Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm the signing of Fabrice Hartmann on loan from German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Hartmann joins The Bit O’ Red for 12 months until July 2023.

The winger (21) made his debut for RB Leipzig in 2018 and has had loan spells with Paderborn and Eintracht Braunschweig in the last couple of seasons.

He has played in a number of attacking positions in his career so far and will prove to be a threat for defenders with his pace and direct dribbling style.

Hartmann has been capped for Germany’s National team at Underage level and joins The Bit O’ Red to bolster John Russell’s options for the remainder of this season.

Manager John Russell:

‘’I’m delighted to welcome Fabrice to the club. He is a really exciting attacking player.

‘’He has come up through the RB Leipzig academy and has represented Germany at underage International level.

‘’He has all the qualities to become a top player. What he needs now is a platform and I feel he can thrive at Sligo Rovers.’’

Fabrice visited The Showgrounds for the first time this afternoon and will take in tomorrow’s Europa Conference League game with Motherwell before potentially making his debut against Wexford in The FAI Cup on Sunday.

Hartmann is excited about the next twelve months with the club:

”I am delighted to sign for Sligo Rovers today.

”I’m looking forward to a great season with the club.

”I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates and play as much as possible and help the team with my qualities. This is a great opportunity for me, and I am excited.”

Sligo Rovers take on Motherwell at The Showgrounds tomorrow but Hartmann is ineligible having missed the deadline of last week to take part in the tie.

Hartmann will wear the number 24 jersey.

Welcome Fabrice

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of former Republic of Ireland international Amy Boyle-Carr. The 21-year-old makes a return to football for the first time since 2019 having decided to step away to commit to Donegal GAA.

The Glenties native is a well-established GAA player, but is also a highly rated football player who earned her first Irish senior cap at the age of 17. Boyle-Carr, who can operate in midfield, on the wing or as a striker, started her football career with Fintown Harps as part of the boy’s team before moving on to Sion Swifts. She represented Donegal in the Gaynor Cup and was a regular in Irish underage squads.

At the age of 16, Boyle-Carr was named in the Irish senior squad for friendlies before being handed her first start in April 2018 at the age of 17 against The Netherlands at Tallaght Stadium. In fact, it was a game she had tickets for, but they went unused as she was named in the starting 11 on the day. Having made her debut, Boyle-Carr made the decision to step away from Gaelic football.

A number of months later, she made her return to Donegal GAA, and never left since. But, with her GAA season now over, Boyle-Carr has decided to commit to Rovers for the remainder of the season. After attending training on Monday, she decided she wanted to be part of it all.

“Steve had been in touch at the start of the year, but I’d already committed to Donegal. I said I’d come down on Monday and see how I got on. I enjoyed it. “It’s brilliant, it’s a great opportunity to get. I said I’d sign and see how it goes. It will keep me fit.  

“I was training on Monday night and the training was brilliant, good and intense. I enjoyed it.”Boyle-Carr is now part of an already sizeable Donegal contingent within the Rovers squad, but she also knows players like Katie Melly, Lauren McLellan and Ruth Monaghan from her time studying at ATU Sligo, where she has just completed her degree. And now that she’s here, she can’t wait to get going.

“It’s been a while since I played (football). I wasn’t putting too much pressure on myself. “The girls are great, it helped that I knew some of them. I was chatting to them and they were telling me about the backing they get from the club and the support so it’s fantastic. It will only push everyone on.”

Match Sponsor: Engineering Documentation Ltd.
Match Ball Sponsor: Rhatigan Architects

Tomorrow’s Special Edition Europa Conference League Programme will have 52 Pages with everything you need to know about Rovers, Motherwell and the big game at The Showgrounds.

It is available for just €5 and on sale from just inside the turnstiles.

We have our usual notes From Our Chairman Tommy Higgins and Manager John Russell ahead of the clash.

Conall Collier has an article ‘A Bala(nced) Approach Required’ as we look at how we reached this stage and his thoughts on the big game

One Of Rovers Unsung Heroes History By Jim Gray is a nice feature on former Rovers player Martin McDonnell

”Fond Memories For Baraclough” As Former Teams Collide by Keith O’ Dwyer as he looks at Ian Baraclough’s spells at The Showgrounds and Fir Park respectively.

We have our all important Europa Conference League Quiz, Motherwell V Sligo Rovers First Leg report by Jessica Farry and our usual slots for Joe Molloy, Stephen McLaughlin and Anthony Kilfeather.

