Sligo Rovers would like to thank both the Match Sponsor and Match Ball Sponsor from last Friday’s home league game against Cork City.

The Match Sponsor on the night was Callan Tansey Solicitors, while the Match Ball was sponsored by Flynns Bar Carrick-On-Shannon.

Callan Tansey solicitors are an award winning law firm with offices based in Sligo, Dublin, Boyle, Ballina and Galway. Callan Tansey offer legal advice and legal services for both businesses and individuals in areas such as medical claims, personal injury, business disputes and corporate law.

Flynns Bar Carrick-On-Shannon is one of Carricks premier bars located on Main Street in the town, beside the smallest church in Ireland.

Our thanks to both Callan Tansey and Flynns Bar for their continued sponsorship of the club and overall support as a whole.

Darragh Healy has been appointed the new kit manager of Sligo Rovers.

Healy, current manager of the Under-17 Women’s team, has been working in the role in recent games with former kit manager Colin Feehily.

Darragh brings with him a wealth of experience, thanks to his involvement in football in the community, including a regional development officer for the area.

He has been part of the Rovers Under 19s management, and was involved in the Rovers primary school programme, which involves visiting schools, coaching and delivering workshops.

He has been part of the IT Sligo men’s A team. He has also coached four teams at the Ursuline College and manages Ballisodare United.

Liam Buckley said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Darragh to the backroom team. He has a knowledge of football and knows the requirements of the role and you see what commitment he has with his involvement in the game.

“It is an important job and Colin has done an excellent job and I have no doubt Darragh will do the same. He has already fitted in very well.”

The Management Committee are keen to keep our fans up to speed with events at the club.  As with every season, there is a lot going on and the committee and volunteers are working as hard as ever.

As we reach the mid-season break it is clear we are at an important juncture for our club.  

On the field we have made significant progress so far this year.  The benefits of making the decision to recruit an experienced management team are there to see in terms of the calibre of player recruitment this year and the tactical nousis visible in results.  It is refreshing to be looking up the league table to see what might be achieved in the season.

Our club is now about much more than the First Team Squad only, we run five underage teams where the players and coaching staff give huge commitment to Sligo Rovers.  The pathway through the underage teams in the boys section is readily apparent in the First Team and the Ladies Under-17 Team has been such a success that we are actively considering a Senior Ladies Team for next year.  All of this involves significant expense.

Off the field we continue to make important strides forward.  The installation of 1,000 new seats and of a new Hospitality Clubhouse are important developments in improving and maintaining the fine facility we have in the Showgrounds.  

In line with our strategic plan we have announce a strengthening of our staff off the pitch in Colin Feehily as CEO, this is funded and will be cost neutral, it has to be.  The appointment of a CEO is one of the core targets in our five-year strategic plan.

However, there are several dark clouds on the horizon. 

The parent body of football in Ireland (the FAI) clearly has very significant issues.  As a club that is run almost exclusively by volunteers, all of whom give a huge level of commitment on an on-going basis, it is deflating to say the least to read about the corporate governance or the lack of in the parent organisation.  At the same time, the League of Ireland has been seriously under funded.

As a positive, it looks as if there are going to be significant structural changes in the league and in its funding.  We also have to remember there are many very dedicated people working within the FAI who must find the current situationvery uncomfortable, we work with many good people there on a daily basis.

A second challenge for us is the level of our Public Liability Insurance premium.  In the current environment where personal injury awards and other costs are high and have forced the closure of other sporting facilities, we have been subject of two large claims.  Our public insurance premium has gone up from €15,000 in 2016 to €60,000 in 2018.

Our first quote for 2019 was €86,000 (despite being claims free for four years) and only after much work, diligent persuasion and risk containment steps, did we get that premium down to €58,000.  Although this feels like a result, it is simply not sustainable.

As a club without an underwriting benefactor or European prize money, it is a difficult and daily challenge to sustain the level of financial commitment which we currently carry.

Most independent observers would reach the conclusion that Sligo Rovers are in a better place on and off the field than we have been in the last five years.  

We have been complimented by our supporters and independent experts on our massive community effort and control of finances. How far we go forward is limited by finance.  We want to back this management team and squad of players and add to it, but cannot be reckless in what we do.

We need your support and the support of the wider community.  The following are how you can help:

1. Support our home matches and bring others to see what is a very good product on their doorstep.

2. The Annual Draw is in full swing, this is one of our major fundraisers.  We would ask all supporters to support this in any way they can, either online, in the Showgrounds or when our sellers are going door to door. We ask businesses to consider the book of tickets option with reference to their business.

3. We have an upcoming friendly game against Accrington Stanley where we are going to charge normal prices and season tickets will not cover admission.  With John Coleman, Jimmy Bell and Seamus Conneely coming, we have a significant link to our fine performances and victory over Rosenborg. We are asking all supporters to come out and support this fixture on Monday 8^th July.

4. We will announce a major fundraiser initiative in the next three weeks where you can have your own place permanently in the Showgrounds. 

