Sligo Football and Sport Development Society Ltd t/a Sligo Rovers FC held its Annual General Meeting in the Clayton Hotel on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, with a strong attendance both in person and online.

Thomas Casserly and Mark Cummins stepped down from the Management Committee, with both thanked for their service and contribution to the club.

The club confirmed a budget of EUR 2.9 million for 2026, while accounts for 2025 showed a deficit of EUR 45,000. Income increased by 13 percent and expenditure rose by 11 percent compared to 2024. Financial performance has improved significantly over the past two years, with losses reduced from EUR 299,000 in 2023 to EUR 45,000 in 2025. However, members were advised that the club has operated under financial strain in recent years, relying on a bank overdraft, committee loans, and payment arrangements with key suppliers to maintain operations. The Treasurer received strong appreciation from members following the presentation of the accounts, while sponsors, volunteers, and fundraising efforts were also acknowledged for their continued support.

In his address, Chairperson Tommy Higgins said that Sligo Rovers remains determined to compete at the top end of the table, but acknowledged that the club’s current operating model is under scrutiny. He noted that football clubs, both domestically and abroad, are operating with significantly higher budgets and, in many cases, substantial debt. It was agreed that the Management Committee will examine the club’s funding and structural model in detail over the coming months, with findings to be presented to members at a Special General Meeting.

Outgoing Development Officer Mark Cummins will continue his involvement with the Stadium Masterplan and was thanked for his long-standing contribution to the committee. An update confirmed that the project remains on schedule, with construction targeted to begin in February 2027 and completion projected for September 2028.

The following individuals were elected to the Management Committee:

Kathy Burke, Ryan Davey, Michael Doddy, Shaun Dunne, Lorraine Finnegan, Shona Heffernan, Martin Heraghty, Tommy Higgins, Paddy Houze, Donal Kelly, Brendan Lacken, Dáire Martin, Martin McDonald, Michael Toolan, Anthony Quinn.

Following the AGM, the Management Committee appointed the following officers:

Chairperson: Tommy Higgins

Vice-Chairperson: Shona Heffernan

Secretary: Brendan Lacken

Compliance Officer: Martin Heraghty

Fundraising Officer: Donal Kelly

Sligo Rovers operates as a cooperative society and is directly shaped by its members. Those wishing to become a member of the society are invited to contact the club at info@sligorovers.com.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new partnership with University College Dublin Smurfit Postgraduate Students, delivered through the ENFUSE programme, a collaborative initiative supported by Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council.

The ENFUSE programme connects organisations with high-performing postgraduate students from one of Ireland’s most competitive Master’s programmes in project management, giving students the opportunity to work on live, real-world challenges while delivering professional, research-informed outputs to partner organisations.

As part of this partnership, two student groups – comprising 10 UCD MSc Project Management students, will work directly with Sligo Rovers, contributing over 1,000 hours of structured consultancy across the duration of the programme. The work will focus on projects aligned with the club’s strategic and operational priorities following the Annual General Meeting, providing Sligo Rovers with a level of insight, analysis and delivery capacity that would rarely be accessible to a volunteer-led club.

The scale of the collaboration allows for multiple workstreams to be progressed in parallel, creating practical, high-quality outputs that can support the club’s long-term development both on and off the pitch.

The partnership will be led on behalf of the club by Dáire Martin, a member of the Sligo Rovers Management Committee, and a dedicated subcommittee, who will oversee strategic engagement between UCD and the club throughout the programme.

Commenting on the partnership, Dáire said:

“From the outset, we were very deliberate about structuring this partnership in a way that would deliver genuine strategic value for Sligo Rovers while also providing a high-quality, real-world learning experience for the students.

Having two postgraduate teams dedicating over 1,000 hours of professional-level work allows us to progress ambitious projects in a way that simply wouldn’t otherwise be possible for a volunteer-led club. Just as importantly, the partnership reflects what Sligo Rovers stands for, collaboration, community and creating opportunities that benefit the club while contributing to the development of emerging professionals.

With our centenary year approaching and a major development project on the horizon, the timing of this partnership is particularly significant for both the club and the wider region.”

