Sligo Rovers host Finn Harps on Friday night in the SSE AIrtricity League in The Showgrounds, kick-off 8pm.

The Bit O’ Red returned to league action after qualifying for the semi-final of the FAI Cup. Rovers are sixth in the table.

In team news, Lewis Banks, David Cawley and Dante Leverock are suspended. Johnny Dunleavy will have a late fitness test on an Achilles problem.

Liam Buckley said: “I thought we played well in parts last week and still could have been better certainly. I thought the application and desire to win was very good.

“We’re top of the bottom five and we’d like to stay there. Finn Harps have caused us plenty of problems this year.  

“They turned us over in the league and cup away from home and we just managed a late draw against them here. We’re in for a hard night.

“They will feel this game is vital in the year but my concern is how we get on and maintaining what has been a strong home record.

“We’ve lost four games here all season and we’d like to keep it that way for the end of the year. 

“We’ve a couple of lads suspended on Friday so there will be changes and for the lads that come in, they have an opportunity to show what they can do.” 

Sligo Rovers have been drawn to play Dundalk in the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-finals in The Showgrounds.

The match will be played on Sunday 29 September, kick-off 5pm.

More details will be announced shortly. It will be an all-ticket game.

Liam Buckley said: “We’re excited. It’s a tough one obviously and Dundalk will be favourites. They’ve got the big squad, this incredible unbeaten run domestically; they’ve been getting to the final every year. They’ve only lost twice this year so that tells you the challenge. We’ll have to be at our very best and when we did get the win earlier in the season I thought it was one of our best display of the year.

“We wanted a home draw and that lends itself to a great occasion in The Showgrounds. Somebody is going to win the Cup and we’d love to get a final to give ourselves that chance. It certainly won’t be easy but we’ve reached the semi-final so we’ll see where it can take us.

“I’ve experienced getting to a final with a couple of teams and I would love for this group of players to do it. Underdogs can do anything in a Cup game and while it’s going to be very hard, we’ll give it a belt and see how we get on.”

The Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final draw will take place on RTÉ Radio 1 on Thursday morning, as well as RTÉ News Now.

The draw will be live on Morning Ireland at 8.30am and will be performed by former Republic of Ireland international Keith Fahey.

It will be on TV on Saorview 21, Virgin Media 200, Sky channel 521 and Eir 500

Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers are all in the hat.

Crumlin United v Bohemians will be the final quarter-final to take place on Monday, 16 September, with kick-off at 8pm at Richmond Park. 

Sligo Rovers will play in an FAI Cup semi-final later this month after they got past UCD without too much trouble at the Showgrounds.

Ronan Coughlan’s opening strike was followed up before the break by an own goal from Students goalkeeper Conor Kearns. Regan Donelon put this contest beyond doubt with a well dispatched penalty early in the second period.

While Rovers completed their first ever cup win over the Dubliners at the death when Niall Watson forced an effort past Kearns in injury time.  

Sligo welcomed back striker Coughlan for this last eight tie and he showed his worth just eight minutes in as Rovers hit the lead.

The Limerick native taking full advantage of a mix-up between Kearns and Aaron McGrath to fire past the UCD net minder for his tenth of the year.

The home side dictated the majority of this game.

The Students left to rely on Dan Tobin to rob the ball from the toe of Donelon as he looked favourite to turn Kris Twardek’s cross past Kearns at the front post on 18 minutes.

Sligo had a goal chalked off six minutes later.

John Mahon nodded Donelon’s corner to the net, but the referee’s assistant ruled it out as Coughlan was placed in an offside position while stationed on the goal line.

The visitors did enjoy a small first half spell where they looked like they might come back into this tie.

Ed McGinty had to go full stretch to deny Richie O’Farrell from the angle. While the same man went close again from a corner 60 seconds later.

Sligo however gradually settled again and doubled their advantage on 33.

Cawley’s close range effort came back off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing off the unfortunate Kearns and to the net.

Rovers looked set for a first semi-final appearance in six years ten minutes into the second period when they hit their third.

Harry McEvoy tangled with Romeo Parkes inside the UCD area before Donelon comfortably dispatched the subsequent spot-kick.    

