Preview: Rovers set for Glebe North

Sligo Rovers travel to Balbriggan on Friday night to take on Glebe North in the first round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

The Bit O’Red take on the non-league outfit at the Market Field. Rovers have not reached the second round since 2016.

Rovers won the competition in 1983, 1994 2010, 2011 and 2013.

In team news, Ronan Coughlan serves a one-game ban while Niall Morahan is out with a knee injury.

Liam Buckley said: “We give Glebe North due respect. Dave Campbell has been watching them on a couple of occasions in their pre-season.

“I’m sure if they wanted to move the game to another ground or reversed it to Sligo they would have but clearly they want to give themselves the best possible chance by being in their home ground and that tells you what you need to know on their approach.

“The Cup is different to the league, it’s a different momentum.

“The way I look at it is we are four games away from the Aviva Stadium and this is one of them.

“Sligo Rovers had a great history in the Cup in recent years particularly under Paul Cook and it would be great to be in the next round draw next week.

“In order to do that we have to go to do a job, we’re aware of what approach we need to bring to the game.”

Last Man Standing – Deadline Day

There are just over 24 hours remaining until the English Premier League kicks off at Anfield tomorrow night, with Liverpool facing Norwich, in game one of our Last Man Standing competition.

We have had plenty of picks so far for Liverpool, who are ‘red’ hot favourites to pick up three points on opening day. The other top picks are reigning champions Manchester City who have a Pep in their step recently, and take on West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur are also proving popular, with newly promoted Aston Villa the visitors to the new White Hart Lane.

Arsenal away to Newcastle United has also been a popular choice so far, with some hoping to save their top two for later in the competition. All other games seem to be too hard to call, although Manchester United fans will be hoping new signing Harry Maguire can prove his worth with a goal to see them past Chelsea on Sunday. Seamus Coleman’s Everton face a tricky test at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, at time of printing, no one is sure if winger Wilfried Zaha will be the home dressing room, or the away one, which will probably make our participants decisions even harder.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has entered so far and for those who haven’t, what are you waiting for? €1,000 is up for grabs if you think you know your football better than anyone.

To enter, visit LastManStanding today and you will receive a text message or an email asking for your choice.

For those who have entered, you will have received a message from us. If you haven’t received it yet, don’t worry, we’re working through all entrants and we will have all messages sent today. In the mean time, you can email your choice to ‘lastmanstanding@sligorovers.com’

Remember, the competition closes tomorrow, Friday and we urge all supporters to help the club with this important fundraiser.

This weekend’s English Premier League fixtures:

Liverpool V Norwich, West Ham V Man City, Bournemouth V Sheff United, Burnley V Southampton, Crystal Palace V Everton, Watford V Brighton, Spurs V Aston Villa, Leicester V Wolves, Newcastle V Arsenal, Man Utd V Chelsea.

Supporter information – Glebe North

The club have been advised that no tickets will be on sale on the gate for Friday night’s EXTRA.ie FAI Cup match against Glebe North.

There are a number of ticket outlets where tickets will be available between now and kick off, on a first come, first served basis. The outlets are as follows:

Supervalu, Balbriggan
The harvest Bar, Balbriggan
Pappagilanos (beside harbour)  , Balbriggan.

It has been advised that all supporters purchase their tickets as early as possible on the night to avoid disapointment.

To help our supporters as best we can, we have managed to obtain a limited number of tickets for the game, which are now available from The Showgrounds office (cash only).

They are priced at €10 per adult and €5 concessions and OAP.

To buy your ticket, visit our Showgrounds office from 9am-5pm tomorrow, Thursday or 9am -12 noon Friday morning.

For enquiries, call 0719171212.

We wish to advise supporters to purchase your tickets from The Showgrounds if you are travelling to the game.

Under 19’s face Finn Harps test

Our under 19 side travel to Ballybofey this evening to take on Finn Harps at Finn Park (KO 7:45pm).

Brian Dorrian’s side progressed to the Enda McGuill Cup semi final last Saturday with a 3-2 win over Cabinteely at The Showgrounds, and now face two games against North West neighbours Harps in the next four days.

Dorrian: ‘We enjoyed the game on Saturday. I think the team played well and were delighted to get through to the last four. We await to draw now to see who we face but we need to park that and focus on the league again. We have two very difficult games against Finn Harps coming up and all our focus needs to be on on those’.

Rovers will most likely have to plan without Niall Morahan & Luke McNicholas who continue to be involved in the first team squad, and may be involved in Friday night’s cup match in Dublin.