Joe Houghton, Programme Director of the MSc Project Management programme at UCD Smurfit, welcomed the collaboration, calling it “a match made in heaven” and that partnering with entities like Sligo Rovers have always been part of the programme’s ethos. He also remarked that “the passion and commitment of the Sligo Rovers team meshes perfectly with the excitement and drive of our students”.

Paul Corcoran, Project Lead for one of the Student Groups and who was welcomed to the Showgrounds today with his student team said “Sligo Rovers is a club full of potential, and we see it as a great opportunity to apply our learnings to a true stalwart in the League of Ireland. It’s truly a privilege to get the chance to veto work with great people, all so passionate about this magnificent club”

This partnership further strengthens Sligo Rovers’ role as a community-anchored club that continues to innovate, adapt and build meaningful relationships with educational and civic partners for mutual benefit.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Match Sponsor: Hegarty and Armstrong Solcitors.

Match Ball Sponsor: EngDoc.

Sligo Rovers’ steady upturn in form continued as goals from Will Fitzgerald and Cian Kavanagh saw an impressive Bit O’Red pick up our third win on the spin, beating in-form Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

The result sees Rovers jump over both Drogheda and Shelbourne and into seventh spot and inflicts a first defeat in nine on the Lilywhites who were kept scoreless for just the second time this season. The victory extends Rovers’ unbeaten run to four ahead of next Friday’s trip to face Drogs.  

Without defeat in three heading into this one, Rovers manager John Russell kept faith with the team and shape of the side which overcame Waterford in Sligo a week previous. 

While seeking to continue their impressive early season form, Dundalk looked to continue their chase of the top two with a first win in Sligo since October 2023. Ciaran Kilduff made the one change from their win over Galway United at Oriel Park last week, replacing the absent JR Wilson with Declan McDaid whose brace swung that meeting with the Tribesmen in their favour. 

Played at a high tempo on a balmy evening under Benbulben, Rovers produced the best of the fare in the opening half, although the visitors did have chances and a share of the possession. 

Dundalk’s Harvey Warren almost turned the ball into his own goal as he attempted to clear a Fitzgerald cross three minutes in. While Kavanagh and Gareth McElroy both had chances from the resulting corner as Rovers pressed early on. 

Gbemi Arubi almost caught Sligo out moments later when Jeannot Esua’s mistake allowed the 21-year-old hit an effort from inside his own half. 

Skipper Fitzgerald has been in sparkling form for the home side this season and hit his third goal in as many games on 12 minutes. 

Dundalk keeper Enda Minogue made a mess of an attempted clearance when he collided with Kavanagh as he tried to punch clear an Esua ball into the box. The ball landed with Fitzgerald who lobbed the ball over Minogue as he scrambled back. 

Rovers’ Archie Meekison impressed throughout and went close on 23 minutes while the same player fired over a powerful volley at the end of the half as the home side relentlessly hunted a second goal. 

The loss of Esua to injury on 33 minutes seemed to affect Sligo’s focus after the half hour, but Dundalk’s push for a leveller before the interval was unsuccessful. Ronan Teahan going close from the edge of the area.

The second half was just three minutes old when Kavanagh struck for his first goal in 13 appearances. Meekison deftly tipped the ball over the top for the Dubliner who drilled the ball beyond Minogue for a richly warranted first goal of the season. 

Rovers net minder Sam Sargeant was in superb form all evening and preserved the lead on the hour when he reacted magnificently to push an Arubi blast from close range onto his own crossbar. While Eoin Kenny pulled his shot across the face of Sargeant’s goal on 70 following a speedy Lilywhites counter.

Sargeant went to his top corner to pull off another great save to deny substitute Harry Groome’s drive from 25 yards with twelve minutes to go as the First Division holders’ frustration continued. 

The Louth side threw everything at it late on but heroic defending from Rovers kept their opponents at arm’s length, including a brave block on the line from Gareth McElroy who kept out a Leonardo Gaxha shot in added time.  

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua (Sean Stewart 33), Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Jad Hakiki 69), James McManus; Daire Patton (Shane Blaney 80); Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh. 

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Bobby Burns; Ronan Tehan (Leonardo Gaxha 85), Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 63); Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny, Declan McDaid (Aodh Dervin 63); Gbemi Arubi (Harry Groome 64). 

Referee: Declan Toland. 

Attendance:  2,691.

