Sligo Rovers can confirm the transfer of defender John Mahon to Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.

The agreement with St Johnstone includes an undisclosed transfer fee, plus additional future-based terms.

Mahon made his debut at 17 for Rovers in the League Cup in 2017 before going on to make his league bow in 2018.

He was Young Player of the Year for the club in 2018, first-choice defender in 2019, helped Rovers reach Europe in the 2020 season and did so again last campaign when voted the Player of the Year.

He went on to make over 100 appearances for the club, despite being just 22.

All at Sligo Rovers would like to wish John success at his new club.

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley said: “The consistency John has shown over a number of seasons has been fantastic. At just 22 he evolved into someone who could lead and most importantly defend superbly well.

“We’ve watched him constantly improve over these last few seasons because his talent is there to see. Again, John was someone who was attracting interest of clubs for quite some time as he is able to play at a level up certainly. We knew that would be acted upon eventually. He’s been a magnificent player for this club and we all wish him well at St Johnstone.”

Buckley said on his current squad: “We’ve made good progress on new recruitment and we will have more on that quite soon. It’s the nature of the business that squads evolve and change over time. We still have a huge number of quality players here and we will finalise this year’s group and I’m confident it will leave us well-placed to have an exciting year ahead.”

John Mahon said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly five years since making my first-team debut for Rovers. It has been the biggest honour to play over 100 times for this special club and I’ve loved it. I hope you all saw what it meant to me on the pitch.

“My ambition to play across the water has always been there and the chance has come along which I feel I have to take.

“I’d like to thank the managers I’ve worked under and all of the staff at the club who work so hard to make it a better place for everyone every single day.

“In leaving today one consolation is Rovers are in a strong place and I know the club is on an upward trajectory. In the last two years in particular you can see the progress we’ve made and it’s been a pleasure to be part of it.

“I’d also like to thank my former club Ballisodare United for their help in developing me as a player and all of the academy coaches at Rovers from before I joined the first-team.

“To all of the Sligo Rovers fans and people in the county and around, I’ve been given fantastic support by you all. It was greatly appreciated by both myself and my family. I’ll be watching to see the potential of this squad reached, including the next group of young players coming through, and I’ll be another supporter watching and cheering you on. Thank you to the gaffer Liam and John and up the Rovers.”

Sligo Rovers can today confirm Katie Melly has signed for our Women’s National League side.

Sligo town native Melly is currently a scholarship student at IT Sligo, where she is in her fourth year, studying Health Science and Physical Activity.

Melly is the third confirmed signing for Steve Feeney’s side, joining Emma Hansbery and Amy Hyndman in the squad.

The 23-year-old played her underage football with Strand Celtic, and represented the league at the Gaynor Cup.

Melly also represented Connacht at the FAI Schools interprovincial tournament in 2012.

At the age of 16, she signed for Castlebar Celtic who at the time were playing in the Women’s National League.

Melly, an attacking midfielder or winger, grew up supporting the Bit O’Red, and now the opportunity to play for the club is a massive source of pride for her and her family.

She said: “I’m delighted to sign for Sligo Rovers. It’s great. The thought of playing for Sligo Rovers fills me with excitement. There’s pictures at home of me with my Dad at the matches and I’m only 5 or 6.

“Signing for them, it’s great for my family as well because my Dad is a massive fan of Rovers. I just want to make them all proud.”

Melly has proved to be an important player for IT Sligo, and played a vital role in the college’s O’Regan Cup victory in 2019.

Having not played club football since Castlebar Celtic left the WNL, Melly is now raring to go at Sligo Rovers.

“I’ve wanted to go back playing in the WNL for a while. It was tough when I was in school traveling up and down to Castlebar for training and then for games at the weekends.

“The only other place I could go was Galway but it’s a two hour drive  which wasn’t really feasible cause I had college in Sligo.  

“Then I spoke to Conor O’Grady and I couldn’t wait to get involved with Rovers. Now I’m dying to play. I’m really excited.”

Training is well underway, and Melly can’t wait to get games under her belt.

Rovers take on Conn Rangers in a pre-season friendly at the Sean Fallon Centre on Saturday at 4pm.

“Training has been tough, for me I’m starting back properly again. The level of training drills and the playing drills is great. I can’t wait to start playing games. I can’t wait to get going. Getting the feel of it all being back training just makes me more excited about playing games.”

