David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Despite a commanding second half performance, ten-man Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in three at the Showgrounds by league champions Shelbourne.

Two goals from the visitors in the opening twelve minutes had Shels ahead following an apprehensive start from Rovers. But a strike late in the opening half from Reece Hutchinson gave the Bit O’Red hope going into the second period.

John Russell’s charges were well on top in this second half and even after Cian Kavanagh was shown a somewhat contentious red card on 72 minutes, Rovers continued to cause Damien Duff’s charges plenty of issues. 

Even with ten, Rovers continued to press their opponents and almost equalised in injury time through a late Harvey Lintott header which looped wide of Conor Kearns’ goal. 

Searching out that first victory in five, the visitors made the same number of changes to the starting eleven which were held by Cork before the international break. Even without regular starters like Paddy Barret, Sean Boyd and Sean Gannon, Shels were still able to name a strong side. Mark Coyle, John Martin, Mipo Odubeko, Lewis Temple and Evan Caffrey all made their way back into Damien Duff’s plans. 

Sligo welcomed back Matty Wolfe and Owen Elding, both of whom missed the recent narrow defeat to Derry. 

It took just three minutes for the champions to take the lead when Martin profited from an under hit back pass from Oskar Van Hattum. The former Dundalk striker rounded Conor Walsh before finishing into an empty net. 

The hosts fell further behind on twelve minutes. Easily moving the ball from right to left, possession eventually fell to Shels’ Martin who turned provider, teeing up Kerr McInroy who lashed the ball beyond Walsh courtesy of a cultured first time finish. 

Facing the deficit, Sligo did steadily find a footing in this one.

Connor Malley struck Kearns’ post with a long-range effort on 27, while man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki along with Owen Edling both went close before Hutchinson provided reward for effort when he fired home from inside the area in added time at the end of the half. 

Rovers’ intention looked far more meaningful in the opening moments of the second period with Shels forced to soak up Sligo pressure. But Kearns’ goal was well protected as the Drumcondra side had to scramble to clear the danger on several occasions as Rovers battled to find their second goal. 

Malley screwed wide, an effort off the outside of his boot shortly after the hour mark as the hosts looked to be coming closer to breaking the Shelbourne resolve.  

The wind was temporarily taken from Sligo sails on 72 when Kavanagh was shown red after he caught Coyle on the follow-through immediately after he sent a shot goalwards, much to the dismay of the home support. 

Shels almost capitalised instantly on the numerical advantage only for Rovers net minder Walsh, who kept his side in the reckoning courtesy of a full-stretch save to deny substitute John O’Sullivan. While fellow change Boyd tested the Mayo man with a pot-shot on the turn which Walsh was equal to minutes later.  

Rovers almost found what would have been a well-earned late equaliser from the most unlikely of sources in injury time. Having ventured forward for a corner, a cleared ball fell to goalkeeper Walsh whose cross was met by Lintott. The full back’s header sailed across the face of Kearns’ goal. 

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Phibsboro to face Bohemians on Friday, April 4th, kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar Van Hattum (Harvey Lintott 61), John Mahon, Ollie Denham (Gareth McElroy HT), Reece Hutchinson (Francely Lomboto 81); Connor Malley, Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning HT); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Evan Caffrey, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Kerr McInroy, Mark Coyle; JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 64); Ali Coote (Ellis Chapman 53), John Martin (Sean Boyd 78), Mipo Odubeko (Harry Wood 64).

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,857.

League of Ireland action returns this week following the March international break as Shelbourne are the visitors to the Showgrounds this Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm. Sligo Rovers will look to end a run of two games without a win while the Dubliners will arrive in Sligo seeking a first victory since February 21st having registered three draws in their last four outings. 

In team news, Rovers will be without both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Connor Reynolds, both of whom are suspended. Doyle-Hayes serves the first of a three game ban following a red card issued to him in the aftermath of Rovers’ recent defeat to Derry. 

Reynolds will sit out a second game following a two game ban handed to him after he was sent off in Cork a few weeks ago.

Rovers will also be without Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon, but Owen Elding is in contention to be involved after he picked up a knock in the lead up to the Derry game. 

The Bit O’Red got the better of the 2024 champions in terms of head-to-head results last season. Damien Duff’s side beat Rovers in the first clash between the sides in March. But Sligo went on to twice beat Shels at home and away before picking up a well earned point in a scoreless draw at Tolka Park in September. 

Rovers boss John Russell is excited to be returning to action following the short break in competitive play. He oversaw a mid-season friendly win over Ballinamallard United last week and says his squad are eager to get back to league duty on Friday. 

“This is going to be a big test for us as any game against the reigning champions would be”, Russell says. 

“They have added in terms of bodies in the winter and they’ve added real quality whilst keeping hold of their big-game players. Not many clubs have the privilege of being able to do that. 

