Tickets for our next home game against Cork City on Saturday (March 11th) are now on sale.

This is a Category Two fixture with prices as follows:

Adult: €15

Senior Citizen/Third Level or Secondary School Student: €10

12 and Under: €5

The game has already been selling fast with high demand for tickets following last night’s impressive win over St. Patrick’s Athletic which was played in front of 2,751 supporters at The Showgrounds.

The easiest way to buy your ticket is online via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Tickets can also be purchased up to Friday in the club office at The Showgrounds from 10am to 4pm.

Sligo Rovers Academy had six games over the weekend with all teams in action across Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, our Under 14 team defeated Galway United 5-2 at The Sean Fallon Centre with goals from Aidan Gabbidon, Sonny Malone (2), Ryan Lang and Ryan Cunningham. It means the lads have now won their opening two games this season.

Our Under 17 Women’s team began their season with a good away win against Treaty United in Limerick on Saturday afternoon. Debutant Orlaith Doherty got both goals for Darren Kelly’s side.

Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Men’s side were beaten 3-0 away to UCD.

Sunday saw another busy day with three games.

Our Under 19 Men’s team were beaten away to St. Patrick’s Athletic in Inchicore with their only goal coming from Conor Campbell.

Our Under 19 Women’s team got their first three points of the new season thanks to goals from Eimear McIntyre and Orna Murphy in a 2-0 win over Athlone Town at The Sean Fallon Centre.

Our Under 15 side were defeated 6-2 at the same venue earlier in the day against Galway United with Rovers’ only goals coming from Darragh McKeon and Troy Kelly.

Sligo Rovers took all three points in from of 2,751 supporters at a vocal Showgrounds on Monday night in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Both sides suffered defeats in Louth on Friday night with Rovers losing 1-0 in Drogheda and Pats defeated 5-0 in Oriel Park against Dundalk.

John Russell made four changes to the team that started on Friday with Greg Bolger, Stefan Radosavljevic, Fabrice Hartmann and John Mahon all coming into the starting team in place of Lukas Browning, Kailin Barlow, Eanna Clancy and Frank Liivak.

The opening fifteen or twenty minutes were tight with both sides playing some nice football with no clear cut chances for either team.

On 21 minutes the game’s big talking point occurred when John Mahon was stripped of possession 40 yards from goal by Tommy Lonergan. Mahon pulled the Saints striker back and was shown a straight red card by referee Rob Hennessy for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Replays suggest that Niall Morahan was back to cover Mahon however the red card was shown and Mahon now misses Saturday’s home game against Cork City.

Rovers didn’t let the extra man effect them and took the lead on 34 minutes.

Lovely patient build up play between a number of Bit O’ Red players eventually saw the ball switched out to left-back Reece Hutchinson. Hutchinson took a touch out of his feet and ran by a couple of St. Pat’s defenders before playing it wide to Will Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald got to the byline and cut it back for the onrushing Hutchinson who swept the ball home with a tidy finish for his first Rovers goal.

It was 1-0 at the break and visiting Manager Tim Clancy introduced club Captain Chris Forrester and Jake Mulraney as he looked to get his side back on terms.

The away side had most of the possession with the help of the extra man but Rovers were defending well and threatening on the counter attack. John Russell brought on Eanna Clancy on 57 minutes for Greg Bolger with Niall Morahan moving back into midfield having provided cover after Mahon’s sending off.

On 62 minutes the visitors struck back. Sub Forrester picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable strike which arrowed into the top left hand corner giving Luke McNicholas no chance, and the sides were level.

Five minutes later however, Rovers were back in front. Johan Brannefalk’s quick free kick put Fabrice Hartmann in down the right of the penalty area and he cut inside on his left foot and curled one into the far corner to give his side the lead for the second time.

The visitors looked to get back into the game but Rovers were resolute at the back and potent in attack with the impressive Mata proving his worth with a monumental display up front on his own.

Luke McNicholas was comfortable and Nando Pijnaker marshalled the defence well and Rovers saw the game out and got a first Showgrounds win of the season.

