žalgiris last season who are one of the leading teams in his country and was doing well in Malta before that league stopped.

“He’s available straight away once we get clearance, any player we would bring in now has to be from a country where it is safe to do so.

“We’re getting close to some of the defenders coming back and we’ll be really strong in that area.

“We’re looking forward to get him involved with us, starting with training on Friday. It was a good restart for us in Derry, that is gone now and we’re looking for the next big performance from us.”

Match programmes to be produced and sold

Sligo Rovers will produce match programmes, hard copy and digital, for the remainder of the SSE Airtricity League season.

They are available on an individual basis or in group.

Buy all programmes from now until the end the season for just €14. The PDF will be e-mailed on matchday.

You can also get the hard copies, of all games from now to the end of the season, for €40.

Buy the digital bundle here.

Buy the hard copy bundle here.

Match with Waterford FC postponed

Sligo Rovers will not play Waterford FC on Tuesday as scheduled as a Waterford FC player has shown symptoms of Covid-19.

The Bit O’ Red discovered the postponement on Monday morning. No new date has been scheduled.

The Waterford FC player is awaiting a test result.

Club activities continue as normal. We will post a further update later this week.