“They will have gathered a lot of experience having won the league last year and you have to expect that they’ll come to Sligo looking to win the game.  

“We’ve enjoyed the break and it’s given us time to reflect whilst also working on many aspects of our game. The players are extremely focused ahead of this one and they’re all looking forward to what is a big game for us. 

“We must now perform to our strengths. The players have all trained well and you can really see the connections being forged between them and that’s really pleasing. 

“We need our fans to come out again in big numbers and get behind the team from kick-off. Let’s create a big atmosphere and see where that takes us.”

Supporters are asked to note the change in game day from Rovers’ traditional Saturday night to Friday. 

David Goulden

 
By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday for a fourth game of the Women’s Premier Division season to tackle Wexford with the action set for a 6pm kick-off.

Following an opening day draw against Bohemian FC at the Showgrounds, the Bit O’Red players have found the going tough and have yet to find the net for a first goal of the season.

However, they will be able to take lots of positives out of the fact that plenty of chances have been created despite subsequent defeats against Cork City and Waterford.

The challenge facing the team at the moment is not lost on manager Steve Feeney who has highlighted the number of chances created in each game as a positive sign.

“The attitude and commitment of the players can't be faulted and while we haven't won yet, it's early in the season and we are creating chances, that's a big positive,” he suggested.

“If we can finish one or two of them this weekend we will be in with a chance of taking something home from Wexford.

“I've said it before, there are no easy games in this League and it won't be any easier for us now this Saturday.

“We will have to stay focused, stick at it, the players need to keep bringing the correct attitude to each game and I have no doubt that they will do that at Ferrycarrig Park,” he added.


FOCUS ON WEXFORD

Wexford have a home win against Peamount Utd a fortnight ago to their credit and will be aiming to build on that despite defeats away to Bohemian FC last weekend and Athlone Town on the opening day of the season.

A top four finish last season will not have satisfied officials at a club that has won four league titles, the last was in 2018.

However, scoring goals has been an issue for Wexford as they have managed just one goal in three outings, that was a deflected own goal off a Peamount defender in a 1-0 victory.

Goalkeeper Maria O’Sullivan was outstanding in that game and Wexford will be looking to players like Ciara Rossiter and Kylie Murphy to boost the prospects of another home victory.

The game will be live on LOITV and kick-off at Ferrycarrig Park is 6pm.

By Conall Collier

Three games into the Women’s Premier Division season, and Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney remains positive despite last Saturday’s reversal against Waterford in front of the TG4 cameras at the Showgrounds.

Following an encouraging start to the season with a draw against Bohemians, the Bit O’Red has faltered twice subsequently and also drawn a blank on the scoreboard.

The manager’s positivity is centred on the fact that against both Cork City the previous week and Waterford last Saturday, the team created at least half a dozen scoring opportunities in each game.

Steve believes that once the first goal is scored, it will boost the confidence of the players who
can’t be faulted for their determination and commitment.

“The attitude and commitment of the players can’t be faulted, and while we haven’t won yet, we are creating chances; that’s a big positive,” he commented.

“Last Saturday was similar to the previous week against Cork City; we missed a hatful of chances, and Waterford took theirs and picked up the three points.

“It’s quite simple: if we don’t take the chances that we create, we certainly can’t expect to win games.

“We were in contention when trailing by a goal, but we gave away the penalty in the second half, and then it was 2-0, but we still made openings and just didn’t take them.

“We pushed to try to get something from the game, but in fairness to Waterford and ‘keeper Maeve Williams, she made some good saves.

“Having said that, we hit too many shots straight at her; we needed to be a bit more composed in front of goal, and hopefully we will see that in Wexford,” he concluded.

By Conall Collier

Two Olivia Shannon goals paved the way for a historic first Women’s Premier Division win for Waterford at the expense of Sligo Rovers in front of the TG4 cameras at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney made one change from the previous week, with Anna McDaniel coming in for Rachael McGoldrick.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half and had a number of chances, with Muireann Devaney and Anna McDaniel both on target with good efforts.

However, Waterford took the lead in the 33rd minute when Olivia Shannon got a vital touch in a crowded goalmouth from a corner to claim a historic first goal in the League of Ireland for the Munster women.

The Bit O’Red laboured through the remainder of the half, with the only real chance arriving in the 41st minute when a Paula McGrory header was saved by Waterford netminder Maeve Williams.

Soon after the resumption Waterford had a gilt-edged chance for a second goal, but Zara Corcoran blazed over the bar from inside the six-yard box, and the home defence breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Sligo Rovers upped the tempo subsequently, and Anna McDaniel brought a good save out of Maeve Williams in the 63rd minute, but an error at the other end gifted Waterford a penalty 60 seconds later, which Shannon converted.

