Darren Purse has made his first addition as Sligo Rovers manager with the signing of Jack Shorrock on loan from Port Vale until the end of the season, subject to international transfer clearance.

The 19-year-old is a versatile left-sided player who can contribute in both defence and attack.

Shorrock arrives at the Showgrounds having already gained first-team experience in England despite his young age. A product of Port Vale’s academy, he became the club’s youngest-ever first-team player when he made his senior debut aged 15 years and 145 days in an EFL Trophy victory over Shrewsbury Town in September 2022.

He later became Port Vale’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he found the net against Barnsley in December 2023, aged 16 years and 242 days.

Shorrock says the prospect of regular senior football and the chance to contribute during an important period of the season made the move to Sligo Rovers an attractive one.

“I’m really happy to be here,” he tells sligorovers.com.

“It all came around quite quickly, but Sligo seems like a great place to live and to develop, not only as a player but as a person as well.

“I heard a lot of positive things about the club and the supporters, so it was an easy sell for me.

“There is a good group of lads here and good staff, and I want to come in and do good things for the club.”

The former Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers academy player joined Port Vale in 2022 following a successful trial. After becoming the club’s youngest-ever first-team player, Shorrock continued his development within the senior set-up before signing his first professional contract in June 2024.

He enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 campaign, making 22 appearances in all competitions as Port Vale secured promotion from League Two.

Shorrock scored twice during the promotion-winning season and won both the club’s Goal of the Season and Apprentice of the Season awards before being named the EFL League Two Apprentice of the Season.

He signed a new long-term contract at Vale Park in July 2025, keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2028.

Shorrock also spent a short loan spell with National League North side Chester during the first half of the 2025/26 season, making five appearances in all competitions before being recalled in January.

He now joins a Rovers side looking to improve its position in the League of Ireland Premier Division during the closing months of the campaign.

The new arrival believes the senior experience he has gained at a young age has prepared him for the challenge ahead.

“There’s no time to settle in,” he continues.

“I need to come in and show what I can do straight away, both on and off the pitch. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to and I want to represent the supporters properly on the pitch.

“It would be unbelievable to help keep the club in the division. Personally, I want to showcase what I can do and help the team get back to where it should be.

“Goals and assists are important in my position, so I want to improve my output and contribute as much as I can.

“I’m still young, but I’ve already gained good experience and hopefully that will help me here.”

Shorrock describes himself as an energetic and direct player who enjoys creating chances and taking on defenders.

“I’m an energetic player and I’ll always give everything,” he says.

“I like to play on the front foot, take players on and put crosses into the box. I want to excite the supporters.

“Off the pitch, I’d like to think I’m a good lad with a good personality and that I’m easy to get on with.

“I can’t wait to meet the group and start building relationships with the lads.”

Purse believes Shorrock’s athleticism, directness and quality in the final third will add another dimension to his squad.

“He’s a very direct player with a good delivery,” Purse says.

“He has good energy and athleticism, and I think he’ll be exciting for our supporters to watch.

“He has all the attributes you would want from a wide player. He excites me as a coach and I think he’ll excite the fans as well.”

Purse represented Port Vale during his own playing career, making 17 league appearances for the club in 2013 and gaining an understanding of the environment at Vale Park.

Having spoken to those at the club and watched Shorrock’s development, the Rovers boss believes the youngster is ready to take the next step in his career.

“I’ve spoken to people at Port Vale and Jack is very highly rated there,” Purse explains.

“I know him and I’ve watched him play. He’s only young, but he already has good experience for his age.

“He’s probably at the stage of his career where he needs to take that next step. He’ll get good senior minutes here and have opportunities to affect games in the final third.

“He can create goals and chances, and hopefully he can help us move away from the position we currently find ourselves in.”

Despite only turning 19 in April, Shorrock has already experienced League One and League Two football and was part of Port Vale’s promotion-winning 2024/25 campaign.

Purse believes that exposure to senior football will help the youngster adapt quickly to the demands of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

“He’s had a good pre-season with Port Vale and has played plenty of minutes, so he is fit,” Purse adds.

“Whether he starts on Friday is the same as it is for every other player in the squad. There is no divine right to play.

“You have to earn your place, and that is something we need to reinforce throughout the squad.”

