Republic of Ireland will play two Under-19 matches against Denmark in The Showgrounds later this month.

Tom Mohan’s side – who qualified for the European Championships in the summer that featured on RTÉ television – will play two friendlies against the Danes as they prepare for a new qualification period.

The matches will take place on Friday 11 October at 7:45pm and the following Monday 14 October at 1pm.

Entry is  €5 with Under-18s and OAPs free.

Romeo Parkes suffered a medial ligament injury in Sunday’s FAI Cup tie.

Recovery time is up two months so while the injury is set to rule Romeo out for the remaining four league games this season, he will be fit to start pre-season for 2020.

Dundalk’s hunt for an historic treble goes on after Michael Duffy’s 89^th minute winner against Sligo Rovers booked them a place in yet another FAI Cup final.

Duffy struck late on after a sustained period of pressure to break Sligo hearts and propel the Lilywhites towards a date with Shamrock Rovers in October’s decider.

Aiming for a fifth cup decider on the spin, it was the holders who started on the front foot.

Applying the pressure down the Lilywhites’ left, Michael Duffy pulled an early save from a busy Rovers goalkeeper, Ed McGinty. While the Sligo net minder threw his cap on a direct set piece from the same man shortly after.

Sligo’s game plan required an early tweak when they lost top scorer Romeo Parkes to a knee injury.

Despite the setback, Liam Buckley’s men might have had the lead 22 minutes in.

John Mahon meeting David Cawley’s free from close to the corner flag, but his free header flashed past Gary Rogers’ far post.

Dundalk then lost winger Patrick McEleney, but not before he had McGinty on his toes with a bending free-kick which the Scot had to watch sail narrowly over his goal.

Sligo had a shout for penalty turned down when Ronan Coughlan was tripped by Dan Cleary.

This, before the visitors went close to breaking the deadlock five minutes from the interval.

McGinty falling on Sean Hoare’s downward header at the back post after Duffy’s corner caused problems amongst the Rovers rearguard.

At the scene of their last domestic defeat back in April, Dundalk manufactured the first chances of note of the second half.

Jamie McGrath wasn’t not too far away with his right footer, which flew across the face of the Sligo goal three minutes in.

While McGinty was again on hand to keep Dundalk at bay, when he threw an arm at Pat Hoban’s close range effort on 54.

It was only a brave challenge from Mahon that kept the tie level when he dived in front of McGrath’s powerful drive just yards from the target.

Chris Shields neat dummy allowed him space in front of the Sligo area ten minutes from time during a tense finish. His subsequent shot didn’t match the move however, as he sent the ball wide of goal.

Substitute Sean Murray should have settled the game five minutes from time with Dundalk dominating the closing stages. But he could only blast over from six yards with the goal gaping and McGinty grounded.

Murray needn’t have worried though as Duffy struck in the 89^th minute.

Georgie Kelly did just enough to keep Murray’s free in play at the end line. The ball falling to that man Duffy who fired into the corner of McGinty’s net to send Dundalk to yet another Aviva visit. 

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Danny Kane, John Mahon, Kyle McFadden, Lewis Banks; Kris Twardek, David Cawley, Daryl Fordyce, Regan Donelon (Niall Watson 63); Romeo Parkes (Ronan Murray 11)., Ronan Coughlan.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Sean Hoare, Daniel Cleary, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Jamie McGrath, Patrick McEleney (Robbie Benson 28); Daniel Kelly (Sean Murray 68), Michael Duffy; Pat Hoban (Georgie Kelly 87).

Referee: Rob Harvey.

Attendance: 4,079.  

Dundalk FC have returned over 200 tickets.

These tickets will be on sale on Sunday 11am to 1pm in The Showgrounds offices beside the front gate. Demand is big, first come first served. 

The Jinks Avenue Stand can now be accessed by home fans. 

Online purchase not available

Please share. #bitored 

Sligo Rovers face Dundalk in front of a sold out Showgrounds on Sunday, kick-off 5pm.

In team news, Dante Leverock is suspended but Rovers have an otherwise complete squad with Johnny Dunleavy returning from a foot problem.

In an interview ahead of the FAI Cup semi-final, Liam Buckley said on the following subjects:

On his side now believing they can win games regularly: “I just like winning. I like the thoughts of winning. I like that everyone now is thinking ‘can we win?’ in big games. It is that expectation that I want in the dressing-room. That drives you on. You need to be organised, driven, fit, supporting each other, all of that dynamic. If you get that you’ll have a great chance of winning stuff.

“It is nice to have this important game and all that comes with it. It is just another game in the season from our point of view. It’s an important one, don’t get me wrong. It would get us to the Aviva which would mean so much to so many people at our football club. Hopefully we get that bit of luck and get through.”

