Sligo Rovers take on Ballinamallard in our next pre-season friendly on Tuesday night in Ferney Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

Rovers beat Drogheda United last Thursday in United Park.

A friendly with Athlone Town follows on Saturday afternoon.

Sligo’s most renowned soccer ambassador, Sean Fallon and a former Editor of the Sligo Champion, Seamus Finn are among those who will be remembered on The Bit O’Red Wall at the Showgrounds.

Tiles for the wall, being created by the Boyle-based firm Feely Stone, cost €100 each and the closing date for inclusion in the first section of the wall is January 31^st.

To date, 200 tiles have been sold. Get yours here

Sean Fallon was born in Sligo in 1922.  He was a sports all-rounder and after playing for Sligo and Glenavon, he signed for Glasgow Celtic and would later captain the famous club and play for Ireland.

He became a Celtic legend as was always conscious that the club was founded by Andrew Kerins, a Marist brother from Ballymote Co. Sligo.  Sean was assistant manager to Jock Stein when Celtic won the European Cup, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon.  Sean would later manage the famous club.

He and his family maintained their links with Sligo and regularly spent their summer holidays in Rosses Point.  Shortly before his death, Sean passed on his Irish international caps to his grandchildren.  Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, always acknowledged that Sean had a huge influence on his career and he delivered the eulogy at his funeral in Glasgow in January 2013.

Seamus Finn was the editor of the Sligo Champion who resisted several job offers in order to spend his journalistic career in his native Sligo.

Jim Gray, his twin brother, Leo and Michael Moran, who all worked with Seamus decided it would be appropriate to honour the contribution of their deceased colleague on The Showgrounds Wall.

Buy your tile

According to Jim: “ Seamus had the distinction of once being banned from the Showgrounds because his reporting for The Sligo Champion and for RTE annoyed some of the club’s committee.  

“But peace soon broke out and Seamus returned to the work that he loved.”

“Seamus always felt there was a whole world in the local.  As well as editing the Champion, he developed a great interest in photography and his empathy with Sligo was reflected in his photographic work.  

“We learned a lot from him and we are delighted with the opportunity to see that his contribution is remembered and celebrated in The Showgounds.”

The Sean Fallon tile will read

SEAN FALLON

SRFC and CELTIC

LEGEND

The Seamus Finn Tile will read

SEAMUS FINN

1947 – 2017

A SLIGO CHAMPION

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new partnership with Elite Athletic Performance who have come on board as our academy teams’ strength and conditioning partner for 2020.

Based out of Summerhill College’s fantastic sporting facility, our underage players will go through a pre-season programme each week between now and March, which will be overseen by Garry O’ Hehir and Ross Chrystal of Elite Athletic Performance.

Club CEO Colin Feehily expressed his delight at the new arrangement:

“It’s something I felt was missing last season from our underage system. It’s important for us as a club to give the academy players as much as possible to help them get better and develop in their time with us.

“Strength and conditioning is vitally important nowadays, and we are happy to have this boxed off for them. It’s a great location for us, just up the road from The Showgrounds and no doubt many of our players are familiar with it as they attend the school there.

“We feel as a club it’s important to give the youth teams as much as possible to try and mirror what the first team do and mirror their training methods. We’re all trying to be on the same page here.”

Each team have attended Summerhill College this week and have began testing sessions and will begin individual and team programmes from now until their season starts in mid-March.

Garry O’ Hehir of Elite Athletic Performance:

“Myself & Ross are delighted to be on board with the Rovers academy teams for the coming season. It’s something we like to focus on, developing young, local talent which is definitely the case here.

“We’ve seen all the lads so far this week and we’re excited to start working with them ahead of the new season.“

Visit Elite Athletic Performance on Instagram: @elite_athletic_performance_ire or on Facebook: Elite Athletic Performance

Sligo Rovers were saddened to hear of the passing of long time supporter Father Richie Young today.

Fr. Young supported Rovers all his life and indeed very nearly played for the club as he had trials in the late 1940’s. He also played inter-county football with Sligo GAA.

He left Sligo in 1950 after he was ordained and his parish was close to the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

He also taught in schools around Dublin, including being a resident of Rathmines College, and was very involved in schoolboy and youth football in Dublin and Leinster.

His love of Rovers stayed with him and though he was often at more away games than home ones, he rarely passed up the chance to see the Bit O ‘Red in action.

In his later years Fr. Richie was a resident in Summerville Nursing Home and the highlight of his fortnight would be when his niece Tina would bring him to the Showgrounds to his usual spot down at the front of the Treacy Avenue Stand for a game.

One of his favourite players was Richard Brush and he was delighted when Brushie started working in Summerville and he enjoyed many chats with him about Rovers.

