Russell’s Side Resurgent Despite Impending Departure of Key Oxford United Loanee

Sligo Rovers swept past League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds to put any immediate fears of relegation to one side but now face losing key players Edward McGinty and Fabrice Hartmann for the second half of the season with both players returning to their parent clubs. 

McGinty will return to League One playoff winners Oxford United if the Bit O’Red cannot negotiate a deal to extend his stay while Hartmann’s impressive loan ends with four goals this season and a raft of impressive displays.

Showgrounds Victory Highlights Potential in Current Squad

A brace from substitute Simon Power, the second a strike of real quality, ended the Hoops’ title bid as they fell 15 points adrift of Damien Duff’s Shelbourne. The first half was evenly matched but it was the second period where Sligo reigned supreme with their pressing game too much for Stephen Bradley’s squad, who had their opportunities but were kept at bay by McGinty in the home side’s goal.

Hartmann started on the right wing and was a threat throughout, but his replacement won the game with a majestic twenty-minute cameo. 26-year-old Power returned from a two-month lay-off to put Shamrock Rovers to the sword with Niall Morahan and Will Fitzgerlad also putting in eye-catching performances.

It has been hit-and-miss from John Russell’s side this season. Still, Dundalk’s defeat against Waterford lifted them seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Looking at last night’s performance, Sligo will be looking up the League of Ireland Premier Division table as opposed to Keeping an eye on the teams below them.

Goalkeeper McGinty was called into action to keep the away side at bay, but there were solid displays from each member of the back four with returning fan-favourite Nando Pijnaker a welcome return into the starting line-up. The 25-year-old New Zealand international has been ruled out since the beginning of April.

Fabrice Hartmann’s Potential Clear as Move to Bigger Club Awaits

There are a couple of standout players in the League of Ireland but one hasn’t gained as much traction as the rest is the 23-year-old on loan from RB Leipzig. His eight league goals over two campaigns is a number that could be improved but with Sligo’s ever-changing attack sometimes looking a little laboured, he has been the main attacking outlet in his time at the Showgrounds.

Good morning Rovers fans 🤩

What a display from the lads last night 👏#Bitored | #Since1928 @sportsfile 📸 pic.twitter.com/MtChLFYvdr

— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) June 29, 2024

His return to Germany is the latest in a list of key attacking departures with Max Mata, Aidan Keena and Johnny Kenny no longer at the club after being the club’s top scorers in recent seasons. Wilson Waheru is the main outlet and worked hard in the win over Shamrock Rovers, but he is probably not the long-term solution after scoring twice in the 2024 Premier Divison campaign to date in 19 appearances, although just three of these were starts.

The departure of Hartmann leaves Russell light in attacking areas with midfielder Ellis Chapman the top scorer of players to remain at the club with four goals, equalling the right-winger’s total. The club will have to dip into the market to fill what has become a problem area in recent times. Hartmann, on the other hand, will be looking for a move.

McGinty’s Potential Departure the Largest Headache-Facing Rovers

Russell spoke ahead of the game against the Hoops on the future of the star goalkeeper and according to the Irish Mirror, he was hopeful of sealing a deal to extend the loan or secure a permanent move:

“Ed has a year left on his contract with Oxford and there’s plenty of interest in him. We’re one of a number of clubs interested in him.

“There are two options here – extend the loan, or you buy the player. There’s lots of stuff going on in the background and we just have to put our best foot forward.

“I know Ed is happy here and has done really well for us, but I also know he has ambitions to play at the highest level.

“The whole point of his loan here was to play week in, week out and get his profile and confidence up and he’s done that, so we have to wait and see.”

The former Ireland under-21 international has kept eight clean sheets and conceded just 1.2 goals per game in the 2024 League of Ireland season. McGinty has made just ten appearances for Oxford since leaving Sligo Rovers in the 2022 summer transfer window and is too talented a goalkeeper to be sitting on the sidelines at this stage of his career.

The Bit O’Red have a battle on their hands to keep their star player and his displays will have attracted other top League One and Two clubs but if they can buck the trend of their top players departing, it will be a major coup. After the win over Shamrock Rovers, anything appears possible. The opportunity to be a key player may convince McGinty to return to Sligo on a more permanent basis, after originally departing the club to join Oxford.