Our 2023 Academy season got underway on Saturday afternoon with both our Under 17 Men’s and Under 14 teams in action away from home against Longford Town.

Anthony Elding’s Under 17 side were defeated 2-1 in a tight game at Bishopstown with Niall Kenny on target for Rovers.

There were plenty of new faces in the squad and the side performed well throughout the game creating plenty of chances.

Colm Jinks, new Head Coach of the Under 14 team took his side to the same venue and got off to a winning start with a good performance ending in a 4-0 victory.

Kevin Rafter, Senan Kelly, Sonny Malone and Ryan Cunningham were the scorers on the day.

Sunday was the beginning of our Under 15 season with Darryl Keaney’s side travelling to take on Derry City.

An impressive performance saw Rovers win 3-1 with the goals coming from an Oran Murphy brace and one from Jamie O’ Malley.

Our Senior Women’s team partners Oh Hello Clothing are back on board at the Bit O’ Red for the 2023 season.

Graham and Kimberley Lee came on board at the club as sponsors a couple of seasons ago with our Under 19 Women’s team and last season’s took the back of shirt sponsorship for our first ever Women’s Premier Division season.

The company, based in Collooney are a strong local employer specialising in Women’s clothing for the online market.

The extension will see the company’s official logo placed on the back of all Senior Team match shirts for the year ahead.

We wish to thank Graham and Kimberley for their support of the club once more this season

Visit their website: www.ohelloclothing.com

Our 2023 Women’s Premier Division season is just 5 days away as we welcome Shamrock Rovers to The Showgrounds on Saturday at 5pm.

5pm is now our new official kick-off time this season after the club felt a slightly later time might help supporters get to as many games as possible.

Our new Women’s Season Tickets have sold strongly, with access to every game for just €50 for the season.

Under 12’s will have free admission this season however they must be accompanied by a paying Adult.

Over 12’s will be charged €5.

Women’s team player sponsorships have been filling up all week and we thank all our new sponsors for their support of the players for the season ahead.

There is still availability for the following players:

Ruth Monaghan, Helen Monaghan, Aoife Brennan, Jessica Casey, Anais Coyne and Kate Nugent.

To sponsor a player email colinfeehily@sligorovers.com or send us a private message on social media.

Sponsors receive a photo with your chosen player, their match-worn jersey at the end of the season and promotion on our social media channels and website.

Manager Steve Feeney has made a number of new signings ahead of the new season.

Sisters Keri and Jodie Loughrey who are from Buncrana in Donegal have joined as well as Casey Howe from Fermanagh.

Wexford native Seren Ward joined up with the squad official in Saturday’s friendly with DLR Waves after her signing was announced earlier in the day.

Goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan joined after a spell with Athlone Town and there have been many Academy players who continue to make the step up to senior level with Ciara Henry, Sarah Kiernan, Kerri O’ Hara, Jessica Casey, Helen Monaghan all re-signing after last season and Kate Nugent who has made her first senior appearances in recent pre-season friendlies.

Want to follow the team this season? Buy a Women’s Premier Division season ticket

Tickets for our next Senior Men’s home game against St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday March 6^th are on sale now online at https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Supporters wishing to attend the game should buy their tickets in advance either online via the link above or through The Showgrounds offices.

Last week’s game against Shamrock Rovers was a complete sell-out and no money was taken on the gate.

There is already huge demand for tickets for this game and we urge all those wanting to attend the game to pre-purchase their tickets now.

Season Tickets are still available with 17 home games remaining as well as other perks such as priority sale on cup tickets and being part of this Community owned, fan run club.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Kelly as our new Under 17 Women’s team Head Coach for the 2023 season.

Darren is from Sligo and has coached at underage level in the Sligo/Leitrim Youth League as well as with their representative sides.

Head of Sligo Rovers Academy Conor O’ Grady is delighted with the new appointment:

‘’Darren is a great football person.

‘’He has played the game and he knows what it takes and knows local football inside out.

‘’We all look forward to working with Darren and the rest of his coaching staff this season’’.The side take on St. Patrick’s Athletic today in a friendly in Dublin before their season kicks off next weekend.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old Seren Ward until the end of the 2023 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season.

Ward joins the club having spent time with Wexford Youths Women and now attends ATU Sligo and is part of their Senior Women’s Squad this year.

Ward will go straight into the squad for today’s friendly with DLR Waves and will wear the number 27 shirt this season for the Bit O’ Red.

Manager Steve Feeney is thrilled with the new addition:

‘’I am pleased to have signed Seren today.

‘’She has impressed with ATU Sligo and has some qualities that will really help us this season.

‘’Seren is a good addition and makes our squad even stronger as we head into the new season next weekend’’.

Rovers take on Shamrock Rovers on the opening day of the 2023 season next Saturday at The Showgrounds. Kick-off is at 5pm.

New signing Ward is happy to arrive at The Showgrounds:

‘’I am really excited to be signing with Sligo Rovers this season.

‘’I’ve been training with the squad for a few weeks and the positive atmosphere and high level they play at has made it a really enjoyable group to be a part of. 