The hosts kept battling, and Mairead McIntyre had a good effort blocked in the 73rd minute, and Muireann Devaney was on target soon after as Waterford defended well.

Emma Hansberry had the last chance for Sligo Rovers with a free that Maeve Williams tipped over.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Kate Nugent, Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Mairead McIntyre for King, Rachel McGoldrick for Doherty and Alice Lillie for Lafferty all 66 mins, Kya McKenna for Nugent and Sarah Kiernan for McGrory 81 mins.

Waterford – Maeve Williams; Danielle Griffin, Jessica Lawler, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke, Chloe Atkinson, Mia Lenihan, Sophie Slattery, Olivia Shannon, Aoibh Thomas, Zara Corcoran. Sub – Nancy Edogiawerie for Corcoran, 89 mins.

Referee – Mark Houlihan.

Assistant referees – Fintan Butler, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Marc Lynch.

Sligo Rovers will be aiming to maintain an unbeaten home Women’s Premier Division record when they welcome Waterford on Saturday evening in front of the TG4 cameras with the live action set for a 7.35pm kick-off.

This will be the first visit to the Showgrounds for Waterford,, who are the new faces in the Women’s Premier Division,, and both teams will be keen to find some improvement on last week’s results.

Sligo Rovers conceded four goals against Cork City at Turner’s Cross,, while Shelbourne fired four past Waterford at the RSC last Saturday as the Munster women played a historic first home game in the League of Ireland.

While Waterford will go into Saturday night’s encounter on the back of two defeats, they lost on the opening day (2-0) against Treaty Utd at the Markets Field; the Bit O’Red had an encouraging scoreless draw against Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

Manager Steve Feeney was disappointed with the performance last weekend and will be looking for a quick response from his players this Saturday night.

“That’s two games now,, and we haven’t scored. We will have to put that right quickly, but at least we created plenty of chances in Cork. The key now is to finish them,” he commented.

“We are certainly capable of winning the game against Waterford, but that won’t count for anything if we don’t deliver a performance on the pitch.

“We certainly won’t be underestimating the threat that Waterford will pose; we are not in any sort of a position to be doing something like that.

“Apart from the players who are still on the injured list, there are no new concerns from the Cork game. Leah Kelly, Keela Scanlon and Ciara Henry are still a few weeks from returning to action, but everyone else is fine.

“We will have to make sure we have the correct attitude going into the Waterford game; we will have to regroup and make sure we are ready to go on Saturday,” he concluded.

FOCUS ON WATERFORD

That first home game for Waterford was a huge occasion, and a crowd of 1,076 turned up at the RSC, where they were treated to a battling performance that included two penalty saves by talented goalkeeper Maeve Williams.

Waterford were in contention until about 25 minutes from time when Shelbourne managed four goals in a 10-minute spell, one from a penalty with the rest engineered from corners.

Waterford manager Gary Hunt will have taken plenty of positives from his team’s performance against the Dublin women.

“We will dust ourselves down after that game against Shelbourne, and we are looking forward to going to Sligo next Saturday,” commented the manager.

The game will be live on TG4 with kick-off at 7.35pm and free entry to the Showgrounds.

By Conall Collier

Two games into his return to the Women’s Premier Division, Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney has certainly experienced the positives and negatives of the new season.

The positives of an opening day draw against a well-regarded Bohemians side were followed by the negatives of a disappointing defeat against Cork City at Turner’s Cross last Saturday.

Since Sligo Rovers entered the League of Ireland, games against Cork City have usually finished with a goal between the sides.

However, the concession of four goals last Saturday delivered a dollop of reality, and Steve was certainly aware that the performance against Cork wasn’t good enough.

“We weren’t good defensively, and Cork punished us, while at the other end we didn’t take our chances,” he commented.

“On the opposite side of that, we probably created more chances against Cork than we did against Bohs, so that would be a positive.

“You could say that the scoreline was a bit harsh, but it really was down to the fact that we didn’t
Take our chances; Cork did and got the win they deserved.

“The previous week against Bohs we were good defensively, and against Cork we weren’t as good; that just about sums up our performance,” he added.

After keeping a clean sheet against Bohemians, the below-par display against Cork was a major concern for the manager.

“We are very disappointed with the type of goals we gave away, especially after looking so solid the previous week, and we will have to address that,” he said.

“I suppose the penalty miss in the 94th minute just about summed up our day, but we have to focus on the next game now, and that’s against Waterford on Saturday,” he concluded.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Michael Duffy scored the only goal of the game as Derry City beat Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds for the first time since 2021.

The game’s deciding goal didn’t come without controversy however as the referee’s assistant had initially ruled the goal out for offside before changing his mind.

The results sees Rovers two points adrift heading into the international break. 

Manager John Russell made two changes from the draw in Cork. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Oskar Van Hattum replacing Matty Wolfe and the injured Owen Elding respectively.

