Dundalk’s excellent start to the season has received a major blow with the news that their captain Stephen O’Donnell’s campaign is over.

Sligo Rovers midfielder and League of Ireland legend Joseph Ndo is auctioning off three of his medals to help raise funds for Drogheda United’s Gary O’Neill, who has testicular cancer.

Sligo Rovers 3 Drogheda United 0

Drogheda United 2 Sligo Rovers 3

Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0

Sligo Rovers will meet Drogheda United in the final of the FAI Ford Cup after respective victories over Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk in two incident packed semi-finals.

Without having to kick a ball, St. Patrick's Athletic were the main winners on another night of important action in the Premier Division of the Airtricity League.

Ciaran Kilduff is set to make his debut for Cork City as they host defending champions Sligo Rovers in tonight’s Premier Division clash at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm).

Bluebell United provided the only surprise of the FAI Ford Cup weekend when the Dublin non-league side held Roddy Collins’ First Division Athlone Town to a 2-2 draw at Baldonnel on Saturday night.

Rory Patterson scored a second half hat-trick as holders Derry City won 4-0 at non-league Blarney United to cruise safely into the third round of the FAI Ford Cup.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

Cork City overcame last Friday’s horror show at home to Bray Wanderers to record an impressive 4-0 win and book their place in the third round of the EA Sports Cup at Wexford Youths last night.

Chris Lyons dumped his home town club out of the EA Sports cup with a double at Dalymount Park as Bohemians beat Bray Wanderers 4-2 in extra-time to make the quarter-finals.

While the majority of leagues take a break for the duration of international blocs, there’s no such rest for Airtricity League clubs, with a full list of fixtures down for decision today and tomorrow – even if the cruel weather might still force a couple of cancellations.

Robbie Keane has said he will only consider a loan move to an English club in January if he feels is 100% fit.

Sligo Rovers 0 Shamrock Rovers 2

It was a season where Sligo exploded with joy after ending a 35-year wait for the title, Shamrock Rovers relinquished their crown without a whimper and Drogheda United exceeded all expectations.

When the final whistle blew and the fans packed into The Showgrounds rushed on to the pitch to celebrate Sligo Rovers’ first league title since 1977, it felt like the centre of the universe was a small town on the north-west coast.

Sligo Rovers 3 St Patrick's Athletic 2

Cork City 0 Sligo Rovers 0

St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Sligo Rovers 0

Champions Shamrock Rovers are still playing catch-up in the Premier Division as leaders Sligo Rovers were full value for a point in last night’s entertaining encounter at Tallaght Stadium.

Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers face one of their toughest tests of the season this evening when they host second-placed Drogheda United at the Showgrounds (7.45pm).

Sligo Rovers’ dreams of progressing to the glamour stages of the Europa League ended in this second leg qualifier at the Showgrounds last night.

Sligo Rovers dropped two precious points in an action-packed Premier League game at the Showgrounds last night.

Monaghan shocked cup holders Sligo, who ended the night with 10 men, with a three-goal salvo at the Showgrounds last night.

Danny North scored in each half as Sligo Rovers kept their unbeaten Premier Division run intact last night.

Danny North scored twice for the third game running as Sligo Rovers beat Shelbourne 3-0 to go eight points clear at the top of the table.

Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0

A Danny North goal 12 minutes from time ensured Sligo Rovers extended their lead at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division at Turner’s Cross last night.

Shelbourne 1 Sligo Rovers 1 (Sligo win 4-1 on pens)

ONE of the quotes of the domestic season a few years back came from Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook in reference to his combative midfielder and fellow scouser, Danny Ventre.

Sligo Rovers will go top of the table with victory over Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers go head-to-head at The Showgrounds for a place in the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup, kick-off 8pm.

Sligo Rovers 3 Bray Wanderers 0

Derry City 3 Sligo Rovers 3 (Derry won 5-3 on pens aet)

UCD and Sligo Rovers have points to prove as well as chasing victory when they meet in the Airtricity League Premier Division at the UCD Bowl this evening.

SLIGO ROVERS know they need to end their recent poor form against Bohemians to keep their Premier Division title challenge on course at the Showgrounds this evening (7.45pm), the Gypsies having only lost once to the Bit O’Red in the league since Pat Fenlon became manager in 2008.

Dundalk 1 Sligo Rovers 1

Shelbourne 1 Sligo Rovers 2

SHAMROCK ROVERS go into tonight’s Setanta Cup semi-final against Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in a commanding position on the back of their 2-0 away win at the Showgrounds in the first leg.

Sligo Rovers travel to Oriel Park to take on Dundalk in the Airtricity League Premier Division tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

SLIGO substitute Aaron Green left almost 4,000 fans stunned at the Brandywell last night after he came on to score an 88th-minute winner for his new club.

UP in Sligo, they might well remember this cup triumph as the four-in-a-row – the four Shamrock Rovers penalties which ‘keeper Ciaran Kelly saved in a dramatic shoot-out to scupper the Hoops’ dream of a league and cup double, more than making up for Sligo’s pain in losing the FAI Ford Cup final this time 12 months ago in the process.