The home side are in fourth position in the table and will be looking to maintain their spot in the top four and qualify for the quarter finals.

The sides meet again this Sunday at The Sean Fallon Centre at 2pm.

Banks enjoying his time in Sligo

We spoke to Bit O’ Red defender Lewis Banks this week as he spoke about his season so far and his aims for the rest of the year.

Banks, 22, who joined from Stafford Rangers in February, has been a fan’s favourite this season, impressing from both right and left back, proving his versatility in either position.

Banks: ‘Sligo is quite similar to my hometown. Living with the lads in the house has helped me settle in and get to know them. We go and do stuff together so that helped me’

I still think there is room for improvement from me and the team. We’ve done well in bits but we can improve.

Banks may make his EXTRA.ie FAI Cup debut this Friday night against Glebe North. ‘ Hopefully we put a good run together from now until the end of the season and have a good cup run for ourselves and the supporters, starting at the weekend.

To see the full interview, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe HERE

WU17 trio earn international call-ups

Three Sligo Rovers players have been called into the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 17 squad for a double header against Belgium.

Manorhamilton’s Muireann Devaney, Swinford’s Emer O’Neill and Grange’s Sarah Kiernan have all been named in the squad that will travel to Brussels from August 8th until August 14th for the double header friendly.

It is the first time that Sarah Kiernan has been called into a Republic of Ireland squad.

Emer O’Neill had been named in the stand-by list, but received the news that she had been called into the squad shortly after the initial announcement.

Muireann Devaney, Sarah Kiernan and Emer O’Neill.

Rovers endured a tough day on Saturday as they were defeated 5-2 by Cork City Women at MacSharry Park. Both of Rovers goals were scored by Muireann Devaney.

Head-coach Darragh Healy said: “It’s great for the girls to get recognition. Emer and Muireann have been called up before and have played at that level but it’s the first time for Sarah and it’s great. It’s well deserved for the three of them. It’s great experience for them and the three of them are well capable of playing at that level and doing well for themselves.

“It just shows that the players are here. You can worry about results but results will be up and down, so long as the girls are playing well, that’s all that matters. If you can get a few of them up to international level that’s what matters. What’s important is that we’re improving players.

Darragh Healy watches on during Saturday’s defeat to Cork City Women.

“These call-ups are all down to the individuals but of course as their coach you like to see them moved up to international level. It’s down to the girls, they are doing well.

“Today was a bit of a blip but we’re having a good season. We still have to play Limerick, Galway and Wexford. We got a good result last week, not so good today but if we can put a couple of results together we can make the semi-finals.”

Muireann Devaney said: “It’s a great honour when you’re called to put on the green jersey. When you have friends coming with you from Sligo Rovers it makes it that bit more fun.

“When I’ve been in squads before they’ve been for development tournaments, so it’s a greater honour this time that it’s competitive football. It’s where you want to be at this time of the year. Everybody at Sligo Rovers have helped to make it happen.

Muireann Devaney scores her second goal against Cork City Women on Saturday.

“My family have been great. Every time they get that email they come home from work with a smile on their face. It’s all down to them with all their hard work bringing me to training and matches, they never say no.

“It’s always a help when you’re going away with people you know and you’re not counting on making new friends. When you know each other you look out for one another when you’re playing.

“Today was disappointing but I’m really enjoying my time at Sligo Rovers. Darragh and all the staff do everything they can to help us and make us as good as they can. Anything we want they say yes. It’s brilliant.”

Sarah Kiernan said: “I couldn’t believe it. It’s my first time. I went to the Under 16 trials last year but sadly didn’t make it to the next trial. It was a big shock to us all. We were extremely shocked, couldn’t believe it.

“My Mum was ecstatic, sadly my Dad passed away last year but we know he would be jumping for joy. He would be very proud.

“Cliffoney/Grange is where I come from and Benbulben is where I started playing football and a lot of it is down to them. It’s great for the club too, they have Seamas Keogh coming through too.

Sarah Kiernan in action. Pic: The Bit O’Red Photography/Michael Melly.

“It will be a help that Muireann and Emer are there. I won’t know many people going so it’s great to know them.

“Playing for Sligo Rovers is great this year. The training is fantastic and we’re doing well. Sadly we lost today but sure we’ll get on with it.”

Emer O’Neill said: “I was shocked when I got the call up. I’ve been in squads before but I was really honoured. Every day you get to play for your country is a good one. I’m really excited and really happy to get the call-up.

“I was on stand-by so I really wasn’t sure if I would be travelling or not. So I was really delighted when I did get the call-up.

