Sligo Rovers Academy teams are in action again this coming weekend with four games taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, our Under 17 Men’s team take on Athlone Town away from home at 12 Noon at Athlone Town Stadium. The side come into the game on the back of a win over Shamrock Rovers at home last Saturday.

Our Under 14 side take on St. Patrick’s Athletic at 2pm in Blanchardstown. Colm Jinks’ side had no game last weekend and have won two out of their opening three fixtures.

Sunday sees an early start for our Under 15 side who host Longford Town at 11am at The Sean Fallon Centre. The lads had a weekend off last week and with a couple of weeks training under their belts, they are looking forward to this latest fixture.

Declan Boyle’s Under 19 Men’s team host Bohemians at 3pm at the same venue. Last Sunday, the side drew 1-1 away to Derry City.

Admission to all home games is free of charge and all support is welcome.

Two teams with identical Women’s Premier Division records will face-off at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening when Sligo Rovers host Limerick side Treaty United with victory very much on the radar of both managers, Steve Feeney and Alban Hysa.

Three defeats in three outings for each side so far and no points on the board, but it’s still early days in the 2023 campaign and both teams will find some improvement on last weekend’s performances.
 
For almost an hour, Sligo Rovers went toe-to-toe with high-flying Peamount at The Showgrounds last weekend before the Dublin side forged ahead with a two-goal salvo in as many minutes on the way to victory.

Treaty United also lost at home last weekend when they slumped to a heavy defeat against equally high-flying Athlone Town at Market’s Field.

Consequently, both teams will be on recovery missions on Saturday evening.

The form book will suggest that, with the benefit of home advantage, the Bit O’Red can take the points.

However, the football form book can be unpredictable and that won’t be lost on Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney who will, no doubt, remind his players that on the last occasion that Treaty visited, his side had to work hard to earn a draw.

Sligo Rovers also had a scoreless draw last May at Market’s Field and those two results will give Treaty reason for optimism. Alannah Mitchell, Cara Griffin and Emma Costelloe all featured last weekend for Treaty and also last season against the Bit O’Red.

The Limerick side now has Alban Hysa in charge and while he will be disappointed with results in the opening three games, he will be taking a positive approach on his first visit to the Showgrounds in his capacity as manager.

On the plus side for Treaty is the fact that all the pressure will be on the hosts who will be expected to record a victory and that statistic in itself can be hugely motivational for the Munster side.

TEAMS LAST WEEKEND

Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Keela Scanlon, Orna O’Dowd, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. Subs – Keri Loughrey for Kelly, Kerri O’Hara for O’Dowd, Aoife Brennan for Doherty, Katie Melly for Howe, Aife Haran for Scanlon.

Treaty Utd – Anne-Marie Ulliac; Grace McInerney, Alannah Mitchell, Jacqueline Reynaud, Kelsey Wing, Ruth McDonnell, Emma Costelloe, Claire Winter, Cooper Lee-Lane, Crara Griffin, Kiara Kilbey. Subs – Kate Lawlee for McDonnell, Hayley Walsh for Costelloe.

Bit O’ Red players Johan Brannefalk and Karl O’ Sullivan have both gone through a series of tests, X-Rays and scans to determine the extend of their injuries sustained in last Friday’s 1-1 draw against Derry City at The Brandywell.

The results of these tests have determined that both players have suffered extensive ankle ligament damage which will see them miss a number of our upcoming fixtures.

Both players will now see specialists to determine a more accurate recovery plan and they have already began their rehabilitation process at the club this week.

We send our best wishes to both players at this time.

Sligo Rovers will kick off the Sligo Rovers 50km Challenge Club Fundraiser which will see people from all over the world asked to sign up and join us to walk, run, cycle or wheel 50KM between now and the end of April while raising funds on behalf of the Bit O’ Red while improving their fitness level, getting out and about and being part of the club.

You can register your fundraising page on www.50kmchallenge.ie

Join the 50km Challenge

It’s completely up to the individual how fast you go, and what routes you take. All that matters is that you post the distances to your fundraising page.

Record your steps, post and share photos of your activity across our Social Media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok.  See how you fare out on the 50km Challenge leaderboard on the website in terms of steps taken and funds raised. Our dedicated Facebook page ‘Sligo Rovers 50KM Challenge’ will keep all participants updated throughout the Event.