5. Pure Telecom is willing to give €100 for every sign up to their broadband and home phone offer, which looks cheaper than competitors.  It is a very easy way of getting €100 to our club.
https://www.puretelecom.ie/sligo-rovers 

6. The 500 Club is an ongoing source of funds that really makes a difference.  It involves a commitment of €5 per week.  If you are not in it please sign up, if you are already signed up, can you encourage someone else to join or possibly take another membership?

The 2019 season has been encouraging so far.  We want to retain our best players, as you have seen with the re-signing of Lewis Banks, and build our squad while continuing to provide opportunities for boys and ladies teams and a pathway to senior football.

How far we go on this journey depends on internal and external factors, while we cannot control the outcome in the parent association or the public liability insurance market, significant change looks to be afoot in both.

What we can do is decide that as a club we want to push on and get in the mix for European football again.  That brings us on to a completely different funding level but the interim stage where we are now when we do not have European money or a benefactor like other clubs, is the hard part.

We as a Management Committee, together with all the other invaluable volunteers and sub-groups, continue to aim for that top table, but have to do so within our means.  We need your help in bringing this Club on to another level.

The 2019 mid-season report for Sligo Rovers is one of considerable encouragement and challenges.  What the report will look like in two years’ time is anybody’s guess, however getting this club to the top table has never been tougher but it is what we all strive for.

Please support Sligo Rovers and move forward together.

There is a great sense of unity in our club and we see something building.  

We are going in the right direction and we are going to do absolutely everything within our ability to have a successful season and future.

Sligo Rovers Management Committee – June 2019

Colin Feehily has been appointed Chief Executive of Sligo Rovers.

Feehily has been part of the club staff for seven seasons, working on logistics, marketing and retail, as well as kit management of all of the club’s teams.

The graduate of a Public Relations, Marketing and Event Management degree in IT Sligo will begin his new role at The Showgrounds in two weeks. 

Chairman Martin Heraghty said: “Colin has been an integral part of the club for seven seasons and in that period has become a major asset to us. 

“As time passed it was very clear he would be much more suited to a permanent role in the running of the club.

“His application, attention to detail, ingenuity and ability to modernise all of what we do has stood out. Throughout this year he has been part of high-level workings of the club with a view to this appointment. We have already seen benefits of that.

“The management committee continue to work tirelessly on the running of the club. As pointed out in the Strategic Plan, it was imperative to appoint a CEO, subject to funding, to improve the daily management of the club. 

“We believe Colin will flourish in the role. He possesses all the attributes needed and we hope all the stakeholders support him in this new position.”

The new CEO said: “I’m thrilled to be appointed today. I know many supporters will know me and my passion for the club and I can promise you my commitment to the role will be enormous. 

“The management committee has been very supportive and my duty is to them, with a goal to make the club function in the most professional and advanced manner it can.

“There is a brilliant team in The Showgrounds to work with and I’m excited and honoured to take on the role.”

Lewis Banks has signed a new contract with Sligo Rovers until the end of the 2020 season.

The talented defender has been outstanding for the Bit O’ Red this season, featuring at right and left-back since joining.

The former Stoke City Under-23 captain spoke of his delight at the new deal.

“I’m over the moon. I’m delighted to get things sorted for next year. Hopefully now we can push on for this season and moving on to next season.

“It has gone beyond my expectations. In a way I didn’t know what to expect but it has been brilliant. It’s a great club to be around. We’ve done well. We want to do better. After the break we’ll look to get some more wins.

“I don’t mind playing as long as I’m playing. Whether I’m in either position I put the work in and it’s gone well so far. 

“Going part-time with Stafford motivated me that if I did get an opportunity at full-time again that I would make the most of it. 

“We want to win games and see where we can go, whether it’s a Cup run or in the league because the European positions are still up for grabs. Next year is about kicking on again and improving on 2019. 

“Speaking to the gaffer and the lads here, we want to be successful and not linger around. That’s why I wanted to stay, so I’m delighted to get it done and hopefully we can have that success.”

Liam Buckley said: “I’m delighted because I think he has done fantastically well. It’s difficult when you arrive from the English league and trying to land running. . He has done particularly well. He is a fit boy and he can play. We’ve chucked him in at left-back when he’s normally a right-back and he can play centre-back. He’s a terrific lad to work with so I’m chuffed he’s staying with us.

“It’s a man’s league here, totally different to the Under-23 league in England, and he has toughened up. It’s much harder and strenuous playing in this league than that one. I’m delighted he has extended the contract, I can see him going places.

“There’s a short, medium and long-term plan from my end of it. The short-term plan is pick up as many points as we can, the medium is squeeze as many results we can from now to the end of the season. Somebody will make that top four because there is very little between a lot of the teams. The long-term plan is further down the line between this window and the off-season is to juggle a few pieces around here and there and build something here.”

Ronan Coughlan netted the equaliser against his old club as Sligo Rovers and Cork City played out an absorbing stalemate at the Showgrounds.

Marksman Graham Cummins had given Cork the lead with just six minutes elapsed.

But the Bit O’Red recovered to level the game through the industrious Coughlan mid-way through the opening half.

The Leesiders made the most of a sluggish start from the home side as they hit the lead early on.  