He will be missed from the Treacy Avenue Stand having supported the club all the way to his late 80s before passing away today.

Reposing at Seán Feehily’s Funeral Home, Cartron Cross, Sligo from 4.30pm on Friday.

Removal at 6.00pm to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo. Mass of the Resurrection at 11.30am on Saturday.

Burial follows in Sligo Cemetery. Family homes private. Donations in lieu of Flowers if desired to SHOUT (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust) c/o Seán Feehily’s Funeral Home, Cartron Cross, Sligo.

We send our condolences to all of Father Richie’s family. May he Rest in Peace.

(Image courtesy of The Sligo Weekender)

A group of former Summerhill College students who played on teams trained by the late Fr Cyril Haran have organised a tile in his memory to feature on The Bit O’ Red Wall.

It is the among the latest tiles purchased with 183 now bought to feature on the wall.

The closing date is 31st January to be posted in time for the season.

Click here to purchase your tile

One of the organisers for the tile in memory of Fr Haran is Ballymote native, Michael Rafferty, who now lives in Galway.

Fr Haran was a popular football coach for a period of his time on the Summerhill College staff.

He served in several parishes in the Elphin diocese and his last base was in Grange Co. Sligo where he had family connections.

According to Michael: “Fr Haran was such a positive influence in our lives during our times in Summerhill. Over 40 years later we still cherish the memories.

“Some of us were boarders, others with day students.

‘Cyrlie’ , as we used to know him, gave us great times. During a three-year golden period in the 70’s, he brought us to tournaments in France, Glasgow and Liverpool.

“He managed Summerhill and Sligo/Leitrim teams teams that featured in All-Ireland finals.”

“Over the years we had reunions to remember the great times had together and it is a small but great way to put our gratitude to him on the record by having a tile with his name on the Showgrounds Wall.”

“Fellas from those teams included Gerry Emmett, Kevin Murray, David O Malley, Enda Eames, Leo Harrington, Tony McGowan, Austin Jennings, Kenny Molloy, PJ Dolan, Roy Kilfeather, Martin Callaghan, John and Jim Kent, Colm Dykes, Gerry Adams, Roy Kilfeather, Paddy Cullen, Larry O’Gara, James Kerins, Kevin Gurrie, Jack Mc Groarty, Martin James, Eugene Metcalfe and John O’Doherty.”

The tile will state

Fr CYRIL HARAN
SUMMERHILL COACH
THANK YOU

It is with great sadness that Sligo Rovers today learned of the passing of Loman Gallagher, former club treasurer and highly-respected volunteer at the club.

Loman served on a number of committees, including the year 2007 when as treasurer of the club he was part of the board that appointed Paul Cook as manager – and in 2011 featured in the same role when the Bit O’ Red won the FAI Cup under Cook.

That was something he always took great pride in as among the best decisions that he was part of during a long association with Sligo Rovers.

His unassuming and calm demeanor complimented the many skills possessed to make Loman such an important volunteer at the club.

He was a vital part of our lotto sales and Annual Draw raffle sales team, with the knowledge of how important it is to the club to make ends meet each week, and the demeanor to inform supporters that every purchase was so appreciated.  

In recent years many fans would know Loman as one of our turnstile operators.

He organised the float for the start of the night and welcomed hundreds of Rovers fans to The Showgrounds in that gentle way we are all recalling today, and often with a witty exchange if you were lucky enough to know him.

He passed away this morning.

Sligo Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty: “The news came as a real shock to us all as we learned of Loman’s passing after a short illness.

“Loman commanded a huge level of respect at Sligo Rovers. He helped the club through difficult times – before our golden period – and saw it all the way through to some of our greatest ever days.

“Even when he had stepped down from the committee after such outstanding service, he sacrificed a large part of his match nights for the betterment of the club.

“We mourn the loss of a great person and a treasured servant of the club who was not just part of match nights but Sligo Rovers itself.

“Today is such a sad day for his family and the people that worked closely with Loman over many, many years. Our thoughts are with all of them today.

“We will remember Loman at the first home game of the new season – on the pitch just before kick-off – but more so when walking through the turnstile and thinking of the wonderful person who contributed so much to Sligo Rovers and will be so sorely missed.”  

Sligo Rovers will play Drogheda United this Thursday in United Park in our second pre-season friendly.

Entry to the game is €5 in Drogheda with kick-off 7:30pm.

Next Tuesday 28th January, Rovers travel again to take on Ballinmallard in Ferney Park. Kick-off is 7:45pm.

Then on Saturday 1st February, Athlone Town are the opposition in Athlone Town Stadium at 2pm.

Sligo Rovers and Avantcard are delighted to announce a significant new partnership as the Leitrim-based lender becomes the primary sponsor of the Bit O’ Red.