Can you beat Dundalk: “We will have our game plan, it’s a one-off game. We can’t afford to think this is something where it can be easy at any point over 90 minutes. We have to limit them. They will get chances, no doubt about that. We have to play to get chances because it will only happen by design. You will see improvement in us in the future because of the work we have done this year and you’ll see it for the rest of this season and next season. We will be better for some of the stuff we have worked on.  They are a top team, they retained their players this year and brought in one or two to strengthen up and I’m sure they’ll do the same next year. They are at a slightly different level to where we are at, along with Shamrock Rovers as well. Those two clubs would have greater resources. That said, we’ll have XI out on the night and if our players are organised collectively and driven, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

“We are going to have to put in a shift but we have to believe we are going to do it. I do believe we will do it and we have to have a mentality across the board to say ‘let’s get at it’. Dundalk have 23 or 24 players, they could put out two teams where either team would be in the top three here, if not winning it. That is where they are at. The Cup is on the day. You need bit of luck which I’ve had myself over the years. Hopefully we get it on the day.”

On what it would mean (question relates to beating Sligo in the Cup as a player and manager!): “I would be the happiest man in Sligo on Sunday if we win because I know the consequence of it is an opportunity in a final. There is a lot at stake. That said, I do see improvement in the group. They are settled, they have a good dynamic and it’s a help going forward for sure.”

On over 4,000 present:  “It’s great to have that support. You’re playing for 3,500 Sligo Rovers fans here on the day or close to it and it is a big game. I hope it is the first of many to come. We want them behind us, I think they will be behind us because they have done so all season. Dundalk will be used to big occasions.  It’s a 90-minute game. We’ll prepare as best we can, and see where it takes us.”

Only 3 players remain in Sligo Rovers last man standing. Their selections for week 7 are as follows

The FAI Cup semi-final with Dundalk is now sold out. 

No more tickets will be available for home fans unless we  receive returns from Dundalk FC which we do not expect to.

Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

Biggest Showgrounds attendance in over five years. Let’s hear you 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

Ahead of Sunday’s FAI Cup tie with Dundalk in The Showgrounds, we ask all fans to read the regulations as they may differ to normal match days.

Ticket availability:

We currently have 50 tickets left as of Thursday afternoon. These are only available from The Showgrounds offices, 10am to 3pm.

We will have no tickets available on matchday unless we receive returns from Dundalk FC.

We will advise over the weekend but we do not expect to receive any.

Parking:

The Showgrounds car park and Nazareth House car park will quickly fill up as well as street parking. Anyone arriving after 4pm should not expect to park locally and possibly earlier.

Summerhill College have confirmed free parking for Sunday including the top car park beside the old sports hall. Please respect the school grounds

There is also free parking in Sligo town car parks on Sunday, but be aware of the private car parks which do charge.

Gates opening and seating:

Gates will open at 3pm. Please do not queue onto the road and move towards the footpath.

Match tickets are unreserved seating and only the Treacy Avenue and Railway End stands are for home fans. The Jinks’ Avenue Stand is for Dundalk FC as per FAI guideline.

A large part of Block H (closest to the Railway End) of the Treacy Avenue Stand is being saved for Forza Rovers. This is the designated singing area so this is not an area for small children. Note the Forza Rovers fans will stand during the game.

Please note that some seating has been reserved by the club for media, guests and others. These include the back row beside the large press box and the back row below the small press box. There are also reserved seats for Sligo Rovers matchday personnel, volunteers and staff needed to fulfill club obligations so please respect where a seat is marked reserved.

We strictly advise that no seat is guaranteed. 

Please do not hold multiple seats for fans arriving later. The game is a total sellout so every seat is needed and please be willing to move up or down a seat so that everyone can have a seat.

We will confirm when the Treacy Avenue stand is full on the day. After this please proceed to the Railway End or standing areas. There is to be no standing in aisles of the Treacy Avenue Stand.

Members section – the middle section of the main stand is for club members only. Non-members should not try to access this section.

Online tickets:

A large volume of tickets have been bought online. We expect this to add time to entering the ground and please be wary there will be longer wait time than usual.

Please respect our volunteers and staff.

• Please download your ticket/s and print them or have it available on your phone on match day. It is essential you have the ticket available to scan, be it paper or on your phone, or entry will not be granted. 

• All tickets will be scanned at entry. Please be patient and wait for the turnstile operator to scan all tickets and arrive early on the day to ensure wait time is limited.  Hundreds of tickets have to be scanned, please queue and wait for our scanners.   

• Ticket scanners will be accompanied by a steward who will ask for relevant ID for concessions. Sligo Rovers reserve the right to refuse admission without relevant ID for concessions. This will be strictly imposed.

• Please use our social media channels for queries, we will happily answer your all questions.

Half-time:

Fans leaving at half-time will be not re-admitted. This will be strictly imposed. No fans without a ticket will be allowed enter at half-time.

Entry to the main offices for tea and coffee is for club officials and volunteers only. All others should go to the clubhouse. Please do not abuse this service.

Full-time:

Please exit slowly and do not rush. Fans at the Railway End should in particular not rush out. 

Enjoy the game and get behind the #bitored

Sligo Rovers wish to advise supporters that tickets can no longer be purchased online as the game is about to sell out.

The remaining tickets are on sale on Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 3pm in The Showgrounds.

The club will announce when the game is sold out. After that, the only possible available tickets will be if any are returned from Dundalk FC but this is unlikely.