Sligo Rovers came from two down to beat eight man Limerick following an incredible game at the Showgrounds.

The game saw four players dismissed as the Bit O’Red overturned a two goal deficit to progress to the quarter final for the first time since 2015.

A whirlwind opening saw the hosts behind by two.

The Blues hit the lead just seven minutes in when Karl O’Sullivan took the ball past the last Sligo man before executing a superb finish across the front of goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

With just one win in their last five, Tommy Barrett’s charges further stunned the Showgrounds faithful 90 seconds later.

O’Sullivan taking the ball inside his own half before dodging a series of tackles. The striker then allowed McGinty make the decision before placing the ball past the Scot.

Sligo went close through both John Mahon and Daryl Fordyce, but did find a way back into this tie on 24 minutes. David Cawley’s ball over the top of the Limerick defence picking out Romeo Parkes who slotted the ball beyond Jack Brady for his ninth of the season.

The home side then levelled the game courtesy of Ronan Coughlan. The Limerick native watched as Fordyce’s initial flick came off Brady before pouncing to tie the game.

Coughlan missed a 36^th minute spot-kick after Kris Twardek was fouled inside the box.

The crazy nature of this game continued when Dante Leverock was sent off. While the visitors had Shaun Kelly dismissed for a second yellow.

Regan Donelon had Liam Buckley’s charges in the lead for the first time before the break with a well hit set piece from 25 yards. While Parkes had his brace just moments into the second period as the relentless pace continued.

Brady got behind Mahon’s free header from a Donelon corner on 52, while the same man got down to deny Parkes his hat-trick shortly after as Rovers looked in control.

The home side made their domination pay on the hour when Cawley finished off Parkes’ dink over the top.

The Shannonsiders were then reduced to eight in quick succession when both Clyde O’Connell and former Sligo midfielder Jason Hughes were dismissed for straight reds.

O’Connell hacking Twardek to the floor, while Hughes seemed to tangle with a steward on the Jinks’ Avenue side of the grounds.

Rovers’ sixth then arrived on 77 when Twardek smashed the ball off the underside of Brady’s crossbar from close range.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Dante Leverock, Regan Donelon (Sam Warde 64); John Russell (Scott Lynch 71), Daryl Fordyce (Kyle Callan-McFadden 40), David Cawley; Kris Twardek, Romeo Parkes, Ronan Coughlan.

Limerick: Jack Brady; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams, Tomas O’Connor, Shane Tracy (Edmund O’Dwyer 79); Karl O’Sullivan, Darren Murphy (Aaron Fitzgerald 79), Jason Hughes, Cylde O’Connell, Lee Devitt; Kieran Hanlon (Adam Foley 60).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Sligo Rovers has issued an update ahead of Saturday’s game with Limerick in The Showgrounds.

Rovers are back in our home for the first time since 27 July and will not return to the venue in the Premier Division until 14 September against Finn Harps. That is a gap of seven weeks. 

The Bit O’ Red are currently awaiting a new date for the league fixture with Dundalk.

Our other home games left in the season are Shamrock Rovers (5 October) and Derry City (19 October).

Sligo Rovers Committee provided an update to fans on a scenario that has emerged for a third year in succession.

“One thing we have found is these periods tend to create an unsettling feeling around the club for our supporters and understandably so. You lose part of the activity around the ground as the big occasion on a Saturday night is not there and some contact as well. These are times that are extremely difficult to combat. The postponement of the Dundalk game was a big blow to us.

“We said last year that it puts clubs under enormous strain, yet here we are again, and we are doing our best at this point. It has occurred for other clubs as well, so going forward, it’s something that has to change in the league and together we all need to come up with a solution.

“For now as a committee we have to put the focus on the short-term. Last Man Standing is ongoing which has raised over €6,000 and our Summer Camps have helped as well but they will end this week.

“In the latter part of the year we are going to honour our 1994 team with a special celebration and there is another major event planned that will raise money for charity and another sporting body along with ourselves. We will also have something that will allow our fans to have their presence in The Showgrounds ingrained forever.

“These are things which I think our fans will enjoy and capture the imagination of the Sligo public. Without giving too much away before official announcements but the events will put smiles on faces and help us in the latter part of the financial year. But they are still a bit away.

“So we do have to stress that Saturday’s game is massively important to us.

