logo
Sligo Rovers' Wilson Waweru hopes to rediscover his 2024 form, and attract the interest of the Kenyan national team again

Sligo Rovers' Wilson Waweru hopes to rediscover his 2024 form, and attract the interest of the Kenyan national team again

Waweru had just received contact from the Kenyan national team when he suffered his season ending injury in September 2024
Sligo Champion
Today at 23:30
Sligo Rovers striker Wilson Waweru was enjoying the season of his life last year when he suffered the most serious injury he has ever suffered in his career.
Seven league goals to his name, and a player of the month award for July, meant the Galway native had attracted the interest of the Kenyan national team.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Josh Fitzpatrick's stunner sees Cork City end long winless run
Josh Fitzpatrick's stunner sees Cork City end long winless run

Irish Examiner

time12 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Josh Fitzpatrick's stunner sees Cork City end long winless run

CORK CITY 1 (Josh Fitzpatrick '5) GALWAY UNITED 0 A first league of the Ger Nash era – earned by Josh Fitzpatrick's first goal of the season - presents a sliver of hope for Cork City in their relegation battle. Facing a Galway side suffering their fourth defeat on the spin must be factored into confidence levels, particularly as Sligo Rovers can re-establish the 11-point buffer if they beat Shelbourne on Saturday. At least, however, it ends a 15-match wait since April 21 for a City league win. All three this season have been home. It also lifted the mood around the venue that wasn't subject to protests that had been floated in midweek. A crowd of 2,092 is disappointing and might have been bloated by stay-away season ticket-holders. Cathal O'Sullivan's devastating ACL injury forced Nash into at least one change and that was the extent of it, as Alex Nolan came onto the wing. He'd gone within inches of snatching victory against Sligo with a shot that crashed off the underside of the crossbar at 2-2. That woe was compounded by Sligo counterattacking to grab the winner, 60 seconds resulting in a potential five point gap expanding to 11. Sligo are looking upwards at Galway rather than behind them but City's sole direction was ending their miserable winless sequence. All it required was upgrading last week's powerful first hour into a 90-minute performance, an art they'd failed to sniff, never mind perfect, in almost five months of the season. Clearly, the form of demonstration being mooted in midweek manifested in a boycott of some sections and anyone proposing to make their feelings known by entering the stadium late would have missed an early opener. In their parlous state, City don't mind how goals are sourced but more pleasing was the it stemming from a flowing move. Two experienced campaigners, Seáni Maguire and Evan McLaughlin, were involved in the build-up towards a younger pair. Matty Kiernan resumed his place in the team after completing his Leaving Cert and deserved an A-Plus for breaking from left-back to support to attack. His layoff to Fitzpatrick was neat but more effective was his run to take Galway full-back Jeannot Esua with him. That created a gap for Fitzpatrick to furrow into from the left and unleash a 25-yarder which arrowed beyond Brendan Clarke into the far corner. City were on top and Fiacre Kelleher appealed for a penalty on 10 minutes when he was shoved in the box attempting to connect with a free-kick. Concerns accompanied him getting back on his feet clutching his stomach and the captain lasted only another 18 minutes before making way for Freddie Anderson. Galway had four ex-City players, as well as Corkman David Hurley in their team, and one of those on a Turner's Cross homecoming, Jimmy Keohane, spurned their first chance on 17 minutes by firing over from a rehearsed short-corner. David Odumosu's injury meant a second game on the spin in goal for Conor Brann and he denied Esua's header five minutes later. Galway are unapologetic about their penchant for set-piece artillery and it almost worked five minutes before the break. Keohane's lofted free-kick was connected with by Horgan but Brann again repelled the glanced header. Patrick Hickey's interval introduction offered a new dimension for the visitors and he caused havoc with his physical threat. He'd strayed marginally offside when finishing on the hour and was fractionally inaccurate with a shot 10 minutes later that whistled past the far post. Seven minutes of stoppage-time, including a goalmouth scramble beyond it, caused anxiety but it soon gave way to relief. CORK CITY: C Brann; H Nevin, F Kelleher (F Anderson 28), R Feely, M Kiernan; D Crowley, E McLaughlin; A Nolan (C Lutz 62), K Nelson (K Kamara 62), J Fitzpatrick (B Couto 90+2); S Maguire. GALWAY UNITED: B Clarke; J Esua, G Buckley, R Slevin, B Burns (A Piesold 86); C Horgan (P Hickey 46); J Keohane (V Border 73), D Hurley, E McCarthy (A Bolger 57); S Walsh, D McGuinness (K Brouder 72). Referee: Aaron O'Dowd (Dublin). Attendance: 2,092.

Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne: 'We have our eyes on a good result'
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne: 'We have our eyes on a good result'

Irish Daily Mirror

time17 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne: 'We have our eyes on a good result'

John Russell insists Sligo Rovers won't be lulled into a false sense of security against Shelbourne on Saturday night. The League of Ireland champions are just back from Azerbaijan where they bowed out of the Champions League to Qarabag on Wednesday. Joey O'Brien's men lost 1-0 on the night in Baku, and 4-0 on aggregate, and will soon be travelling to Croatia to play Rijeka on Wednesday. But even if Shels are tired from their exertions, and have one eye on next week's high stakes Europa League mission, Russell doubts the Reds will be complacent tonight. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Not with O'Brien reminding his team in Baku that they need to get their act together in the league to ensure they have European nights to savour next season. Bit O'Red boss Russell said: 'They had a tough two games against Qarabag, but I'm sure they learned loads. Yes, they had to travel but they have a big squad that's more than capable of dealing with the rotation required. 'They'll look to come here and get back on track. It's going to be a tough game for us against Shels. We're playing the current champions and that always means a big test but we're all looking forward to another game in front of our fans. 'We're in good form and we have our eyes on a good result at the Showgrounds.' Sligo Rovers have made some impressive signings in this summer window, and are already feeling the benefits as they try to dodge the relegation playoff. Ciaron Harkin arrived from Derry City this week and is the sixth new face after Patrick McClean, Seb Quirk, Ryan O'Kane, James McManus and Sean Stewart. Sligo Rovers manager John Russell (Image: INPHO/Bryan Keane) O'Kane - who scored the last minute winner in last week's thrilling 3-2 win away to Cork City - is unavailable tonight due to the terms of his loan deal from Shelbourne. But Russell is excited by what Harkin can offer as the midfielder looks to rebuild his career after back-to-back ACL injuries. 'We're looking forward to seeing how Ciaron settles in and we've no doubt he'll be a big player for us,' said the Rovers boss in an interview on the club website. Jake Doyle-Hayes has left Sligo Rovers after joining Exeter City on a two-year deal while Francely Lomboto completed a move to Glenavon. 'We've had a bit of movement within the squad with both Jake and Francely moving on but that's happened here before and we move on also,' added Russell. Shelbourne boss O'Brien made eight changes to his side for Wednesday's test against Qarabag and will shake up his team again tonight. New signings Milan Mbeng and Sean Moore could play a part and O'Brien said: 'Sligo is the next game and it's the biggest game for us. If you want European nights again next year, and be playing at this level again, you have to take care of business in your league.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .

Ger Nash focusing more on psychology than tactics after Cork City threw away 2-0 lead against Sligo Rovers
Ger Nash focusing more on psychology than tactics after Cork City threw away 2-0 lead against Sligo Rovers

The Irish Sun

timea day ago

  • The Irish Sun

Ger Nash focusing more on psychology than tactics after Cork City threw away 2-0 lead against Sligo Rovers

GER Nash has admitted he needs to be more of a psychologist than a tactician in the build-up to Cork City's game against Galway United. The visit to Turner's Cross of 2 Cork City have only won two league games all season and sit bottom of the league 2 Sligo Rovers turned around a two goal deficit in the last 30 minutes to win 3-2 But now the Leesiders are on the verge of being relegated for the third time in six seasons after falling 11 points adrift of Sligo Rovers when they surrendered a 2-0 lead against them to Nash said: 'On this one it would be on the psychological side because the group gave me absolutely everything they could. They were really impressive in many regards. 'We felt it was a really tough one to take so the dressing room was devastated. We had to work on that, address that and talk about it, which we have.' Nash expressed relief that the transfer window is now closed having lost five players, compounded by the news of Read more on League of Ireland The most recent departure was Malik Dijksteel with his move to St Mirren brought forward from January after he did not line out last Friday. Nash said: 'We wanted to pick him. A conversation happened with his agent where it was clear to us that Malik wasn't in the right frame of mind for such an important game.' But he added: 'In my time working with Malik, he was a really good professional. I hope the move works out well for him.' Nash seemed less enamoured with Milan Mbeng, who completed a move to Shelbourne last weekend. Most read in Football He added: 'Milan played against Celtic a couple of weeks ago. Since that moment, Milan has not been available to play for the club. He's now at Shelbourne, that situation might be different.' Man City boss Pep Guardiola visits his new business venture Monarka Clinic Caulfield could hand a debut to Stephen Dooley, who became the latest ex-City player to join Galway during the week after leaving Harrogate Town.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store