Sligo Rovers supporters wishing to travel to our Bank Holiday Weekend games against Shamrock Rovers (Friday, 8pm) and St. Patrick’s Athletic (Monday, 3pm) are asked to purchase their tickets online in advance of travel.
You can buy your tickets via the links below:
Shamrock Rovers: https://www.shamrockrovers.ie/away-fans-tickets/
St. Patrick’s Athletic: https://www.stpatsfc.com/ZPdkydIDnV/
We look forward to seeing the Red Army out in force once again.
Sligo Rovers got back to winning ways at The Showgrounds on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over UCD.
Manager John Russell made four changes to the starting team that drew with Drogheda United last weekend with John Mahon (knock), Stefan Radosavljevic, Frank Liivak and Lukas Browning all replaced by James Finnerty, making his Rovers debut, Niall Morahan, Kailin Barlow and Johan Brannefalk who made his first start since recovering from his recent ankle injury.
The Bit O’ Red started brightly and Kailin Barlow was denied by the alert Kian Moore in the UCD goal who got down well to deny him after good work by Max Mata.
Rovers pressure paid off after just five minutes when Barlow’s in swinging corner was met by Mata who powered home a header at the near post.
It was all Rovers for the rest of the half and Fabrice Hartmann and Barlow were causing all sorts of problems for the Students who gave away a number of corners as they looked to keep Rovers out.
On 25 minutes, the home side’s pressure paid off as Nando Pijnaker swept a long range diagonal pass to Hartmann on the ride hand side. The German took it down on his chest and played Barlow in down the line. Barlow’s reverse pass found Hartmann again who beat two players and cut inside on his left foot and stroked it into the far corner to double Rovers’ lead.
Rovers looked for a third goal through the likes of Mata, Hartmann and Barlow but it was UCD who got the next goal on the stroke of half time, totally against the run of play.
A free kick from the left was punched away by Luke McNicholas but the ball fell for Mark Dignam on the edge of the box who fired into the bottom corner via a deflection, meaning it was a narrow lead for Rovers at half time.
The second half was a slightly slower pace than the first from Rovers but the hosts were always in pretty good control and Hartmann went close on 66 minutes with a long dribble down the right after being played in by Barlow. The German’s shot went wide.
Niall Morahan went close soon after with a side footed strike from the edge of the box but it was Hartmann who made it three just two minutes later.
Johan Brannefalk played the ball out to him on the right. He drifted inside on his left foot, going past the UCD defenders before shooting toward goal. The ball looped over Kian Moore and into the corner to seal the win for Rovers.
It was Hartmann’s last involvement in a Man of the Match display as he was replaced by Frank Liivak soon after.
David Cawley was introduced for his first appearance of the season along with Lukas Browning, replacing Brannefalk and the impressive Barlow for the last ten minutes and Stefan Radosavljevic was brought on after 87 minutes for Max Mata who received a standing ovation from the home supporters.
The game finished 3-1 to Rovers who now face two away games next Friday and Monday against Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic respectively.
Galway Utd took the Women’s Premier Division points this afternoon at Eamonn Deacy Park with a 2-1 win against a Sligo Rovers side that is still looking for a first win of 2023.
However, on this occasion there was some extra bite from the Bit O’Red players despite the concession of two early goals that ultimately decided the outcome.
Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney made a number of changes from the team that played the previous week against DLR Waves.
There was a first start between the posts for Bonnie McKiernan while Helen Monaghan and Amy Roddy also came into the starting 11.
Galway Utd manager Phil Trill made two changes from the team that earned a 1-1 home draw with Shamrock Rovers last week.
Abbiegayle Ronayne replaced Jessica Berlin between the posts while Kate Thompson came in for Rola Olusola.
Hosts Galway had two goals on the scoreboard inside the opening six minutes as Kate Thompson and Jenna Slattery both found the net to give Trill’s side the initiative.
However, the hosts failed to capitalise on a number of good chances for the remainder of the half and it was 2-0 at the interval.
Steve Feeney made a couple of changes at the break and the Bit O’Red got back into contention in the 57th minute when Emma Doherty headed to the net with a good finish.
Substitute Fiona Doherty went close to an equaliser soon after, but was denied by Abbiegayle Ronayne who made a brilliant finger-tip save.
Bit O’Red ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan made a good save with 15 minutes remaining to deny Aoife Thompson as the hosts pushed for a third goal against an improved Sligo Rovers second-half performance.
Galway Utd – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Aoibheann Costello, Isabella Beletic, Jamie Erickson, Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson, Lynsey McKey, Gemma McGuinness, Therese Kinnevey, Amy Madden, Abbie Callanan. Subs – Aoife Thompson for Callanan 68 mins, Nicole McNamara for McKey 86m
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Helen Monaghan, Katie Nugent, Keela Scanlon, Sarah Kiernan, Amy Roddy, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. Subs – Fiona Doherty for Monaghan and Jodie Loughrey for Kiernan both half-time, Keri Loughrey for Nugent 71 mins, Katie Melly for Boles and Aoife Brennan for Howe both 84m.
