Sligo Rovers FC wishes to extend its sincere sympathies to the family of Mary Kate Beirne, Boyle, mother of club staff member Frank Beirne.

Frank has worked for the club for a number of years and is an integral part of the club’s administration staff.

Frank’s brother Ray is also a life long Bit O’ Red supporter.

Ar Dheis De Go Raibh a Anam

It is more than 50 years since Sligo Rovers were involved in an epic FAI Cup run, ending with a 2-1 defeat against Bohemians, at their Dublin home ground, Dalymount Park, in a second replay. 

It was one of the most memorable adventures in Rovers’ colourful history.  Player manager, Ken Turner had assembled a talented squad that included centre half, David Pugh in his prime; striker Johnny Brooks; skilful midfieder Johnny Cooke; Galway-born goalkeeper Tom Lally; Glasgow Celtic teenager, Pat Mc Closkey, provided on loan to by Sean Fallon to his home town club, and locals, Gerry Mitchell and Tony Fagan.

Rovers had beaten Cork Hibs in a replay and the three-game 1970 Cup FInal final saga tested the financial resources of many fans. 

Some of the packed  ‘football specials’ trains struggled to get back to Sligo station on schedule and one wag christened them ‘the love trains.’ 

Even though Bohemians had most of the good fortune in the decisive match, Rovers’ football style and courage and the loyalty of its fans added to the club’s reputation.

Another local player also featured in the squad – winger, Dessie Gallagher.  

A native of Saint Brigid’s Place, Dessie was a winger with great pace and very solid on the ball.  

He was naturally fit because in his day job Dessie was a skilled painter employed by Meldrums of Castle Street and he used his bicycle to cycle to and from work.

On Sundays Dessie could be seen beetling down the wing in the Showgrounds.  

But for the rest of the week you might spot him cycling along Temple Street, wearing his white overalls with a ladder attached to his bicycle.

Dessie’s older brother, Johnny Gallagher, made his debut for Sligo Rovers in 1960 and was one of the youngest players in the history of the club.  

Unfortunately injury cut Johnny’s career but he remained a loyal supporter for the rest of his life.  

He worked as a breadman with local bakeries, McCarters and Tighes.

Dessie Gallagher died far too young in the 1980’s.  Johnny passed away in 2001.  But the Gallagher family’s link with Sligo and the Showgrounds is to be celebrated in the next phase of the Bit O’Red Wall.

Johnny’s son, Paul Gallagher, follows Sligo Rovers from his base in Singapore. 

Paul has been a generous supporter for the range of fundraising events that has kept the club afloat in recent years and he is keen to celebrate the family links on the Wall.

Paul is the managing director in the Asia Pacific region for Renishaw, a UK FTSE listed company and has lived in the region for 25 years.  

He and his wife, Patricia, have two sons . 21-year-old Kieron is studying at the University of Manchester and 18-year-old Jared is currently doing his military service in Signapore, after which he hopes to play in Singapore’s professional S league.      

The tile commemorating the Gallagher brothers will read

Johnny & Dessie

Gallagher

Wore The Red

The first phase of the Showgrounds Wall, featuring 315 tiles, was unveiled last year.  

It is planned to have a second section in place for the opening of the new season.  

The work is carried out by the renowned Boyle-based Stonemasons, Feelystone.

Each tile, costing €100, has space for 3 lines with 16 characters, including spacing, in each line.

If you wish to book a space in the new section, please click here.

For more information, or to purchase a tile over the phone, you can contact Shane on 087-7526445.

As we continue our preparation for the 2021 season, Sligo Rovers have recruited another significant sponsor as local media institution The Sligo Champion become one of our chief supporters.

The Sligo Champion will be there every step of the way with Rovers as we confirm a new two year partnership with the Bit O’Red with the weekly newspaper.

The Sligo Champion logo will be placed on the back of all first team Sligo Rovers shirts in 2021 and 2022.

The Sligo Champion is now available as a digitial E-paper. You can subscribe here.

It follows the club’s highly successful season which saw them finish fourth, earning a place in Europe for the first time since 2014.

Manager Liam Buckley is busy putting together his squad for the new season, with the hope that Rovers can improve even more next season.