The Premier Division’s basement side tired as the half wore on. McGinty had to move quickly to dive on Yoyo Mahdy’s drive at the target ten minutes from time. But this was to be their only glimpse of goal of the half.   

While there was some late worry for Liam Buckley when he was forced to withdraw top scorer Parkes after he pulled up with what looked like a hamstring strain.

Watson had his maiden goal for the club on his second appearance in added time. The beleaguered Kearns unable to keep out the Accrington loanee’s strike from the angle.  

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Niall Morahan, John Mahon, Kyle McFadden, Lewis Banks; Kris Twardek, David Cawley, Daryl Fordyce, Regan Donelon (Niall Watson 71); Romeo Parkes (Brian Morley 81), Ronan Coughlan (Ronan Murray 65).

UCD: Conor Kearns; Dan Tobin (Isaac Akinsete 63), Harry McEvoy, Luke Boore, Evan Farrell; Aaron McGrath (Ciaran Behan HT), Dara Keane; Richie O’Farrell; Yoyo Mahdy (James Daly 81), Sam Byrne, Jason McClelleand.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 1,927.

Sligo Rovers face UCD in The Showgrounds in the Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-final on Saturday night, kick-off 7:45pm.

Rovers last reached this stage in 2015 and take on fellow Premier Division side College with a big crowd expected.

In team news, Johnny Dunleavy is out with an Achilles problem.

Danny Kane and Ronan Coughlan have trained in the latter part of this week and could return. 

Dante Leverock is on international duty with Bermuda. 

Liam Buckley said: “UCD beat Pat’s in the last round and comfortably so on the night.

“We lost to Pat’s the week previously so that tells you the nature of this game and that we need to be at a very good level if we are to progress.

“Anything can happen in a cup game. You can play well and be knocked out or play poorly and progress. I’ve seen so much of that over the years. 

“We have to give ourselves the best possible chance to get through. That means getting a grip on the game, finding our rhythm and being up to speed from the start. 

“I’d love a bumper crowd here and for the supporters to be a big part of the night. We will need them. It’s not just any other game, it’s a cup quarter-final and an important game for everyone at the club. We’ve had games where we’ve been up and down and the fans stuck with us which you always need. 

“From our end we have to be focused on what we must do. Everyone would love a semi-final but we have to earn it and take the work we have put in this season and put it to good use.”

The voting is now open for the Wehrly Bro’s Jewellers Sligo Rovers Player of the Month for August.

The games eligible for this vote are

8-0 win vs Glebe North
2-1 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic
6-2 win over Limerick
4-2 win over Cork

Vote by clicking here

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Dundalk continued their push for a fifth Premier Division league title in six seasons as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Dane Massey and Andy Boyle struck for the Lilywhites, who stretched their lead over second placed Shamrock Rovers to seven with one game extra to play.  

Returning to the scene of their last defeat on home soil back in April, it was Dundalk who hit the opener on the quarter hour after an opening which offered little in terms of chances.

Rovers did have an early penalty appeal turned down. Massey seemed to control an awkward Lewis Banks cross with his chest amid claims for a spot-kick.

This, before Vinny Perth’s team had the lead.

Michael Duffy’s cross, meant for Daniel Kelly was cut out by a Sligo defender. The ball landing only as far as Massey who showed wonderful technique to execute a superb volley past Ed McGinty from 15 yards.

Rovers were defending an eleven game unbeaten run on their home patch and had chances for both Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly to contend with.

Hoban lashed an effort from the edge of the Sligo area across the face of goal after sloppy play from David Cawley. While McGinty held Kelly’s header on the half hour.

Jamie McGrath wasn’t too far away six minutes from the break when he attempted to twist a placed effort into the far corner as the visitors remained on top.

Rovers’ Romeo Parkes pounced on a weak back-pass from Sean Gannon late in the half. But goalkeeper Gary Rogers read the situation in time to close down the Jamaican before he could get his shot away.

The second half was eight minutes old when the champions had their second.

Boyle’s dominant jump allowing him soar above two Rovers defenders to thump Duffy’s corner beyond McGinty.

Two almost became three on 57 when McEleney struck the crossbar from range as Dundalk looked well in control.