Emer O’Neill in action against Cork City Women.

“My family are really proud, like they are the whole time. To represent the country is huge and any opportunity I get I will take it.

“I’m loving playing for Sligo Rovers. It’s part of the reason I got called up because training is so good, playing at a high level helps when you’re involved in international squads.”

Byrne hits brace as U19s progress to cup semi

Sligo Rovers 3-2 Cabinteely

A Mark Byrne brace followed up Aaron Perry’s opener, as Sligo Rovers under 19s did enough to progress past Cabinteely in the quarter-final of the Enda McGuill Under 19 Cup at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

Perry had the Bit O’Red in the lead with seven minutes played.

Darren Collins’ through ball finding the impressive Jack O’Connor. O’Connor’s initial effort came back off the post, but Perry was alert to tap into an empty net.

Rovers were well on top early on and Collins went close again on eleven minutes. But a lapse in concentration cost the home side dearly when Andy Byrne pounced for the equaliser on 23 minutes.

Both O’Connor and Collins had opportunities to stretch Rovers’ lead further, while Byrne went close with a header four minutes from the break.

Byrne had his first on 53 minutes, finishing off Liam White’s cross at the second attempt.

While Brian Dorrian’s side looked comfortable when Byrne slotted home from the penalty spot after O’Connor was taken down in front of goal.

The Dubliners kept things interesting on the stroke of full time when Jack Savage’s set-piece found its way past Cormac Henry in the Sligo nets.

But Rovers held on to proceed to the last four.

Sligo Rovers: Henry, Lynch, White, Smith, O’Reilly, McGrath, McAllister, Perry, Collins, Byrne, O’Connor.

Subs used: Devanney, Stallard, O’Toole, Martin.

Cabinteely: Clarke, Kelly, O’Reilly, Egan, Whelan, Bermingham, Andy Byrne, Aaron Byrne, Idele, Savage, Quinlivan.

Subs used: Perry, Hyland, O’Neill, Curran.

Under 19’s face Cabinteely test

Our under 19 side face Cabinteely tomorrow, Saturday at The Showgrounds in the Enda McGuill Under 19 Cup quarter final.

The game kicks off at 1pm and takes place on the main pitch at The Showgrounds.

We sat down with manager Brian Dorrian to discuss his side’s chance.

‘We were disappointed last weekend being beaten at home against Longford. The lads worked hard but the result didn’t go our way. They have to pick themselves up for tomorrow and see what we can do. Cabinteely will be good. They’re pushing for a top four spot in the league and we know we’ll have to be at our best to progress’.

In team news, The Bit O’ Red have made a couple of signings in the July window, with Darragh Forde and goalkeeper Cormac Henry making their debuts last weekend. Jerry Idahor picked up a head injury in the game and will be assessed before tomorrow’s game. Luke McNicholas played 90 minutes in the first team’s friendly with Cliftonville last night, which may mean he will be rested in the game.

‘The lads are looking forward to it. The fact it’s on the main pitch is another incentive for them to go out and perform. Hopefully, we see a decent turn out on the day and it’s a good occasion’.

We will be opening our BORST Clubhouse with tea, coffee and refreshments available on the day. Our club shop will also be open and we encourage all supporters to come out and support the lads.

We wish to thank our under 19 sponsor Aurivo Connacht Gold for their continued support. Visit their website here:
https://www.connachtgold.ie/

Admission is free.

Rovers and Cliftonville play out draw

A goal a piece from Sligo Rovers and Cliftonville saw the sides play out a draw at the Showgrounds.

Substitute Niall Watson gave the Bit O’Red the lead on his first appearance for the club.

The Belfast side equalised through Conor McMenanmin.

Rovers: McNicholas; Dunleavy, Leverock, Mahon, Banks; Twardek, Cawley, Warde, Donelon; Parkes, Coughlan.

Subs used: Fordyce, Watson, Morley.

Friendly with Cliftonville this Thursday

Sligo Rovers will take on Cliftonville in a mid-season friendly on Thursday night in The Showgrounds.

The game will be used to keep the squad ticking over and as a means of home gate income given we will not have a league match in The Showgrounds until Saturday 14 September, pending the rescheduling of the Dundalk game which will be late August at the earliest.

Tickets for the game will cost €10 for adults and €5 for children under-12. We ask you to support this fixture if possible due to the long gap between home fixtures.

As stated last night, the decision to postpone this Saturday’s game with Dundalk was not made by us and we did repeatedly ask for it to be played but unfortunately this could not be met.

Kick-off on Thursday is 7:45pm.