Next up is a home game against Cork City here on Saturday evening at 7.45pm

Tonight’s Bit O’ Red Match Programme is available for €5 inside the turnstiles ahead of our game with St. Patrick’s Athletic at 7.45pm.

We hear from Rovers’ Manager and Chairman John Russell and Tommy Higgins ahead of another important Showgrounds night in front of our supporters.

We hear from Midfielder Greg Bolger and there is a full page Max Mata poster for our young supporters to tear out and display.

Former Sligo Rovers defender Tim Clancy speaks to Conall Collier ahead of his return to The Showgrounds with his St. Pats team.

Other content includes the following:

• Sligo Rovers Squad info
• M.T Vessels and all That by Conall Collier✅
• Red Reinforcements and 20 Questions with Stefan Radosavljevic✅
• You Reds – We remember Joe Martyn and Paddy Kenna✅
• Super Red Photos and Spot the Ball competition✅
• 2023 Results/Fixtures
  There is a FREE 2023 fixture card with each programme sold this evening

Sligo Rovers host St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night at The Showgrounds at 7.45pm in our second home game of the season.

The Bit O’ Red had two away games on the bounce in the last week or so with a win over UCD followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat on Friday in Drogheda.

Tomorrow’s game sees Dubliners St. Patrick’s Athletic visit in a game which is usually fiercely contested and will again be played in front of a large Showgrounds crowd.

Bit O’ Red Manager John Russell is looking forward to being back at The Showgrounds:

‘’St Pat’s have brought in a lot of quality players over the off season.

‘’Last season our games against them were always tight affairs and we’re expecting no different tomorrow night.

‘’We were very disappointed with our performance against Drogheda last Friday.

We reviewed the game and identified areas where we need to improve.

‘’This game on Monday gives us the perfect opportunity to bounce back. I know the quality we have in the squad and, we’ve seen positive signs in our first two games.

‘’The key for us moving forward is getting a consistent level of performance.

‘’It’s great to be back at The Showgrounds after the two away games. The atmosphere for our last home game was electric. We’re expecting another big crowd roaring us on’’.

St. Patrick’s Athletic have picked up the same number of points as Rovers in their opening three games with a draw, a win and a defeat respectively, the latest coming on Friday night against Dundalk at Oriel Park.

In team news, Greg Bolger is a doubt with a thigh strain. Conor Walsh will again be assessed closer to kick off following illness and injury over the past week and Rovers continue without Garry Buckley, Mark Byrne and Gary Boylan (all Knee).

Supporters can buy tickets online or at the turnstiles.

Children’s tickets are not available online and will only be sold on the turnstile if accompanied by a paying adult.

Buy tickets:  https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Sligo Rovers hosted Shamrock Rovers in the opening game of the Women’s Premier Division at The Showgrounds this evening where Republic of Ireland international Aine O’Gorman headed a 92^nd minute winner to claim a 2-1 victory for the Dublin side, writes Conall Collier.

Shamrock Rovers bossed the opening half after they hit the front in the fourth minute with an opportunist goal.

Shauna Fox punished some hesitant defending from the hosts and finished to the net following a bout of pin-ball in the Sligo Rovers penalty area.

The Dublin side continued to dictate and created numeous chances with Fox and Aoife Kelly going close while Stephanie Roche was off target on a couple of occasions.

Hosts Sligo Rovers threatened on the break and created a chances with the best going to Emma Doherty who chased a back pass that put a bit of pressure on the Hoops rearguard.

Both sides had chances in the opening minute of the second-half with Katie Melly surging into the opposition penalty area insdie 10 seconds, but the danger was averted and in a quick counter attack the Dublin side went close through Alannah McEvoy.

The home supporters had something to cheer about soon after when Emma Hansberry rifled to the net from a 25-yard free with the help of a deflection that left goalkeeper Amanda Budden flat-footed.

The pace picked up subsequently and Amy Mahon saved bravely at the feet of Abbie Larkin while at the other end Emma Doherty had a chance following a good pass from Jodie Loughrey.

