Our Bit O’ Red Wall is currently in Phase Two of it’s production, with sales continuing to grow as we approach Christmas.

Our club shop in Barton Smiths has been busy taking orders, with families buying a tile for their friends or relatives as part of their Christmas present.

Although your tile would not be in place for Christmas, the club provide Wall Tile gift pack, showing their place on the wall is secured, which can be handed over on the big day.

There were over 300 tiles placed on the wall in February 2020 during completion of Phase One, and we hope to have Phase Two completed by the end of January 2021.

To buy your tile online, click https://srfcdirect.com/bit-o-red-wall-tile/

Our club shop in Barton Smiths opens until 6pm all week, and opens Christmas Eve until 3pm.

Saturday afternoon saw our Under 19 team host Bray Wanderers at The Sean Fallon Centre in the Under 19 League Of Ireland Shield semi-final.

The Under 19 team were without a game since October but they didn’t let their lack of match practice show as the lads ran out convincing 6-2 winners.

The away side were reduced to 10 men early on when a high boot caught Peter Maguire in the chest, with referee Damien MacGrath having no option but to issue the red card.

Aaron Perry saw a first half penalty saved by the Bray goalkeeper, before Sean Kerrigan converted a second Rovers’ spot kick soon after, with MacGrath pointing to the spot after a foul in the area.

Bray showed good spirit and equalised before half time with a well taken goal.

Cillian Heaney scored early in the second half for Rovers to restore the lead with a close range finish. Moments later it was 3-1, with Perry making up for his earlier missed penalty with a wonderful free kick from range.

Bray kept battling and reduced the lead again with a fine effort which gave James Robinson no chance in The Rovers’ goal.

It was 4-2 soon after, with Heaney’s mazy run creating space for substitute Johnny Kenny to get in behind the Bray defence and Heaney’s through ball was perfect for Kenny to finish well past the ‘keeper.

Tubbercurry native Perry made it five with another long distance effort, cutting in from the left and curling it around the Bray goalkeeper in the right hand corner.

The scoring was complete in the final few minutes when Under 17 players Kailin Barlow and Kenny combined, with Barlow playing his team-mate through on goal and The Riverstown man made no mistake with his finish.

Brian Dorrian and his staff take their side to Athlone on Tuesday night for The Under 19 Shield Final against UCD at 7pm.

Rovers:

James Robinson, Daniel Gray-Harrigan, Jason Devaney, Peter Maguire, Bryan Lynch, Rossa McAllister, Conor McKeon, Sean Kerrigan, Aaron Perry, Cillian Heaney, Ciaran Jennings.

Subs:

Johnny Kenny, Kailin Barlow, Cillian Gaffey (GK), Cian Kilcoyne, Lee Wilson, Sean McAteer, Ben Edeh.

Our 500 Club Committee have held their draw for December.

Below is a list of winners:

€500 Paul Leyden, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

€100 John Joe Gilroy, Hazelwood, Sligo

€100 John Kelly, Taur, Moneygold, Co. Sligo.

€100 Theresa Culligan, Ballydoogan, Sligo.

€100 Frank Carty, Strandhill, Co. Sligo.

€100 Paschal Mooney, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim.

€50 Frank Clancy, Corofin, Co. Galway

€50 David Rowe, Goatstown, Dublin.

€50 Michael Toolan, Lavagh, Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

€50 Anthony Sweeney, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.

We wish to thank all our 500 Club members for their continued support and thank our 500 Club Committee for their commitment to the club each year. The 500 Club continues to be a crucial income stream for Sligo Rovers and we are looking to continue it’s growth into 2021.

To become a 500 Club member, visit https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/500-club/ or email Michael on michaelclancy04@gmail.com

Happy Christmas to all 500 Club Committee and members from all at Sligo Rovers.

Conor O’Grady has been appointed as the new Head of Academy on a full-time employment basis, Sligo Rovers can announce today.

O’Grady, a former captain and decorated player at the club, has been managing the club’s Under-15 team since inception.

He has emerged as the successful candidate following a lengthy interview process for the role which saw over 50 applicants for the position after it was advertised in November.

Interviews took place in he last month as two boards assessed an extremely high level of applicants, with Conor emerging with the role.

