and ending the season in a European spot, which meant they were to partake in the inaugural UEFA Conference League qualifiers in mid-2021. Buckley's men also put together somewhat of a cup run, beating Derry City 3-1 on penalties in the FAI Cup Quarter-finals at the Showgrounds, fighting their way to a semi-final bout away to Shams (Shamrock Rovers). Rovers lost 2-0 in a covid-19 restricted Tallaght stadium, ending their cup run. The good form continued in 2021, with the bit o' red flying high in the first few months of league competition, leading up to their UEFA Europa Conference League game against Icelandic opposition, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar. Sligo Rovers lost the away leg 1-0 on July 8th, and disappointingly lost the covid-restricted home leg 2-1 a week later, with the only Rovers goal being a Johnny Kenny penalty. The league form dropped massively after Sligo were knocked out of Europe, as they failed to win in 5 straight games, and were also beaten by first division side Cork City FC in the first round of the FAI Cup. They still however finished the domestic season in third place, solidifying a European return in 2022. Rovers started off 2022 well, with an away win against St Patrick's Athletic, followed by two consecutive 0-0 draws, and two back to back wins, the latter being a win at home to Finn Harps, when Aidan Keena bagged his first professional hattrick. After an 2-2 thriller away to south dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers, the bit o' red's league form dipped, with two consecutive home losses against Shelbourne FC and Bohemians respectively. After a bad string of results, collecting just 8 points out of an available 27, manager Liam Buckley was sacked, and former Rovers midfielder John Russell took the reins. His first game as interim manager proved a success, with Rovers beating second placed side Derry City 2-1 in the Showgrounds, with Seamus Keogh scoring an injury time winner for Rovers. Subsequently, on June 2 2022, Russell was named the manager of the club on a permanent basis. European football soon followed with Rovers being drawn against Welsh outfit, Bala Town F.C.. Come July 7th, Sligo Rovers won the away leg 2-1, with goals from Aidan Keena and Max Mata respectively. Rovers hosted the Welsh side 7 days later on the 14th of July 2022 in the Showgrounds, losing 1-0 in 120 minutes, with the