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers picked up a first Women’s Premier Division point on the road when they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with hosts Peamount Utd in west Dublin on Saturday evening.

Both goals arrived in the opening half with a Sydney Stephens effort cancelled by Peamount’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle as the Bit O’Red were punished for failing to convert numerous chances before the hosts fashioned that equaliser.

Peamount went into the game on the back of two defeats and gave former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Amy Mahon her first start of the season and the Mayo woman delivered a competent performance.

Sligo Rovers manager Gavin Hughes made two changes from last week’s defeat by DLR Waves with Alice Lillie and Kelsey McQuillan coming in at the expense of Leah Kelly and Ava Hallinan.

The Sligo Rovers players will be disappointed not to have won after they hit the front in the 18^th minute. Sydney Stephens pounced on a loose ball inside the Peamount penalty area and turned smartly before firing to the bottom corner at the near post.

The Bit O’Red dominated subsequently and should have added to the tally with chances for Cara Jordan on two occasions and Stephens that weren’t finished.

Peamount had to up the tempo just to stay in the game at that stage and both Mary Philipps and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle were pivotal in that respect.

Peamount’s Sophie Byrne was denied when Bonnie McKiernan tipped over on 33 minutes, but it was level six minutes later following a defensive lapse that was punished when Ryan-Doyle finished to the net.

That gave Peamount a major boost and they could have had a lead goal on the stroke of half-time as the ball bobbled around the Sligo Rovers penalty area, but the danger was averted.

Peamount dominated the early second-half exchanges, but were unable to beat Bonnie McKiernan although the ‘keeper was relieved late in the half when a goalbound effort was cleared off the line.

At the other end, Stephens tested Amy Mahon and Jordan shot wide before referee Sam Ralph ended the contest after five minutes of added time,

Peamount Utd – Amy Mahon; Maeve Russell, Abby Tuthill, Mary Philips, AO’Connor, Aisling Spillane, Sorcha Melia, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, Ciara O’Neill, Antea Guvo, Sophie Byrne.

Subs – Della Doherty for Guvo half-time, Dearbhaile Beirne for O’Connor 74 mins, Kate O’Dowd for Melia 90m,

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Kelsey McQuillan, Emma Hansberry, Sabrina Hillyer, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Paula McGrory, Sydney Stephens, Manu Baptista Filipe, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Cara King for Manu and Abby Rooney for McDaniel both 62 mins, Rebecca McIntyre for McGrory 74m,Ava Hallinan for McQuillan and Alana Doherty for Hillyer both 90m.

Referee – Sam Ralph.

Assistant-referees – Robert Clarke, Aaron Pisarnik.

Fourth official – Glen Geraghty.

Sligo Rovers will look to continue our good recent run of form when Dundalk visit the Showgrounds this Saturday evening as we welcome the high-flying Lilywhites to Sligo for the first time this season, kick-off 7.45pm.

Saturday’s match sponsor is Hegarty and Armstrong Solicitors, while EngDoc are our match ball sponsors.

Following a great start to their first season back in the Premier Division, Ciaran Kilduff’s side have picked up three wins from their last five. Form which sees them in third spot after twelve games ahead of this weekend’s action. They are also the league’s top goal-scorers with 22 goals. 

Rovers find ourselves in steady shape too. The Bit O’Red are unbeaten in three and are looking for a third win on the spin after fantastic defeats of both Bohs and Waterford recently. John Russell’s men are this Saturday, on the hunt for a fourth league victory of the season and could possibly move into seventh with a win, depending on Friday night’s results. 

This will be the second meeting of Rovers and Dundalk in 2026. Sligo were narrowly beaten by the Louth outfit at Oriel Park back in March after a controversial late penalty was dispatched by Dundalk skipper and former Rovers winger Daryl Horgan. 

In team news and as of Friday morning, Rovers will again be without Ryan O’Kane, Conor Reynolds, Seb Quirk and Ciaron Harkin, each of whom are injured. Russell is hopeful that left back Sean Stewart can make the matchday squad at least having missed the last eight games with ankle trouble. 

After that really impressive performance against Waterford last week, Russell is hoping his team can keep momentum rolling against last year’s First Division winners. 