McGinty pulled off fine reaction save from a Massey shot which deflected off a Rovers defender on 65.

The visitors struck the woodwork again two minutes later when Duffy had McGinty beaten all ends up. The Derry man’s effort from the instep coming back off the Sligo crossbar as Dundalk continued their drive for that elusive third.

Hoban was next to strike the frame of the goal when his glancing header from a Duffy corner bounced off the top of the crossbar with ten to go.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 79); David Cawley, Sam Warde, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Watson 75); Romeo Parkes, Ronan Murray (John Russell 55), Kris Twardek.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Jamie McGrath (Cameron Dummigan 79), Patrick McEleney; Michael Duffy (Lido Lotefa 86), Daniel Kelly (Robbie Benson 72); Patrick Hoban.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 1,655.

Dundalk continued their push for a fifth league title in six seasons as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Dane Massey and Andy Boyle struck for the Lilywhites, who stretched their lead over second placed Shamrock Rovers to seven with one game extra to play.

Returning to the scene of their last defeat on Irish soil back in April, it was Dundalk who hit the opener on the quarter hour after an opening which offered little in terms of chances.

Sligo did have an early penalty appeal turned down. Massey seemed to control an awkward Lewis Banks cross with his chest amid claims for a spot-kick.

This, before Vinny Perth’s team had the lead.

Michael Duffy’s cross, meant for Daniel Kelly was cut out by a Sligo defender. The ball landing only as far as Massey who showed wonderful technique to execute a superb volley past Ed McGinty from 15 yards.

Rovers were defending an eleven game unbeaten run on their home patch and had chances for both Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly to contend with.

Hoban lashed an effort from the edge of the Sligo area across the face of goal. While McGinty held Kelly’s header on the half hour.

Jamie McGrath wasn’t too far away six minutes from the break when he attempted to twist a placed effort into the far corner as the visitors remained on top.

Rovers’ Romeo Parkes pounced on a weak back-pass from Sean Gannon late in the half. But goalkeeper Gary Rogers read the situation in time to close down the Jamaican before he could get his shot away.

The second half was eight minutes old when the champions had their second.

Boyle’s dominant jump allowing him soar above two Rovers defenders to thump Duffy’s corner beyond McGinty.

Two almost became three on 57 when McEleney struck the crossbar from range as Dundalk looked well in control.

McGinty pulled off fine reaction save from a Massey shot which deflected off a Rovers defender on 65.

The visitors struck the woodwork again two minutes later when Duffy had McGinty beaten all ends up. The Derry man’s effort from the instep coming back off the Sligo crossbar as Dundalk continued their drive for that elusive third.

Hoban was next to strike the frame of the goal when his glancing header from a Duffy corner bounced off the top of the crossbar with ten to go.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 79); David Cawley, Sam Warde, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Watson 75); Romeo Parkes, Ronan Murray (John Russell 55), Kris Twardek.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Jamie McGrath (Cameron Dummigan 79), Patrick McEleney; Michael Duffy (Lido Lotefa 86), Daniel Kelly (Robbie Benson 72); Patrick Hoban.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 1,655.

We wish to remind supporters that under no circumstances will children under the age of 12 be allowed entrance to The Showgrounds on their own and without being in the presence of a parent or guardian.

From now until the end of the season and beyond we will be strictly enforcing this rule.

We want to allow all supporters an enjoyable and safe experience in The Showgrounds before, during and after our matches.

We will be taking measures to prevent large groups of minors congregating together during the game.

Children over the age of 12 are reminded that there is CCTV in operation throughout the stadium and any anti social behaviour will not be tolerated, with any individuals found to be behaving inappropriately will be ejected from the stadium and stadium bans may be enforced.

We are proud of our supporters and our stadium and we will not allow any poor behaviour to effect the majority’s enjoyment of the game and match night experience.

We also ask supporters to read our ground regulations here: https://www.sligorovers.com/ground-regulations/

Sligo Rovers’ next home league game against Finn Harps has been brought forward a day to Friday 13 September.

Kick-off is 8pm in The Showgrounds.

Our next home game after tonight is Saturday in the FAI Cup against UCD.