“As an all-cash gate where we get a good percentage it will help us. We’d encourage all our fans to try to get to the match and support the half-time lotto too which all goes to the club.

“ While we know this Saturday is a big day of activity in Sligo but we’d love a big crowd to get behind the team. It can make a massive difference to us. 

“Liam will speak about what the game means in the season later in the week when previewing the match but from an off-field perspective it’s just as important.

“The FAI Cup can bring out the best of the club and we’d love to see that on Saturday. Thank you for support in the season so far. 

“As you have seen, we are making plans for 2020 as well as trying to finish this campaign in the best way we can. 

“That is why we are trying to conclude the year with a lot of activity and we hope to have more information on that soon.”   

Sligo Rovers host Limerick in the FAI Cup this Saturday in The Showgrounds, kick-off 8pm.

Rovers are second round action against Tommy Barrett’s side.

Tickets are available at turnstiles.

With the Warrior’s Run happening in Strandhill this Saturday, we have organised a shuttle bus to bring supporters to The Showgrounds and return to Strandhill at full time.

The bus departs the coach park just up from Strand Bar at 7:20pm

To book your seat, contact 085-1234629 The bus costs €5 per person, which can be paid on the evening to the bus driver.

We hope this helps those wishing to attend the run and indeed the game that evening

Vote for the Wehrly Bros Jewellers Sligo Rovers Player of the Month for July

The results were:

5-1 win UCD

0-0 Shamrock Rovers

0-0 Waterford

0-3 Derry City

1-1 Bohemians

Vote in the poll here

We recently paid a visit to The Cranmore Soccer Camp at Sean Fallon Park in Cranmore, which is ran by the Cranmore Co-operative society supported by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP).

SSRP develop sport and recreational opportunities as part of the Cranmore Regeneration Project’s East City Cranmore and environs plan. This has been in place since 2015 and attracts up to 70 children each year.

Based on the popularity of soccer in the community, the Cranmore co-operative society has piloted their first local soccer camp for 30 young people from the area delivered by SSRP community coaches.

We sent Darragh Healy and Scott Lynch to visit the camp recently to put on a coaching session for the kids.

It’s important for us to help out in our local community and we were delighted to be part of this initiative. Thanks to the SSRP coaches and to all the children who participated.

St Patrick’s Athletic’s second half performance earned them the three points as they overcame a half-time deficit to beat Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park.

Behind to Romeo Parkes’ opener on 22 minutes, the Saints turned the course of this game courtesy of a Glen McAuley strike on 51 followed by Dave Webster’s winner six minutes from time.

Having both taken six points from their last five games, the sides struggled to provide much in terms of free-flowing football in the opening exchanges.

Glen McAuley carved out two early chances but both efforts were easy for Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty to deal with.

The Saints won’t have been happy with what they produced early on, but were the most threatening in front of the target.

Gary Shaw’s turn taking him past John Mahon 20 minutes in, but McGinty was again comfortable.

Rovers, in search of a second win in a week, had their first sight at goal two minutes later.

David Cawley’s strength bought him time inside the Saints area before the Mayo man supplied Parkes. But the Jamaican’s effort lacked accuracy as he fired wide off the outside of his boot.

This heralded Sligo’s purple patch and they made the most of it 22 minutes in.

Kris Twardek was afforded too much room down the Pat’s left as he squared for Parkes who slotted home from close range for his eighth goal of the year.

Harry Kenny’s charges finished the half the stronger but were again found wanting when and where it mattered.

McGinty pulled off smart stop to deny Shaw from point blank, while the same man seemed to lose his bearings as he stooped in his attempt to turn Dean Clarke’s cross past the Scot at his front post.

The Dubliners began the second period much the brighter and were rewarded for their efforts six minutes in.

Having netted his first for the club in the FAI Cup last week, McAuley’s neat touch brought him past his marker before he fired past McGinty from the angle.

Twardek’s snapshot wasn’t far away just short of the hour, while Lewis Banks’ last-ditch tackle deflected Cian Coleman’s shot over McGinty’s goal. This after the midfielder barged his way past Dante Leverock.

Pat’s were well in control at this stage and looked clear favourites for the game’s third goal.

Shaw came close with a glancing header in the pouring rain on 77. While the Showgrounds side spurned a glorious chance to rob one against the run of play.

Daryl Fordyce cushioned substitute Ronan Murray’s cross into the path of the waiting Twardek who could only fire over from six yards.

