Sligo Rovers fall to defeat to Derry City at the Brandywell

Sligo Rovers were unable to follow up their Easter Friday hammering of Waterford as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Derry City at the Brandywell.

During a game in which the scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the storyline, Rovers were two behind after 25 minutes.

The opener arrived with more than a touch of controversy involved. Daniel Mullen clearly handled the ball inside the area but somehow referee Marc Lynch failed to spot the incident. Mullen fired past Sam Sargeant for the lead having controlled the ball in more than contentious circumstances.

Derry had their second mid-way through the opening half when Gavin Whyte broke free of Jake Doyle-Hayes before finishing past Sargeant.

The second half was only minutes old when Mullen copper-fastened the points for the Candystripes when he finished off a Michael Duffy set piece.

Rovers fought on and were arguably the better side in the last half hour. Francely Lomboto, Oskar Van Hattum and Matty Wolfe, each second half subs all went close as Rovers troubled the opposition on several occasions before the finish.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce (Hayden Cann 74), Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt, Sam Todd; Carl Winchester, Robbie Benson (Adam O’Reilly 64), Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce 64; Dom Thomas, Daniel Mullen (Sean Patton 74), Michael Duffy (Paul McMullan 81).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 60), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Owen Elding, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Stephen Mallon 60), Will Fitzgerald (Oskar Van Huttum 84); Jad Hakiki (Matty Wolfe 60); Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 60).

Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).

Team News – Derry City

Sligo Rovers travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Tuesday evening as the busy Easter period continues for the Bit O’Red. Rovers make the journey to Derry for this rearranged fixture in good spirits following a superb overall showing against Waterford at the RSC last Friday evening. 

Ahead by two with just eleven minutes played thanks to early goals from Gareth McElory, his first for the club and an eleventh minute strike from the in-form Owen Elding, Rovers controlled the pace of this contest throughout the 90 minutes. Cian Kavanagh secured the victory against his old club just past the hour with the lively Francely Lomboto sprang from the bench to add gloss to the win with a well taken finish two minutes from time. 

The win lifted Rovers from the foot of the Premier Division table by virtue of a superior goal difference over Cork City, who visit Sligo this Saturday. The evening also ended with Rovers becoming the top scoring team in the division alongside St Patrick’s Athletic. 

Rovers go to Derry without the services of Connor Malley who is suspended having been issued his fifth yellow card of the season shortly after his introduction from the bench at the RSC. While Ollie Denham and Wilson Waweru miss out with injury. Full back Harvey Lintott faces a late fitness test.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, manager John Russell says everyone at the club is hugely enthused by a win in Waterford, the performance which he says was always close to surfacing following a frustrating few weeks in the lead up. He is expecting a tenacious test against the Candystripes on Tuesday.

“We performed really well down in Waterford. I thought we controlled the narrative of the game right from kick-off. But it was a performance that was coming and one that we know the players have had in them from the opening day. 

“From front to back it was the type of performance we wanted and needed to see from the players and I felt the few changes we made really freshened things up for us. But Waterford is done now and from Saturday morning, the focus is on Derry and the Brandywell. It’s going to be a big week for us, with Cork also coming here on Saturday. 

“Derry are a hugely experienced side, littered with talent all over. They have title ambitions and they will be in good form following a win in Galway last week. Not many teams have or will be able to do that this season so it shows the type of challenge we face on Tuesday. 

“But I really do feel that if we play with the same attitude that we did last Friday, it will bring us a long way towards achieving what we want to at the Brandywell.”

David Goulden 

WPD Match Report: Rovers 1-3 United

By Conall Collier

Emma Doherty’s early strike was crucial as Galway Utd took the Women’s Premier Division points at the expense of Sligo Rovers in a fiercely contested Easter Saturday Connacht derby at the Showgrounds.

Separate second-half injuries to Katie Melly and Jessica Casey held up the game as Galway added two late goals, but a battling Sligo Rovers side was rewarded with a fine 95th-minute strike from substitute Rachel McGoldrick.

Steve Feeney made three changes from the previous week, with Paula McGrory (injured), Alice Lillie and Kate Nugent making way in favour of Sarah Kiernan, Katie Melly and Mairead McIntyre.

