Sligo Rovers can confirm our pre-season fixture list following confirmation of our first game next Tuesday.

Read Liam Buckley’s thoughts here

Pre-season fixtures:

Tuesday 22nd January

Sligo Rovers v Sure Sports FC, Milebush Park, 2pm

Saturday 26th January

Sligo Rovers v Galway United, Milebush Park, 2pm

• Admittance €5 adults, Under-12s free

Tuesday 29th January

Ballinamallard v Sligo Rovers, Ferney Park, 7:30pm

Saturday 2nd February

Athlone Town v Sligo Rovers, Athlone Town Stadium, 4pm

Saturday 9th February

TBC v Sligo Rovers, Venue TBC, kick-off TBC

Liam Buckley has revealed that consultation with key figures in maintaining The Showgrounds pitch has led to a decision not to play any pre-season matches on the surface.

The Sligo Rovers manager had been planning on taking charge of the team for the first time in the ground next Tuesday against Sure Sports FC from America.

However, that game has since been moved to Milebush in Castlebar following necessary work on the surface during the off-season.

Buckley said: “I did want to have the players get a feel of a match on The Showgrounds pitch, like any manager does ahead of the new season. We didn’t announce the game because of the choice of venue still up in the air.

“As you know I’m keen to get the team playing the ball on the ground and develop a passing style that I’ve had with previous clubs, and key to that is a good surface. 

“Obviously it makes it a lot more difficult if the pitch isn’t conducive to it. 

“I’ve been speaking with George Mullen; we couldn’t really ask for for more when it comes to knowledge on this matter. 

“Over the last number of weeks there has been investment, time and financial, in the playing surface here. It’s fair to say George has really done all he can to have the pitch in the best condition possible for the start of the league season. 

“At this time of year, a match wouldn’t be advisable given the work that has been done. We want to respect that and let it have the best effect it can because playing a game could jeapardise it. 

“Therefore the decision has been made to play on pitches away from The Showgrounds. A lot of them will be on grass, rather than astro, which is what I’m looking for overall. 

“I know it might be a bit disappointing for the fans who want to see the players as soon as possible. Equally I’m sure there’ll be an understanding that it’s important to prioritise the surface. 

“The club would probably like a game as well to bring in spectators given we are away in our first match, but they also know the pitch has an entire season of games ahead and this is a time of year where you can do some work on it. 

“I’m very thankful to George and indeed all the staff here who maintain the ground.

“We’re excited to be out there in front of our fans and look forward to 22nd February to the game against St Pat’s.”

The work on The Showgrounds pitch includes on the goalmouths, re-seeding and more. 

The club would also like to express our gratitude to George, we are enormously thankful for his commitment to the Bit O’ Red. 

The pre-season schedule will have two more matches added shortly.

Tuesday, 22nd January

Friendly :

Sligo Rovers v Sure Sports FC, Milebush Park, 2pm

Sligo Rovers can confirm that our Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th February at 7:45pm in the Clayton Hotel.

The AGM will see the election of the 2019 management committee, a presentation of 12 months of club finances and the chairman and secretary’s report.

Notices will be posted to members in the next week, including nomination forms to join the committee.

Meanwhile the Annual Voluntary Member Contribution of €100 can be made on the night if desired or here for members or non-members.

For more, email administrator@sligorovers.com

Sligo Rovers are very pleased to announce the signing of attacking player Romeo Parkes subject to international clearance.

The 28-year-old Jamaican international joins Rovers from Pittsburgh Riverhounds in America.   

He has also had spells in the top flight in El Salvador where he helped Isidro Metapán to a league title, as well as playing in his home nation.

He was in the Jamaica squad for the previous to last Copa America and scored for his country in a friendly with Cuba.

Liam Buckley said: “Romeo can play on the either wing or up front. He is technically very good and I have to say I’m quite excited about him.  

“He has over a decade in the game which is important and international experience. I think it’s a signing that could be really beneficial to us and a big attacking threat.

“He likes to take players on and make things happen with a goal in him. I know Romeo is thrilled with the opportunity to come over and play the game here.

“The deal was in theory done quite a while. He came across our radar and we feel he can be a good player in this league. We’ve secured a work permit this evening and it’s the first of what will be a number of signings.

“The Irish market is not like England or wherever else. It is a small pool of players and we’re still looking here, while working in a number of different markets to bring in other quality players.

“I have to stress patience, it’s isn’t going to happen straight away because as I’ve said before we are bringing in players to try to take the club to a higher level and not just for the sake of it.

“I’ve been at the club for a couple of months and I try to keep our transfer dealings very much low key until the deal is done. I can assure our fans that the committee, Dave Campbell and I are making progress. It takes time but we’re getting there.

“Romeo is going to be a player to bring something new to The Showgrounds and the league and we can’t wait for him to join us.” 

Sligo Rovers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Padraig Scanlon in Riverstown.

Padraig was a lifelong supporter of the club, who is pictured receiving the “Sligo Rovers Merit Award” back in 2017 in the Clayton Hotel Sligo.

A gentleman that will be missed by so many in The Showgrounds.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at the difficult time.

Sligo Rovers can confirm that, through the work of the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust, new hospitality facilities will be installed at The Showgrounds.

Modular buildings, similar to those currently in use at the ground for offices, are being installed and earmarked for use in hosting supporters, visitors and social gatherings.

The buildings have been purchased by the Trust through their fundraising activities.

Forthcoming events held by the supporters group will be used to furnish the building.  

Sligo Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty said: “Every Sligo Rovers fan is proud of The Showgrounds, not just in appearance, but in the facilities we have that serve our club and our community.

“We do our very best to maintain the ground and improve it. Understandably, so much of our resources are tied up in the day-to-day running of the club, and likewise the fundraising for the club is geared towards it. It simply has to be or we wouldn’t be able to function.

“There is no doubt that one of the things we have been lacking is hospitality areas. We have many visitors to the ground, especially on match day, and we have been crying out for a new facility to host receptions and events.

“The Trust have been very active in pursuing this. We said we were open to it and it has materialised quite quickly. I don’t think too many Supporters Trusts would take on such a project, it shows ambition and determination to improve our club. We are a club run by our members, driven by our supporters and this is one of the finest examples of that you will ever see. It is the spirit of Sligo Rovers. 

“There is a lot of work to be done. I can’t go in specifics just yet on what exactly the new facilities will be used for or a timeframe for when they will be available, but that will come in time.”

The club would like to express our gratitude to the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust for their work in developing this project. 

Meanwhile we can also confirm that the upcoming bingo fundraiser will also be used towards Showgrounds development and the running of the club.  

Sligo Rovers U17 manager Ryan Casey has confirmed that he will be hosting open trials this coming Sunday from 5pm until 7pm on the Showgrounds Astro.

Players attending are asked to be on site by the latest 4.30pm and must bring their own training gear.

Anyone who is interested in attending must register for the event by emailing their Name, DOB & Preferred Position to ryan.casey101@gmail.com

Sligo Rovers can confirm two upcoming friendly games as we prepare for the new season.

Rovers will take on Galway United at the home of Castlebar Celtic in Mayo on Saturday 26 January, kick-off 2pm.

The following Saturday 2 February we travel again to take on Athlone Town at Athlone Town Stadium. Kick-off will be 4pm.

Three more friendly games will be announced shortly.