Sligo Rovers FC 'The Bit o' Red' No. 22: Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne, 17 February 1998 matchday programme — FAI HARP LAGER LEAGUE CUP FINAL first leg at the Showgrounds

Official Sligo Rovers programme, season 1997/98, No. 22, £1.00. Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne, F.A.I. HARP LAGER LEAGUE CUP FINAL, FIRST LEG, the Showgrounds, Tuesday 17 February 1998, kick-off 7.00pm. 'The bit o' red'; Beamish Irish Stout on the shirt.

A cup final — and the one Sligo Rovers finally won. The club file printed here lists them as League Cup RUNNERS-UP in 1975/76, 1976/77 and 1995/96 and winners never; they took the trophy that year, their first League Cup.

Player-coach NICKY REID welcomes Shelbourne as 'in my opinion the best footballing side in the League' and notes that this is a rematch of the finalists of two years before: 'Cup finals don't come around very often in a player's career, least they haven't in mine.' Editor Joe Molloy's editorial remembers that 1995/96 final — the second leg at Tolka Park, Sligo two up at half-time and beaten on penalties after extra time, 'the best game ever played in the League of Ireland' — and argues forcefully that the competition has dragged on for six months and needs fixed dates and a one-leg final at a neutral venue.

The best inside page is 'Programme From The Past': a full reproduction of the Dublin City Cup programme for Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne of 21 August 1949, both line-ups printed, Rovers winning 4-2. The patron is named as RAY McSHARRY, the former Tánaiste and European Commissioner.

Author: Sligo Rovers Football Club

Publisher: Sligo Rovers Football Club

Publication Date: 1998

Binding: Single Issue Magazine

Condition: Used - Very Good