Galway boss Phil Trill made five changes from seven days earlier, with Jayne Merren starting between the posts in place of Nicole Nix, while the quartet of Kate Thompson, Rola Olusola, Ava Mullins and Emily Fitzgerald also came into the side in place of Therese Kinevey, Abbie Callanan, Amanda Smith and Ceola Bergin.

However, this was a costly outing for the Bit O’Red, as both Melly and Casey sustained injuries that saw them carried from the pitch a couple of minutes either side of the hour mark.

Those enforced changes didn’t help the fluency of the side, and Galway capitalised to add those late goals from a Doherty header on 80 minutes and Emily Fitzgerald soon after.

Former Rovers striker Doherty had her side in front after only two minutes, but the hosts responded positively and settled into the game.

Solid defending was required to repel wave after wave of Galway pressure, with Katie Melly particularly effective in closing down the opposition.

Doherty was a constant threat, but she was well marshalled by Keeva Flynn, and on two occasions she was also denied by Bonnie McKiernan.

Rovers worked hard for limited chances but kept the Galway rearguard on its toes, with Cara King forcing a save from Jayne Merren in the 40th minute as the visitors enjoyed a 1-0 interval lead.

The early part of the second half was held up for the injuries to Melly and Casey, and the delay resulted in an extra 11 minutes of added time.

Doherty headed Galway’s second goal on 80 minutes, and Emily Fitzgerald rifled to the net in a crowded penalty area soon after while Rovers defender Keeva Flynn was down and waiting for attention.

Undaunted, the hosts continued to press forward, and Leah Kelly forced Merren into a fingertip save; from the resultant corner, Kate Nugent’s effort flashed past the post.

Determination played a big part in the Sligo Rovers goal, with McGoldrick racing down the wing and gaining possession before firing to the net from an acute angle.

While the quest continues for that elusive first win of the season, Steve Feeney will switch his attention to the All-Island Cup next weekend with the visit of Bohemian FC to the Showgrounds on Sunday (27th April).

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Jessica Casey, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Cara King, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Mairead McIntyre, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Kate Nugent for Melly 57 mins, Leah Kelly for Casey 65 mins, Kya McKenna for McIntyre and Rachel McGoldrick for King, both 85 mins.

Galway Utd – Jayne Merren; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isobel Beletic, Kate Thompson, Jodie Griffin, Ava Mullins, Eve Dossen, Emily Fitzgerald, Rola Olusola, Emma Doherty.

Subs – Rachel Kearns for Griffin (75 mins), Abbie Callanan for Fitzgerald and Emma Duffy for Beletic (both 90 mins), and Therese Kinevey for Mullins and Heather Loomes for Olusola (both 94 mins).

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant referees: Ciaran O’Reilly, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Arnold Hunter.

John Russell wants Rovers to build on big win in Waterford

John Russell is urging his players to build on Friday’s dominative win over Waterford as the Bit O’Red face into crunch clashes with both Derry City and Cork City in the coming days. 

Rovers put in a superb showing despite inclement conditions at the RSC as goals from Gareth McElroy, Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto saw Rovers pick up a first win in six to lift themselves above the Rebels who now occupy bottom spot by virtue of Rovers’ better goal difference. 

Speaking to LOITV after the four goal victory, a proud Russell spoke of his pride in a real clinical performance from the visitors who kept a clean sheet for the first time this year. 

“We managed the game and did really well to get an early goal”, he said. 

“It was an outstanding move, real high energy and high pressing. We looked a threat all night and managed the conditions really well. It was touch and go whether the game would go ahead but we dealt with the surface really well. 

“They had a man sent off, which changed things for them but overall, we’re delighted with a clean sheet. To score four goals away from home in front of travelling support on the back of what’s been a tough few weeks for them and us is great. I keep saying it, we’ve great belief in this group. They keep working hard and a lot of our performances have been good. It’s just been about turning those performances into three points and we were able to do that tonight.” 

Rovers were irresistible in the middle, bossing the centre of the pitch and that didn’t go unnoticed by Russell who heaped deserved praise on his engine room generals. While he also acknowledged the influence and input of his centre halves and goalkeeper. 