Shorrock concluded with a message for the Rovers support.

“I can’t wait to meet you all,” he says.

“Get behind me and the lads, and we’ll give everything for you over the remaining games.”

Jack Dempsey

It was another encouraging weekend for the academy, with three competitive fixtures providing plenty of positives. There were some impressive performances across the age groups, with the players giving a great account of themselves. While results varied, every squad continued to make positive strides, with their hard work on the training ground continuing to show. Attention now turns to next weekend’s fixtures, where the teams will be looking to build on their recent performances and keep their development moving in the right direction.

U14 | Athlone Town 4–2 Sligo Rovers

After an entertaining 3–3 draw at home to Longford Town, it was another enjoyable afternoon for our U14s as they travelled south on Sunday to face a strong Athlone Town side.

Athlone made the brighter start and took an early lead, but the lads responded well, with Maye finding the equaliser in the 29th minute. The hosts then hit back with two quick goals from Ben O’Connor to open up a 3–1 advantage.

The entertaining first half showed no signs of slowing down as Gethins pulled one back just a minute after Athlone’s third, finishing off a well-worked team move to leave the score at 3–2 heading into the break.

The second half was a much tighter affair, with chances at a premium. Rovers kept pushing for an equaliser right until the closing stages but couldn’t quite find the breakthrough. As the lads threw bodies forward in search of a late goal, Athlone caught them on the counter and wrapped up the win with a breakaway goal in the final minute.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from another competitive performance against strong opposition.

WU17 | Klub Kildare 1–1 Sligo Rovers

It was an impressive performance from the girls on Saturday as they travelled to FBD Hotels & Resorts Park to face second-placed Klub Kildare.

It wasn’t the start the management team would have wanted, as Kildare took an early lead through a fine strike from Carty. After a lively opening, the game settled down, with both defences and goalkeepers in excellent form, ensuring there were very few clear-cut chances for the remainder of the first half.

As the game approached the hour mark, it looked as though it would take either a mistake or a moment of magic to get the girls back on level terms. Thankfully, it was the latter, as Herbert teed up defender Guckian, who produced a superb finish to find the back of the net.

Both sides continued to battle for a winner, but neither could create the decisive chance, as the referee’s final whistle confirmed the points would be shared.

The result moves the girls up to fourth place in the table after five rounds of matches.

WU23 | Sligo Rovers 0–1 Galway United

Our U23 girls welcomed Galway United to The Showgrounds on Sunday for a Connacht derby in Round 14 of the league.

The girls made a bright start, creating plenty of chances and putting together some positive passages of play. A strong Galway United side also threatened throughout the opening half, but a resilient Rovers defence stood firm as the sides went into the break level at 0–0.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams enjoying spells of possession and creating opportunities, although neither goalkeeper was seriously tested for long periods. With just 15 minutes remaining, however, Amira Bouhlel McNamara struck to put the Tribeswomen in front.

Unfortunately, that proved to be the only goal of the game. Despite the defeat, the girls can take plenty of encouragement from another competitive performance as they now focus on their next game away to Longford.

Tom Lavery

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Purse as manager on an 18-month contract.

The 49-year-old arrives at the Showgrounds from Cardiff City, where he spent almost five years working with the club’s Under-23 and Under-21 sides, running their loan programme and serving a spell as assistant manager of the first team.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” he tells sligorovers.com.

“When the opportunity came up I rang a few people I know who have worked in football around Ireland, and every one of them said the same thing. It’s a really good football club, and one I’m looking forward to taking places.”

Purse inherits a side bottom of the Premier Division after 24 games, and he is under no illusions about the immediate task.

“You can have a long-term plan as much as you want, but the big thing for us is winning games over the next 12 and staying in this division,” he says.

“After that you can set your plans for the season after, and the season after that. Right now it’s about winning football matches.”

Purse succeeds John Russell, who left the club earlier this month after just over four years as men’s first team manager, having previously represented Rovers as a player and served as assistant manager. Purse’s appointment concludes a recruitment process in which the club interviewed a wide field of candidates.

“I am delighted to welcome Darren to the Showgrounds,” chairperson Tommy Higgins says.

“He came through as the standout candidate in a thorough process and the panel’s decision was unanimous.