Despite an aggressive start from Rovers, it was the visitors who led this game at the break courtesy of match-winner Duffy. 

The multiple league and cup winner was involved eleven minutes in when he crossed for Liam Boyce who nodded wide. City then had to rely on a clearance from Sam Todd, their only change from their draw with Galway. The former Finn Harps man swept away the danger after Jad Hakiki had lobbed the ball over the oncoming Brian Maher after Reece Hutchinson’s ball had opened up the City rearguard. 

Tiernan Lynch’s men opened the lead on 20 minutes when Sligo’s Oskar Van Hattum conceded a set-piece to Duffy for what may have been interpreted as fair challenge. 

The ex-Dundalk winger’s right-footed free-kick from the left drifted into the opposite corner, untouched. Referee’s assistant Darragh Keenan had initially lifted his flag to rule out the goal, before quickly changing his decision.

Without a win at the Showgrounds since 2021, a record which stretches back to the early days of Ruaidhri Higgins’ reign, City then lost midfielder Sadou Diallo to an arm injury nine minutes from the break, after Duffy’s corner had sliced Conor Walsh’s crossbar.   

Sligo’s main threat came from Hakiki who fired well over on 69 minutes as the sides struggled to create much in a second period without many talking points until the dying moments. 

Substitute Stephen Mallon might have done better with his opportunity on 88 but could only fire straight at Maher who had closed the angle. While the Derry stopper easily dealt with John Mahon’s headed effort from a Hutchinson cross on the stroke of full-time.

Jake Doyle-Hayes was then shown a red card after the final whistle.  

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Stephen Mallon HT), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Ronan Manning 78), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Oskar Van Hattum, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald (Francely Lomboto 78); Cian Kavanagh.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Mark Connolly, Hayden Cann, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Ciaron Harkin 36), Adam O’Reilly; Dom Thomas (Shane Ferguson HT), Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (Danny Mullen 69). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy.  

Attendance: 3,712. 

Sligo Rovers will look to extend their unbeaten run against Derry City to six league games when they face the Candystripes at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red are unbeaten against this weekend’s visitors since July 2023, while August 2021 was the last time Derry overcame Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Both teams have matching records so far this season with one win and three defeats from their opening four outings. Rovers will bring a two game unbeaten run into Saturday’s tie following victory over Shamrock Rovers and a draw in Cork last Friday. While Derry will arrive in Sligo on the back of a defeat to St Pat’s and a draw with Galway. 

John Russell will be without Wilson Waweru and the suspended Conor Reynolds, who serves the first of a two game ban having been sent off in Turner’s Cross. Russell will have an otherwise full squad to choose from with Jake Doyle-Hayes expected to return to the fold having missed the game on Leeside for personal reasons. 

One player hoping to further impress is full back Reece Hutchinson. The 24-year-old has played every minute of Rovers’ opening five games of the season, scoring in that recent win over Shamrock Rovers. 

Hutchinson says he and his team mates have long put behind them Sligo’s patchy start which saw Rovers lose their first three and are ready to extend their recent good form on Saturday. 

“It was a rough start and everyone in the squad acknowledges that it wasn’t what we expected of ourselves”, he says. 

“We never planned to start with three defeats. But the reaction from the boys has been incredible. We showed a lot of character for a team with so many new players to bounce back the way we have. We’re looking to keep the unbeaten run going now on Saturday.

Looking ahead to Derry, Reece continues: “It’s always tight when we play Derry. They have a lot of talent all over the pitch, but for us it’s about ourselves and what we can do. There’s definitely an advantage there in being at home and we’re looking for another big attendance to replicate the atmosphere we played in against Shamrock Rovers as it gives you such a lift as the game goes on. 

“We showed against Cork that there’s plenty of heart in this group. Being part of the defence, I was disappointed with the amount of goals we conceded in our first three. But we shored things up against both Shamrock and Cork and showed that once we cut out the individual mistakes at the back, we’re a force for anyone as we are really threatening going forward.” 

Having steadied the ship with that impressive win over Shamrock Rovers and followed that result up with a solid point in Cork, Russell says he is expecting a wounded and dangerous Derry to visit Sligo. He has also called for the Sligo sporting public to back the Bit O’Red under the floodlights once more.

“We know how tough it will be and what kind of test Derry will offer”, he warns. 

“They have had a difficult start to the season, are in a hugely false position and we need to expect a backlash as they will be coming to Sligo looking for a win. 

“They have invested in their squad heavily over the winter and have huge strength in all positions. They also have players with international experience and there is no way a squad of their depth will be stuck in their current situation for much longer. 

“We have to be at our best to deal with them on Saturday and that’s why we need a big crowd. We saw over four thousand in for the Shams game and that support got us across the line. We’re hoping for our supporters to come out on Saturday to get behind the team.

David Goulden