Clarke and Lee Desmond both went close in quick succession, before Pat’s had their winner six minutes from time.

Webster rising highest to nod Jamie Lennon’s set piece to the net for what was the winner for the home side.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Lee Desmond, Kevin Toner, Dave Webster, Ian Bermingham; Darragh Markey, Cian Coleman, Jamie Lennon; Dean Clarke, Gary Shaw (Ronan Hale 77), Glen McAuley (Jake Walker 89).   

Sligo Rovers: Ed MicGinty; Johnny Dunleavy (John Russell 75), Dante Leverock, John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Kyle Callan-McFadden (Sam Warde 61); David Cawley, Daryl Fordyce; Kris Twardek, Regan Donelon (Ronan Murray 65); Romeo Parkes.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

Attendance: 1,217.  

Sligo Rovers return to league action on Friday night to take on St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park.

Rovers were 8-0 winners in the Extra.ie FAI Cup match last week over Glebe North and go into this game in sixth place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

The Saints are eight points clear of Rovers, having played a game more, and won 2-1 in the previous meeting at the Dublin venue.

Ronan Coughlan returns from suspension while Niall Morahan remains out with a knee injury. Morahan is set to be the only absentee from the squad.

Liam Buckley said: “We have a round of matches to play and we want to be very competitive in them.

“Firstly there are teams below us trying to get at us and they are winning games regularly.  We want to look up as well because there are points to play for and how we finish the year is very important for a number of reasons.

“It was nice to score some goals last week and it always does give you that lift.

“We’d like to carry that into Friday. I know most of the St Pat’s squad from my time there, they’ve done well and have added some new players too recently.

“But I’m just concerned with ourselves and getting ourselves up to speed and to a level.

“It would be good to get the result on Friday night so we can keep in that mix in that part of the table.

“It’ll be tight without doubt and it’s good to have nearly everyone available from that end.”

Sligo Rovers can today confirm that Johnny Dunleavy and Romeo Parkes have signed new contracts with the club for the 2020 season.

Dunleavy has been an impressive performer after signing from Cork City, playing 20 games and featuring in defence and midfield.

Parkes has scored seven league goals as Rovers top goalscorer so far as contributing a number of assists as a key part of the team.

Romeo Parkes said: “I’m happy to extend my contract today. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. The people are great and the club is very nice to be at.

“I think we’ve done okay but I’d like for us to keep improving. I’ve scored some goals and I think there can be more to come.

“The fans have been very good to me since I’ve come here. I want to keep scoring and help the team because we can achieve something in this period for the club.

“That’s what I want to do this season and next year.”  

Johnny Dunleavy added: “The manager spoke to me about the possibility of extending my contract and I was delighted to sign. When I arrived here the target first and foremost was to get back playing.

“I’ve done that. There was a couple of niggles here and there as you’d expect, but I’m feeling stronger and stronger and I think my performances are reflecting that now.

“It takes time to blend what is really a totally new group and even now we are seeing little partnerships starting to emerge but I think we are getting there.

“There’s a lot to play for in the rest of the season but in re-signing today, Niall Morahan yesterday and now Romeo as well, I think it’s a statement of intent of what the club is thinking. For me it has been a breath of fresh air. I’ve loved it and it’s a fantastic place to be.

“We’re trying to build something and having had an initial target of being back on the pitch, the next one is to bring some great days to this club. That’s why we’re all here.”

Liam Buckley said: “Johnny and Romeo are two of our senior players who have done very well for us.

“Johnny is a great lad to have around the place and a brilliant player who brings a wealth of experience. We’re delighted with his contribution so far and he will play a big part in our future.  

“Romeo has made a real impact as well and leads the line superbly. He has taken to the league very quickly and again I think we’ll see even more from him over the next season and a half.

“Every manager has to look to the future and I will do that at the appropriate times. We have nine league games and an FAI Cup second round match to come before next year so there is lots left in this season.

“I can tell you that there is no danger of complacency from the management point of view and we’ll be making sure that is case for all of us. There are teams below us and above us fighting for points every week so we have to maintain our level of work-rate and all of that.

“Today I’m delighted to have Romeo and Johnny on board for next season and we look forward to the future.”

Sligo Rovers will play Limerick in the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

Rovers were drawn against the First Division in a match to take place on weekend of 24th August.

Details will be confirmed shortly.