“He impressed us with his technical and interpersonal skills and with his vision for Sligo Rovers. We look forward to working with Darren in the seasons ahead.”

A centre-half capped at England Under-21 level, Purse played for over two decades and captained nearly every club he represented, including Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday. He was named Birmingham’s Player of the Season in 2000/01, a campaign in which he scored a last-minute penalty in the League Cup final against Liverpool.

He intends to bring that experience of leading dressing rooms with him.

“You have to be the leader who sets the standards. If you’re going to win football matches you need desire and work ethic around you, as a club and as a team, and that’s what I want to bring here,” he says.

“I’ve watched the last few games back and there’s plenty of quality in that dressing room to get us up the table. It’s my job to get the best out of each individual player to achieve that.”

Since moving into coaching he has built a reputation for bringing young players through. He joined Cardiff in December 2021 and oversaw a pathway that produced nine of their first-team players last season.

“I’ve been looking for the right project for a while,” he says.

“It’s a football club that wants to develop young players, and that’s something I’d like to think I’m good at. My history says that.

“We need to be developing young players who can play for Rovers’ first team, and if the opportunity arises to sell them on and further their careers, that’s good for the football club too.”

Alongside his coaching, Purse ran Cardiff’s loan programme, placing young players into senior football at home and abroad.

“That was a string I added to my bow over the last three years. Cardiff didn’t really have a loan strategy until that point,” he says.

“It’s a huge part of developing young players. They need the opportunity to go and play men’s football, and it bridges the gap between the Under-21s and the first team.

“In that role I built up an immense list of contacts, and I’ll be looking to tap into those before the transfer window closes.”

That window shuts Tuesday next, leaving the new manager a little over a week to add to his squad.

The supporter-owned model at the Showgrounds also drew him to the job.

“I’ve been involved with fan-owned clubs before, as a player towards the end of my career, and I always find people go above and beyond,” Purse says.

“Everybody talks about the number of volunteers, the people who give up their own time for the success of the club, and I’m hoping I can represent the club in the best way possible by being around the community as much as I can.”

On what supporters can expect from his teams, Purse is clear.

“Playing for the shirt is the biggest thing. It’s what I did most and best as a player,” he says.

“As a manager, you need that desire every time you cross the white line, and we’re going to need it in abundance. I like a side that wants to play through the thirds and be a positive, possession-based team.”

Purse will be in the dugout on Saturday night alongside Declan Boyle, who has led preparations for the game on an interim basis and will then return to his role as men’s Under-20s manager. Purse’s message to those coming through the turnstiles is a simple one.

“The biggest thing is to back the players. Are they going to make mistakes over the next 12 games? Yes,” he says.

“But I guarantee every single one of them will be playing for the shirt, which is a non-negotiable for me, and working as hard as they can to get us out of the situation we’re in.”

Sligo Rovers versus Drogheda United kicks off at the Showgrounds on Saturday night at 7.45pm.

Ryan Davey

There was plenty to be proud of across the academy this weekend, as every squad put in committed performances in their latest league fixtures. Several excellent results, along with plenty of determined displays, reflected the hard work being done by the players and coaches throughout the academy. Attention now turns to another busy weekend of fixtures, with all of the squads hoping to build on this week’s performances and continue their positive progress.

U20 | Sligo Rovers 2–0 Klub Kildare

It was back to winning ways for our U20s on Sunday as they welcomed a strong Klub Kildare side to the Showgrounds. Following last week’s disappointing 2-1 cup defeat to Drogheda United, the lads were eager to get back on track and continue their impressive league form.

The game got off to a quiet start, with neither side creating many clear-cut chances or really testing the opposition goalkeeper. That changed on the half-hour mark when Ross Dalton-Ruane broke the deadlock, finishing well to give Rovers a deserved lead.

The game opened up after the goal, with both goalkeepers called into action as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. However, Charlie McGarvey, making his U20 debut at just 16 years of age, produced a composed performance between the posts and dealt well with everything that came his way.

With Klub Kildare piling on the pressure late on and the three points still in the balance, Stoskus sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the 80th minute.

It was a brilliant all-round performance from the lads, who claimed a deserved clean sheet and all three points. The result leaves them sitting third in the league, just one point off top spot.