The game look destined for a draw until Aine O’Gorman headed the Dublin side into that 2-1 lead from close range in the 92^nd minute to seal a hard-earned victory following an absorbing encounter in front of 753 supporters who were well entertained.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Amy Roddy, Keela Scanlon, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Katie Melly, Emma Doherty, Casey Howe. Subs – Jodie Loughrey for Melly 65 mins, Keri Loughrey for Kelly 70m, Helen Monaghan for Howe 86m

Shamrock Rovers – Amanda Budden; Shauna Fox, Jessica Hennessy, Abbie Larkin, Alannah

McEvoy, Stephanie Roche, Lia O’Leary, Aine O’Gorman, Orlaith O’Mahony, Melissa Kane. Subs – Jamie Thompson for Roche 63 mins, Jessica Gargan for O’Kane 77m.

Referee – Alan Carey.

Drogheda United defeated Sligo Rovers by a goal to nil on Friday night at Weavers Park in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

The defeat means Rovers’ unbeaten start to the season is now over with Adam Foley’s goal shortly after the hour mark enough to give them all three points.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides attacking at every opportunity.

Eanna Clancy picked up an early yellow card for a foul on Darragh Markey and the Drogs had a series of corners well dealt with by the Bit O’ Red defence.

Nando Pijnaker had a header which went close from Kailin Barlow’s free-kick and Barlow had the chance of the game on 37 minutes after good work on the left from Will Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson, with the latter’s cross finding Barlow who shot straight at Colin McCabe from eight yards.

The sides were scoreless at half-time.

The game continued at a fast pace in the second half and the hosts almost scored through defender Adegboyega who’s header was saved by Luke McNicholas from point blank range.

The hosts did take the lead on the hour mark when Dayle Rooney’s cross was brilliantly volleyed to the net by Adam Foley to give his side the lead.

Soon after, Rovers substitute Fabrice Hartmann broke through midfield and was fouled as he headed toward the penalty area by Adegboyega. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, however the linesman called him over and the decision was changed to a free-kick. The Drogheda defender was booked for the foul.

Hartmann took the free kick and his effort was agonisingly close, smashing the crossbar and bouncing down on the line before being cleared away.

Rovers tried to force a way through from there on in but it wasn’t to be and after six minutes of stoppage time, Adriano Reale’s whistle meant John Russell’s side were defeated.

The next game takes place on Monday night at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds.

There is another big weekend of action at The Showgrounds with the start of the 2023 new-look Women’s Premier Division (WPD), writes Conall Collier.

A new kick-off time of 5pm and a new team visiting from Dublin in the form of a Shamrock Rovers side that has returned to the League after withdrawing at the end of the 2013 / 2014 campaign.

Last season featured a 10-team League that was played on a three-round format, but this year with 11 teams now affiliated it’s more straightforward and more like the old format of the League of Ireland – a two-round series of 20 games to determine the destination of the title.

There will also be an extra competition with a new-style League Cup that will provide five games, between qualifying groups and knock-out phase, to be played from mid-June to mid-July.

Add in the first round of the FAI Cup at the end of August and that will produce a minimum 26-game season.

There is also the 2023 World Cup to factor-in as the Republic of Ireland and manager Vera Pauw head for Australia and New Zealand and the opening game on Thursday 20^th July. There are no WPD fixtures scheduled from 17^th July to 19^th August.

The 2023 season officially kicked-off last Saturday with the inaugural President’s Cup and that tie attracted a crowd of 1,423 as hosts Athlone Town secured the first piece of silverware following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Shelbourne after the sides shared four goals.

Next up is the opening game at the Showgrounds and that is certain to bring a big crowd at the new 5pm kick-off time as Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney looks to find some improvement on a satisfactory first season last year.

The Bit O’Red manager has recruited a number of new faces including sisters Jodie Loughrey and Keri Loughrey along with goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan (Athlone Town), Seren Ward (Wexford Youths) and Casey Howe from Fermanagh

It will be a big weekend for Jodie and Kerri Loughrey as they will be heading to Gortakeegan in Monaghan on Monday as part of the Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana team for an All-Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup final (Under 20, Large Schools).

The opposition will be provided by St Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry who will feature Sligo Rovers players Leah Walsh, Jessica Casey and Kerri O’Hara in the starting line-up.