“We have been playing well this year but we were guilty of giving away goals and making silly errors, but we didn’t do that tonight. Jake Doyle-Hayes, we missed him and it was great to have him come back into the team. I thought him and Ronan Manning were excellent along with Jad Hakiki. 

“We played on the front foot and we showed what we’re all about. The clean sheet is huge because we haven’t managed to do that yet this season. Sam (Sargeant) was very assured and made the big decisions very well. John Mahon and Gareth McElroy defended well and had to because everyone knows the quality that Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan have. It was a tough night for Waterford, but we still had to perform and play to our strengths which we did.

“We need to build on this now, we know there’s more in this group and we need to push on against Derry.”

David Goulden 

Five star Rovers hit Waterford for four at the RSC

Sligo Rovers moved off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a sublime four goal trouncing of Waterford at the RSC on Friday.

On a night of a few firsts, the Bit O’Red pocketed a maiden first clean sheet of the season courtesy of an assured defensive performance.

While a first senior goal for centre half Gareth McElroy was complimented by strikes from Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh and Francely Lomboto as the visitors ruthlessly sentenced Waterford to their sixth league defeat on the trot. 

The hosts finished this game with ten men after Kyle White was sent off on the hour having committed a second bookable offence. 

Rovers made three changes from the defeat to Galway, with goalkeeper Sam Sargeant replacing Conor Walsh in nets. While attacker Cian Kavanagh and the influential Jake Doyle-Hayes returned following respective bans, both putting in impressive shifts.

John Russell’s side took charge of this game straight away. Teen defender McElroy stood his ground to get a head on Will Fitzgerald’s corner in the seventh minute, as the Donegal man nodded past Stephen McMullan for the first senior goal of his fledgling career. 

Sligo have been the victim of quick-fire goals a few times this term but were able to turn the tables on the Blues here and had their second within three minutes. 

The composed Doyle-Hayes tidied up the loose ball before Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson combined to tee up Elding who rose highest at the back stick to head his fifth of the year past a stunned McMullan. 

The pressure coming from the away side was incessant as Sligo purred in the south east rain. Jad Hakiki kept McMullan busy, forcing two stops from the young net minder as Keith Long’s side were carved open again and again. 

Elding, now the division’s joint-top scorer, sent a drive from the angle which had McMullan at full stretch on 33 minutes as a clinical Rovers sought to put this game to bed even before the break.

Waterford lost White on the hour after a challenge on Hutchinson produced a second yellow from referee Aaron O’Dowd. 

Things got worse for the Munster men on 62 when McMullan spilled a Fitzgerald corner as he looked to pick the ball from the sky. A scrap for possession ensued but Sligo were the winners of this duel as the ball landed at Kavanagh’s foot. The striker smashed home his third of the season against his old club from close range. 

Hakiki again caused concern in the Waterford ranks and tested McMullan once more with ten to go. The roaming Dubliner seeking out the space before sending a low shot into the arms of the young goalkeeper. 

Three became four with two of the 90 minutes left. Substitutes Connor Malley and Francely Lomboto got in on the act when the former found the latter with a simple through ball. Lomboto firing past McMullan, completing the rout with his second goal in three outings. 
Rovers are away from the Showgrounds again this Tuesday as we face Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Waterford: Stephen McMullan, Navajo Bakboord (Andy Boyle, 46), Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Kyle White, James Olayinka (Ben McCormack, 71), Grant Horton, Trae Coyle (Sam Glenfield, 75), Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan (Dean McMenamy, 68), Padraig Amond (Maarten Pouwels, 71).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton, 70), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson, Ronan Manning (Matty Wolfe, 82), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Connor Malley, 70), Jad Hakiki (Francely Lomboto, 81), Owen Elding, Reece Hutchinson, Cian Kavanagh (Stephen Mallon, 70).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.

David Goulden

Team News – Waterford FC

The second set of Premier Division fixtures get underway this Friday evening with Sligo Rovers facing the lengthy trip to the RSC to take on Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm.

Over 300 kilometres separate the clubs geographically, but there are just five points between the sides in terms of points on the table, ahead of what is another huge game for the Bit O’Red.