U17 | Sligo Rovers 4–2 Athlone Town

The excellent start to the second round of fixtures continued for our U17s on Sunday as they maintained their impressive run of form.

Although the lads went into the game as league leaders, they knew they were in for a tough test against Athlone Town, and that certainly proved to be the case.

Rovers made the perfect start when David Newman finished neatly after just 12 minutes to give the lads an early lead. However, Athlone responded well and found an equaliser on the half-hour mark. Just before the break, Stephen Gibbons played Ryan Quinn through on goal, and he made no mistake to restore Rovers’ advantage and send the lads in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

The topsy-turvy contest continued early in the second half when Duffy grabbed Athlone’s second goal to level the game once again. Both sides continued to push for a winner, and if it hadn’t been for a number of outstanding saves from 14-year-old Donagh Oates between the posts, the scoreline could have looked very different.

Thankfully, centre-back Scott Williams stepped up to restore Rovers’ lead with a well-taken third goal. Then, just as it looked as though the game would finish 3-2, Ryan Quinn grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 91st minute to wrap up all three points for the lads.

The late goal took Quinn’s tally to six league goals in six games since the start of the second round of fixtures, while the victory sees Rovers strengthen their position at the top of the league table.

U15 | Sligo Rovers 1–4 Derry City

After last week’s emphatic 4-1 win over Klub Kildare, it was always going to be a tougher afternoon for the lads as they welcomed league leaders Derry City to the Showgrounds on Saturday.

A slow start against a side boasting a 100% league record was always going to be punished, and Derry raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

To their credit, the lads responded well and pulled one back before the break when Sean Monaghan showed great composure to finish neatly and make it 2-1 at half-time.

Despite many brave and impressive performances from the Rovers lads, it wasn’t to be, as Derry produced another strong second-half performance and ran out comfortable winners in the end.

The lads will look to improve in their next outing at home to Finn Harps.

U14 | Sligo Rovers 3–3 Longford Town

Our U14s showed great character on Sunday afternoon as they came from two goals down to earn a draw in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Longford Town on The Showgrounds AstroTurf.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start, with Oisin O’Donnell striking twice inside the opening five minutes to give Longford a commanding 2-0 lead.

The lads responded well and gradually worked their way back into the game. Their pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Daniel Maye picked out Jack Ivers-Brehony, who finished well to halve the deficit.

Rovers carried that momentum into the second half and were back on level terms almost immediately after the restart. Jayce Murray did well down the wing before setting up Ivers-Brehony for his second goal of the afternoon to make it 2-2.

The game continued to swing from end to end, and Longford regained the lead in the 76th minute when Oisin O’Donnell completed his hat-trick.

However, the lads never gave up and were rewarded late on when a goalmouth scramble ended with the ball finding the back of the net to rescue a deserved draw for Rovers.

WU17 | Sligo Rovers 1–4 Mayo FC

The deficit proved too much for the WU17s to overcome after an uncharacteristically slow start left them 3-0 down inside the opening 13 minutes. To their credit, the girls showed plenty of fight and determination throughout the game, but the early lead ultimately proved too much to recover from.

Substitute Freya Fitzpatrick pulled a goal back in the 88th minute, but it wasn’t enough as Mayo ran out comfortable winners.

The girls will now turn their attention to their next outing away to Klub Kildare, where they’ll be looking to bounce back with an improved performance.

Tom Lavery

Sligo Rovers can confirm the departure of Men’s First Team Manager John Russell, who has accepted the position of First Team Manager with Shelbourne FC.

John has had a long association with Sligo Rovers, having represented the club as a player across two spells before returning as Assistant Manager in late 2018. He was appointed Men’s First Team Manager in June 2022.

During his time as manager, John played an important role in developing a young squad and promoting a positive, attacking style of football. His commitment to player development helped to establish a group of talented young players and provided the club with a solid foundation for the future.

Sligo Rovers Chairperson Tommy Higgins said:

“John has given tremendous service to Sligo Rovers over many years, both as a player and as manager. On behalf of the Management Committee, I would like to thank him for his commitment, professionalism and contribution to the club during his time in charge.

“While we are disappointed to see him leave, we respect his decision and wish him every success in his new role. John will always be welcome at The Showgrounds.”

Everyone at Sligo Rovers FC would like to thank John for his service and dedication, and wish him well for the future.