All funds raised will go directly into the Club to support the Men’s and Women’s teams together with the six thriving teams in our renowned Academy. It will also support the planned development of a new state-of-the-art Stadium at The Showgrounds which will be for the benefit of everyone in the Bit O ’Red community.

Sligo Rovers has produced a beanie hat for the occasion as well and the first 500 registrants will receive a free Beanie.

HOW DO I TRACK MY STEPS? 

We encourage tracking your distances offline and then uploading screenshots to social media and updating your iDonate page after each activity. You can also sync your fitness trackers to the page and upload these automatically.

BE PART OF A GLOBAL EFFORT FOR SLIGO ROVERS FC

We will have challengers in far flung places such as San Francisco, Buenos Aires, London and New York so please let your friends and family overseas know they can join in as well. If you have a cousin in Cairo or a sister in Sydney let them know – everyone is welcome to participate. This will be a truly global event for our Club.

Sligo Rovers FC Chairman Tommy Higgins said:

“We are delighted to launch this event for Sligo Rovers Football Club. It promises to be a key and fun event in our Clubs fundraising calendar. We would like to acknowledge the support of our supporters and followers in Sligo and around the globe and indeed that of our local stakeholders, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Health Service Executive, Health Promotions and Sligo’s Atlantic Technical University. There is such goodwill out there for our community owned club and every day we are a step closer to realising our state-of-the-art world class Stadium at the Showgrounds” Mr Higgins concluded.

Cara O’ Neill, HSE, Head of Health and Wellbeing:

“HSE Health and Wellbeing are delighted to partner with Sligo Rovers to encourage everyone to move more during the month of April. Whatever you’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel. Small changes can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. By joining the Sligo Rovers April community walking programme, you are doing something positive to improve your health and wellbeing. This is a great opportunity to get out and get active and maybe encourage a friend to join you. The HSE will provide weekly healthy motivational messages throughout. So come on take your first steps to a healthier you.”

Sports Co-ordinator Deirdre Lavin said “At Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership we are delighted to support SRFC 50K Challenge as it contributes to the achievement of our core objective of getting people of all ages physically active. Walking is an ideal form of exercise regardless of fitness levels and I encourage everyone to take part in the challenge and enjoy being active in the outdoors either in your neighbourhood or on one of the many wonderful woodland or coastal walks on our doorstep in Sligo.”

Reasons for Involvement:

1. It fits with our objective of getting people active
2. Suits all ages and abilities
3. Able to be done in all geographical part of the County
4. Opportunity for people to join local community walking groups once challenge is over and enjoyed sustained physical activity
5. Potential for people to become more aware of the many walking trails in the County (sligowalks.ie)

Yvonne Roach, Healthy Campus Co-ordinator , Atlantic Technological University Sligo said:

“Healthy Campus at ATU Sligo is delighted to support the SRFC 50 Km Challenge. A key theme of a Healthy Campus is to encourage our campus population to be active, this is so important for our physical health but also for our mental health and wellbeing. Ms Roach added “Our campus population also like a challenge, so we will be encouraging everyone to get out there during April and raise loads of money for Sligo Rovers Football Club.”

On behalf of everyone at Sligo Rovers Football Club we would like to thank you for participating in the #50kmChallenge and wish you all the very best.

Come on Rovers!

Join the 50km Challenge

Sligo Rovers will hold their AGM next Wednesday, March 29th at 7.30pm at ATU Sligo’s Aurivo Auditorium. (beside the main canteen at ATU Sligo).

The AGM will see the election of the 2023 Management Committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances from the club’s Treasurer and the Chairman and Secretary’s report.

Notices have been posted to members, including nomination forms to join the committee as well as details on how to view the meeting online via Zoom if you cannot attend in person.

While the club endeavour to contact all of our members we acknowledge some people may feel they should have received an invite but as of yet did not.

Those people can contact the club via email at administrator@sligorovers.com where we will look at your query.

The Aurivo auditorium is in the main building of ATU Sligo. Supporters can park on site at the University and enter the building through the main entrance. (Beside the Fish statue).

The room will be clearly signposted and we will have volunteers there to direct you.

The AGM is an invite only event.

Sligo Rovers have a number of players away on International Duty this week across senior and Academy level.

Nando Pijnaker and Max Mata are in Auckland with the New Zealand senior squad for two friendlies against China on Thursday at 6am Irish time and Sunday at 4am Irish time.

It’s Mata’s first call-up for four years after an impressive start to his 2023 Bit O’ Red season. Pijnaker has now become a regular in the squad and has started their previous games in World Cup Qualifying.

