UPDATED: Saturday, 27th October 2018, 2:50PM

After a massacre last week to the field we’re beginning to see the patterns emerging. Some players are working their way through the heavy hitters, while others are picking off the so called weaker teams and saving the big guns for later in the competition. Continue reading “Last Man Standing – Week 5 – Entries Closed” →

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to confirm that Liam Buckley will be our new manager.

The former St Patrick’s Athletic boss will join the Bit O’ Red on a one-year contract having won two Premier Divisions, two FAI Cups and two League Cups in his management career so far.

The new Rovers boss will meet supporters for the first time tonight as he attends the game against Shamrock Rovers and will be presented to the crowd at half-time.

He will officially join on 1 November.

Buckley said: “I’m really happy to be here. It’s great opportunity for me and I’ve always loved my games at The Showgrounds.

“It’s a footballing town. I think there is players here that are technically good. I want to improve them and the club and see where it can take us.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty said: “From the outset Liam was our number one choice for the role. His record is outstanding in the League of Ireland and the brand of football he brings with it is renowned. We’re delighted to reach agreement for him to join us.

“It’s our intention that 2019 is a big year for Sligo Rovers. We know this appointment will excite our supporters and the committee encourages everyone at the club to get behind Liam.

“To attract a manager of Liam’s ability shows the potential at our club and we really feel he is the man to help us improve our league position for 2019 and bring exciting nights to The Showgrounds again.”

Liam’s coaching team will be confirmed at a later date.

Sligo Rovers host Shamrock Rovers in The Showgrounds on Friday on the final night of the 2018 SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

In team news, Regan Donelon and Gary Boylan are out injured.

Lee Lynch is doubtful. Adam Wixted returns.

Brian Dorrian: “I was pleased by our display on Monday night. We competed really well, we were organised and the disappointment was not winning the game. We probably needed to create a bit more in the second half but overall it was good. The young player acquitted themselves well. The ovation Liam Kerrigan received was telling for his performance for example.

“These three games we faced the champions and the two form teams in the country. You only have to look at the run Shamrock Rovers are on to know what a test it’ll be. But that’s good because I think these are great matches to find out about our players and for our young lads to develop. They’re coming up against the best.

“I’d love to see a big crowd for the final game. There’ll be another chapter for Sligo Rovers in 2019 with a new manager and many these players will be part of it. I’d really love to finish the season with a big performance and a win. It’s a game for the players to express themselves.”

Dorrian said as his caretaker spell gets set to end: “It has been a hectic 10 days, but I’ve enjoyed it. Leo Tierney and Danny O’Leary have been with me. The three of us work jobs, as well as our involvement with the club, so it has been a lot of juggling. It has been an honour for us and as I say, these players can finish on a positive. It’s in them to do so.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to be partnering with Memfies to showcase a match day experience from the fans perspective this Friday night, as we entertain Shamrock Rovers at 7.45pm in The Showgrounds.

Memfies is a Sligo based start-up, experts in weddings and the events industry.

We are calling on all supporters this Friday night to record your journey to the ground and to capture the best moments in the game on your phone, which can then be uploaded onto Memfies.com.

All footage uploaded by supporters will then be compiled into a video, showcasing the experience a supporter enjoys on a match night in The Showgrounds.

Any supporter who uploads footage will also be entered into a free draw to win a signed Sligo Rovers jersey. Below is the link in which supporters can use to upload footage this Friday night.

https://events.memfies.com/#/events/sligorovers/join

Keith Ward’s penalty cancelled out Mikey Drennan’s opener as Sligo Rovers and Bohemians played out a 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds in a tame affair.

Drennan seemed to spot Colin McCabe trying to keep his balance after three minutes, tamely shooting at goal, only to see it slip past McCabe for a Sligo lead.

The visitors went on the attack, with Dan Casey dragging his shot wide before Dinny Corcoran’s effort floated across the face of goal. Bohs continued to threaten and could have equalized on a number of occasions, but Ed McGinty was proving hard to beat in the Sligo goal.

That was until the 32nd minute when the Dubliners were awarded a penalty as the high boot of Kyle Callan McFadden appeared to make contact with Corcoran.

Ward’s powerful penalty beat McGinty, and Bohs were back in the game.

Kilkenny native Drennan came close to scoring his second of the game just before the interval, but his volley was just forced wide by McCabe.

The home side were calling for a penalty in the second-half when Liam Kerrigan went down in the Bohs box, but Paul McLaughlin waved play on.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Kyle Callan McFadden, Seamus Sharkey, John Mahon, Patrick McClean; Jack Keaney, Lee J Lynch, David Cawley (Caolan McAleer 63), Rhys McCabe; Liam Kerrigan (Darren Collins 75), Mikey Drennan.

