Rovers’ links to FAI Cup final at the Aviva

Ex-Sligo Rovers players Paddy Kirk, Adam McDonnell and Kris Twardek were in the Bohemians’ matchday squad for the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup final against St Patrick’s Athletic at the

UPCOMING TALENT: The Sligo-Leitrim Girls U-12 soccer squad that defeated Inishowen 3-0 in an SFAI Girls U-12 Inter-League Championship Group ‘A’ game played in Buncrana last Sunday.

Aviva Stadium last Sunday. St Pat’s won this Dublin derby 3-1, having initially gone 1-0 down, in front of a record crowd of 43,881. Midfielder Adam McDonnell started, fullback Paddy Kirk came on after 52 minutes and winger Kris Twardek was an unused sub.

SSE Airtricity continue their LOI partnership

SSE Airtricity is continuing as the principal partner of all three senior divisions in the League of Ireland. This brings the SSE Airtricity’s commitment to the FAI’s League of Ireland into its 15th season and sees the partnership extend to 2026. Sligo Rovers senior men’s team compete in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division and the club also participate in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division. Over the course of the new agreement, SSE Airtricity will continue to amplify the partnership with an

CLUB SUPPORT: Eoghan Rua fans at Markievicz Park on Saturday last for the Connacht LGFA Intermediate Club Championship final against Leitrim’s Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s. Eoghan Rua lost by a point.

exciting range of programmes focusing on promoting sustainability, inclusion and diversity within the sport, and supporting League of Ireland players off the pitch with personal and professional development opportunities.

These programmes will build on SSE Airtricity and League of Ireland’s initiatives, including securing additional broadcasting, the LGBT Football Takeover which helped to create greater awareness for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in soccer, as well as a range of sustainability-based content and accreditations to improve the environmental sustainability of clubs and the wider community.

Ex-Rovers ace is spot on for Waterford FC

Former Sligo Rovers striker Ronan Coughlan played a pivotal part in Waterford FC’s return to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for 2023. Waterford were 2-1 winners over Cork City after extra-time in last Friday’s promotion/relegation play-off at Tallaght Stadium.

Limerick native Coughlan, who played for Rovers for two seasons (2019-2020), converted an extra-time penalty – his 37th goal for Waterford – to set up the win.

The Leesiders had ex-Rovers forward Ruairi Keating in their ranks, but their talisman was forced off at half-time with an injury. Cork return to the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division (a tier they won last year) and this is their second relegation in four years.

Strand will face Tipp side in FAI Junior Cup

Strandhill’s Strand Celtic have been given a home draw in round four (last 64) of the national section of the FAI Junior Cup. The Sligo-Leitrim Super League outfit, who

reached the last 32 of last season’s competition, will be up against Peake Villa from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, later this month (Sunday, November 26).

Peake Villa, who compete in the Tipperary Southern District League, confirmed their last 64 place thanks to last Sunday’s 6-0 away defeat of Clodiagh Rangers, also from Tipperary.

Goalie Walsh is selected in the ROI U-19 panel

Sligo Rovers first team goalkeeper Conor Walsh is in the Republic of Ireland men’s U-19 squad for this week’s UEFA European U-19 Championship qualifiers in Albania. Yesterday, Wednesday, the Republic of Ireland took on hosts Albania at the Elbasen Arena, and this coming Saturday they play Slovenia at the home of KF Egnatia in Rrogozhine (kick-off 10am Irish time). Their third fixture is on Tuesday next when they face Belgium, also in Rrogozhine (1pm).

Teenager Walsh, who hails from Westport, Co. Mayo, is one of two goalkeepers selected – the other custodian is Andrew Wogan of Drogheda United. Head coach Tom Mohan has selected a panel of 20 players for these three games.

Kenny is in ROI U-21 squad for two qualifiers

Riverstown’s Johnny Kenny, who helped Shamrock Rovers retain this season’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division title, is in the Republic of Ireland men’s U-21 squad for upcoming UEFA Under21 European Championship qualifiers against Norway and Italy.

Tomorrow, Friday, the Republic of Ireland are away to Norway in Drammen (5pm Irish time) and next Tuesday

they play Italy at Turner’s Cross Stadium Cork (5.30pm). The qualifier against Norway will be shown live on RTÉ. The Republic of Ireland are currently top of Group ‘A’, with three wins from three games. Glasgow Celtic player Kenny, 20, is one of six forwards named in a squad overseen by Jim Crawford.

Barry to judge a Connacht club game in Salthill

Castleconnor’s Barry Judge, an inter-county referee, will take charge of Saturday’s Connacht GAA Club Senior Football Championship semi-final between Galway’s Corofin, who are managed by Gurteen native Kevin Johnson, and Mayo champions Ballina Stephenites. This game takes place at Pearse Stadium, Salthill, is being televised live on RTÉ One (throw-in 2pm). The other senior semi-final sees Leitrim side

Mohill, who are managed by Tourlestrane’s Eamonn O’Hara, travel to Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon, for a clash with St Brigid’s on Sunday afternoon (1.30pm). St Brigid’s defeated Sligo champions Coolera-Strandhill in last Sunday’s provincial quarter-final.

Buncrana venue. Grace Foley was busy for Sligo-Leitrim and Ava Niland, who is joint-captain along with Ornaith Guckian, went close with a wellstruck volley in the first-half. The Sligo-Leitrim Girls U-16 representative team were also in action last Saturday – they were 3-1 winners over Inishowen in an SFAI Girls U-16 Inter-League Championship Group ‘A’ game at Ballisodare United’s astroturf pitch. Strand Celtic’s Amber Gray Harrigan scored twice for the winners.

Sligo-Leitrim Girls U-12 squad (v Inishowen): Laoise Kenny, Ava Niland (Strand Celtic); Ornaith Guckian (Carrick Town); Blaithin O’Meara, Tara Morris, Fay Morris (Ballisodare United); Kate Howard (Ballymote Celtic); Sarah Gilmartin (Benbulben FC); Emily-Jane Norton, Naoise Ward, Seoidín Watters (Calry Bohs); Julia Michalik, Sarah Toolan (Coolaney United); Annalise Higgins, Grace Foley (Merville United); Katie Maye (Reak Tubber); Lily Rynn (Valley Rovers); Joy Flanagan, Lauren O’Rourke, Arwen Hunter, Annie McGuire, Emily McGuire (Yeats United).

Marathon prize for Joe Stagg of Corran AC Sligo-Leitrim win well against Inishowen

The Sligo-Leitrim Schoolboys & Schoolgirls League’s Girls U-12 representative team were 3-0 winners away to the Inishowen Youth & Schoolboys League in an SFAI Girls U-12 Inter-League Championship Group ‘A’ fixture played last Sunday afternoon. On target for the winners, who led 2-0 at half-time, were Coolaney United’s Sarah Toolan, Ornaith Guckian (Carrick Town) and Joy Flanagan of Yeats United. A superb save early in the second-half from goalkeeper Fay Morris ensured the visitors would keep a clean sheet at the

Corran AC veteran Joe

Stagg was a medal winner at the recent Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships which were part of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon held at the end of last month. Stagg won bronze in the Male 65 age group – he took third place in this category with a time of 3:21:31. Stagg was one of five athletes from Connacht to achieve medal placings at the National Marathon Championships.

“Joe is an inspiration and fantastic example to all other athletes at the club – well done Joe from all at Corran AC,” said a club statement.

Another Corran AC competitor, Pauline Hunt Gorman, completed two marathons