Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm that full-back Conor Reynolds has committed himself to the club for the 2027 season, signing a one year extension to his current deal.
The 19-year-old Abbvie Academy graduate enjoyed a breakthrough 2025, two years after his first senior appearance for the Bit O’Red in a win over Cork City at the Showgrounds.
He went on to appear four more times from the bench in 2024, signing his first professional deal with the club at the tail end of that season, before playing 26 games for the club in 2025.
He then claimed Rovers’ player of the month for April that year, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young defenders in the country.
2026 was then a year of frustration for everyone at the Showgrounds, but Reynolds in particular.
A sports hernia injury known as ‘Gilmore’s groin’ which required two bouts of surgery, in May and August has kept the Mayo man sidelined all year. His last appearance for Rovers was at Tallaght Stadium on the final day of last season.
But not yet 20 and having only sat his leaving certificate exams a little over one year ago, the former Rice College student was afforded time to heal and recover by Rovers.
More stellar performances from the Ireland underage international towards the end of last season were more than enough to earn him a deal for what the Westport native hopes will be a successful 2027.
“It’s been very challenging and it’s felt like a really long process”, he tells sligorovers.com.
“I’m still in the rehab phase but I’m working with the physios and medical team every day and doing everything I can, right to get back stronger than I was before the injury.
“But patience has been key for me. It’s been very frustrating because all I want to do is get out kicking a ball. It’s been tough but I’ve been doing everything I can. I just have to trust the process now.
“Watching the lads play at the Showgrounds just reminded me how much I wanted to get back playing and helping them. I feel a real hunger to get back playing but I feel now I can use everything I’ve learned with the injury and with the experience I had of playing, to get back stronger and become a better player.”
Careful about his recovery, the medical staff haven’t allowed Conor to become too involved in training with the aim of hitting the ground running in the lead up to next season.
His gratefulness to the club is clear as is his eagerness to progress next season both personally and on the pitch.
A return to Premier Division football is very much on the agenda.
“I haven’t been involved in terms of ball work with him because of the injury. But I have been around the group and I really like the way he and Warren (Feeney) set things up.
“As a defender too, I can’t wait to play under Darren (Purse). He has amazing experience. He’s played at the top level of the game and he’ll definitely improve me and the players who work under him.
“I loved every minute of 2025. Which made this year so tough that I had to sit it out. I want to build on that now and play my part in getting us back up to the Premier Division.
“That has to be the aim. This club has a great history, has the set-up and the people and belongs in the Premier Division. We want to be competing at the top end of it, not just making up numbers. To be honest, you can feel it at the club, everyone’s thoughts are ‘how can we get back up?’
“I love this place and everyone around it and I know how lucky I am to be part of it all. I am so fortunate that the club has backed me through the injury and the best way I can repay them is on the pitch and by helping us compete next year.
“My target now is to stay in the team, remain fit and get us back up. I’m sure Darren will put together a team more than capable of that.”
Speaking having secured his second re-signing ahead of what will be a pivotal off-season, Rovers boss Purse says he’s looking forward to working with Reynolds and seeing him back in the Bit O’Red.
“Everyone around the club really rates him and I’ve seen enough clips and been informed of enough about him to know it’s a no-brainer to sign him for next season”, Purse says.
“He’s another top graduate from our academy and that’s hugely important.
“He reminds me of what I was all about as a player and I can’t wait to get him fit over pre-season and hopefully see him hit the ground running next season.
“He has a bright future and I’m really looking forward to playing a part in his development and seeing him thrive in that positive environment we’ll create.
“We’re not pushing him. We want to make sure he’s fit for next year. He’s been out for a long time so we’re better off letting him have a full pre-season under him. We’ll look to give him a full pre-season and give him that drive and bounce into the new year, fit and ready to go.”
David Goulden