Sligo Rovers supporters travelling to Pearse Stadium for Saturday’s fixture against Galway are advised to read the following matchday information.

The game takes place at Pearse Stadium, Salthill, H91 PX30, on Saturday, 11 July 2026, with kick-off at 5pm. Gates will open from 4pm.

Away Supporters

Away supporters should enter the stadium via Rockbarton Road, between Dr Mannix Road and the main entrance to the stadium.

The designated away turnstiles are 23 and 24.

Sligo Rovers supporters will be located in the North Terrace, in the pitch-centre standing area.

Tickets

Away tickets are available online only at:

www.galwayunitedfc.ie/tickets-away

There will be no away supporter tickets available to purchase at the stadium on matchday, so supporters are advised to buy their tickets in advance.

Parking

Supporter parking will be available at Coláiste Éinde Secondary School, H91 X798, from two hours before kick-off.

The car park has over 540 spaces available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that this is paid parking, with a fee of €5. The car park will close shortly after the game.

From Coláiste Éinde, it is approximately a 700-metre walk to the away turnstiles at Pearse Stadium.

Away Supporter Bus Parking

Buses organised by the visiting club may be able to arrange parking at St Enda’s Primary School, H91 Y725, by contacting Galway United through the club secretary.

Spaces are limited and must be booked through the club secretary in advance. This parking area is approximately 200 metres from the away turnstiles.

Disability Parking

There are four disability parking spaces located at the back of the main stand. If these spaces are full, St Enda’s Primary School, H91 Y725, can be used.

Safe Travels

We wish all Sligo Rovers supporters travelling to Galway a safe journey and thank you, as always, for your continued support.

John Russell has moved again to further strengthen his side with the return of striker Luke Pearce to the club on an 18 month deal subject to international transfer clearance.

Pearce, 22, spent the second half of the 2024 season on loan at the Showgrounds from Cardiff City. A spell which saw the Republic of Ireland underage international score twice in 13 appearances, netting in games against Galway United both at the Showgrounds and in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Pearce’s addition brings to three the number of signings Russell has made in the current window following the arrival of fellow attackers Jamie O’Donnell and Jamie McGonigle.

The former Walsall and Southampton man returned to Cardiff at the end of the 2024 season and went on to make his first team debut for the Bluebirds in an FA Cup win over Sheffield United the following January.

He spent the last few months of his time under contract at the Welsh club on loan at Finnish club IFK Mariehamn.

“I’m buzzing to be back and to have the opportunity to play here again”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“To be back playing under John is huge for me. He’s told me how much he believes in me and the faith that he has in what we’re doing here.

“It’s time now for me to repay that faith by getting in the team, scoring goals and winning games.

“I believe I did well when I was here first and now I want to build on that.”

Even after his initial stint in Sligo came to an end, family ties to the north west always drew Luke’s attention back to Rovers given that his mother was born in Sligo.

And with six players including Ollie Denham and Gareth McElroy still plying a trade at the Showgrounds from Luke’s previous time here, he says the intrinsic desire to build something special remains.

“Myself and my family have always kept an eye out for Rovers and how we’ve been doing”, Luke continues.

“It’s great now to be able to have the chance to affect those results again.

“I’ve kept in touch with a few of the lads who were here when I was here first and they always speak so positively about the club and the vision that management have. The hunger to press on even against the odds is certainly still here.

“It’s about building momentum now. Picking up a few good results and building on that. I think the last two or three games, I’ve watched them and we haven’t picked up the results we’ve deserved so it’s time now that we started to collect a few good results and that starts on Saturday hopefully.”

Pearce’s 13 game stay definitely made an impression on his manager who was keen to get the striker back to Sligo as soon as his contract in Wales expired.

“We believe we have the right environment here to push Luke on to the next level and continue his development”, Russell says.

“We’re excited to see what he can achieve here and it’s a big opportunity for him.

“Luke and his family know Sligo, he knows Rovers, our supporters and what they expect of him and the club.

“He made a really positive impression here during his last spell here. He’s young, hungry and has similar characteristics to his new team mates in that he works hard for the team. He has the ability of scoring all different types of goals and we’re looking forward to seeing him out there.”

