Saturday sees our under 17 Women’s National League side finally open their season with a game against Shamrock Rovers at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Our opening two fixtures were postponed against Peamount United and Donegal, so the girls are eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s fixture.

Danny O’ Leary has had some time to work with the squad since arriving in August with training sessions at both at The Showgrounds and our partner IT Sligo’s training facilities. Unfortunately, the game is strictly behind closed doors with just one parent per player allowed watch the game.

Brian Dorrian takes his under 19 side to Finn Park to take on Finn Harps at the same time tomorrow in a curtain raiser to the senior fixture on Monday night at The Showgrounds.

It’s the team’s second game of the season and they will be hoping for an improved result than the 2-0 defeat against Derry City on match day one.

Our under 17 and 15 teams both have a weekend off from competitive action.

Alan Farry takes his under 13 squad to our friends at Ballinamallard for a friendly at 12 noon on Saturday.

We wish all players and staff the best of luck and wish to again thank all our underage sponsors:

Pure Telecom

EJ Menswear

Ivor Park Painter and Decorators

O’ Connor Cabins

Verus Metrology

The poll is now open for the Wehrly Bros Jewellers Player of the Month for August.

We are including the game with Derry City, plus wins against Shelbourne, Waterford FC, Dundalk and UCD.

Click here to vote.

The poll closes on Sunday.

Thanks to Wehrly Bros for sponsoring the prize. Wehrly Bros. Jewellers, located on O’Connell Street in Sligo, offer a comprehensive range of fine jewellery for all occasions. Shop online here

The revised fixture list for the remainder of the SSE Airtricity League season has been released.

Matches have been changed in order to facilitate the WATCHLOI service where each match has its own television slot.

Our game with Bohemians has been brought forward to Friday 18 September at 7:45pm, and will be live on RTÉ2.

The FAI Cup draw will then follow that match. That quarter-final tie will be on 13 November.

Our remaining two home league games after Bohemians will be 5pm kick-offs.

They are Sunday 11 October vs Derry City and Saturday 24 October vs Cork City.

Click here for the fixture list or here for the Sligo Rovers fixtures.

Our 500 club is one of the club’s most important fundraising initiatives, with the draw continuing each month over the COVID 19 pandemic, with prizes for the monthly draws remaining unaffected at €500 as the top prize.

If you are interested in joining, you can visit https://www.sligorovers.com/500-club/ for more information. The cost of joining is less than €5 per week over the course of a year.

The 500 Club was founded in 2003, and our aim is to keep the 500 Club going strong and increasing these numbers in the coming months.

Our winners for July were as follows:

• €500 – Dessie Kilcullen, Skreen.
• €100 – Joe Gannon, Rosses Point
• €100 – Paul Gileece, Circular Road
• €100 – Michael Conmy, Culleens, Co Sligo
• €100 – John Gerard, Lord Edward St, Sligo
• €100 – Stephen Gilroy, Tonaphubble
• €50 – Joe Davey, Ballisodare
• €50 – Niall Harrison, Cliffoney
• €50 – Sean Dwyer, Cartron Point, Sligo
• €50 – Patrick Gavin, Aylesbury Park, Sligo

The 500 Club winners for August were:

• €500 – Myles Phillips, Rathcormac
• €100 – Eddie Gethins, Cartron Estate
• €100 – Seamus Gallagher, Crossmolina, Co Mayo
• €100 – O’Brien & Brett, Ballinacarrow
• €100 – Aidan Meehan, Blue Lagoon, Sligo
• €100 – Ray Gallagher, Strandhill Road
• €50 – Noel Kelly, Teeling Street, Sligo
• €50 – Frank Clancy, Corofin, Galway
• €50 – Mark Mullholland, Markievicz Road, Sligo
• €50 – Frank Carr, Cedar Drive, Sligo.

We wish to thank the Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club committee for their continued hard work. Their efforts each year are a massive help to the football club.

Thanks to all those who are part of The 500 Club, and we invite supporters to join if they are able to do so.

It was another victory for our under 15 team on Saturday who defeated Finn Harps at The Sean Fallon Centre.

The lads fell behind early on after a cross from the right hand side was headed home at the back post to give Harps the lead.

Rovers reacted quickly and equalised through defender Niall Holohan, before goals from Ronan Clarke, Shay O’ Neill, Conor Devaney, Owen Elding and an Adam Nugent hat-trick helped the team to their third win of the season.

In Donegal, at the same time, our under 15 side recorded a 5-0 win over the same opposition.

Johnny Kenny scored his second hat-trick in as many games and Mayo man Aidan McHale scored a brace to seal the three points. The Rovers were solid defensively and dangerous in attack, with many fine performances on the day.

Our under 19 team had the disappointment of a postponement on Friday night, where they were due to travel to Bishopsgate to take on Longford Town. The game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The under 13 squad had a 2-0 win over St Josephs of Dublin in a friendly at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday morning.

Our ladies team continued to train and prepare for this weekend’s game at home to Shamrock Rovers (2pm Saturday). Manager Danny O’ Leary and his squad will get their season underway with a tough test against the Dubliners at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Well done to all our staff, players and parents for their continued efforts in these challenging times.

Liam Buckley has told his Sligo Rovers players that they will enjoy the final stages of the season if they continue on the track they have laid down since the restart.

The Rovers boss credited the side with their “drive and commitment” to get the club away from the relegation zone, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup last night thanks to a 3-1 success over UCD.

It was a fifth win in six games for the Bit O’ Red – the best run of form for the club in seven years – and goals have been flowing along with it.

Buckley told RTÉ Sport: “I’m pleased with the effort the lads are putting in. There is a drive and a commitment to get us out of trouble.

“We were bottom of the table for four months, albeit there was only four games played at that stage.

“That said, if we have that commitment right to the end of the season, it is much more enjoyable, it’s much more enjoyable to watch, to play in, so we just have to make sure that everyone is up for it.”

The Cup remains a competition close to the hearts of all associated with Rovers – something not lost on Buckley who said he wants the group to give it their all in the competition for themselves and the fans watching at home.

“A cup final is probably the best day of the season. As I said to the boys, it’s important for them as group to do as best they possibly can, and it’s more important for the fans. I have no doubt they’ve all been watching tonight.

“I thought in the second half we controlled it a lot better. We had quite a few chances and bagged our three goals.

“You’re always concerned when you concede and especially in a Cup game because you only have one chance in the Cup.

“We regrouped at half-time and there was more drive and commitment in relation to getting forward. I think we deserved our win”

“We have to make sure the quarter-finals, and hopefully a semi-final and final, that we put in 100% effort like we did tonight. It took serious concentration to break down this UCD team.”

Ronan Coughlan’s persistence led to another goal for the striker. Up to his powerful header from a Jesse Devers cross – who was key for the Bit O’ Red in the second half, it had been a frustrating evening.

Buckley said it was a sign of Coughlan’s class that he found the goal to put Rovers in front.

“Ronan’s goal was great, the passing up to it was very good. I’m delighted for him. As a centre-forward, having been there myself, you’re not going to score every chance you get.

“As long as keeps getting chances, he’ll keep scoring goals. He has done really well for us.”

One disappointment on the night was hamstring injuries to Kyle Callan-McFadden and Sigitas Olberkis.

The Rovers boss stated: “Kyle and Sigitas both have tight hamstrings. I’m not sure why that is happening. We just have to assess that in relation to going forward.

“That said we do have John Mahon back now, he is back in training for three or four weeks and Garry Buckley is back fit as well, there’ll be another week’s training for him.

“Will Seymore is back as well. It’s just unfortunate for the two lads, they are two quality players.”

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.