Sligo Rovers take on Waterford FC in The Showgrounds on Saturday night in the SSE Airtricity League.

Rovers are searching for their first points of the season on the back of an encouraging display against Bohemians which ended in an unfortunate 2-0 defeat. 

In team news, John Mahon (broken leg), Lewis Banks (thigh), Regan Donelon (shoulder) and Danny Kane (foot) are out.

Johnny Dunleavy is doubtful with a knee problem.

Ryan De Vries is awaiting work permit and international clearance. 

Liam Buckley said: “I thought the score didn’t reflect the game on Monday. We had enough balls in the box and openings to score and it didn’t fall for us. 

“We needed to score at 1-0 when we were on top for most of the second half and unfortunately it didn’t happen. 

“We deserved a draw at least, if not shading it, but that doesn’t count for a lot now. 

“We’ve got to repeat a lot of the performance and turn it into a result because if we show the same passion and desire and quality on the ball then we will win matches, I have no doubt about that. 

“This is a big game, there’s no denying that, and for both sides because this league is going to be so difficult to pick up points every week. 

“You have to turn up, you have to be at it or you’ll end up beaten. I wanted us to start the season better and we haven’t done so, so you have to step up and dig as deep as you can. 

“Alex Cooper had a very good debut on Monday, Will Seymore moved up into midfield, we appreciated the change of shape certainly. 

“Weather conditions are going to be difficult again and it’ll be a tight game. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready to face all of what is to come and get ourselves going from the start.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the details of the 2020 Easter Camps which will take place at The Showgrounds in April.

Week one of the Easter Camp will kick off on Monday April 6th and run until Friday April 10th.

Week two of the Easter Camp will kick off on Monday April 13th (Easter Monday) and run until Friday April 17th.

The cost of the camp remains capped at €60 for one child, €100 for two children from the one family and €135 for three children from the one family.

Each child who participates in the Easter Camp will receive a Sligo Rovers training top, a participation certificate, a photograph with senior players and a free pass to a home league game.

The camp runs from 10.30am until 3pm daily.

The optional Breakfast Club will run from 8.30am each morning of the camp, where the children get to enjoy a healthy breakfast in The Showgrounds with members of the first team. There are also fully supervised indoor and outdoor activities for the children on the Breakfast Club which includes a presentation on the importance of nutrition.

Pre booking of the Breakfast Club is essential, with places limited to 25 children per week. The cost of the Breakfast Club is an additional €25 for the week per child.

For more information on the Easter Camp, you can contact Shane via email at shane@sligorovers.com or you can Tel 071-9171212.

To book a place on the 2020 Easter Camp for a week of your choice you can click here.

We were out and about again on Tuesday night as we visited Manorhamilton Rangers at Bee Park.

The kids enjoyed a coaching session with Niall Morahan and Darragh Noone along with community Officer Darragh Healy.

Thanks to Manorhamilton Rangers for having us.

They will be participating in the halftime mini-sided game for Saturday’s clash with Waterford FC in The Showgrounds. S

See you then guys.

Sligo Rovers face a big game on Saturday night when Waterford FC visit The Showgrounds.

Rovers go in search of their first points of the season against Alan Reynolds’ side – who have lost their last two matches.

Kick-off is 7:45pm as we return to our usual Saturday night slot.

You can buy match tickets in advance.

Away fans can buy at the turnstiles.

View images from James Fallon at Monday night’s game with Bohemians

The Sligo Rovers Lotto jackpot was won on Monday night as Marcus Mulligan from Kinlough claimed the prize.

Congratulations to Marcus on winning €10,700. It ends a run of 29 weeks without being won.

Play online now: https://t.co/9MqSF9nnpv?amp=1

Special offer for a year

Sligo Rovers have signed striker Ryan De Vries from Japanese side FC Gifu.

The 28-year-old will join Rovers subject to a work permit and international clearance.

The South African-born player has a prolific goalscoring record in New Zealand from early in his career with Waitakere United and Auckland City FC. He scored 61 goals in 121 games.

He helped Auckland reach the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, scoring in the third-place game.

De Vries then played for Bentleigh Greens in Australia before spending the last two years in the second tier in Japan with Gifu.

He has played for the New Zealand international side.