This is the second time Rovers will come up against the Munster men this season. Waterford narrowly overcame Sligo on the opening night of the season, claiming the spoils with victory courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 win at the Showgrounds back in mid-February. 

Ahead at the break through Rowan McDonald and Tommy Lonergan, Keith Long’s side were pegged back courtesy of Owen Elding’s first senior goal for Rovers. John Russell’s side dominated for a spell and were extremely unfortunate not to have come away with at least a share of the points. A missed penalty was quickly followed by a Conan Noonan strike for the Blues and despite a debut goal from Jad Hakiki, the visitors held out for the win. 

Both sides have found league points difficult to come by recently with Rovers having picked up just one point in their last five, while Waterford have lost all of their recent five. 

In team news, Rovers will welcome both striker Cian Kavanagh and midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes back to the fold following suspension. Harvey Lintott and Ollie Denham are set to miss out again as they continue to recover from knocks. Wilson Waweru also remains sidelined.

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of Friday’s contest, Russell says he is pleased with how his squad have prepared having recovered well from a loss to Galway United at the Showgrounds last Saturday evening. 

“The only way we can really recover from past defeats is to go out and win matches and that’s what we will try to do in the next few weeks, starting Friday”, he said. 

“We were disappointed after the Galway game but we asked the players to dust themselves down and re-focus and they have certainly done that during the week in training. 

“We are fully aware of the importance of this game and what getting a result down there would mean for us. The players are all working hard and both my staff and I have tremendous belief in this squad, as I have said previously. 

“Waterford are again going to be tough to break down and they have a lot of attacking talent in their squad. We’re going to have to be at our best and at it from kick-off, but I’m happy that we’re prepared. We won’t have Ollie or Harvey and that’s a blow but it’s great to have Jake and Cian back as they are two big players for us and are both very important to the way we play. 

“It’s a long trip for us and our supporters but they travelled in big numbers this time last year so hopefully our fans will follow us to Waterford again this weekend.”

David Goulden

Third Home Game of the Season for Women

By Conall Collier

It’s the third home game of the season for Sligo Rovers in the Women’s Premier Division, and a visit from Connacht neighbours Galway Utd to mark the occasion with a 3pm kick-off at the Showgrounds.

Unlike Sligo Rovers, who have one clean sheet to their credit, the Galway girls have yet to achieve that feat in four outings this season.

However, Galway will arrive at the Showgrounds only three points adrift of

leaders Athlone Town, but with a game in hand due to a weather-enforced postponement against Peamount Utd during March.

Galway manager Phil Trill will be targeting three points following the disappointment of his side conceding a 91st-minute equaliser last week against Wexford at Eamonn Deacy Park only minutes after Amanda Smith had converted a penalty for the lead.

Prior to that, Galway had wins over bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves, Bohemian FC and Shamrock Rovers, with former Sligo Rovers striker Emma Doherty hitting the winner in that five-goal thriller.

Doherty, who departed the Showgrounds midway through last season, will be eager to show the type of form that earned her the player-of-the-month accolade for March, but she will find the going tough against an uncompromising Sligo Rovers rearguard that will be well-marshalled by Keeva Flynn.

And that aspect of the performance, solid defence, on Saturday will be crucial to the outcome of what will be the toughest challenge of the season so far for the Bit O’Red.

“Galway will be a big challenge for us on Saturday, but we are looking forward to it, and we will adopt a positive attitude to the game,” stated Rovers manager Steve Feeney.

“We have the ability to cause Galway problems going forward, but we also know that we will have to keep it tight at the back.

“That’s very frustrating for us at the moment, and we are working hard to address it. We are conceding goals that are preventable, and we really need to maintain our concentration.

“We have to keep working hard, and we certainly have the ability to take points off any of the teams, and the target will be to do that on Saturday against Galway,” he added.

On the player front, Paula McGrory is on the doubtful list for Saturday, but Mairead McIntyre will be available as will Amber Hardy after serving a suspension following a red card against Wexford.

