Sligo Rovers announced a triple signing on Monday as Dundalk star striker Ronan Murray moved to The Showgrounds on a two-year contract and Kyle Callan-McFadden and Regan Donelon renewed for 2019.

Ronan Murray joins Sligo Rovers as one of the outstanding players in the division, winning the double with the Lilywhites last year and previously top-scoring with Galway United.

He said in The Showgrounds this morning: “Sligo Rovers has always meant something to me. It’s my closest club, I have friends that attend games, that play for the team and it is special to me. I’m not here to play in a team struggling.

“I’ve signed with a view to be a big part in taking the club towards former heights. I don’t think it will be overnight. It’s a two-year project at least certainly and that is why I’ve signed for that period because I believe in it.

“It’s not rhetoric or saying it for the sake of it. I’m really happy to be a Sligo Rovers player at last and more than anything I’m excited. I’ve always wanted to play here.

“The Sligo Rovers I used to hear about from David Cawley, Gary Boylan or from people in Mayo were the great years for the club.

“The 2012 league, the FAI Cups, The Showgrounds packed out. The long-term plan is to get the club at
least near that. It’s a clean slate and we’ve a manager here who has a terrific track record of not just
winning but of playing a brand of football that a club like Rovers love.

“He is enthusiastic and he is bringing energy early on, you can see that today from the other lads.

“At my age I suppose I’ll be one of the most experienced players. I guess I bring that.

“What I can say is I take a lot from my time at Dundalk. I was part of a dressing-room that was exemplary, that had leadership and dedication and showed younger players how to operate and how to look after themselves and be totally dedicated to football.

“I’d like to have that influence here as well and pass that knowledge on.

“My message to the Sligo Rovers fans is I can’t wait to be a home player in The Showgrounds, it has been a while coming and I’d really hope they get behind the club because I firmly believe we can build something again.”

Liam Buckley: “It’s a fantastic start to bringing in new faces here. Ronan is a terrific player, he has
proven that at Galway, Dundalk and his time in England. We’re absolutely delighted to have him here.

“There aren’t too many players in the league with a proven record of scoring, and certainly that are out
of contract. It’s no secret that many clubs were chasing him.

“We’ve done well to get Ronan here, and from speaking to him I think he is really hungry to achieve things with the club which is important too.

“He believes in what we’re trying to do. He can compliment all of our attacking play.

“It’s an ongoing process to bring in the players we want. It’s extremely competitive. We’re doing
everything we can. The supporters can be assured of that.

“I hope it shows what we’re trying to do, if we can. The more they get behind us, be it season tickets, whatever, the more we can bring in quality players.

“I’ve been in the job a few weeks and I’m looking for patience early on and to get behind us from
the very first whistle next year.

“I want to make The Showgrounds a nightmare for opposition teams to come and I want players that excite our supporters. They can play their part.”

Week 9 will come down to the Magnificent 7 as only Everton came through this week, their single goal against Cardiff City proving vital as Man Utd, Bournemouth, Southampton and Wolves all failed to win their league fixtures and send the other 17 players packing from the competition.

Our seven finalists are Andrew Higgins, Barry Mulligan, Gerry O’Reilly, John Howley, Robert Sweeney, Senan Kerins and Stephen Crossan. Which of them will emerge victorious and how many weeks will it take to wittle this motley crew down to just one single competitor who will take the title and the €1,000 prize money.

The next closing date is at midnight on Thursday, 29th November 2018 and submissions may be made via the Last Man Standing page, text / WhatsApp to +35383 4853420 or email to lastmanstanding@sligorovers.com

Remaining Players: 7

Eliminated Players: 17

Regan Donelon and Kyle Callan-McFadden have signed new contracts with Sligo Rovers for the 2019 season.

Mitchell Beeney. Ed McGinty, Patrick McClean, John Mahon, Jack Keaney, David Cawley, Kris Twardek, Liam Kerrigan, Niall Morahan and Luke MacNicholas are already under contract at The Showgrounds and this duo makes further progress for Liam Buckley.

Regan Donelon: “I’m really happy because I think something very positive is happening here. My main
aim for 2019 is to start well, have a long extended run in the team, stay injury-free and find my best form.

“It’s as simple as that to start with. I think it’s a great move by the club to bring Liam Buckley here as manager. I’ve met him and he has told me what he wants from me and what he thinks I can do.

“I’ve had five seasons as part of the senior squad and some people might forget that I’m only 22. I have
a lot of experience for a player of my age and each season I feel I’m developing.

“There was some disruption this year so my target is to be hugely consistent in 2019 in playing matches and doing well.

“It is absolutely critical for us that we get off to a good start and it would make us stronger for the whole
year.

“It has been a while since we’ve had it. That is what we are looking to do. We want to be better and it’s up to all of us to achieve that.”

Kyle Callan-McFadden: “I’m delighted to be here again next year. I spoke to Liam and it was great first and foremost to be in his plans. His arrival has given everybody a real lift and it’s a fresh start.