Liam Buckley said: “The deal has been agreed for a few weeks, we were just awaiting final documentation from Japan to get his release.

“I’m delighted to get him in and we need him given our numbers up front. We hope he’ll be a major addition to us.

“He’s quick, strong, has a great physique with a good touch and I can see him scoring goals. I spoke to people in New Zealand and they think he’ll fit comfortably in our league and do really well.

“We had a report from the New Zealand international manager, we’ve done our homework on him so we hope he does bring a lot to us.

“We need to get the work permit done before he can play, that will be a small bit of time but we hope to have him involved as soon as possible.

“We are disappointed with our start in the league. But as I said to the boys last night, the passion and desire we showed against Bohemians will bring us results if we keep showing it.”

With Alex Cooper signing last week, Johnny Dunleavy likely to return this week, Danny Kane, Regan Donelon and Lewis Banks all hopefully set to return at points in March, Buckley said that will help his side in try to get the season going.  

“I’m as desperate as the fans in relation to trying pick up a result.I did see us starting better. It is just unfortunate having all of these players out.

“We lost our back four and when you do that you’re up to your gills in it when trying to find cohesion.

“There are definitely better performances in this team. We’ve got to push on to Waterford and get something now.””

Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to go down to a 2-0 defeat to Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Monday night in the SSE Airtricity League.

Rovers gave a debut to new signing Alex Cooper at left-back while Jesse Devers replaced Ronan Murray in their attack.

An error sparked a tame game to life as Bohemians clinically punished their visitors to take a ninth minute lead.

Kyle Callan-McFadden missed heading Michael Barker’s ball down the line to safety.

Bohemians striker Glen McAuley galloped away to cross. And though the centre came back off fullback Niall Morahan, the inrushing Danny Mandroiu was calmness personified as his first time side-footer found the bottom corner of the net.

The pace and tenacity of McAuley, on his 20th birthday, continued to cause Sligo problems in the early exchanges.

The former Liverpool trainee shot wide before then working a good save with his feet from Ed McGinty after Mandroiu threaded him in on goal on 15 minutes.

It was 23 minutes before Rovers threatened, winger Devers running onto David Cawley’s long ball to hold off Dan Casey and get his shot away which Stephen McGuinness ably dealt with.

McGinty was off his line quickly back at the other end just past the half hour to smother the ball at the feet of Barker from Mandroiu’s audacious flicked through ball.

Sligo finally got their fans behind the goal at the school end of the ground off their seats minutes later when Ronan Coughlan’s flicked header from Cooper’s cross flew just over the crossbar and they enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Buckley’s side remained on the front foot into the second half. Devers cleverly put Cawley in on goal to bring a smart parry save from McGuinness seven minutes in.

But the Bit o’ Red needed some desperate defending to prevent Bohemians extending their lead on 57 minutes.

Luke Wade-Slater put Mandroiu in down the inside-right channel. McGinty was out quickly to deflect the shot across his goal.

The follow-up from McAuley was mis-hit into the ground and deflected over for a corner by McFadden.

McAuley was in on goal again seven minutes later from substitute Ross Tierney’s pass. McGinty made himself big at the angle with the shot hitting the post.

Sligo rallied late on with efforts from Garry Buckley, substitute Mark Byrne and Coughlan all failing to bring an equaliser.

After McFadden cleared off the line from substitute Danny Grant, Bohemians struck right on 90 minutes.

Wade-Slater’s cross picked out winger Twardek just inside the box to tee up a low drive that arrowed past McGinty into the bottom corner.

Bohemians: Stephen McGuinness; Michael Barker, Dan Casey, Ciaran Kelly, Paddy Kirk; Keith Buckley (Ross Tierney 60), Conor Levingston; Kris Twardek (Dawson Devoy 90+3), Danny Mandroiu, Luke Wade-Slater; Glen McAuley (Danny Grant 71).

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Niall Morahan, Kyle McFadden, Teemu Penninkangas, Alex Cooper; Will Seymore, Alan Cawley; Jesse Devers (Ronan Murray 72), Garry Buckley, Darragh Noone (Mark Byrne 86); Ronan Coughlan.

Referee: Ben Connolly (Dublin).