The teams played a friendly at the Showgrounds ahead of the new season, and that game ended 2-2, with Galway snatching a late equaliser.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds will be at 3pm, and the game will be available on LOITV.

Narrow defeat for Rovers in Connacht derby at the Showgrounds

Despite a battling second half showing, Sligo Rovers were unable to come from two goals down as Galway United took the spoils in Saturday’s Connacht derby.

Cian Byrne struck twice, a goal in each half before Owen Elding netted his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot with just under 20 minutes to go.

Unfortunately, Rovers were unable to find an equaliser despite throwing everything at it late on. 

Rovers boss John Russell made three changes from the defeat to Bohs with John Mahon and Jad Hakiki returning. While Conor Reynolds made his first start of the season.

A well-organised United went ahead after 21. Their typically direct style of play paid off somewhat as Killian Brouder’s long throw into Conor Walsh’s penalty area was only cleared as far as Byrne who lashed home, first time.

The visitors doubled their lead with a well hit set piece from the same player.

Elding went close from seven yards out before he smashed the crossbar with a vicious volley as Rovers worked our way back into this one.

Perseverance was rewarded on 72 minutes when Ronan Manning was hacked to the ground inside the area. Elding had little trouble slotting the ball beyond Evan Watts. 

Despite hard work, Rovers failed to produce a leveller and now move on to Friday’s visit to the RSC to face Waterford. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Conor Reynolds (Oskar Van Hattum 54), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Conor Malley (Francely Lomboto 86), Matty Wolfe (Stephen Mallon 54); Will Fitzgerald, Ronan Manning, Jad Hakiki; Owen Elding. 

Galway United: Evan Watts; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Greg Cunningham; Jeannot Esua, Rob Burns (Stephen Walsh 72); Vincent Borden, Cian Byrne, David Hurley (Sean Kerrigan 80); Jimmy Keohane; Patrick Hickey. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin. 

Attendance: 2,786.

WPD Match Report: Treaty 3-0 Rovers

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers continue searching for a first Women’s Premier Division win of the season following Saturday afternoon’s visit to the Markets Field, where hosts Treaty Utd carved out a 3-0 victory.

The Bit O’Red players were well in contention throughout the opening half, but a lapse in concentration paved the way for Treaty’s opener in the 42nd minute, and the Limerick side added two more goals late in the second half.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney restored Bonnie McKiernan between the posts as Amber Hardy served a suspension following her red card in the previous outing against Wexford, while Cara King and Jessica Casey came in for Katie Melly and Alanah Doherty, who started on the bench.

Treaty manager Sean Russell also made some changes from the team that defeated Cork City by 3-2 last time out. Cara Griffin, Clodagh Daly and Kate Jones started at the expense of Grace McInerney, Mara McCleary and Katie Irwin as the Munster side endeavoured to keep an unbeaten home record intact.

Both sides had early chances, with Bonnie McKiernan saving smartly from Treaty American striker Bella Flocchini, while at the other end Paula McGrory’s speculative shot from distance was finger-tipped over the bar by Lisa Tuomi.

Treaty enjoyed plenty of possession in their own half but found it difficult to make any headway against a disciplined display by the opposition.

Midway through the half, Muireann Devaney had a good chance for the Bit O’Red, but she hurried her shot, and it was comfortable for the Treaty ‘keeper.

Close to the interval, Treaty were awarded a free just inside their own half; it looked a debatable decision, but the Bit O’Red switched off, and an opening gave Flocchini an opportunity to chip Bonnie McKiernan for an interval lead.

Sligo Rovers went close on two occasions in the second half, both through Muireann Devaney, as Treaty continued to dominate possession without adding to the tally.

However, that changed in the 70th minute when a goal of the ‘soft’ variety was scored after Madelyn Robbins finished, almost on the goal line, following a cross that wasn’t cleared.

Soon after Robbins was denied by the post, a third treaty goal arrived six minutes from time when substitute Amy Tierney found the net.

Sligo Rovers substitute Morgan Burnap was denied a consolation goal in the 89th minute when her well-struck effort was tipped over by a relieved Treaty ‘keeper who kept her third clean sheet of the season.

