Busy schedule for Bit O’Red
THE majority of Sligo Rovers fans know that the season ended weeks ago.
The 3-2 loss away to Finn Harps on August 19 was the start of it and the feeling of dread was exacerbated by the administrative own goal that led to the purging of the points won against Dundalk.
Losing 3-1 to Shamrock Rovers at the start of this month was no picnic either but it looks as if the holders will be champions again (being beaten by the country’s best is only a slight consolation) and the top tier’s other Rovers are being regularly outclassed in the Europa Conference League. Last weekend’s Extra.ie FAI Men’s Cup semi-finals, which saw victories for Derry City and Damien Duff’s Shelbourne, was a poignant reminder to Bit O’Red fans that this season’s FAI Cup journey was painfully ended back in July.
That was when Rovers were riding the crest of a European wave, an adventure which seems so long ago now.
At least Rovers have three games in eight days to get busy with, starting tomorrow, Friday, when they are away to third-placed Dundalk (Oriel Park, 7.45pm).
On Monday next they host FAI Cup finalists Derry City (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm) and then next Friday is the final home game of the campaign when St Patrick’s Athletic come to Sligo (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm). St Pat’s, in fourth, need Derry to win the FAI Cup in order to qualify for Europe next season. Rovers – no longer in the hunt for fourth place – will at least want to finish in fifth, the position they are currently in. The remaining four games could tempt boss John Russell to give a start to teenager goalkeeper
Conor Walsh, who is highly-rated although yet to make
TARGETS: Rovers boss John
Russell, has stressed that he wants his side to achieve good results from the games that remain this season. Rovers are currently fifth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. a competitive debut at senior level. Local midfielder Kailin Barlow, 19, who has shone whenever sprung from the bench, is another who would benefit from more game time.
Based on the 2-0 away defeat of an awful UCD on October 7 – Rovers’ last game – the midfield needs to have Niall Morahan in it, with Seamas Keogh in line to see minutes since recovering from injury.
Top scorer Aidan Keena is just two goals away from hitting the 20-goal mark.
The upcoming games are a prelude to what will be an interesting close season in terms of how Russell might add to the first team squad and what players could be released or sold.