The position will initially include player identification and development, coach identification and liasion, development and education, continuing to develop the pathway from our academy to the first-team and liasing with IT Sligo on our scholarship scheme.

The Bit O’ Red will unveil a more detailed assessment of the planned growth of the Sligo Rovers academy in the club’s Masterplan early in 2021.

In recent seasons the work of a number of our club’s coaches, local clubs in the region and investment from Sligo Rovers has resulted in the development of a large number of first-team players.

This season nine academy graduates were part of the first-team squad of the Sligo Rovers men’s team. Two of those, Niall Morahan and Ed McGinty,  won the Senior and Young Player of the Year.

Today’s appointment is significant in that the club is investing in a full-time position of employment for the first time.

Conor will start the role in January 2021.

Sligo Rovers CEO Colin Feehily said: “We are very pleased to welcome Conor to the club in the position of Head of Academy.

“The work at academy level by our coaches and volunteers has been exemplary and the potential for growth has been obvious.

“This is a very positive step for the club. Conor left a lasting impression on everyone in securing the role through the vision he shares and holds.

“There are exciting times ahead for the academy and Conor will be the ideal leader for it.”

Sligo Rovers first-team manager Liam Buckley said: “I’d like to congratulate Conor on his appointment to this role. 

“The academy is a vital part of the football club here and we have a fantastic group of coaches working with some very talented players.

“We’ve already seen the fruits of that at first-team level and I’m very much aware that there is more to come in the short and long-term future. 

“I look forward to working with Conor going forward.” 

Sligo Rovers Head of Academy Conor O’Grady said: “It is a massive honour. I’m very proud and I feel very humbled today.

“I’m just delighted the club have put their faith in me. There were a lot of brilliant candidates so I feel honoured. It was an unbelievably thorough process.

“I’m very excited now. It’s a huge role. We have a serious amount of talent here in the youth teams and at the moment it is just talent. We’ve already had many players come through to the first-team and currently we have plenty of players with that potential.

“I strongly believe we will have more players coming through. We have to deliver on it and the players have to have the will and desire most importantly. I think they do have it at the moment.

“When I joined Sligo Rovers it was an institution. It always will be. Today it is a brand as much as an institution because it so big all over the north-west.

“It’s a big and bold move by the club to make this role but it’s a positive one and the right one I feel. I have a plan and vision for the future of youth football in the region. The big thing for me is we make it a united front at every level at the club. The plan will come when I start and it will be small steps at first and big steps over time.

“What matters most is the coaches of the players. I’ve spoken to all of them today before the announcement about how much I want them to be involved. They are the most important people and always will be the most important people. They have already proven how good they are in recent years.

“I’ll be a sounding board for them, I’ll be there to help them, they are there to help me and the way I look at it is we’re all doing this together. I hope they’ll enjoy it and I hope that every young player who becomes part of this club enjoys it as well.”

The Sligo Rovers Annual Draw has now surpassed €31,000 in sales with one week to go until the draw.

The draw will take place in the clubs Christmas Shop, located in Barton Smiths.

Tickets are priced at €10, with a first prize of €5,000 to be won.

The club would like to thank everyone who has supported the draw to date.

There has never been a bigger emphasis on online sales, due to Covid 19 restrictions.

To purchase a ticket for the draw and to support the club, click here.

Expressions of Interest

Sligo Rovers FC is seeking expressions of interest from potential players for our Women’s National League Under 17 team, and a potential Women’s National League  Under 19 team.

Our Women’s Under 17 team have enjoyed three seasons since entering the league, and it is hoped that we can build on our efforts by adding a Women’s Under 19 team for the coming season.

As the FAI sought interest from clubs already involved in the WNL to enter teams to a potential new U19 league, we have expressed our interest in entering a team, although we await confirmation on whether or not this league will go ahead.

We continue to grow as a club, and we understand that there is a wealth of talent within the locality. Women’s football is very much part of the club’s long term aims, and therefore we wish to continue our commitment to the game by adding another team.

While we await confirmation on the Women’s Under 19 league, we wish to invite expressions of interest for both the U19 team, and our U17 team which will be in its fourth season come 2021.

Players born in 2002 – 2006 are eligible. 

Please see link below:

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the signing of multiple League of Ireland Premier Division winner Greg Bolger for the 2021 season.

