Sligo Rovers travel to Shamrock Rovers on a night where their hosts will remember the past heroes while celebrating one of their current ones.
It’s bound to be a celebratory evening in D24 with Shamrock Rovers having a memorial service to remember their heroes on and off the pitch who are no longer with us while also giving their captain Pico Lopes a worthy send off before jetting off to the World Cup with Cape Verde.
The Hoops suffered a rare defeat last time out at the hands of Dundalk at Oriel Park. However, they are still 3 points clear at the top of the table.
Sligo Rovers are coming off the back of a bruising 4-1 defeat in the Connacht Derby on Saturday night. The Bit O’Red will be nervously looking over their shoulder after Waterford picked up their maiden win of the season on Monday.
Key Information
Kickoff: 20:00
Where to watch: LOI TV
Referee: Paul Norton
Betting Odds: Shamrock Rovers @1/3, Draw @7/1, Sligo Rovers @15/4
Team News
Stephen Bradley is getting closer to having a full strength squad to chose from. Dylan Watts, Lee Grace, Dan Cleary and Adam Brennan have all returned in recent weeks. The latter will be preparing to go away with Ireland next week so may not be risked for this one. Pico Lopes, Danny Mandriou and Rory Gaffney are all out with Cory O’Sullivan not expected to be ready for a return on Friday.
Archie Meekison was forced off early in the Connacht Derby through injury and looks to be out for the foreseeable. On a more positive note for John Russell, Ryan O’Kane has been back in training this week after the nasty shoulder injury he sustained in March’s defeat against Dundalk.
Key Statistics
Sligo have avoided defeat against The Hoops on 5 of the last 10 meetings.
Shamrock Rovers are yet to be beaten at home this season, with their last home defeat coming against The Bit O’Red on the final day of last season!
Sligo Rovers have only won once on the road all season which was also in Dublin against Bohemians.
Key Players
Adam Brennan’s electric start to his Shamrock Rovers career has earned him the ultimate recognition for any LOI player; The former UCD man was one of four LOI players named in Heimir Halgrimmson’s latest squad for the upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada. Primarily used at wingback, Brennan’s athleticism and guile along with the direct nature of his game makes him one of the most exciting players in the league.
No matter what kind of form Sligo are in, you can never doubt Will Fitzgerald’s ability to single handedly pull his side out of the mire. Despite rumours of an exit during the off-season, the Limerick man is still as important as ever for John Russell.
Previous Meetings
13/3/26 Sligo Rovers 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
1/11/26 Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sligo Rovers
5/7/25 Sligo Rovers 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
5/5/25 Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Sligo Rovers