The Rovers boss has already put together a squad of 14 for the new season: Ed McGinty, Luke McNicholas, Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, John Mahon, Shane Blaney, Robbie McCourt, David Cawley, Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries, Romeo Parkes, Mark Byrne and Jordan Gibson.

The Sligo Champion has always been a strong supporter of the Bit O’Red and understand the importance of the club to its readers, county Sligo, and neighbouring counties.

General Manager of The Sligo Champion Lorraine McDonnell said: “We are delighted to be on board with Sligo Rovers for the next two seasons, which we hope will bring great success to the club.

“Sligo Rovers is a special club. We at The Sligo Champion have always enjoyed a great relationship at the club and wish to continue to show our support for Rovers with this deal.

“It will be an honour to see The Sligo Champion logo on Rovers’ jerseys, and hopefully we can play our part in a big year for the club.”

CEO of Sligo Rovers Colin Feehily added: “We are thrilled to be partnering up with The Sligo Champion.

“We have come together in the past with our weekly advertising slot in the paper and The Sligo Champion’s sponsorship of our popular summer camps, which will also continue as part of this agreement.

“The Sligo Champion is an important source of local information for people in the county and those Sligonians who have relocated.

“The introduction of the E-paper has been a popular one with those unable to buy their physical copy each week, particularly due to Covid restrictions.

“We’d like to thank everyone at The Sligo Champion for their support of the club.”

Sligo Rovers’ new home jersey is now available to buy online through srfcdirect.com.

New Sligo Rovers signing Jordan Gibson has revealed that former Bit O’ Red star Eoin Doyle was an influence in his the move to The Showgrounds.

Gibson and Doyle were in the same Bradford team in 2018, with the new Rovers signing speaking fondly of the 2010 and 20111 FAI Cup winner.

When Liam Buckley made his move for Gibson, the 22-year-old made contact with Doyle.

He revealed: “I spoke with Eoin Doyle as I played with him at Bradford and he couldn’t have spoken highly enough of the club. He said it was a great club and it would be a great move for me.

“Eoin Doyle is a top man, I played with him a few times at Bradford. He is an all-round good person.

“He was the first person who came to mind when Sligo were interested as I knew he played with Sligo and in Ireland. I thought even thought it was a while ago now, his experience and guidance and advice would aid me to make my decision.

“At Bradford the club had just played the League 1 play-off final and lost it.

“They were aiming to try to go one better the next season so trying to get into the team was challenging. I made my debut in January in 2018 and then the manager was sacked a couple of days after that. I had five or six managers in three seasons at Bradford.

“As you can imagine it was hard to break in when a new manager kept coming in. I racked up a few appearances in League 1 and League 2. I scored a couple of goals too. I was delighted with that and being so young getting that experience was great.

“The gaffer here was very eager to sign me so I thought it would be a good opportunity to sign with a club like Sligo Rovers. With the club being in Europe, I’m excited to be playing against players on that stage.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm the signing of attacking player Jordan Gibson for the 2021 season.

The 22-year-old, formerly of Bradford City and Stevenage FC, spent the second part of last season with St Patrick’s Athletic and impressed in Inchicore, featuring in every league game.

Rovers boss Liam Buckley has moved to bring Gibson to Sligo to become the 14^th signing for 2021.

Speaking to www.sligorovers.com this afternoon, Gibson said:

“It’s an exciting time for me. It was quite early when the call came from the gaffer. To be honest, I did want to go back to England.

“But he really sold the club to me. I spoke to other people who played at the club and players under Liam Buckley and they all spoke very highly of him

“I’ve spoken with him a lot in the last few weeks. I spoke to him about my position and things like that and I feel I’m more comfortable in central areas whether that is number 8 in midfield, 10 behind the striker. I also enjoy coming in from the left.

“It was good to get 15 games with St Pat’s. The only thing is by the time I was really up and running, the season was basically over. Hopefully this season I can get a good amount of games and help Sligo challenge for honours and play in Europe.

“I’ve had time at home with my family and friends here in England. It is important to spend time with them when you can in this pandemic. I’ve had that time and I’m ready to come back to football, work hard and go places now.