Bogdan Vastsuk is in Hungary with Estonia for a friendly on Thursday at 6.30pm as Puskas Arena. Vastsuk made his first Rovers start last Friday in Derry and flew to Tallinn at the weekend to join up with his team-mates. The squad then face Austria in Linz on Monday in a Euro 2024 Qualifying match.

Stefan Radosavljevic is away with his native Faroe Islands. The Faroes take on Moldova in a Euro 2024 Qualifier on Friday at 7.45pm followed by a friendly against North Macedonia at 11am on Monday.

Eanna Clancy has joined up with Tom Mohan’s Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad to train with them as they prepare for a friendly with Iceland in Cork on Sunday. Clancy will return to The Showgrounds later this week as the squad depart Dublin for Cork.

Senior Women’s players Jodie Loughrey and Alice Lillie are both part of the Republic of Ireland Under 17 Women’s squad for Euro Qualifiers in France against Kosovo (Thursday), Italy (Sunday) and the host nation (Wednesday 29th March). Jodie is the captain of the squad.

Aron Heaney from our Under 15 squad is included in the Republic of Ireland Under 15 squad for two friendlies against Latvia at Home Farm FC in Dublin today and Thursday. Aron, from our partners in Westport United is a brother of first team player Cillian.

Best wishes to all our players this week.

Sligo Rovers Academy teams had four games between them over the weekend with two home games and two away games taking place at Under 17 & 19 Men’s and Women’s level.

First up, on Saturday, our Under 17 Men’s team defeated Shamrock Rovers 3-2 at The Sean Fallon Centre. Niall Kenny bagged a brace and Keelan Mullin added a third to seal the three points.

Sunday saw three games take place, with the only home game seeing our Under 19 Women defeat Bohemians 3-0 at The Sean Fallon Centre thanks to goals from Eimear McIntyre, Orna Murphy and a first of 2023 for Nola Eivers.

In The Brandywell, Owen Elding scored his first goal of the season for our Under 19 Men’s team in a 1-1 draw with Derry City.

Our Under 17 Women had a good win away to Longford Town thanks to a first club goal for Kya McKenna, which saw the Bit O’ Red win 1-0.

Our thoughts are with Under 19 Men’s player Sean McAteer who suffered a nasty knee injury in Derry yesterday. Stay strong, Sean.

Two second-half goals in as many minutes sent Peamount United on the way to a 4-0 victory against Sligo Rovers as the Dublin side brought three Women’s Premier Division points home from The Showgrounds, writes Conall Collier.

Following a scoreless first-half, Peamount took control and were quite comfortable in the closing stages as Carla McManus, Becky Watkins, Kate Mooney and Avril Brierly found the net.

Peamount dictated the opening minutes without creating any clearcut chances, but then hosts Sligo Rovers began to press in the opposition half and this posed a few problems for the Dublin side’s rearguard.

The result of all that was an increase in the tempo from Peamount and between the 15th and 30th minutes the Bit O’Red rearguard was stretched on a number of occasions.

Orna O’Dowd and Alice Lillie at the back along with Lauren Boles and Jodie Loughrey kept a compact unit sufficiently intact to deny Erin McLaughlin, Tara O’Hanlan and Kate Mooney, twice, before there was a chance for the hosts at the other end.

That was in the 32nd minute when Emma Doherty was narrowly wide with a good effort while soon after both Loughrey and Casey Howe earned corners from good approach play, but it remained scoreless at the break.

The hosts resumed smartly and a 51st minute Keela Scanlon header was saved by Niamh Reid-Burke, but that was as good as it got for the Bit O’Red and the prospects of victory disintegrated in that two-minute spell.

Carla McManus fired Peamount into a 54th minute lead after capitalising on a defensive lapse and then Becky Watkins finished a fine effort to the net for a 2-0 advantage.

Sadhbh Doylke missed a sitter for 3-0, but there was a major let-off for Peamount with 20 minutes remaining.

Emma Doherty was denied twice by Reid-Burke and as the ball pinged around the penalty area Lauren Boles and Jodie Loughrey had a go, but a corner was the only reward.

Peamount continued to dominate and Kate Mooney made it 3-0 with a fine goal in the 77th minute and thescoring was wrapped up near the end through substitute Avril Brierley.

Sligo Rovers were denied a late consolation when Emma Hansberry hit the crossbar in the final minute.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Keela Scanlon, Orna O’Dowd, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. 