“I don’t think I found the form I showed in 2017 last year. There were interruptions and I found it a shock at first playing right-back when I filled in there because I hadn’t featured there in my career.

“Ironically I thought I was only getting to grips with it in the really late part of the season.

“It was a tough year for the club with the home form in mind. I’ve got a job on with Paddy McClean and John Mahon already signed here and I’m sure more defenders will come in. I want to get that position at centre-half, like the two lads will do.

“The three of us actually get on really well funnily enough and we’re in competition. I think we all have that desire within us to be the best centre half and push the club on.

“The conversations I’ve had with Liam excite me, you get to learn what he demands from the players so it’s my responsibility to show him and be a big influence here. I know I can be that and I can’t wait for the new year to begin.”

Manager Liam Buckley: “It’s a positive move to retain Kyle because I think he has many attributes to be a great defender.

“He wants to do well and show why we have that faith in him. I think the supporters know how good Kyle can be and we’ll work with him to get the best out of him.

“There is some good competition in there now at the back.

“Regan is maturing with every season and again I think that experience is adding to his game. We’ll look to direct him towards the way we want the team to play and we’re very happy he is going to be part of things here.”

And we’re getting closer and closer to the prize money. Only 24 players remain in the club’s Last Man Standing competition which returns this week after the international break. Everton (8), Man Utd (7) & Wolves (6) carry most hopes this weekend.

Remember that you CAN NOT pick the same team more than once in this competition. Each person’s previous selections are included for reference, but only Week 8 selections impact your progress this week.

Entries for this week are now closed, only errors included below may be changed and must be alerted before the first game starts this weekend.

Once successfully through Week 8, you may make your Week 9 entries via the main Last Man Standing page.

Liam Buckley is set to meet Sligo Rovers fans for the first time at a question and answer night at the Clayton Hotel in the first week of December.

It will take place on the Wednesday 5th December at 7:30pm where Buckley will field questions from supporters.

The event will be open to all fans.

Player of the Year awards for 2018 will also be announced and presented.

Season ticket forms will also be available

The FAI primary schools programme in conjunction with Sligo Rovers is now entering its fifth week, with school children across the region enjoying fun football sessions both indoors and outdoors.

Six schools have participated in the programme since its launch last month, with new schools invited to participate after the Christmas holidays.

To date, the development of skills has been a key aspect of the programme in its opening five weeks while a classroom based session on nutrition has also taken place.

The final two weeks of the programme will consist of two classroom based sessions, one on show racism the red card while the final session will consist of all things Sligo Rovers and the role the club has in the community. A member of the Sligo Rovers first team will also attend for the final classroom session.

All coaches on the programme are fully vetted and experienced.

The programme runs in seven week blocks and costs just €150. To enroll your school on the programme or for more information you can contact Darragh Healy on 086-0620268.

It is with great sadness that Sligo Rovers have received the news of the passing of Gerry Keavney.

Gerry was a Sligo Rovers fanatic, attending all home games with members of his family and indeed away games also.

Sligo Rovers played a huge part in Gerry’s life and everyone at the club is deeply heartbroken with the news of his passing.

Our sincere condolences to Gerry’s mother Doreen, son Gerry Jnr, partner Anne, sisters Jenny and Karena and brother Martin. Gerry Jr.’s partner Caitriona, brothers in law Pete and Ray, nieces Caitlin and Lauren, cousin Madeline and relatives.

Damon Kearney, head-coach of the Sligo Rovers Under 17 Women’s team says he can reflect on his year at the helm ‘with a huge amount of pride’ as he guided the Bit O’Red girls for a fourth place finish in the Group A, just missing out on third spot.

It was an historic year for the Bit O’Red, entering a team into the Women’s National League for the first time, for the first year of the Under 17 league.

And Kearney is immensely proud to be able to look back and see that he has played his part in developing women’s football in the region. He also says he is ‘gutted’ he cannot continue in his role.

“I look back on the season with a huge amount of pride, we have provided a pathway for female players to play for Sligo Rovers for the first time in the National League and you do need to look back to where it all started from to appreciate the journey that this season has brought,” the Roscommon man told sligorovers.com.

“This all began back in September 2017 where discussions were held informally with people involved in the women’s game in the region to gauge if there was an interest in exploring possibility of applying to have a U17 WNL side.

“Then we had to identify the right people to come together on the committee to sit down strategically and map out how to establish the women’s structure with the club. It was so important that a good foundation was there from the start because if the structures off the pitch aren’t right then it affects everything on the pitch especially when you want this to turn into not just having a U17 WNL team but also a senior WNL side.”

Kearney says he was honoured to be given the role as head-coach, bringing a wealth of experience with him thanks to his coaching roles with the Emerging Talent programme, Longford Town, Castlebar Celtic Women and more. He also works full time as the Community Football Development Officer for Leitrim with the FAI and Leitrim County Council since 2009.