The two-year agreement will see the Avantcard logo appear on the men’s senior home and away jerseys, along with branded signage throughout The Showgrounds.

It has been hailed as a significant boost for Sligo Rovers as they secure consumer finance provider Avantcard as their newest commercial backer and most important overall sponsor.

The announcement was made by Sligo Rovers CEO, Colin Feehily and Avantcard CEO, Chris Paul at a media event in The Showgrounds today.

Sligo Rovers are building up to an exciting new season, with support for the club increasing year-on-year and season ticket sales at their highest level since 2013.

The deal also strengthens links in the community for Sligo Rovers and, as club chairman Martin Heraghty explained, partnering with Avantcard is a sign of the club’s growing influence not just in Sligo, but in the North West.

He said “We are simply thrilled to confirm Avantcard as our new primary sponsor.

“As a large employer in the region, they whole-heartedly share our belief in the community, which was an important consideration for us in looking for a new sponsor.

“The club would not be able to function without the support of the business community, and today we have partnered with a major player in the Financial Services sector based right on our doorstep. I want to thank Chris Paul, and all the team at Avantcard, as we look forward to the start of a successful partnership.”

Chris Paul, Avantcard’s CEO said: “Avantcard is absolutely delighted to be partnering with Sligo Rovers to become their official sponsor. It is a turbulent time for Irish soccer which makes it all the more important for businesses to support their local sports organisations, given the vital role they play in their communities.

“We are excited to show our support to Sligo Rovers and its fans, many of whom will be Avantcard customers. We feel this is a natural fit given our base as a local employer and our commitment to supporting people and projects in the region, and we are proud to be in a position where we can support the club for the next two seasons.”

The new 2020 season Sligo Rovers jersey will be launched at the end of January.

A group of Sligo Rovers fans, many of whom have been friends since the 1950’s and 1960’s plan to remember two of their deceased pals on The Bit O’ Red Wall.

It is one of the many wonderful gestures and memories we are seeing being recounted through the wall, with 165 tiles sold so far.

Buy your tile here

Vintage Reds (aka The Rednecks) have maintained friendships that sometimes began in national or secondary school, continued through their working lives and invariably involved a shared affection for Sligo Rovers.

The two friends they want to commemorate in the first set of tiles on the The Showgrounds Wall are the late Michael J Leyden and Michael Mc Nulty.

According to Barney Bree: “ Both Michaels were passionate Rovers supporters. Michael “Mick” McNulty, like many of our group, was based in Dublin for years and we had great times, travelling to grounds around the country.

“He and his family eventually came back to settle in Kevinsfort. He was always very generous to the Rovers with his accountancy and auditing skills.”

“Michael J Leydon was originally from Market Street and he later moved to Ard na Veigh. He was a very popular teacher at Sligo Grammar School and after his retirement, he continued his interest in walking, reading and theatre. It was a huge shock when he passed away while walking the Camino in Northern Spain last November, a year after Michael Mc Nulty’s death.”

The Vintage Reds have been generous backers of Rovers fund-raising campaigns in recent years, including the ‘Rally Around the Rovers’ and ‘Up the Bit O’ Red’ campaigns.  They sponsor a home game each season and plan to do so again this year.

According to Barney: “The two guys loved the Rovers. We will have our annual gathering when we sponsor a game during the season. We look forward to seeing the Wall and the permanent place Michael Mc Nulty and Michael J Leyden will have in The Showgrounds.”

Further Stories from The Wall will feature on the Sligo Rovers website in the coming weeks.

A tile featurs three line of text with 16 characters per line including spaces.

The deadline for having a tile in the first section of the wall to coincide with the new season is January 31st.

The first section of the wall holds just over 190 tiles so we advise to buy as soon as possible.

https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/bit-ored-wall/

Sligo Rovers drew 3-3 with Galway United in our first opening pre-season friendly of the season at Solar 21 Park in Castlebar.

Garry Buckley, Ronan Coughlan and a trialist were on target for Rovers.

Stephen Christopher set up Maurice Nugent to open the scoring for Galway after a slow start by the Bit O’ Red.

Danny Kane was forced off injured, with Regan Donelon coming on and also having to come off with a knock.

Buckley leveled early in the second period but from the kick-off Timo Parthoens scored for Galway.

Ronan Coughlan crossed for a trialist to make it 2-2.

Rovers got in front from Coughlan from the penalty spot, but Timmy Molloy converted from to leave the game level.

Sligo Rovers: McGinty, Dunleavy, Callan-McFadden, Kane, Penninkangas, Morahan, Seymore, Cawley, Noone, Buckley, Coughlan

Subs used: Mahon, Trialist, Lynch, Donelon, McGrath, Byrne, McNicholas