Subs – Keri Loughrey for Kelly and Kerri O’Hara for O’Dowd both 73 mins, Aoife Brennan for Doherty and Katie Melly for Howe both 80m, Aife Haran for Scanlon 88m.

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Becky Watkins, Sadhbh Doyle, Carla McManus, Erin McLaughlin, Tara O’Hanlon, Karen Duggan, Kate Mooney. Subs – Jessica Fitzgerald for Doyle 72 mins, Avril Brierly for McManus and Helen Dolan for Mooney both 77m, Dora Gorman for McLaughlin and Orla Fitzpatrick for Watkins both 85m.
 
Referee – Mark Lynch.
Assistant-referees – Chris Campbell, Ciaran Delaney.

The Bit O’ Red Academy teams are in action again this weekend as we begin week 3 of the 2023 season.

There are no games taking place at Under 14 or 15 level but both our Men’s and Women’s Under 17 & 19 teams are in games across Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday at 1pm, Anthony Elding’s Under 17 Men’s team host Shamrock Rovers at 1pm at The Sean Fallon Centre. Admission for supporters is free and all support is welcome.

Our Under 17 Women’s team take on Longford Town away from home on Sunday at 2pm. Darren Kelly’s side won their first game against Treaty United before last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Athlone Town.

Our Under 19 Men’s side are in The Ryan McBride Brandywell on Sunday at 2pm to take on The Cancdystripes in their second game of the new season. The opening game away to St. Patrick’s Athletic ended in a 3-1 defeat.

Finally, Darragh Healy’s Under 19 Women’s team host Bohemians at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon at The Sean Fallon Centre.

The side were narrowly beaten away to Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

Two games into the Women’s Premier Division campaign and Sligo Rovers have encouraging performances in defeat in the credit account, but points are the sole target as the Bit O’Red settle into a second campaign in the top tier, writes Conall Collier.

The bottom line is quite simple – there will be no easy games this season regardless of the opposition

Sligo Rovers will go into Saturday’s home encounter against Peamount United with aspirations of success and if the team can produce its best form then those expectations could be realised.

During last week’s reversal at Ferrycarrig Park, the Bit O’Red pushed hosts Wexford all the way for 90 minutes.

There was an early goal-of-the-season contender from Sarah Kiernan’s equaliser and the same player was denied a second soon after when Wexford ‘keeper Maeve Williams produced a spectacular finger-tip save.

That was a turning point and by the stage Steve Feeney’s side had adapted to the loss, through injury, of new signing Casey Howe.

Wexford made the most of that reprieve and regained the lead in the 70th minute when Rianna Jarrett powered a header to the net and with 14 minutes remaining former Athlone striker Emily Corbet claimed her first goal of the season for the hosts.

This weekend it’s Peamount Utd, the team that was the first opposition Sligo Rovers faced in last season’s inaugural campaign.

The Dublin side will arrive at the Showgrounds with full points from two outings.

An opening day 3-1 win against Athlone Town and an impressive 1-0 last weekend against DLR Waves will have manager James O’Callaghan in a positive mood despite the loss of some key players from last season.

Peamount finished third in the WNL in 2022 and began this season without Aine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche, that duo featured in the opening day encounter at the Showgrounds where O’Gorman hit a 92nd minute winner.

Becky Watkins scored in the 85th minute against DLR Waves as Peamount made it two wins from two last weekend

On day one Kate Mooney, Erin McLaughlin and a late Kate Duggan penalty gave the Dublin side the points in Athlone.

Another tight contest is on the cards and Peamount certainly won’t underestimate the challenge that Sligo Rovers will pose.

However, Peamount will be aiming to sustain early season momentum and will expect to keep a winning run intact.

They won’t find it easy and will be anticipating a stern test from the hosts who will certainly be overdue a slight tilting of the scales in what will be a finely-balanced encounter.

TEAMS THE LAST DAY

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Amy Roddy, Keela Scanlon, Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Katie Melly, Aoife Brennan, Casey Howe, Leah Kelly. Subs – Jodie Loughrey for Howe, Keri Loughrey for Melly, Aife Haran for Brennan and Helen Monaghan for Kiernan.

Peamount – Niamh Reid Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Becky Watkins, Sadhbh Doyle, Carla McManus, Erin McLaughlin, Tara O’Hanlon, Karen Duggan, Kate Mooney. Subs – Dora Gorman for McManus, Ellen Dolan for McLaughlin, Avril Brierly for Mooney.