“We’re at home again and it’s a really big opportunity for us”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I was delighted with both the team and individual performances against Waterford. We could have had four or five on the night with the amount of chances we had and that’s our second clean sheet in three games. There were a huge amount of positives to pull from it. Now we have to work hard to get even better and keep this run going. 

“Dundalk will provide us with a big challenge on Saturday. They have goals everywhere and have options from the bench. They’ve done really well to come straight back up and start so well.

“We’re hopeful we’ll have Sean (Stewart) back this weekend so it means as weeks go on, we’re getting bodies back fit. 

“As games go by and the weeks go on, we’re all getting more and more used to each other’s style and ways. It looks similar to last season, where we’re getting better as the weeks go on. Dundalk will be a really good test of where we are at the moment. This league is relentless and there’s no let up.

“We feel like we maybe owe them one after our last game”, Russell continued. 

“We dominated large parts of that game up in Dundalk, early on and particularly in the second half. We played quite well. We hit the post and the crossbar and they won the game late on which we felt reflected harshly on our performance.

“I think we can expect a similarly tight game again on Saturday.” 

David Goulden

A goal early in each half was sufficient to give DLR Waves the Women’s Premier
Division points with a 2-0 victory at the expense of Sligo Rovers last Sunday at the Belfield Bowl.

The first goal arrived in the fifth minute, but there was an even earlier card when referee Paul Farrell flashed yellow after only 25 seconds with a surprised Sabrina Hillyer the recipient.

That opening goal followed soon after when Bonnie McKiernan was too ambitious with a back pass, DLR’s Siun Murdiff gained possession and rolled the ball to an empty net.

Murdiff was a constant threat as a more physical approach from DLR kept them in the ascendancy with Michelle Doonan going close and Keelin Dodd denied by the crossbar as the hosts bossed the opening 45 minutes.

Sligo Rovers created some chances with Sydney Stephens narrowly wide in the 17th minute and she also tested DLR ‘keeper Summer Lawless with a good shot before Paula McGrory had a chance from a Manu Baptista Filipe pass.

Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half more positively, but were still lethargic in approach.

There was some pinball in the DLR six-yard area on 48 minutes, but the hosts survived while Sydney Stephens and Ava Hallinan had chances.

However, some hesitant defending gave DLR the opening for that second goal on 57 minutes when Amber Cosgrove finished to the net.

Sligo Rovers slowly wrestled control subsequently and in the closing 10 minutes had DLR on the back foot with Cara Jordan denied by a finger-tip Lawless save while a Sydney Stephens effort on 86 minutes was blocked by the home ‘keeper.

DLR Waves – Summer Lawless, Leah Donnelly, Chloe McCarthy, Jess Gleeson, Keelin Dodd, Rachel Doyle, Cliodhna Donnelly, Michelle Doonan, Eve Conheady, Siun Murdiff, M Doyle. Subs – Aisling Meehan for Doyle 57 mins, N Nyangasi for Doyle 78m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Emma Hansberry, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Paula McGrory, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sabrina Hillyer, Sydney Stephens, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Cara King for McDaniel and Kelsey McQuillan for Kelly both 64 mins, Alana Doherty for Hallinan 75m.

Referee – Paul Farrell.
Assistant-referees – John Hanney, Shane O’Donoghue.
Fourth official – Dylan Redmond.

Sligo Football and Sports Development Society LTD (Sligo Rovers Football Club) will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, April 28th at 7.30pm in the Clayton Hotel, Sligo.

The AGM will include the election of the Committee of Management for 2026, along with reports from the Chairman, Secretary and General Manager, and a presentation of the club’s financial statements.

Attendance at the AGM is confined to fully paid-up members, or those entitled to the privileges of membership in accordance with the Society’s rules.

Members wishing to attend the AGM online are asked to email shane@sligorovers.com at least 48 hours in advance.

Members wishing to stand for election to the Committee of Management must complete a nomination form and return it to the Secretary by Monday, April 21st.

Agenda:

1. Chairman’s Address
2. Minutes of Previous AGM
3. Matters Arising
4. Secretary’s Report
5. General Manager’s Report
6. Treasurer’s Report, Adoption of Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet
7. Appointment of Auditors
8. Election of Committee of Management
9. Development Update
10. Any Other Business

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Match Sponsor: Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy

Match Ball Sponsor: Chrissy’s Chippy, Foxford. 