“Having a manager that believes in you and wants to sign you pretty badly, which Liam Buckley did, that was a big factor in my decision.

“The last three seasons for me have been substitute appearances or a few starts here and there in League 1 and League 2 until I went to St Pat’s.

“That was the first time I had a run of starts, 10 starts, and I was just getting going and starting to score goals. Then the season was over. Having that belief from the gaffer, I have to repay that faith for a whole season now.

“I’m more than comfortable in any attacking position. Even at Bradford I played that central role in midfield where even defensively I felt I did well where it was more box-to-box. I feel I can add more goals and get assists in my games. But I’m more than happy to play left, right or central and wherever the gaffer wants me to play.”

Manager Liam Buckley said: “Jordan did really well with St Pat’s. The staff and I were across every game last season on WATCHLOI and he was one which caught our eye.

“He’s a good age at 22, he’s quick, has a great attitude and can play across the front three. There is a lot more to come from him.

“Last season was the first time he had a run of games and in a full season we can see the best of Jordan Gibson.

“I think he’s a player the supporters here will appreciate and he’ll be an asset to us. We are trying to hand pick the players we want in the group and Jordan is one we feel will fit into how we want to play.

“I’m looking forward to bringing him here for the start of pre-season and the opportunity will be there for him to take.”

Buckley said of his ongoing recruitment: “This is another good signing for the group. We are still in the market for the attacking area and some others as well.

“There are some players from the group last season who remain in discussions and the process is ongoing.

“We feel we’ve made good progress and we’re getting stronger. Pre-season will be later than we originally were looking at now that the season will not start until March.

“We’ll also add one or two of our scholarship and academy players to the senior group as well as we do each year. We’re looking forward to getting back on the pitch as soon as we can.”

London, California and Ballina are three of the locations that will be celebrated on the next section of the Bit O’ Red Wall at Sligo Showgrounds. 315 tiles feature in the first section of the wall unveiled at the home of Sligo Rovers last year. Already 100 tiles have been purchased for the next phase of the project.

Cormac ‘Corky’ Kilfeather, originally from Pearse Road, Sligo is the London link. Michael Taheny, a native of Riverstown Co. Sligo and now living in California, is the lucky recipient of a tile as a Christmas present from his son and namesake. Hugh Hanly, who has been travelling the Ballina Road to Sligo will provide a Co. Mayo link on the wall.

Speaking from London, Corky Kilfeather told how he will be delighted to celebrate the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Harley Finnegan, on the wall. Harley’s parents, Danielle and Ryan Finnegan (a native of Calry) are living in Sligo. Cormac has also reserved tiles for his two other grandchildren, Cody and Casey and for his children, Karen and James.

“I’m hoping someone will put up one in my name when I’m pushing up the daisies”, Corky joked. He ran a popular bar on Markievicz Road for several years but has been back in London for almost two decades.

“I’ve followed the Rovers since I was a boy and that will never change. It was two of my oldest Sligo pals, Paddy Houze and Padraig ‘Lotch’ Lynch who were encouraging me to buy a tile and I ended up booking six! It keeps up the connection with the Showgrounds down through the generations.”

Michael Taheny (junior) is based in Cavan. Childhood memories of going to matches in The Showgrounds with his father, Michael (senior) prompted him to purchase a Christmas gift.

Michael (senior) is a native of Riverstown and was a boarder in Summerhill College. He had a landscape gardening business at Carrraroe but has been working and living in California for twenty years.

“In the past when I crossed the Atlantic to visit my father, we sometimes went to LA Galaxy games. But each time he is home, if we can make it happen, we go together to the Showgrounds.”

According to Michael (junior) “The tile is a Christmas present for him. It will say

‘Michael Taheny

Sligo California’

Hugh Hanly was born in Collooney Co. Sligo and after his university years he worked at the Snia plant in Hazelwood before settling in Ballina Co. Mayo in the early 80’s. All through his life he has been a loyal Sligo Rovers supporter and a contributor to the various fund-raising initiatives that have allowed the club to stay afloat.