The 32-year-old midfielder joins the Bit O’ Red today after experiencing success at St Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers.

Bolger has spoken of ambition to achieve again under Liam Buckley, saying he is moving to Sligo after seeing the potential of the club to challenge for honours, just as he has done throughout his career

Bolger said: “Liam has always been in contact with me. I’m worked with him before and it’s a chance to sign with a club like Sligo Rovers steeped in history, I’m delighted to get it done and looking forward to the season.

“My contract was up at Shamrock Rovers and I looked around and it is always my motivation to join a club with ambition and wanting to win. I still have the ambition to do well. I’m looking to help Liam, I know he’s got a vision and he wants to get good players in to the club with the good ones there already. It was a no-brainer for me.

“Looking at the squad, and talking to Liam with the players he is trying to get into the club, it was something that appealed to me. I’m still as hungry as ever and I’m going up to give the club and Liam the best I can give him.

“I’ve had some great battles over the years with Sligo Rovers. One of the best days of my career was probably playing against Sligo when winning the league with St Patrick’s Athletic. One of the worst was as well the year before in that 3-2 game when Mark Quigley scored. Many memories, always difficult, with the crowd and the atmosphere they bring. It’s one I’m looking forward to next year being on their side.

“I’m ready to go. Obviously I had a bad injury where I was out for five months. It’s a case of now I’m going to keep training and I’ll be ready to go to fire on all cylinders come pre-season.

“I played with Russ (John Russell), I have a very good relationship with John and I’m looking forward to working under him. I know he knows the game inside-out. That was another appealing factor. I won a league at Cork with Garry Buckley and he’s a great guy and a great player.

“I know some of the rest from some battles over the years, the likes of David Cawley. There’s young players there who have great talent and potential. This is a moment in my career that I’m really looking forward to. I’m very excited today.”

Liam Buckley said: “It’s an exciting signing for us. Greg has had massive success at many clubs and he’s hungry for more. I’ve worked with him, I know what he brings. He is a proper pro is the best way to describe him.

“I feel he will be a good influence in the dressing-room, but first and foremost he’s a talented player who will add a lot to our group I feel. That is why we’re bringing him here. He’s very keen to achieve more in the game and he is driven to do so.

“He’s recovered from the injury, similar to John Mahon actually, and he’s 100% again. When we see him pre-season I think he’ll be itching to start playing.

“This is another important signing for us. We’re working very hard to try to add more players and hopefully that will happen this side of Christmas. We’re ahead of where we were this time last season. We’d like to get more done soon.”

Sligo Rovers is delighted to reveal our brand-new home jersey, created by the Bit O’ Red’s kit and sportswear partner JOMA Sport, in association with our main sponsor Avant Money.

Our current sponsor, Avant Money, has recently changed its name from Avantcard following the launch of their new mortgage products in September, reflecting the company’s ambition to provide a broader range of consumer finance products and grow the business. 

The new Avant Money branding will be extended to the rest of its existing business in the Spring of next year. This has offered us the opportunity to create a great new jersey for the 2021 season.

It also marks the third year of our agreement with JOMA, who have been a hugely supportive partner for the last five seasons.  

Today marks the beginning of a new Bit O’ Red – reflecting the club’s ambitions to continue to progress with a fresh look and maintaining the progress we have made alongside our key sponsors.

The announcement was made alongside the news of a significant new signing for the club for 2021 as Greg Bolger joins the club ahead of a campaign next year that will include European football.

A marketing campaign will also begin today in conjunction with Avant Money as we mark coming through the challenging 2020 period to believe in new, brighter and bigger days ahead for the club, our supporters and loyal sponsors.

The jersey is available to order now for collection from next Friday, December 18^th via our click and collect service or in store at our club shop in Barton Smiths. Online orders between now and next Friday will be compiled and posted out on that day. While orders will be posted on Friday the 18^th, we cannot guarantee Christmas delivery due to the huge strain on our couriers during the Christmas period.

“Therefore, we encourage supporters to buy online and use our click and collect option or purchase their jersey in store at Barton Smiths. After that date, we will still ship jerseys daily, however Christmas delivery would be increasingly unlikely and deliveries could arrive some days after Christmas.

Sizes are Small adult to XXLarge and begin at 4-6 years for kids up to 13-14 years.