Melly is also enjoying working with manager Steve Feeney and the backroom team. 

“They’re all great coaches and they all know what they’re talking about. I’m really enjoying working with them and constantly learning as we go along.”

Familiar faces within the squad have certainly made the settling in period easier.

“I played with Emma Hansberry down in Castlebar. I always looked up to her, she played for Strand Celtic as well. There’s some other girls there too that I played with already so it’s great to play with them and have that familiarity.”

Amy Hyndman has signed for Sligo Rovers from fellow Women’s National League side Athlone Town.

The 21-year-old is currently a sports scholar at Letterkenny IT, where she captains the ladies football team.

Previously, the Grange native spent two years playing for Sion Swifts Under 19s after progressing through Benbulben FC’s underage academy.

Hyndman, a left winger, has represented LYIT at the 2018/19 intervarsities, and won the Regional Futsal Finals in 2019/20, qualifying for the national finals.

She is in her fourth year at Letterkenny IT, where she is studying Early Childhood Health Care and Education.

Hyndman is also an experienced coach locally, having spent the last five years coaching Sligo/Leitrim Gaynor Cup teams at various age levels.

She has previously coached a range of age groups at Ballisodare and at Cliffoney Celtic and has coached on the  FAI Summer Soccer Schools in Sligo.

Hyndman said: “I’m delighted to have signed and be part of the first WNL Sligo Rovers team. It’s great to have this opportunity in our own county.

“The girls and the management have been brilliant so far so I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.”

Avant Money has today been unveiled as the official sponsors of the first-ever Sligo Rovers women’s senior team in the Women’s National League (WNL) as part of a new two-year deal.

The Leitrim-based lender has been the primary sponsor of Sligo Rovers of the men’s senior team since 2020 and last year extended that agreement until the end of the 2023 season.

The agreement will now see the Avant Money logo feature as the main sponsor on the jerseys of both the men’s and women’s teams.

The news was confirmed as Katie Melly and Amy Hyndman officially signed for the Bit O’ Red this morning.

Sligo Rovers will begin their first season in the WNL in March, now proudly supported by a major player in the financial services industry based in the North West. As a community-funded club reliant heavily on fundraising and the backing of its core sponsors, this new deal with Avant Money gives Sligo Rovers even more confidence as they take to the pitch for the opening game of the season, away to Peamount United on March 5^th.

The Sligo Rovers men’s team have achieved back-to-back European qualification in the two seasons Avant Money has been primary sponsor, evidence of a winning combination both on and off the pitch.

Speaking about the announcement, Avant Money CEO Chris Paul, said “Physical and mental wellbeing plays an important role in the culture of Avant Money and is one of many reasons we have just been accredited as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth year in a row.  This also extends to the broader community through our support of many sporting organisations and events that encourage people, regardless of gender and ability level, to stay active.

“Therefore, having extended our relationship with the club with the recent renewal of our current deal supporting the men’s senior team, I’m delighted that we’re now expanding it by supporting the newly formed women’s team.  Everyone at Avant Money wishes both teams the very best of luck as we head into the new season.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “We are simply delighted by the generosity of our primary sponsor Avant Money and how they share the vision and values of our football club.

“We joined the WNL because undoubtedly it was the right step to provide female players with the same pathway as the men’s team and Avant Money has been overwhelmingly supportive over the last number of years amid a time of great uncertainty in football.

“In particular, I want to thank Chris Paul, who has been so encouraging and ambitious in partnering with Sligo Rovers.”

The club has a strong backroom team in place for the new senior women’s team, with former player Steve Feeney already in place as manager and Jason McCartney appointed as coach this week.  In addition, Jacqui Mulligan has also been appointed as a coach.  Mulligan has a detailed background in sport, including as an elite performer for the Sligo GAA team as captain.

Jason McCartney has been appointed as coach of the Sligo Rovers women’s team.

McCartney will work alongside manager and former team-mate Steve Feeney as the duo take their first steps in senior management.

Both players lined for Ballinamallard for the majority of their playing career and now reunite.

He lined out for Rovers in the later 2000s before going on to become a stalwart at the Northern Irish side.

The Bit O’ Red are delighted to welcome Jason back to the club. He has already been part of training for the Rovers side ahead of the first Women’s National League season.