“I was honoured to be given the opportunity to become the first head coach of a Sligo Rovers women’s National League team and I would like thank the support I had from the coaching staff around me this season who have been fantastic from the start in trying to create a good environment for the young players coming into the club. We all knew that there are some fantastic players in the region.”

Rovers finished the season in fourth place, with goal difference separating them and Peamount who occupied third place. Kearney, however, says that the table was not his main focus for the year.

“I didn’t spend too much time worrying about results or the table, for me I was looking at the longer term future of the club. My focus was to spend the time developing our players for the long term. We had to be realistic about our ambitions, we had a young squad with only five who will be over-age for next season and then I think we have 11 still underage for the 2020 season in two year’s time. So this season was the start of their journey getting used to playing at this level and using this experience to push on in their development individually and as a group in season two/three to hopefully playing senior football with Rovers.”

He will only have positive memories from his time at the helm of the Bit O’Red Under 17 girls, but there are a couple of days that will remain precious memories for him.

“That very first game we had with Peamount away is a positive memory that all who helped made this happen. Everyone will remember for a long time that feeling of seeing a Sligo Rovers Women’s team run out on a pitch as a National League club for the first time and then the first home game against Galway with the Live Your Goals Festival with 250 young girls taking part in that and then seeing that they too can aspire to play for Sligo Rovers in the future.”

Players within the squad have developed hugely as the season went on, and he feels that the hard work is all made worthwhile when you look on and see how far your players have come.

“It’s been one of my most enjoyable experiences in football, working with the group of players we had and seeing how much they have developed over the season. Great work has been done locally in the region at all these girls club’s in Sligo/Leitrim/Mayo as well as with the Emerging Talent League centres to provide a pathway for these girls. Anyone who has seen any of our games this year would have seen some of the outstanding talents within the squad. Sligo Rovers are providing the next step for them to challenge themselves at the highest level then against the best of the best elsewhere and they players learn so much from that playing at that level week after week. Some players adapted really quickly while others grew in confidence as the season went on, overall the players and their parents must take great credit for how they conducted themselves this season as it is a big commitment to play at this level but then the progression of these girls hopefully makes it all worthwhile.

“I am gutted I am not in a position to continue the good work we started but the potential of this group and the club as a whole is massive and it will be a great opportunity to whoever comes into the role next. The coaching staff around me all contributed so much to me as well as the players and I would like to thank each of them for the time and effort they put in over the course of the season.”

The club’s step into women’s football has been greeted with a huge amount of positivity, and Kearney says that the Under 17 league in general has been a massive step in the right direction for women’s football in the country.

“This has been a huge step forward in the right direction not just for our region but across the country in women’s football. The game is growing in terms of numbers, slowly women’s sport is getting more exposure, there is still a long way to go but it is moving in the right direction. Things like the U17 WNL is a big step in providing opportunities for our elite players to move onto beyond the Gaynor Cup and for players who have ambitions to push themselves on this is where they should be aiming for.

“In the North-West it was great to see not just a Sligo Rovers team but also Donegal League as well as this level. Players in this this region have lost out in the past due to lack of structures. Even looking at the senior WNL league, there are clubs from Galway across to the middle of the country to Dublin, there is no senior club in the northern half of country. So the U17’s is only the start of the ambitions for Sligo Rovers, hopefully they can push on and meet one of their original targets in their last strategic plan to have a senior WNL set up for 2020. There is exciting times ahead for women’s football and I am glad to say Sligo Rovers will be part of that.”

Sligo Rovers would like to place on record their thanks to Damon Kearney for his commitment, dedication, professionalism and hard work, in what was an historic year for the club. Damon’s contribution to the club has been invaluable.

This week we have been busy visiting local businesses and Bit O Red supporters delivering their sponsored player’s shirts, as part of the club’s player sponsorship package.

The club wish to thank all its player sponsors from the 2018 season. You’re sponsorship is much appreciated by every player, and the club itself.

Pictured below are is Paul from Thomas Connolly pub in Sligo, who sponsored David Cawley in 2018.

Mikey Drennan was kindly sponsored by Callan Tansey Solicitors, and pictured below is Caroline & Brian from Callan Tansey receiving Mikey’s match worn shirt.

Player sponsorship is not only open to businesses, supporters can sponsor their favourite Bit O Red player or member of staff and Rovers fan Andrew Dodd sponsored Rhys McCabe for the season, as seen below.

To become a player or management team sponsor, you can do so by emailing the club on administrator@sligorovers.com or by telephone on 0719171212.

The cost is €300 and you get the following included in your package:

• Your name/company name will appear in the match programme every Bit O Red home game.
• You will receive mentions on the club’s social media pages and club website.
• You will receive your chosen player’s match worn shirt at the end of the season.

Again, we thank all our sponsors in 2018, and we look forward to working with you again in 2019.