Sligo Rovers have the opportunity to quickly make amends for a disappointing one goal defeat to Drogheda United on Friday night as the Bit O’Red take on Galway United in the Connacht Derby on Monday.
Less than 72 hours after that narrow defeat, in which Rovers created enough opportunities to win three football matches, John Russell’s side are set to take on their provincial rivals at the Showgrounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
This will be the third such derby of 2025. Galway beat Rovers in the first meeting between the teams back in April, United’s first league win in Sligo since the mid-90s.
Rovers then returned the favour last month as Reece Hutchinson struck for the game’s only goal, Sligo recording an impressive win at Eamon Deacy Park.
Russell will be without the services of centre half Gareth McElroy for this one. The Donegal man was forced off after just 36 minutes of last Friday’s game at Lambe and Sullivan Park when he collided with the hoardings behind Sam Sargeant’s goal in an effort to clear the danger from his own penalty area.
Midfielders Matty Wolfe and Ronan Manning’s fitness will be assessed on Sunday and early morning, while there is good news for Russell who expects defender Ollie Denham to be fit enough to play some part in match day proceedings.
New signings Seb Quirk and Paddy McClean are unavailable until July 1st.
Dejected but hugely optimistic following that undeserved loss in Louth, Russell was impressed with his players’ determination despite conceding after just four minutes in Drogheda. He is also looking for his attacking players to capitalise on opportunities that will come their way.
“It was probably the best we’ve played in Drogheda since I’ve been here”, he tells sligorovers.com. “Some of our combination and build up play was superb. We missed a few sitters, there’s no getting away from that and another night we are coming back to Sligo with three points. So to not come away with even one was hugely disappointing and frustrating.
“But we have quality and I’ve said it before, as the season goes on, we always get better and improve. When you get nine or ten new players, it always takes time and you’ve also got to consider that the way we play, we need good surfaces to play our football on and play at speed, one touch stuff. The pitches are getting better now and that suits us.
“But it’s all about getting three points on the board each week. Against Waterford, we didn’t play particularly well but we managed to win. And then on Friday, we are the better team and we come away with nothing.
“Drogheda are in good form up there and I was pleased we didn’t let heads drop and kept pushing. We need to keep that momentum running into this game on Monday, right from minute one.
“Galway had a big, big win over Pat’s on Friday and they’ll be coming here looking for another win, we know that. Galway provides a different challenge and we’ll come at this one with a game plan specifically designed to deal with them and also to maximise our strengths.”
David Goulden