We host UCD tonight (Saturday) at 7.45pm at The Showgrounds in The SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
We outline all our Match Night information below:
Turnstiles:
Turnstiles open from 6.30pm.
Buy tickets in advance: https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/
Or pay on the turnstiles. Card payments accepted at certain turnstiles.
Seating:
Seating is first come, first served in all areas of the ground. Seats with names on them must be respected as these are Gold Season Ticket members who have paid for their seat to be reserved all season. Anyone found sitting in a seat that is not theirs will be asked to move.
Security:
Members of our security team will carry out on the spot checks on bags and persons entering the ground. Alcohol and Pyrotechnics are not allowed and will be confiscated on entry. We ask supporters to please help the club in this regard and refrain from attempting to get in with any prohibited items.
CCTV:
CCTV is again in operation throughout the evening using our Brand New state of the art CCTV system. Security personnel and An Garda Siochaina will be monitoring the system and anyone found to be behaving in a way which contravenes our ground rules will be removed and potentially banned from attending future games.
Car Parking:
There are limited spaces available at The Showgrounds astro turf car park. This will be closed once full, which is expected to be early in the evening. Supporters should note the club have come to an agreement with Nazareth House for official Match Night use of their grounds which has over 200 parking spaces. There is a charge of €2, with proceeds towards the upkeep of their grounds.
Flares:
Leave your flares at home. These are not wanted and anyone found with flares will be banned from attending future matches. These cause needless fines for the club, money which is raised by our volunteers and fellow supporters.
Pitch:
It is an offence to enter the field of play at any stage. This includes children. It is parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure children do not encroach on the pitch at any time.
1983 Squad:
Members of our FAI Cup Winning 1983 squad will be in attendance at this evening’s game. We ask supporters to show your appreciation to them at half-time when they are brought onto the pitch and give them a welcome back to The Showgrounds they deserve.
Ukrainian families:
We also welcome Ukrainian families who are now living in the region to The Showgrounds for this first time this evening. There will be around 250 in attendance at the game and we ask supporters to welcome them and be understanding of this initiative throughout the game, especially in terms of seating arrangements. Only supporters who purchased a ‘Gold’ season ticket have the right to sit in your own designated seat. All other seats are for general admission.
We wish to thank all supporters for their support in recent weeks and for the atmosphere created both at home and away.
We thank you for your co-operation
Sligo Rovers host UCD on Saturday night at The Showgrounds in the 11th game of the 2023 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
UCD picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a 1-0 defeat of Cork City at home, with Rovers drawing 1-1 at home to Drogheda United 24 hours later.
A Max Mata hattrick meant Rovers won the return game 3-2 back in February at The UCD Bowl.
Manager John Russell looks ahead to another home game on Saturday night:
‘’We are all looking forward to another home game on Saturday night in front of a packed Showgrounds.
‘’UCD will be coming down full of confidence after their win last week against Cork City so we need to be ready for what is a massive game’’.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm and the club are welcoming Ukrainian Families to The Showgrounds for the game. There will be around 250 in attendance at the game with various plans in place for them to enjoy their Showgrounds experience for the first time.
We also welcome back members of our 1983 FAI Cup winning team as guests of honour at the game. The squad will be welcomed onto the pitch at half-time in front of the Bit O’ Red Supporters.
Russell expects this to add to the atmosphere at the game and calls on the home supporters to once again get behind the team from the start:
‘’I have such belief in our group of players. They have shown really good signs so far this season. We know the areas we need to improve on but it’s vital that we continue to impose our style and our game on the opposition.
‘’I am delighted to hear that members of the 1983 cup winning team will be in attendance on Saturday night. I want our current players to put on a performance that they and the supporters can be proud of’’.
In team news, Johan Brannefalk’s return from an ankle injury was welcome as he got minutes against Drogheda United last weekend.
Eanna Clancy and Bogdan Vastsuk remain sidelined along with long-term absentees Karl O’ Sullivan, Garry Buckley, Mark Byrne and Gary Boylan.
Gates open at 6.30pm and tickets are available on the turnstiles or online at https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/
Gemma McGuinness scored the historic first goal for Sligo Rovers in the club’s inaugural season in the Women’s National League and now the Donegal native will face her former team when the Bit O’ Red visit Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday for a first-time encounter against Galway United, writes Conall Collier.
Last season saw the end of the line for Galway Womens FC, but the baton was taken over by League of Ireland side Galway United and one of the club’s early recruits for 2023 was McGuinness who had a fine season in 2022 as Sligo Rovers enjoyed an encouraging debut campaign at senior level.
The Bit O’Red will travel to Galway on Saturday still looking for a first win in 2023 after a number of promising outings.
Last weekend at the UCD Bowl against DLR Waves, the Sligo women were well in contention in the opening half, but failed to capitalise on a number of good scoring chances in that first 45 minutes and then conceded in the 46th minute.
That gave hosts DLR Waves the initiative and the Dublin side had enough in the tank to add a couple of more goals in the second-half for a 3-0 victory as Sligo Rovers chased the game.
