Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Eanna Clancy on professional terms until the end of the 2024 season.

Clancy has been a regular at Academy level in recent years after signing for Rovers from Sligo/Leitrim club Manorhamilton Rangers.

The 18 year-old made his Bit O’ Red debut against UCD recently, coming on for Shane Blaney before making his full debut in last week’s FAI Cup match against Wexford FC at The Showgrounds.

Clancy has been a consistent performer at Academy level in recent seasons, coming through our Under 17 and 19 sides before signing as a professional for the first time today.

It brings to eight, the number of players currently in the First Team Men’s squad that have developed through our underage system to sign professional terms at the club. Other former players such as Johnny Kenny, John Mahon and Edward McGinty have also been through the same player pathway and have now been transferred to other clubs having made their name in the Rovers’ senior set up.

Bit O’ Red Manager John Russell expressed his delight at Eanna’s signing:

‘’I am delighted that Eanna has signed his first professional contract at the club.

‘’It’s a proud moment for him and his family.

”Eanna is an Irish Schools International and a player of huge potential.

‘’He has already made two first team appearances and is a player I know will improve and develop within our first team environment’’.

With over 120 players currently playing in our Academy, at both male and female levels, it shows these players that there is a proven pathway at the club with Head of Academy Conor O’ Grady and all Academy coaches producing and developing talent and First Team Manager’s John Russell and Steve Feeney bearing the fruits of this with good quality young players coming through to their squads.

After signing his first professional contract today, Clancy told of his happiness to get the deal done:

‘’I am very happy to have signed for the club today. It is my first professional contract and it is something that I have worked hard for in the last few years.

‘’It is a great club here and it just goes to show that if you work hard and do well in our youth teams that you’ll be given a chance to progress and make it with the seniors.

‘’There are many other young players who have gone through this Academy and done well with the First Team so I want to do the same and keep progressing and keep improving.

‘’To make my debut lately was really special for me and my family and I look forward to making many more appearances here at Sligo Rovers.

‘’It’s important too for my local club Manor Rangers who have been a great help to me down the years. All the coaches and volunteers out there are so good and so hard working, I am happy that a player like myself can develop and come in and play for such a big club like Sligo Rovers’’.

Eanna will be part of this Thursday’s Europa Conference League squad for our Third Round Qualifying Second-Leg tie with Viking FK at The Showgrounds.