Get On Board For David And Goliath By Conall Collier talks about the importance of Sligo Rovers Community owned aspect and how important is will be to attract new 500 Club members to the club

Motherwell FC Pen Pics and Motherwell FC By Alan Finn bring us some insight into our opponents camp.

Fans Photos From last week’s win at Fir Park, Motherwell By James Fallon bring some memories to the programme and Motherwell Collectors Corner By Andy Lachlan gives us the view from the Motherwell perspective.

We finish with The Last Line Of Defence Has Been Well Served By Rovers’ Goalkeepers’ Union By Leo Gray, Mick Ferry and The Sligo Rovers Heritage Group By Michael Moran and Irish Clubs v Scottish Clubs In Europe By Joe Molloy

Sligo Rovers Associate Sponsors are listed as always alongside our Results and Fixtues for 2022

Sligo Rovers can confirm defender Robbie McCourt has joined Dundalk FC for an undisclosed fee.

Robbie joined The Bit O’ Red before the start of the 2021 season from Waterford and has made 37 appearances since then.

Manager John Russell:

‘’I’d like to thank Robbie for all his efforts over the last 18 months. He played a crucial role in us qualifying for Europe last season.

Robbie was eager to move on and play more regularly so we wish him all the best in his future career’’.

Everyone at Sligo Rovers wishes Robbie all the best for the future.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that Max Mata has signed a contract extension with the club to keep him at The Showgrounds until at least the end of the 2024 season.

Mata joined the club in February after spells in Estonia and America and has scored five goals so far this season.

The 22-year-old puts pen to paper today on a new contract having settled well into The North-West:

‘’I am happy to have extended my contract here at Sligo Rovers.

”I’m excited to be working with good people and I am excited for what the future holds.

”I can’t wait to continue my development here.’’

Mata has been capped at International level with New Zealand and has proved to be a handful for defenders both domestically and in Europe so far this season.

Manager John Russell spoke about his delight at securing Mata’s signature:

‘’I’m delighted to have secured Max on a deal until the end of the 2024 season. Max has all the attributes of a top centre forward.

”He is strong, quick, can link the play and is a real threat in the box.

”He has already shown his ability to score goals as well as a desire to work hard for the team.

”I think the fans will be excited by this news.”

Mata will be part of the Bit O’ Red squad in this Thursday’s Europa Conference League Second-Leg tie with Motherwell.

By Conall Collier:

For the purpose of this discussion, you have to adapt the phrase “David and Goliath” into a more modern setting. It’s the underdog in a contest against a much bigger, a much stronger adversary. And there is nothing mythical about this little story, but there are no billionaires to be found here.

You probably get the drift of where this is going?  It’s the good ship Sligo Rovers boldly tackling the bigger guns of the League of Ireland and Europe and striving for success.

A community-backed club. Sounds good. A community club with its unique ethos.

BUT Isn’t there always one or two or three? The average age of members / shareholders is now over 60. New members /shareholders are urgently required to keep the club vibrant.

FIRST STEP Sign up and join the 500 club, it’s €20 per month and shareholder status is achieved after 3 years. The immediate target is 100 new members. Complete the form in this programme and start to make a difference. Current members/shareholders are also endeavouring to recruit new members. It’s not a closed shop and the target is always to grow the numbers.

THE GOAL The teams (on the pitch) have to get the best of support from the team off the pitch. Generating finance is crucial to support the under-age boys and girls through the academy.

The conveyor belt is producing talent for the MEN’S AND WOMEN’S senior teams. Now would be a great time to GET ON BOARD.

THE COMMITTEE  It might seem totally uncool (if that’s even a word) to mention THE COMMITTEE. The current crew are listed inside the front page of this evening’s match programme. There are many other men and women who are not officially elected at the club’s annual general meeting, but make valuable contributions. As roles continue to evolve, more bodies are always required to help boost the prospects of those teams on the pitch.

THE REWARD Our community club with its unique ethos stays competitive, stays in community ownership and proves that this heathy model can compete and outgun the clubs with access to deeper pockets.

FRIENDS OF SLIGO ROVERS 500 CLUB

Existing and New Members of the 500 Club are eligible for the Monthly Cash Draw and after 3 years membership have the option of becoming a member of Sligo Rovers FC.

Friends of Sligo Rovers 500 Club Committee Members:

Vincent Nally, Tony Quinn, Michael Clancy, Sean Crossan, Michael Drury, Robert Fitzpatrick, Peter Henry

Sligo Rovers Academy teams were all in action over the weekend with two games away from home and four at home.

On Saturday, our Under 14 side were first up with a game away to Longford Town. The lads picked up their first win of the season thanks to goals from Ashton Conlon, Troy Kelly and Daire McCabe, the game ending 3-0 to Rovers.