‘’It’s a big step up for me into the Women’s Premier Division so I’m looking forward to improving as a player in a competitive and high-intensity league.

‘’Steve and the whole team have been more than welcoming and the professional set up of the club is something I’m delighted to be involved with, so I couldn’t be happier to be part of this team for the upcoming season.”

Today’s friendly kicks off at 3pm against DLR Waves at The Showgrounds.

The Bit O’ Red got a first win of the 2023 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season on Friday night after a hard fought 3-2 win over UCD at The UCD Bowl.

Max Mata was the hero for Rovers as he scored all three goals to seal the points for John Russell’s men.

Rovers got off to the worst possible start after just four minute when Eanna Clancy’s back pass was cut out by Dara Keane who’s cross was met first time by winger Alex Nolan to sweep the ball home.

Max Mata brought Rovers level after 22 minutes after good work down the right hand side from Frank Liivak who put the New Zealander in behind with a nice ball down the side of the home defence.

Mata cut in on his left foot and rolled the ball into the corner past Lorcan Healy.

The sides went in all square at the break.

The second half started with a Reece Hutchinson shot from distance that went just over the crossbar before UCD regained the lead a minute later.

Jack Keaney’s long ball out of defence wasn’t dealt with by Rovers and Nolan squeezed a through ball into the path of Danu Kinsella Bishop who made no mistake from close range.

Stefan Radosavljevic and Fabrice Hartmann were introduced by John Russell on 58 minutes and it didn’t take long for Hartmann to be involved.

His brilliant run took him into the penalty area and his shot was blocked down by the arm of Michael Barr on 69 minutes. Mata grabbed the ball and scored from 12 yards for his second of the night.

On 82 minutes, Rovers had the chance to go in front. Reece Hutchinson broke into the box and was taken down by Nolan and referee Ray Matthews pointed to the spot.

Mata completed his hattrick with another well taken spot kick to give Rovers all three points.

Next up is a trip to face Drogheda United next Friday night.

The 2023 League of Ireland Academy season gets underway this weekend across the country with The Bit O’ Red in action in three age categories.

Our Under 14 side travel to take on Longford Town at 3pm under the guidance of new Head Coach Colm Jinks.

There is a fully new Under 14 squad this season and there will be plenty of club debuts made over the course of the game.

Anthony Elding returns to competitive action as his Under 17 Men’s side also face Longford Town away from home at the earlier time of 12 Noon at Bishopsgate.

There are plenty of new faces in this season’s squad and the side will look to get off to a positive start in The Midlands.

On Sunday, our Under 15 side, under the stewardship of Darryl Keaney, face the trip to Derry City, with the game kicking off at 2pm in Ardmore FC.

Many of last season’s Under 14 squad have made the progression to our Under 15’s this year to add to some new players and those who remain in the squad from the 2022 season.

Best of luck to all our staff and players for the weekend ahead.

Our Senior Womens team wrap up pre-season action this Saturday at 3pm at The Showgrounds against Dubliners DLR Waves.

The 2023 Women’s Premier Division season begins one week later against Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds.

Admission on Saturday is €5 for all categories apart from Under 12’s who are free if accompanied by a paying Adult.

Women’s Season Tickets are now available for just €50 online via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2023/

The Bit O’ Red travel to Dublin for our first away game of the season tomorrow night (Friday) as we take on UCD at The UCD Bowl at 7.45pm.

Both sides earned a point on the opening day of the season with Rovers drawing 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening while the Students earned their point in Oriel Park against Dundalk on the same scoreline.

Manager John Russell was pleased with his sides performance and knows there are still areas to work on:

‘’We were happy to come away with a positive result last weekend against Shamrock Rovers.

‘’I know we left it late but, I felt a draw was a fair result on the night.

‘’This is a new group and, we understand it will take time to gel everyone together.

‘’We’ve reviewed last-week’s game and there are definitely areas where we can improve.

The Bit O’ Red boss is wary of the threat UCD can cause his side tomorrow night and knows his side needs a strong performance against the Dubliners:

‘’This weekend’s game against UCD will be another tough test. They had an excellent result and performance against Dundalk in their opening game.

‘’We only managed to beat UCD once last season. I know some of their players have moved on but, they always seem to have another batch of talented young players coming through.

‘’We will have to be at our best to get something from the game’’.

The last times the sides met, Rovers ran out 2-0 winners at the same venue last October.

In team news, Niall Morahan continues to recover from an ankle injury picked up in pre-season and should return to the squad. Bogdan Vastsuk is nursing a minor hamstring problem and will be assessed tomorrow while goalkeeper Conor Walsh, who picked up an ankle injury in training last week, is a doubt.

Long term absentees Mark Byrne, Garry Buckley and Gary Boylan remain sidelined.

It is the first away game of the 2023 season and a large support is expected to travel to the game and it’s the first chance for our Dublin based supporters to see the Bit O’ Red in action this season.

The game is Live on LOI TV from 7.45pm and supporters can purchase season passes now on loitv.ie

The game is the start of back to back away games as we visit Drogheda United next Friday night before a double header at home against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City.