“Like all supporters I’ve seen Sligo Rovers struggle on and off the field. But results against the odds, like the recent victory against Dundalk and the spirit of the club more than make up for the bad times. I refer Friday night games because they allow you to be with your family on a Saturday night. Even though it’s an hour-long journey over and back, the habit is still strong”

Hugh is known in Ballina for the trojan work he and a small group of friends carry out to run the local tennis club. He is delighted by the way Sligo Rovers’ underage structures are now attracting players from surrounding areas including Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal. He believes Rovers captain, Ballina-born David Cawley, has helped to increase the club’s popularity in Mayo.

Hugh’s tile will state

Hugh Hanly

Sligo & Ballina

A Lifetime Fan

The new section of the wall will be ready for the start of the new season. Each tile costs 100 euro and the project provides a unique way to be remembered and celebrated at The Showgrounds. The work is carried out by the renowned Boyle-based stonemasons, Feelystone. Each tile accommodates 3 lines, with 16 characters, including spaces per line.

The project also allows supporters who are living away from home to celebrate their links with the club. Another dimension of the scheme is gives a chance to remember deceased family members and their long association with The Showgrounds.

The Wall enhances the Open Museum aspect of Sligo Rovers HQ and it is another reminder of Sligo Rovers’ special community status as a league of Ireland club.

To purchase a tile online, please click here.

For more information, or to purchase a tile over the phone, you can contact Shane on 087-7526445.

As part of Sligo Rovers FC’s long term plan for the women’s team, we are looking to expand our coaching team ahead of the new season in 2021.

It is hoped that in 2021 we will have two underage teams in the Women’s National League, adding an Under 19 team alongside our Under 17 team which will enter its fourth season in the league.

We are seeking coaches to work alongside Head-Coach Danny O’Leary who this year took over our Women’s National League Under 17 team.

We await approval from the FAI on the new Women’s National League Under 19 team, and have expressed our desire as a club to enter a team in the league, as we look to grow our involvement in the women’s game.

Job Description
– Help club achieve its vision to ‘Build a brand that is associated with excellence on and off the pitch for women’s football, to be considered as an example of excellence and best practice, and one of the major developer of players within the country at underage, and eventually senior level’.
– The development and nurturing of a pool of elite players to facilitate their current and future success as individuals and as a team.
– Organise, plan and deliver a suitable player development programme in line with the FAI and Sligo Rovers coaching syllabus.
– Uphold the clubs code of conduct and implement club’s vision on and off the pitch.
– Set high standards for the players both on and off the pitch.
– Create and maintain appropriate communication with players / parents / clubs / leagues and any stakeholders relevant to the team
– Ensure the club adheres to FAI & Women’s National League rules and regulations and competition rules. . 
– To ensure that all delivery satisfies the clubs safeguarding and welfare procedures 
– The successful candidate will report to the Women’s Football committee within the club. The women’s committee includes members of the club management committee and is governed by the management committee of Sligo Rovers.

Job Specification:
The ideal candidate will have skills and experience in the following areas:

Essential Criteria
– A current valid UEFA B Licence holder as a minimum (for a head-coach role).
– Successful candidate will be subjected to garda vetting clearance. 
– Up to date Safeguarding 1 / Child Welfare Certificate.
– An ability to produce verbal and written reports.
– Access to both email and phone.
– Experience and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring elite young players and coaches.

Desirable Criteria
– Administrative and organisational skills.
– Previous experience of coaching in female game.
– Coach mentoring experience.

To express your interest in joining the coaching team, please send your CV to sligoroverswomen@gmail.com by 5pm on Friday January 8th 2021

Sligo Rovers have completed the signing of former Doncaster Rovers defender Shane Blaney for the 2021 season.

The Letterkenny man joins the Bit O’ Red after two and a half years with Doncaster where he captained their Under-23 side and played in the EFL Trophy.

Blaney, a 6 ft 2 left-footed centre-half, began his career with Finn Harps, making his debut at 17 before joining Doncaster at the start of 2018 just prior to his 19^th birthday.

He is a former Irish schoolboy captain and took the same role at Doncaster Under-23s.

Blaney had two loan spells but left Doncaster last summer.