David Goulden

The academy enjoyed another hugely positive weekend, with every squad giving a strong account of themselves in the latest round of fixtures. There were standout performances across the board, as the teams showed resilience, quality and determination to secure important results. From hard-earned victories to encouraging displays, it was another weekend that highlighted the progress being made throughout the academy.

U20 | Derry City 2–3 Sligo Rovers

It was another impressive afternoon for the U20s as a Callum Lynch hat-trick inspired Rovers to a deserved victory away to Derry City on Saturday.

Buoyed by last week’s first win of the season, the lads travelled full of confidence and made a bright start, creating plenty of positive attacking opportunities.

The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute when 18-year-old Callum Lynch found the net. Just ten minutes later, Lynch doubled both his tally and Rovers’ lead with a composed finish beyond the City goalkeeper.

The hosts responded quickly, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot just four minutes later, but Rovers were soon handed a penalty of their own. There was only ever going to be one taker, and Lynch calmly converted to complete a first-half hat-trick right on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a much tighter affair, with both sides defending far better than they had before the break. Aside from a Derry City consolation goal, chances were few and far between as Rovers stood firm to secure all three points.

The result lifts the boys into fourth place in the table, just one point off the top, as they continue their strong start to the campaign.

U17 | Longford Town 0–4 Sligo Rovers

It was an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at Bishopsgate for the boys as they produced one of their best performances of the season to move to the top of the league.

The lads were determined to make it back-to-back wins and made the perfect start when Ryan Cunningham opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Donnacha Malone soon added a second to put Rovers firmly in control.

The boys continued to dominate, creating chance after chance and keeping the pressure on the hosts. Their efforts were rewarded before the break with an own goal, before Gibbons added a fourth to send Rovers into half-time with a commanding 4-0 lead.

While the first half was full of attacking football, the second period was a much tighter contest. Both sides were more organised defensively, limiting the number of chances as the score remained unchanged.

The result sees the boys climb to the top of the table, where they remain unbeaten and full of confidence heading into the next round of fixtures.

U14 | Finn Harps 3–3 Sligo Rovers

The U14s travelled to Killygordon Academy Grounds on Sunday and continued the recent trend of entertaining games across the academy.

The boys made a bright start and took the lead when striker Gethins finished calmly past the Finn Harps goalkeeper. Ivers-Brehony doubled the advantage ten minutes later to put Rovers 2-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes.

The lads defended brilliantly for the remainder of the first half and went into the break with a deserved two-goal lead.

The second half, however, didn’t quite go to plan. Finn Harps fought their way back into the game with two well-taken goals to level the scores with 15 minutes remaining.

It never looked like finishing 2-2, with both teams throwing everything at it in search of a winner. Substitute Maye looked to have won it for Rovers when he powered home a header with just ten minutes to play.

Unfortunately, the hosts were awarded a penalty with only two minutes remaining, and it was calmly converted by the Harps striker to make it 3-3. The boys can be very pleased with a hard-earned point away from home after another committed performance.

WU17 | Finn Harps 3–0 Sligo Rovers

It wasn’t the result the girls were hoping for on a frustrating afternoon in Donegal.

After taking four points from their opening two games, the girls went into the match full of confidence but found themselves two goals behind at the break after the hosts struck twice in the first half.

Despite creating some good opportunities and producing some nice passages of play after the interval, the girls were unable to find a way back into the game as the hosts held on for the three points.

The result leaves Rovers sitting third in the table, just one point off top spot, with plenty still to play for in the weeks ahead.

Tom Lavery

John Russell has added to his attacking options ahead of an important few weeks for Sligo Rovers, with the arrival of striker Jamie McGonigle to the Showgrounds from NIFL Premiership side Coleraine.

The experienced centre-forward joins on loan until the end of the current season, subject to international transfer clearance. This is Russell’s second acquisition of the summer following the signing of Jamie O’Donnell last week.

McGonigle’s move comes at a pivotal time for the Bit O’Red who face into a busy few weeks of both Premier Division and FAI Cup action, beginning with Saturday’s Connacht derby at Pearse Stadium in Galway.

The 30-year-old will add firepower to Rovers’ front line and is a proven goal-scorer having netted over 70 times in the Premiership over two spells with Coleraine and one with Belfast side Crusaders.