Bohemians: Colin McCabe; Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Ian Morris, Robbie McCourt; Danny Grant, JJ Lunney, Oscar Brennan, Keith Ward (Kevin Devaney 67) Eoghan Stokes; Dinny Corcoran (Christian Magerusan 84)

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

We have 214 players through to Week 5 of the competition but it’s beginning to get really interesting now as some players have selected the big guns every week so far and others still have 4/5 of the top teams remaining in their locker to use in future rounds. Continue reading “Last Man Standing – Week 4 Results” →

The Halloween holidays are this weekend, with the booking process well underway for our 2018 Halloween Camp which will take place in The Showgrounds.

The success of our children’s camps in recent years has been unprecedented, with high demand expected once again at Halloween.

Prices remain capped from Summer, representing one of the best valued camps in the region. Places are limited and booking advised asap

The camp itself runs from 10.30am until 3pm, starting on the bank holiday Monday (October 29th) and will finish on Friday November 2nd. The cost of the camp is €60 for one child, €100 for two children from the one family and finally €135 for three children from the one family.

Every child that participates in the camp will receive and official Sligo Rovers training top, a participation certificate and a picture with members of the Sligo Rovers first team.

An optional breakfast club is also taking place each morning which opens from 8.30am daily. The cost of the breakfast club is €25 per child for the week or €10 per morning. Breakfast includes a choice of cereal, toast and Juice each morning which is then followed by fully supervised indoor and outdoor activities. Parents are advised that the Breakfast Club is limited to a maximum of 25 per week and is likely to sell out. Therefore, pre booking is strongly advised.

The camp is open to boys and girls, between the ages of 5 & 15. Only vetted and experienced coaches will be provided.

For more information on the Halloween Camp, you can contact Shane at the club on 071-9171212.

Alternatively, you can secure your place on the camp by booking online here 

Sligo Rovers host Bohemians in our penultimate home game of the season on Monday night.

Rovers were well beaten by Dundalk on Friday night but will be looking to finish the season on a high with two home games this week.

In team news, Caolan McAleer returns from suspension while Raff Cretaro is also available. Regan Donelon, Adam Wixted and Gary Boylan are injured while David Cawley is doubtful.

Brian Dorrian said: “We faced an exceptional Dundalk team on Friday while we had seven teenagers on the pitch over the game.

“As I said, these matches are to show that there is programme in place of young players with a lot about them. It was a tough night where we were stretched to the limit.

“This isn’t about putting in your players because I’m Under-19 manager. We have 16 or 17 senior players when fit and among them are young players and when you add injuries, you have no choice. We didn’t fill the bench for that reason. I do like giving them the chances even if the scenario isn’t ideal where you have to use so many.

“My hope is in the future that the more inexperienced and younger lads will take a lot from that game. All the lads in the squad are good enough to get better. You hurt when you’re defeated but it can drive you on and they should look forward to another opportunity now on Monday.

“Bohemians are one of the form teams in the country and they had another big win on Friday. We’d like to bounce back from last week and get a positive result. I’d say to our supporters to get behind the boys as any lift you can get will make a difference and remember that it can impact them especially coming off Friday night.

“We have senior players in our ranks too who will be looking to show what they are about. There’s no doubt the next full-time Sligo Rovers manager will be looking at DVDs of these games or whatever and futures are decided. We’re determined to finish this week well so that’s our intention from the first whistle on Monday. “

Updated: 12:30PM Monday, 22nd October 2018

It’s been a devastating weekend for the competition with 175 players eliminated so far, Burnley, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Newcastle and Wolves failed to win and took almost half our players with them. Continue reading “Last Man Standing – Week 4 Entries Closed” →

Sligo Rovers travel to Dundalk on Friday for an SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash at Oriel Park.

The Bit O’Red will be managed by Under-19 boss Brian Dorrian for our final away game of the season.

In team news, Caolan McAleer is suspended. Lee Lynch returns from illness. Gary Boylan is out with an ACL injury.

Dorrian said: “It hasn’t been an easy week of course. Gerard was very good to me and our Under-19 players. He wished the squad well and me personally for these matches and I think that says a lot about him.

“The team have trained for the last few days and we’ve prepared for it in a professional manner after the parting of ways.

“We have to move on and do ourselves justice for these three matches because this group has worked hard all season in order to do their best for the club, the management team and themselves. That is really what these matches are about.

“It’s an honour for me of course and I’m happy to help out the club. But it’s about these players. They will play the best team in the country and I know they can compete well with them and test them. We did that the last time in Oriel Park and in The Showgrounds where 2-0 was not a reflection of the game.

“We’ve a young squad with a lot of talent and over this season they have developed.

“On Friday I’d like them to go out and show what they are about. It’s not going to be easy. There’ll be a huge focus on Dundalk where they are getting ready to lift a trophy.

“We’re coming to show why there is a bright future for our club and why the person that takes over here is going come into a good situation with a lot to work with.”