Romeo Parkes’ attempted clearance from a James Tilley corner, landed at the feet of Cummins, who unleashed a vicious first-time volley past Ed McGinty.

City remained in charge for the next quarter of an hour.

Gearoid Morrisey testing McGinty from distance, while goal-scorer Cummins had sight of goal twice in quick succession.

Rovers eventually found their feet in this game and Parkes’ ball across the face of goal only lacked a tap-in at the back post on 24 minutes.

Liam Buckley’s charges finished the first half the stronger and clawed their way back into this game three minutes later.

Daryl Fordyce heading Parkes’ set-piece from deep back across goal, where the determined Coughlan arrived late to head past Mark McNulty from close range.

Kris Twardek worked McNulty again before the break as Sligo searched for a second.

While Parkes did all the hard work on the stroke of half-time as he took control of a neat through ball from Ronan Murray. The Jamaican dodging the challenge of several Cork defenders, but could only balloon his resulting effort from ten yards.

Twardek turned up a decent chance after more Parkes magic three minutes into the second half as Rovers picked up where they left off.

McGinty then twice kept out James Tilley, his second shot a speculative drive from 30 yards as John Cotter’s men kept the Rovers rearguard busy.

Sligo substitute John Russell mis-read the flight of the ball as, unmarked, he could only loop Sam Warde’s cross over McNulty’s crossbar at the front post on 70.

Russell stabbed wide after hard from Parkes and Lewis Banks with just over a quarter of an hour to go.

It was then Cork’s turn to spurn a golden opportunity as the result could have fallen either way.

Cummins doing well to wriggle free of his marker but could only sky his header at the front post as he met Tilley’s squared ball.

Darragh Rainsford then floated a glancing header narrowly wide of McGinty’s post with the young goalkeeper all but beaten.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Niall Morahan, Jack Keaney, John Mahon, Lewis Banks; Sam Warde; Daryl Fordyce (John Russell 67), Kris Twardek; Ronan Murray; Romeo Parkes, Ronan Coughlan (Liam Kerrigan 84).  

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colm Horgan, Conor McCarthy, Dan Casey, Garry Comerford (Ronan Hurley 56); Gearoid Morrisey, Kevin O’Connor; Daire O’Connor (Darragh Rainsford 75), Garry Buckley, James Tilley; Graham Cummins.  

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 1,984

Sligo Rovers host Cork City in the final game before the mid-season break in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in The Showgrounds.

Rovers welcome Cork to The Showgrounds for a third meeting of the season overall.

Both games have been very close this season, with City edging a 2-1 win in Sligo and 0-0 draw for depleted Rovers in Turner’s Cross.

In team news, Kyle Callan-McFadden is suspended but John Mahon returns.

Regan Donelon and Johnny Dunleavy are injury doubts and will be tested pre-game. Dante Leverock will play the first game for Bermuda in the Gold Cup on Sunday against Haiti so misses out.

Liam Buckley said: “These are games where it’s hard and you have to fight and dig in. Outworking your opponent is key to coming out on top and both teams will know that. That’s the basic for any match in this division.

“We put in a good shift last week and while it was disappointing not to come away the win, the endeavour was good and we’ll look for that again.

“We had a bad start in the game in The Showgrounds for 10 minutes but from then on we competed well and could have got something from the game. It was a hard game in Cork and we came away with a point and I have no doubt how hard it will be again.

“We feel we are capable of improving on the game earlier in the year and have the players in our ranks to create something and take the chances to come away with a win.”

Sligo Rovers have organised an upcoming heart screening day with Advanced Medical Services.

The company has been screening all of our underage players, with the final screenings to take place in mid-July.

Now the service will be offered to our supporters.

The clinic will run from 9:30am-5pm and is open to the public on 19 July.

It costs €67.50 per person to be screened, but it is free if you are with LAYA Health Insurance and it is possible to partially claim back the cost through different insurers also. Please book as soon as possible as place are filling up.

Go to

www.ameds.ie

Click on: ‘online booking’

Enter clinic code: ‘SRFC’ 

OR

Call 1890 300 333

Sligo Rovers have a fund raising partnership with Ireland’s leading home broadband and telephone company, Pure Telecom

The deal will see Pure Telecom make a direct contribution to the club of €100 for every person who signs up to an exclusive low-cost offer of broadband and phone services.

With an initial goal of 250 sign ups, the club is targeting to raise €25,000 for the club through Pure Telecom.

To check availability and the great deal, supporters should go to www.puretelecom.ie/sligo-rovers

Sligo Rovers would like to thank both the Match Sponsor and Match Ball Sponsor from last Saturdays home league game against St. Patrick’s Athletic.

The Match Sponsor on the night was Live Tiles, who set up their Sligo base in 2018 and specialize in software. Their headquarters are located in New York.

The Match Ball Sponsor on the night was Rogers Topline Ballymote, who have been servicing the region with building, plumbing, DIY and electrical materials since 1870.

Our thanks to both Live Tiles and Rogers Topline Ballymote for their kind sponsorship and continued support of the club as a whole.

Next up in The Showgrounds is this coming Friday night June 14th, as we entertain Cork City with a 7.45pm kick off.