Goals from Archie Meekison and Will Ftizgerald saw Sligo Rovers pick up our first back-to-back wins of the season as the Bt O’Red saw off the league’s bottom side Waterford at the Showgrounds.

Meekison scored from a Fitzgerald cross in the opening half while roles reversed in the second as Fitzgerald turned home a Meekison assist to double the Bit O’Red’s lead just shy of the hour.

The result lifts the Bit O’Red out of the bottom two for the first time this season and extends our unbeaten run to three, while a despondent Blues continue to look for their first victory of 2026.

Searching for consecutive wins for the first time since last September, Rovers boss John Russell made just the one change from last week’s defeat of Bohemians. James McManus, ineligible against his parent club, returned in place of Alex Nolan. 

Without victory in competitive competition since their relegation play-off win over Bray last November ahead of kick-off, Waterford made no less than five changes from an encouraging draw in Dalymount a fortnight ago. 

Unbeaten in two having drawn against both Shamrock Rovers and Bohs recently, Jon Daly hoped for a first victory of the season at the eleventh attempt, bringing Benny Couto, Trae Coyle, Kevin Long, Luke Heeney and Jorgen Voilas all back to the fold.

Sligo led this game by a goal at half-time but will wonder how they didn’t stretch their lead further before the interval although it was the visitors who should have gone ahead on 16 minutes. Violas kicked fresh air as he aimed to meet Coyle’s cross just five yards from goal. 

Waterford instantly regretted this as they fell behind two minutes later. The ever reliant Fitzgerald doing all the hard work down his left side before sending a ball across the face of Arlo Doherty’s goal for Meekison who tapped home for his first goal for Rovers. 

It was all one way traffic from here until the break. 

Daire Patton, Ollie Denham and Sean McHale all had opportunities while Carl McHugh fired narrowly over on the half volley three minutes from half time. 

Daly hauled off duo Alan Zborowski and Jorgen Voilas late in the first half in an attempt to rejuvenate the league’s bottom side. 

Irish international Kevin Long went close early in the second period, but any optimism garnered by the Munster men was short lived. Goal-scorer Meekison turned provider as he landed a cross which Doherty flapped at but Fitzgerald profited from, as the Limerick man netted his third of the term. 

A great reaction save from Sligo keeper Sam Sargeant kept his old club at arm’s length as the Londoner denied Benny Couto on 65. While Doherty kept his team alive ten minutes later when he pulled off a wonderful stop of his own to keep out Cian Kavanagh’s header. 

The RSC side thought they had delivered a late scare when Luke Heeney found the net with eight to go. But the referee’s assistant on the Jinks’ Avenue side of the ground adjudged the former Drogheda man to be offside, much to the frustration of the Blues’ bench who were convinced the goal was legitimate. 

Next up for Rovers is another crucial league game at home. Dundalk provide the opposition at the Showgrounds on Saturday April 25th, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh, James McManus (Shane Blaney 77); Daire Patton (Alex Nolan 77), Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.  

Waterford: Arlo Doherty; Alan Zborowski (Jordan Houston 41), John Mahon, Kevin Long, Bernardo Couto; Luke Heeney, Dean McMenamy (Sam Glenfield 60), Evan McLaughlin (Conor Carty 60); Trae Coyle, Jorgen Voilas (Hayden Cann 41); Padraig Amond (Tommy Lonergan 70). 

Referee: Arnold Hunter.

Sligo Rovers face into a busy week at the Showgrounds as the Bit O’Red go up against both Waterford and Dundalk at home in the space of seven days.

First up is this Saturday’s meeting with the Blues as Rovers look to continue our good spell of form, this time against Jon Daly’s men. Kick-off at the Showgrounds is 7.45pm and supporters are reminded that all under 12s will receive free admission to the game, once they are accompanied by a paying adult.

This weekend’s match sponsor is Foxford based Chrissy’s Chippy and match ball sponsor is Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy. 

This will be the second meeting of these sides after February’s scoreless draw at the RSC. Waterford’s Padraig Amond missed a penalty early in the second half, while Rovers were aggrieved to not have a spot-kick of their own late on when Will Fitzgerald was tripped inside the Waterford area. 