Sligo Rovers CEO Colin Feehily said: “We’re delighted to unveil our new home jersey for 2021. We are maintaining the stripe look as we will indefinitely look to do now. This shirt is a bespoke design, and exclusive to Sligo Rovers, which we are proud of and excited about.

“It was a popular move to return to the origins of the club and this variation is something we feel will be equally exciting for our fans. We hope exciting times await for our players and supporters in this new Bit O’ Red look.”

JOMA brand manager Susanne McNamara “We were delighted to launch this new 2021 jersey in conjunction with Sligo Rovers.

“We feel it maintains the club’s historic values with the traditional stripes whilst embracing a fresh, new look. We hope the Bit O’ Red supporters like it as much as we do and wish Rovers the very best for the season. This shirt is tailor made by Sligo Rovers for Sligo Rovers, so that’s something special”

Chris Paul, Avant Money’s CEO, said: “After an unprecedent year of challenges, both Avant Money and Sligo Rovers have emerged stronger than ever.  A fresh start in the form of our new Avant Money name along with a fabulous new home jersey for the Bit O’ Red, sets us up nicely for what promises to be an exciting year ahead of us.”

Robbie McCourt has joined Sligo Rovers today for the 2021 SSE Airtricity League season.

The versatile Dubliner moves to Rovers from Waterford FC where he enjoyed an excellent season at the RSC.

The 22-year-old can operate in defence and midfield. McCourt spent five seasons with West Bromwich Albion in England before returning to Ireland with Bohemians in mid-2018.

The former Under-19 international, who was also part of a squad at Under-21 level under Stephen Kenny, switched to Waterford in 2019 and missed just one game in the season as he became a key part of their side.

He can play at centre-half, as well as midfield, and has played on the left side as well. McCourt: “I think it’s a very good move for me. Liam sounded very interested in me and when he gave me the call, the only thing on my mind was to get down and sign.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SLIGO ROVERS MERCHANDISE IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

“I had a few offers but really as soon as I spoke to Liam he seemed so interested. He really liked me as a player and didn’t stop making contact. I wanted to get it done quickly then.

“I started off with St Kevin’s in Dublin, joined West Brom at 15 and played there for four or  five years. I enjoyed my time there. I came back and signed for Bohemians.

“I was still young when I came back to Bohs. It’s not always easy. Bohemians had their team set already so I found it hard to break through. I did well but I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted. It was time to move on.

“I dropped out of football for a few months, played with my local team and Alan Reynolds called me and said he’d love me at Waterford. I had a great season with them.”

Now officially a Rovers player, McCourt said the surroundings in The Showgrounds and the knowledge he has of the Bit O’ Red convinced him to join.

“I’m very excited. It’s always a club I didn’t like travelling down to because I knew it was going to be a tough game. That was with both Bohs and Waterford. It was always a tough place to pick up results. But when you’re there and you look around the place with the facilities and all, it’s top of the range and looking at it. It’s probably one of the best in the country.

“The manager spoke to me about the aims he has. What the club wants to do is something I want to be a part of. I can’t want to get down to Sligo now. Hopefully we can do something special in 2021.”

As the season did resume in mid-2020, it was in defence where McCourt shone for the Blues.

“At the start of last season before lockdown, I was playing centre-midfield or left-wing.

“When the season resumed John Sheridan came in and started me at centre-back and I did well. It wasn’t new to me play at centre-back. I started my career at that position. It was grand and I fitted in well.

“Liam knows I can play a few positions. It’s just a matter of finding out where he wants to play me but I’ll play wherever he wants me to play. I think I’ll fit in anywhere. Centre-back would probably be my most comfortable position as I probably played there most of my career and then left-back. Those two would probably be my preferred.”

Liam Buckley said: “He’s a very talented player. I think he’s going to appreciate the environment here and the best is yet to come from Robbie.

“From a youngster in Dublin and going over to England, he has been a technically good player. Last season was a very good one for him in Waterford and I felt he did well at Bohs.

“The versatility he has will be a help to us. Robbie will be comfortable in a couple of positions.

“We already have good players in the group and I believe he will add to it. He will improve with the better quality of player around him and my job is to make this group better.

“We are trying to do that over the coming period.”

Eleven players are now contracted professionally for the 2021 campaign.

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