In further additions, Jacqui Mulligan has been appointed a coach.

Mulligan has a detailed background in sport including as an elite performer for the Sligo GAA team as captain.

Brendan Fitzsimons, who coaches at Summerhill College and formerly played for the club’s ‘A’ team, will be assistant coach and analyst and Ronan Cox has been named as equipment manager.  

The club welcomes all of the new staff members and are thankful for their support to the team at this vital time.

Sligo Rovers’ first-team continue their pre-season preparation this week ahead of the beginning of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 19 February.

Rovers were in Cross Fit Sligo in Finisklin Business Park for the second session of the day.

Thanks to all at Cross Fit Sligo for use of their fantastic facility.

Emma Hansberry has become the first official signing for the Sligo Rovers team set to begin their debut season in the Women’s National League.

The Sligo native – a former Republic of Ireland international and a leading figure for women’s sport in the county – will proudly wear the Bit O’ Red for the 2022 season as manager Steve Feeney begins to assemble his squad.

The announcement was made as the club confirmed that all supporters who have purchased a season ticket for the men’s team will also receive entry to WNL games in The Showgrounds for free.

The move is with a view that both sides are under the same umbrella and receive the support of the dedicated Rovers fanbase.

Hansberry played in the inaugural Women’s National League for Castlebar Celtic in 2011 and then went on to play for Wexford as he represented the Republic of Ireland.

During her time in Castlebar she featured in the WNL Team of the Season and awarded the Young Player of the Year in Ireland.

In the 2013 FAI Women’s Cup final at the Aviva Stadium, Hansberry played well for the underdogs Castlebar Celtic in a narrow defeat to Raheny United.

At Wexford she went one better and won the Cup, winning the league three times as well as competing in the Champions League

Now, at 27, and with the Bit O’ Red taking steps in senior football, the midfielder will play for her hometown club.

She said: “It’s an honour to get the chance to play for Sligo Rovers. I knew one day Sligo Rovers would have a team in the WNL but I didn’t think it would come around this quickly. It’s going to be a pleasure to line out for Sligo Rovers this season and credit to everyone for making it happen

“When I was growing up, there wasn’t the same opportunities. For girls to be able to play at such a high level and to have national league at senior and underage level, I don’t think the players know how lucky they are to have it. It’s so much more enjoyable to be a part of it. The standard is higher, there is bigger depth of clubs and there is a pathway. For our girls in Sligo they had to travel elsewhere for years to other clubs before the underage leagues came in.

“It’s changed now and it makes me very happy to see it and even more to part of it. You’re going to have girls wanting to come to Sligo Rovers in the next few years rather than wanting to leave. When I was playing in my early days I had to travel to Wexford for four hours each way on a matchday just to play a game. Now we will girls wanting to play in Sligo, move to Sligo, study in Sligo in the IT and play for Sligo Rovers. The interest is going to skyrocket in the next few years. The support we’ve had so far for the team from the club has been amazing.

“They are all pushing for total professionalism. We train on the club’s training pitch, we play on the main pitch and we receive everything we need. Everything is to the highest standard possible and if that is happening from day one then it is actually very exciting. It shows that this is going to be a team and club of the highest calibre and the intentions in the long-term is to be one of the best in the country.”

More signings will be confirmed this week by the club. The academy teams will be utilised as players join the squad, meaning Hansberry will be a senior player in the group.

She is happy to take on the role while admitting that the progression of the skillset players have will also help bring the best out of her.

“At 27 I’ll probably be one of the oldest girls. No matter what age you are, every single player will bring different qualities. Everyone contributes in a different way. I’ve played in the league previously for a few years. I hope I can bring some experience to the younger girls – especially to those stepping up from the Under-17s or Under-19s – because I do know myself how daunting it can be playing against or with players who are so much older than you.

“I’ll try my hardest to help them along the way. On the flipside I will learn a lot from them because they are so technical and skillful. Their fitness levels are through the roof. They’ll benefit me as much as I benefit them.

“It will take time to find our feet. We’ll never go into a game with a negative mindset. It will be positive all the way and there will be tough games I’m sure. It’s important we build the basics by being hard-working, tough to beat and being very solid defensively. They are things we need to bring. We’ll have plenty of games that are tough or don’t go our way. There’ll be defeats and painful defeat because we are starting off. We will have to take those but also know we can win games as well. We’ll be trying to hold our own and win, knowing that this is the start and not something we can achieve overnight.”