A native of Dungiven in County Derry, McGonigle will be familiar to Rovers fans for his time at the Brandywell where he spent three years.

There, he won an FAI Cup with Derry City in 2022, netting 24 Premier Division goals and four in the cup. He scored four times against Sligo during that period, including a brace in a defeat to the Candystripes at the Brandywell at the end of the 2021 season.

The former Northern Ireland U21 international is hoping to be available for Saturday’s clash with Galway United and is ready for the challenge of competing in the Premier Division once again. With a big cup tie with Janesboro to come the following week and crucial league meetings against Drogheda, Dundalk, Derry and Waterford to follow, Jamie is keen to impress straight away.

“I’m hoping to be able to hit the ground running and get up to speed with things as quickly as I can”, he tells sligorovers.com.

“I’ve been able to do it quite quickly the last few times I’ve switched clubs so I’ll be aiming to do the same again.

“I know the league already so hopefully that will help me settle. I loved my time with Derry playing in this division and it really appealed to me to come back to the league and challenge myself here again.

“I’ve been following the league since I’ve left Derry and it’s constantly evolving.

“There are more top players being added to the squads every year. Even the teams at the bottom have really quality players who would get into the teams at the top. It’s a lot more competitive than it was a decade or so ago.

“Everyone beats everyone and it’s down to the match night and how well prepared you are, really. It’s up to us now to make sure we’re coming out on top in games.”

Rovers have struggled somewhat for goals this term. But with the likes of Will Fitzgerald, Kevin Zefi and Ryan O’Kane on site, Jamie believes he can thrive in what is a side brimming with creativity.

“It’s exactly what you’re looking for as a striker”, Jamie continues.

“When you’re in a team with the talent that we have going forward, it’s really exciting. I’ve seen a few Rovers games this season and you can see the talent and the will to win and to play football in an attractive manner is there. It’s just about getting in the right places at the right times and I’m hoping to be able to finish off a few moves.

“The squad is there to succeed.

“There’s youth and experience.

“Sligo have a wonderful goalkeeper in Sam Sargeant, one of the best in the country. Outfield, we have the likes of Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham and Will Fitzgerald who I know from Derry. These are players who have been around the league a while and know what it takes.

“Sean McHale and Gareth McElroy are two of the best young defenders in the country. Ryan O’Kane causes issues for everyone he plays against and I know how highly regarded Jamie O’Donnell is.”

McGonigle’s endeavour on the pitch, his years in the game at this level and his record in front of goal was central to Russell’s reason for bringing him back to the League of Ireland.

“He’s worked hard for every team he’s played for and it stands out”, the Rovers boss says.

“He’s a player of real quality, a proven goal-scorer and brings a lot of experience to our group which is always huge.

“He knows where the goal is and his record proves it.

“He really fits the type of character we want in our dressing room. It’s a great opportunity for Jamie to get games and for us, we are adding another attacking option. We can’t wait to see him get going for us.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers are delighted to welcome Horan’s Pharmacy, Castle Street, Sligo, as the club’s Official Healthcare Partner.

The partnership will see Horan’s Pharmacy provide a range of healthcare products to support the health, recovery and wellbeing of the club’s players and staff throughout the season.

The agreement reflects Horan’s Pharmacy’s continued commitment to supporting local sport and the wider Sligo community.

Enda Horan said:

“We are proud to become the Official Healthcare Partner of Sligo Rovers FC. As a local business, serving the public since 1953, we recognise the important role the club plays in our community, both on and off the pitch.

“Supporting the health and wellbeing of the players and staff is a natural extension of our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of Sligo.

“We look forward to developing a strong and lasting partnership with the club.”

Donagh Oates, speaking on behalf of Sligo Rovers, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Horan’s Pharmacy as our Official Healthcare Partner.

“Access to high-quality healthcare products is an important part of supporting our players throughout the season, and we greatly appreciate the commitment shown by Enda and the team.

“Partnerships with local businesses are hugely important to Sligo Rovers, and we look forward to working together over the coming season.”

Based on Castle Street in the heart of Sligo town, Horan’s Pharmacy has served the local community since 1953.

The club would like to thank Enda Horan and everyone at Horan’s Pharmacy for their valued support and looks forward to working with them throughout the season.