Kerri O’Hara scored a vital goal for St Attracta’s in the semi-final win against St Mary’s, Midleton and she will be looking to build on a hugely impressive first season in the League of Ireland when she features for the Bit O’Red this year.

Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana negotiated Coláiste Phobal, Ros Cré with a 1-0 victory in the other semi-final with Jodie Loughrey on the mark.

That suggests that there is a major goal threat in the Sligo Rovers camp, especially when Emma Doherty is factored into the equation – she scored 11 goals in 2022 and was selected on the team of the season at the annual awards ceremony last January.

Experienced players like Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry, Aoife Brennan, Orna O’Dowd, Helen Monaghan and Katie Melly will also have key roles to play as the season unfolds.

For the visiting Dubliners, an array of talented players moved to Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland international Áine O’Gorman will wear the captain’s armband after she was recruited from Peamount by manager Collie O’Neill.

Others to make the move include Stephanie Roche (Peamount), Amanda Budden (Shelbourne), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Jessica Hennessy (Athlone Town) and Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne) to name a few.

MATCH DETAILS

Women’s Premier Division – Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers.

Date – Saturday 4^th March

Kick-off – 5pm

Season Tickets have sold strongly, with access to every game for €50 for the season.

Under-12s will have free admission accompanied by a paying adult.

Over-12s will be charged €5.

It is week two of our 2023 Academy season with five teams in action across the weekend between Saturday and Sunday.

Our Under 14 team host Galway United at 1pm on Saturday at The Sean Fallon Centre and will be looking to continue their good start to the new season after last week’s win over Longford Town away from home.

At 12.30pm, our Under 17 Women’s team start their season under Head Coach Darren Kelly with a trip to take on Treaty United. The team have plenty of new faces and many of last season’s squad also re-signed so the side will be looking to start off the season with a positive result on the road.

Our Under 17 Men’s team are away from home for the second week running and face a journey to take on UCD at Colaiste Eoin at 6pm tomorrow evening. The side were narrowly defeated last weekend in Longford and will be hoping to get some points on the board here.

There are two home games on Sunday with our Under 15 team hosting Galway United at The Sean Fallon Centre at 1pm and our Under 19 Women’s team beginning their season at home to Athlone Town at 4.30pm.

Our Under 15’s defeated Derry City on match day one and our Under 19 Women under the guidance of Head Coach Darragh Healy will be keen to start their season well against a good Athlone side.

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

Sligo Rovers travel to take on Drogheda United on Friday night in the third game of this season’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Rovers started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Shamrock Rovers and got the first win of the season six days later against UCD thanks in part to Max Mata’s hattrick.

Drogheda United remain unbeaten after two draws away to Shelbourne and at home to Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

Manager John Russell knows it will be another tough test for his side:

‘’Drogheda Utd have started the season well. They were unlucky not to take all 3 points last weekend.

‘’They have a nice blend of youth and experience in their squad. They’re always a tough opponent at home so we will need to be at our best to get a result.

‘’We have shown good signs in our opening two games. The players have reacted well to going behind but, our aim is to start keeping clean sheets while still having that attacking threat’’.

It is the start of a busy period for Rovers with four games in fourteen days with a double header at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City coming up next week before a trip to Derry City on St. Patrick’s Day.

Russell says the importance of the full squad will be shown in the coming games:

‘’All the clubs are now facing into a busy schedule of games. I feel we have built a strong squad this year and we will need everyone ready to compete over the next two weeks.

We know it will take a bit of time for our new players to settle and get used to the demands of this league but, it’s vital we continue to pick up points as we improve our play’’.

Tickets for our home fixtures against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City are now on sale online. Supporters who do not have a season ticket can still grab one before Monday in order to gain access to every game this season.

Season Tickets can be bought via the link below:

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

In team news, Rovers continue to be without injured trio Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan and Mark Byrne (All knee injuries) but new signing Bogdan Vastsuk is expected to be back among the squad after a recent hamstring issue.

Goalkeeper Conor Walsh will be assessed closer to kick-off following his ankle injury picked up in training last week.

The game will be shown live on LOI TV with a 7.45pm kick off.