Rovers have trained twice so far with a view to assessing players and forming the group. Manager Steve Feeney will shortly confirm his backroom team. Hansberry has been impressed by the first sessions under the manager, but not surprised given what she knew about the Rovers boss.

“Steve’s knowledge is first class. He’s very enthusiastic which has come across in our first two sessions. It’ll be a tough job for him but it’s exciting as well. I was delighted to see Steve appointed. He’s from Sligo, he’s associated with Sligo Rovers and will wear his heart on his sleeve when it comes to this team. He has a pedigree to be a fantastic coach for any team and to have him as the first Sligo Rovers manager shows the level the club is aiming for.

“He also has a lovely way about him as a person. Managing a women’s team is quite different to a men’s team, you have to have certain characteristics, and Steve is a great fit. Any player here will appreciate him as a coach and manager. I think he’s going to be fantastic manager.”

Sligo Rovers will play a number of pre-season matches ahead of the start of the new SSE Airtricity League season.

The games are

• Wednesday 26 January – Athlone Town away
• Tuesday 1 February – Finn Harps venue TBC
• Friday 4 February – Derry City away
• Friday 11 February – Athlone Town home

More details will be released closer to the fixtures.

Rovers begin their league season on Saturday 19 February against Bohemians.

Johnny Kenny has published a note for Sligo Rovers following confirmation of his transfer to Celtic this evening.

It reads: “After six years at the club I have grown up loving, it has come to an end. This has been such a tough decision and message to write because I love playing for my hometown club and I love being at home.

!But I think now is the time to test myself at another level. I want to say thanks to every academy manager at the club who has helped me. You’ve have been amazing, there is just too many to name.

“To all the people who keep this club running on a daily basis, I want to say thank you for everything since I walked in at that gate at the age of 13. 

“To the gaffer Liam Buckley and John Russell –  without their trust in me I would be nowhere near where I am today. I can’t speak highly enough of them and what they’ve done for me.

“Finally, to play for the club I love in front of you special fan. It was incredible. I got goosebumps every time my name went around the Showgrounds.

“It was a special feeling to play and score in front of all of you .

“So I want to say a massive thanks for taking to me and the support you’ve given me and I’m sorry I didn’t give you the send-off you deserved. I am now and forever a supporter of Rovers and I can’t wait to watch and support from across the water.

“This club has a special place in my heart. Thank you.”
JK24
BITORED

Sligo Rovers can confirm an agreement has been reached with Celtic for the transfer of striker Johnny Kenny.

The 18-year-old, a product of the club’s renowned academy which has developed over a third of the current first-team squad, was the top scorer for the Bit O’ Red in his debut professional season.

He netted 11 times in the SSE Airtricity League, as well as once in the Europa Conference game against FH of Iceland, and helped the club finish in third place in the league to secure consecutive European qualifications.

The agreement with Celtic includes an undisclosed transfer fee, plus additional future-based terms.

A statement on behalf of the club’s management committee: “Following the conclusion of a period of negotiation with Celtic, the terms for the transfer of Johnny Kenny have been agreed to the satisfaction of Sligo Rovers.

“Johnny has made a noteworthy contribution to Sligo Rovers in just one season as a senior professional, helping the club secure European football again and establishing what is now a tradition of the Kenny family thrilling our supporters.

“We would like to acknowledge the work of his former club Arrow Harps FC for their role in Johnny’s development and the coaches within our academy who nurtured his game for four years until promotion to the first-team exactly 12 months ago.

“We will continue to evolve and invest in the Sligo Rovers Academy with our philosophy of creating a regional hub for footballers in the north-west, Connacht and beyond.

“As we build towards the new first-team season, our intention is to ensure our progress on the pitch is maintained.”

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley said: “Johnny has been magnificent for Sligo Rovers. At a very young age he showed all the attributes to make a successful career in the game and he can take great pride in what he has already achieved in these very early days.

“It was clear a move would occur at some point and as it comes now, all of our staff, players and coaches wish him the very best. He retains our support whenever needed.

“The focus on first-team squad investment has not been altered. We have over 20 players under contract as pre-season begins and finishing off the squad is the priority of all. We will speak more on this in time. For now we congratulate Johnny and look forward to preparing for the 2022 season.”