That, essentially, has been the crucial factor for Sligo Rovers so far this season, a steady performance in each game, but just lacking the finishing touch in front of the posts.
The Galway girls will be full of confidence after last weekend’s draw with Shamrock Rovers.
McGuinness was the goalscorer for Galway with a fine finish in the opening half and it wasn’t until late in the game that the Dublin side salvaged a draw with an equaliser.Kick-off at Eamonn Deacy Park is at 2pm.
Our Academy teams are back in action this weekend with five games taking place across Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, our Under 17 Men’s team travel to take on Shamrock Rovers at Roadstone, with the game kicking off at 3pm.
The sides last met back in March with The Bit O’ Red winning 3-2 at The Sean Fallon Centre.
Our Under 17 Womens team are at home at The Sean Fallon Centre at 1pm against Treaty United. Rovers won the return game 2-1 on the opening day of the season in an entertaining game.
Colm Jinks takes his Under 14 side to take on Finn Harps at 3.30pm in Letterkenny. The lads have drawn their last two games 2-2 so another exciting game is on the cards here.
Sunday will see our Under 19 Womens team host Shamrock Rovers at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre. Rovers beat DLR Waves in Dublin last weekend thanks to an own goal from the home side.
Declan Boyle’s Under 19 Men’s team face a trip to Athlone Town on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Last time out, the side drew 2-2 against Dundalk at home, having come back from two goals behind in the first half.
It is 40 years since one of the most famous days in the club’s history on April 24th.
Back in 1983, after an epic semi-final tie against Cobh Ramblers, Rovers met Bohemians in the FAI Cup Final at Dalymount Park.
Thousands departed the North-West for the Capital with the hope of bringing the cup to Sligo at the sixth attempt after Cup Final defeats in 1939, 1940, 1970, 1978 and 1981.
Paul Fielding’s side however would be the ones to make history. A 2-1 win on the day thanks to famous goals from Tony Stenson and Harry McLoughlin sealed a huge win and brought joy to the town and the surrounding region.
We look forward to seeing members of the team again on Saturday night.
Tickets for the UCD game can be bought online at https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/ or at the turnstiles from 6.30pm.
The 1983 team will be presented to the crowd at half-time at the game.
The Bit O’ Red Academy had a full fixture list over the weekend with all six teams in action on Saturday or Sunday.
On Saturday afternoon, our Under 14 side hosted Treaty United at Ballisodare United Astro and the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Ryan Cunningham got both the goals for Colm Jinks’ side.
Our Under 17 Men’s team took on UCD at The Sean Fallon Centre at the same time. The Dubliners took all three points in a tight game that ended 3-2.
Niall Kenny and David Jonathan were Rovers’ goalscorers.
Darren Kelly’s Under 17 Womens team travelled to Galway to take on Galway United.
Amy Murphy’s goal wasn’t enough to take any points in a 3-1 defeat.
Sunday saw three more games with our Under 15 side playing Galway United away from home. Oran Murphy and Adam Feeney scored in a 4-2 defeat.
Our Under 19 Womens team defeated DLR Waves at Marlay Park in Dublin. An own goal from the home side meant Rovers took the points in a tight game.
Our Under 19 Mens team played host to Dundalk at The Sean Fallon Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The lads found themselves 2-0 down at half time but goals from Eli Rooney and Bridel Bosakani ensured the game finished all square in an entertaining game.
We wish Keeva Flynn all the best this week as she is away with the Republic of Ireland Under 16 Womens squad for three games in Serbia.
Sligo Rovers hosted Drogheda United at The Showgrounds on Saturday night in front of 2317 supporters.
The game was played in very poor conditions as the rain poured down all evening and a strong wind made football difficult in an evenly contested game.
John Russell made a couple of changes from Monday’s game against Shelbourne with Stefan Radosavljevic and Reece Hutchinson coming in for Bogdan Vastsuk and Daniel Lafferty.
Defender Johan Brannefalk came into the squad following a recent ankle injury and was fit enough to make the bench.
The opening period of the game had a fast pace to it with both sides looking to create some chances early on. Frank Liivak had a penalty appeal waved away be the referee and Freddie Draper went close to Drogheda but the half was ultimately an even game with little or no goalmouth action and the sides went in level at the break.
The visitors took an early lead in the second half through midfielder Ryan Brennan who reacted quickest in the area to poke home from close range on 53 minutes.
John Russell brought on Kailin Barlow and Niall Morahan for the last half hour in place of Radosavljevic and Lukas Browning and Rovers started to get on top and were level on 63 minutes through this season’s top goalscorer Max Mata.
Will Fitzgerald waited for Reece Hutchinson to go down the outside on the overlap and he teed him up to cross for Mata to power a header home from close range.
This lifted the home crowd and Rovers pushed for a winner but Drogheda also looked threatening on the counter attack.
Barlow went close with a couple of shots and Dylan Grimes shaved the crossbar late on.
Johan Brannefalk was introduced late on for his return to action and he couldn’t quite keep his cross down in the final moments for Mata who almost got on the end of it.
The referee blew for full-time and the points were shared.
Next up is UCD at home next Saturday night at 7.45pm.