He will turn 22 in January as he starts pre-season under Liam Buckley, looking to kickstart his career at home again.

The late Brendan Byrne, a stalwart of Sligo Rovers and the 500 Club, is a great Uncle of Shane. He also played alongside John Mahon and Irish underage international level.

Blaney said “I’m delighted. This has been ongoing for the last few weeks. I’ve been speaking with Liam for that period and it seems like the perfect fit for me. It was a great experience at Doncaster.

“I never got the right time for it to fall to get a league debut. I was in the first-team training but it didn’t come. I need games now.

“I’m absolutely dying to get going. Liam actually made contact in July but I wanted to stay in England as I had a few things going on there. With Covid-19, teams weren’t taking on players on trial and six weeks ago I made the decision to come home. I had a few offers in Ireland and calls, but Liam was the first meeting and since that I knew I wanted to sign for Sligo.

“Anyone I ask about Sligo, every single person says what a good club it is and great fans. I’m very excited for it all.

“I’ve been preparing for a return to pre-season for months now to be honest. When it comes around I’ll be ready. I’m here to play, I have my own goals and I hope to be as successful as I can be. I’ll be trying as hard as I can for Liam and the club.

“I think my style is perfect for the manager. I love the ball to feet and that side of the game. It’s a good fit. Liam’s ambition matches my ambition, it could be something special here with the mix of young players and the older lads. I’m just really looking forward to it.”

Liam Buckley said: “Shane is a really good addition to us. He comes strongly recommended and is looking to make an impression here.

“The conversations we’ve had have been good. Shane is ambitious and he’s coming here to prove what he can do.

“Shane is a very good addition to our group of defenders. He is a centre-half who can play in a back three or a back four and is good on the ball with a good strike of it too.

“He has lots of attributes to be a good defender for us and he’s really eager to get going as we all are now. We’re waiting on the schedule to finalise all of the details of pre-season.

“We are speaking with more players. There’s a strong core group assembled and I hope we’ll be adding to that soon.”

Under contract at Sligo Rovers for 2021 so far: Ed McGinty, Luke McNicholas, Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, John Mahon, Robbie McCourt, Shane Blaney, David Cawley, Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries, Romeo Parkes, Mark Byrne.

The 2020 Annual Draw has grossed sales of €56,950, with Damien McGuinness winning the top prize of €5,000.

The draw has been a huge success with the context of no door-to-door sales being possible, as well as in local businesses which would usually be open, and with movements restricted.

Reaching this figure is a testament to the hard work of our ticket sellers, their creativity, and the loyalty and dedication of the supporters of Sligo Rovers and those in the north-west region that get behind the club.

As a result, the profit for the club is €51,950. This year’s draw was a combination of the Annual Draw and Christmas Draw.

The combined total for these draws last year was close to €100,000, so to reach above half of that in these circumstances in a big lift to the club.

Sligo Rovers Annual Draw Co-Ordinator and Assistant Secretary, Mark Cummins, said:

“This final total was achieved because of a huge amount of work from our volunteers and staff. This year we also had some new sellers come on board and the online tally was treble the previous total.

“I’d like to thank all of those involved, most of all every person who bought one ticket or a book or any contribution at all.”

The Sligo Rovers 2020 Annual Draw Prize winners:

1st Prize – €5,000 – Damien McGuinness, Dublin

2nd Prize – €500 Voucher for Petstop Discount Warehouse and Fuel Centre – Darren McGuire c/o CSSI

3rd Prize – €500 Voucher for Petstop Discount Warehouse and Fuel Centre – Mary Davey

4th Prize – €250 Voucher for any Flynn Hotel – Emma Flanagan, Rosses Point

5th Prize – €200 Voucher for Cat and The Moon – Donal Kerins

6th Prize – 2021 Sligo Rovers Match Package ticket – Andrew J Dodd

7th Prize – 2 Premium Tickets to a Liverpool FC game in Anfield – Mary Kearins, Ballinfull

8th Prize – Christmas Hamper – Darren Healy

9th Prize – Sligo Rovers Jersey – Therese Foley, Castle Street

10th Prize – Republic of Ireland Jersey – Henry Moffitt, United Kingdom