Sligo Rovers take on Bohemians on Monday night in Dalymount Park in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Rovers are looking to bounce back from Friday’s 2-0 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic

Rovers will have the same squad for the game with the possible addition of Alex Cooper who could be granted international clearance on Monday.

Danny Kane (foot), John Mahon (broken leg), Regan Donelon (shoulder) and Lewis Banks (groin) are out.

Liam Buckley said his side have to get fundamentals right to kickstart the season.

“We huffed and puffed on Friday night and the end result was we weren’t good enough at all. We didn’t do enough in the game to get anything from it.

“We didn’t look comfortable overall so that has to be looked at. There’s lots of ability in the group and we’re not seeing it yet and that is the frustrating part.

“We were in on Saturday and Sunday as usual, there’s no sympathy in this game and we have to improve.

“We will try to get it better immediately. We have to get ourselves up and running as soon as possible and we’re looking at the overall picture now and assessing our approach.  

“Alex has come in and if we can get clearance for him on Monday morning that is another option.

“But regardless we have players within the group to be drastically better. I know what the players here can produce, I see it in training and we’ve got to start producing it.

“It’s a hard game going to Bohemians, you can see how tight games are in this league already and we’ve got to be ready for it on Monday.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins made a presentation to Sligo Rovers new Honorary President Paddy Gilmartin and Vice-President Ray Gallagher at a ceremony before the first home game of the season.

Paddy Gilmartin’s first involvement with Sligo Rovers was in the 1960’s through the Supporters’ Club. Their main role was fundraising, and he recalls one of the many ventures they had was selling trinkets known as ‘Dowry Dolls’ which they sold all over the county and even ventured across the Donegal border to sell them in Bundoran.

Paddy became Secretary of Rovers, and probably his greatest signing was the legendary Johnny Brooks, and they remained great friends long after Johnny retired and emigrated to South Africa. Paddy sourced the U-18 England International through an English journalist (who admitted he never heard of Sligo!) and Brooks signed a contract for £30 a week. Paddy remembers ‘We had five forwards in the squad each costing around £30 a week, while the total wage bill for our defenders came to that amount – that’s the way it was in those days.’

He recalls travelling to Dublin Airport with Johnny Chadda and John Fallon to meet Tony Bartley to try and persuade him to become player-manager ‘We discovered on the journey to Sligo he was a golfing fanatic, so after a quick visit to the Showgrounds we showed him Rosses Point Club and he immediately said ‘Where do I sign?’ Paddy was involved in signing many players for the club; ‘As is always the case, some fared out better than others –  Tony Cavanagh  and Ben Hannigan made a great contribution and were very popular with the supporters.’

Our remote location in the northwest meant it was often hard to attract players. Jackie Quinn who used to travel from his home in  Athlone to play for Rovers, and Paddy recalls telling him ‘If you could pass the ball, you would be a great player.’ Quinn’s reply ‘If I could pass the ball, I wouldn’t be with Sligo Rovers.’ 

Paddy was a trojan worker for Rovers all his life-time, and he has nothing but fond memories for the club he served so well.

Ray Gallagher has been associated with the club and especially the grounds over many years. Like Paddy, his first involvement with Rovers was through the Supporters Club, when in 1966 Albert Higgins persuaded him to come on board.

But arguably Ray’s greatest contribution was his work in securing the Showgrounds for the club. When in 1968 Ray discovered the Fowler estate lease on the Showgrounds was due to expire in two years, he travelled to Kilkenny with John Fallon (Rovers Chairman and Mayor of Sligo) and Brendan Byrne to meet with Solicitors James, Poe, Kiely Solicitors, who represented Kathleen Chadwick, sole beneficiary of the Estate. Their negotiations were successful and they acquired the Fowler estate for £2,500. The estate include the main playing pitch, the remainder of the ground was owned by the Campbell estate, and that was acquired shortly afterwards, also for €2,500.

For many years Ray soldiered to maintain the grounds, alongside his great friend Paddy Morahan. They worked tirelessly with no resources to look after the main  playing pitch, and it is to their great credit that it was very rarely that a game was postponed because the pitch was unplayable.

Ray want on to come Chairman of the club and Chairman of the Development Committee. In the latter role he was instrumental in overseeing the transformation of the Showgrounds with an ambitious development programme that included the construction of the Treacy Avenue stand and the installation of the all weather facility.