Treaty Utd – Lisa Marie Tuomi; Ayaka Ikeza, Anna Rockett, Cara Griffin, Bella Flocchini, Madelyn Robbins, Madison McGuane, Katie Lawlee, Kate Jones, Clodagh Daly, Jillian O’Toole.

Subs – Amy Tierney for McGuane 55 mins, Laura O’Neill for Lawlee 74 mins, K O’Donovan for O’Toole and C Breslin for Robbis, both 85 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King, Alice Lillie, Keeva Flynn, Jessica Casey, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Kate Nugent, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Rachel McGoldrick for McGrory at half-time, Kya McKenna for King at 67 mins, Morgan Burnap for Lillie, Katie Melly for Devaney and Alanah Doherty for Nugent all at 80 mins.

Referee – Kate O’Brien.
Assistant referees – Ricky Crean, Paudie Hayes.
Fourth official – Alan Franklin.

Team News – Galway United

The Showgrounds plays stage to the first Connacht derby of the year on Saturday as Sligo Rovers face Galway United in a much anticipated meeting of the provincial neighbours, kick-off 7.45pm. 

The Bit O’Red are on the search for a first win in five, while the high-flying Tribesmen will arrive in Sligo looking to potentially move to the top of the table depending on results in Friday night’s fixtures. 

Rovers are unbeaten in the Premier Division against United since 2017, while the 2023 First Division winners haven’t picked up a league win in Sligo in almost three decades. Rovers had the better of the battles between the clubs last season, picking up six points from the four games between them. 

There is mixed news for Rovers boss John Russell on the team news front. 

Both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Cian Kavanagh miss this one as they serve the final of three and two game suspensions respectively. 

While Ollie Denham and Harvey Lintott will miss this game because of injuries picked up last week at Dalymount Park. Wilson Waweru is also unavailable. 

There is good news for Russell who will face his old club, with both influential midfielder Jad Hakiki and skipper John Mahon available again following one game suspensions. 

Stephen Mallon also returns following a number of weeks out injured. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Russell says: “This is of course a massive game for us. We want to start turning some very good recent performances into results as quickly as we can.  

“I’ve been very impressed with the character of this group of players. They have never let their heads drop or standards slip over the last few weeks. 

“The hunger and fight is there. We see it in every game and every day in training from each and every player. We need to bring that into the game against Galway.

“It’s hard to think of anything better than a really competitive Connacht derby in front of a big Showgrounds crowd. We can’t wait for it. 

“It’s great that you hear so much about the numerous Dublin derbies. It’s great to see the league getting the exposure it deserves. But our derby here in the west is just as big an occasion. 

“I loved being involved in these games as a player and even more now as a manager. It’s always competitive, noisy and full of drama. So we’re encouraging as many people as possible to get along and witness what should be a great game and really get behind our boys.”

The absence of Kavanagh will again offer the likes of Francely Lomboto and Owen Elding the opportunity to take the number nine position at the tip of the Rovers attack. 

Elding has been one of Sligo’s standouts this season so far with three goals to the teenager’s name and the Riverstown native is full of optimism ahead of Saturday. 

“It was disappointing the way the season started in terms of results”, the 19-year-old reflects. 

“However, we know we are putting in good performances and we know we have too good of a squad to be in the position we’re in. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to kick-start our year and get a result in what will hopefully be a packed out Showgrounds.”

Previewing the visitors, Owen is full of respect for the Maroon army but is fully focused on turning Rovers’ fortunes around, beginning Saturday. 

“Galway are a very direct team but they’re very effective and are very good at playing to their strengths”, he continues. 

“That’s why they are where they are in the table. But we’ve analysed them well and we know where we can hurt them and it’s up to us now to go out and do that. 

“You want to win every game you play in but it’s not easy. There is a rivalry there with Galway of course and that’s not lost on any of the players be it the ones who have come through the academy, the lads who are here a few years or the recent signings. You’re reminded every day how important this game is for everyone at the club and all our fans. 

“Everyone wants to win this one and I’m sure Galway feel the same. It’s a special game, any time we face them but the fact we’re at home, the onus is on us to play on the front foot, dictate things and hopefully pick up a result that can get us going again.”

David Goulden