Rovers come into this game on the back of a draw at home to Derry and a superb win away to Bohs last week. Goals from Fitzgerald and Sean McHale led Sligo to our first victory on the road this season and meant John Russell’s side are the only team to beat the Dubliners so far this term. 

Daly has steadied the ship in the south east somewhat in the last few weeks. Their scheduled game with Drogheda was called off last week, 45 minutes before kick-off due to poor weather. But they will arrive in Sligo in good spirits having taken points off both Shamrock Rovers and Bohs and have a decent recent record at the Showgrounds with wins at the Church Hill venue in both 2024 and 2025.

Russell will face Waterford without Seb Quirk, Ryan O’Kane, Conor Reynolds and Sean Stewart all of whom are injured as of Friday morning. 

However, Ciaron Harkin is expected to be available once again and this news is supplemented by the return at Dalymount last Friday of both Jad Hakiki and Shane Blaney, who were both sprung from the bench in the second half of that game. 

James McManus also returns to the match-day squad having sat out that tie in Phibsboro due to the terms of his loan. 

“We’re still missing a few lads but it’s a big bonus to have Jad, Shane, Ciaron and James back with us”, Russell tells sligorovers.com.

“All four play a huge role in what we’re about and we were really pleased with how Jad and Shane did when they came on against Bohs. We’ve been unlucky this year with injuries and although we still have key players out, we’ll hopefully get a few more back in as the weeks go on. We’ll be a real force once we have everyone back in.”

Russell is expecting a particularly tough encounter on Saturday as both Rovers and Waterford look to bridge the gap between the bottom two and the rest.

“We’ve both had good results in our respective last two games”, he says. 

“They obviously had an extra few days away from play with their game being called off and we took a few extra hours to get to Dublin last week. Is that an advantage? I’m not sure but time will tell.

“They’ll look at Saturday and know that a result for them pulls them towards us with a game in hand and they’ll be coming here looking for that. Games against Waterford are always tight. 

“We know if we can do enough to pick up a win, it potentially lifts us away from the bottom two depending on results on Friday. But we’re at home and we always back ourselves in front of our own supporters. It’s a huge carrot for us to chase and we definitely have it in us if we do our jobs well.” 

David Goulden

John Russell has praised his players for their patience and self-belief following Sligo Rovers’ second win of the season on Friday night. 

The crucial victory over Bohemians in less than ideal conditions, means Rovers are now two games unbeaten heading into a set of massive home games with Waterford and last year’s First Division winners Dundalk.

Rovers didn’t just have the weather and one of the league’s top teams to contend with. The ongoing fuel protests on the roads to the capital added hours to Rovers’ journey to Dublin on Friday, whilst supporters too were forced to find alternative routes to Phibsboro but still managed to turn up in big numbers. 

Despite going behind early on, Sligo found a way back into this game courtesy of the ever reliable Will Fitgerald who finished off an Alex Nolan cross. While Sean McHale, one of several standout performers on the night, nodded a winner past Kacper Chorazka early in the second period.

“It was a massive performance and we’ve put in a huge effort”, Russell told LOITV after the game. 

“We were disappointed to concede the type of goal we did as the long ball cuts us open. But the response was really good. 

“Second half, we managed the conditions well. Once we got ourselves in front, every man was putting his body on the line so it’s a great three points.

“The performances have been good this season but we haven’t got the points return. It was important for us to stay calm because the performances will yield results. That’s why I’m so happy for the lads because we’ve picked up three points on the back of what’s been happening recently. 

“We felt we owed Bohs one too given that they gave us a real run-around earlier this year. We were happy with the way we conducted ourselves tonight. There were a lot of positives for us.” 

Next up for Rovers is an important meeting with basement side Waterford whose scheduled outing with Drogheda on Friday was called off due to the conditions. This is now the Bit O’Red’s biggest game of the season and Russell has called on all supporters to make it to the Showgrounds this coming Saturday. 

“We want to put a run together”, the Rovers boss says. 

“Hopefully we can use this as a real springboard. We’ve two home games coming up now. I was really pleased for the fans who came here tonight and the points moves us up. Now it’s about moving into next week, getting a big crowd into the Showgrounds for the Waterford game.”

David Goulden