There was an entertaining 3-3 draw between our Men’s Under 17 team and Bray Wanderers at Sean Fallon Centre. Goals from Shea Malone, Callum Lynch and Daire Patton earning a share of the spoils for Rovers.

Also on Saturday, our Under 17 Women were defeated 4-0 at home to an impressive Shelbourne team. Rovers created chances but just couldn’t put them away whereas the visitors were clinical in front of goal.

On Sunday there were three more games down for decision.

At Sean Fallon Centre, Bohemians beat our Under 19 Men’s team 3-0 and Cobh Ramblers defeated our Under 15’s 2-0 in Ballisodare.

Our Under 19 Women hosted Bray at 4.30pm and ran out 5-1 winners thanks to a magnificent four goal return from Katie Maguire and a fifth from Jessica Casey.

Our Under 14’s host Mayo on Wednesday evening at 7pm at ATU astro

Galway hosted Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park in a WNL encounter that produced seven goals in a game in which Julie Ann Russell was the stand-out player.

The opening half saw Sligo Rovers lead twice, but they were pegged back to parity at the interval, the tempo slackened slightly after the break and Galway dictated.

Sligo Rovers started on the front foot and had a goal inside our minutes when Gemma McGuinness raced on to a through ball after good build up play by Kerri O’Hara.

Galway reacted positively and were back on terms in the eighth minute when Bryce Reynolds finished to the net from a corner.

Galway looked more likely to add a second goal, but it was Gemma McGuinness who got in again for another Sligo chance in the 17th minute, but Abbiegayle Ronayne saved to avert the danger.

Again, Galway reacted positively and forced a series of corners, but they were unable to capitalise on any of the chances.

The hosts maintained a high-tempo and were looking for a penalty in the 27th minute, but referee Mark Houlihan wasn’t impressed and waved play on.

After absorbing a lot of pressure Sligo Rovers won a corner that Gemme McGuinness picked out Emma Doherty at the far post for an accurate finish and the lead again in the 33rd minute.

Once more Galway found a response and were back on terms in the 38th minute when Ellie O’Flaherty got on the end of a cross Julie Ann Russel to find the net from close range.

The teams were tied a 2-2 at the interval after Sligo ‘keeper Amy Mahon produced a finger-tip save to deny McKee a certain goal close to the interval.

Galway made the best possible start to the second-half whan Shauna Brennan grabbed a 51st goal to give the hosts the lead for the first time and midway through half Jamie Erickson headed a fourth for the hosts following a good free by Shauna Brennan.

Galway bossed the remainder and added goal number five when Becky Walsh finished well nine minutes from the end.

TEAMS

Galway – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Becky Walsh, Lucia Lobato, Nicole McNamara, Shaune Brennan, Julie Ann Russell, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Elle O’Flaherty, Bryce Reynolds, Jamie Erickson.
Subs – Rola Olusola for O’Flaherty 77 mins, Saoirse Healy for McKee 82m, Peggy Ford for Roynane, Eve Dobben for Erickson and Abbie Callaghan for Russell all 87m

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Alanna Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Helen Monaghan.
Subs – Jessica Casey for H Monaghan and Sarah Kiernan A O’Doherty both 77 mins; Ciara Henry for R Monaghan and Aoife Brennan for McGrory both 83m, Lauren McLellan for E Doherty 87m

REFEREE
Mark Houlihan

Our Europea Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round tie with Motherwell at The Showgrounds on Thursday is now sold-out.

There are no more tickets available.

We would ask supporters to refrain from contacting the club looking for tickets are there are none available.

We thank you for your support of the club and look forward to another European night at The Showgrounds

Our six Academy teams are all in action this weekend, starting on Saturday afternoon with our Under 14’s and both Under 17 sides in action.

Our Under 14’s are in Longford to take on Longford Town as City Calling Stadium’s Academy pitch.

We host Bray at 1pm at Sean Fallon Centre in The Under 17 Men’s league, with the lads on the back of a narrow defeat against Galway United during the week.

Our Under 17 Womens team take on Shelbourne at AUL Complex at 2pm, also on Saturday. Aaron O’ Connor’s side were defeated at home to Wexford last weekend.

Our Under 15 side take on Cobh Ramblers at Ballisodare on Sunday afternoon with a 2pm kick-off.

Also on Sunday, both Under 19 sides are at The Sean Fallon Centre for home games against Bohemians and Bray respectively.

The Men’s team face the Gypsies at 2pm while our Women’s team play the Seagulls at 4.30pm.