Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty has signed a new contract with the club to run until the end of the 2020 season.

McGinty, who turned 20 earlier this month, has become Rovers’ number one goalkeeper.

The Motherwell-born goalkeeper began playing with Rovers Under-19 team in the 2016 season.

He previously spent three years with the Celtic youth academy in his early teens and another with Hibernian before accepting an invitation to link up with Rovers at youth level.

He made his senior debut in 2017 and started this season as number one but missed out then because of injury.

But he has now established himself as first choice with competition from fellow youngster Luke McNicholas. Ed has played 15 matches this season in the Premier Division.

Speaking today, he said: “It is great to be signed for next season, I’m delighted. I began this year with an open mind and I didn’t know whether I’d be first, second or third choice at the start of the year.

“I started the first game against Dundalk and I got injured a while later and missed a good few weeks. But I got back in and I don’t want to give it up.

“When you are a youth goalkeeper or number two, you are looking on hungry, determined to get in that place and that is what consumes all of your focus. That’s how I viewed it. So it’s different when you get in there and you’re the number one.  You have to keep it.

“I’m setting myself new goals, new targets and I’ll keep doing that because that’s what motivates me. It works for me.

“Luke is a cracking goalkeeper, I see that in training every day. There is only four months between us. We have an excellent relationship and we talk through everything we do, good or bad, and go through what we should do in any situation.

“He wants that place and we will drive each other on and there’s a good trust there.

“Leo Tierney, the goalkeeping coach, has shown me how key mindset is. He is a calm influence and we start each week with positivity. I work with him each day and he’s a very good and experienced coach. There has been ups and downs sometimes and Leo has helped me through that with his guidance.

“Liam Buckley has been brilliant with me and I knew John Russell as a player, I think the set-up is very good. I feel myself progressing but you will see the best of me in times to come, that’s the way I feel.

“We wanted to get European qualification in the league and for as long as that is possible we will be keeping that as our target. We are looking at it still and going to Cork on Friday and getting that result.

“The Cup is still there but the gaffer has moved that aside, it’s not a factor until that next game comes around.

“What I do want, whichever ways it comes, is to be successful here. That is to get into the top four and win trophies. I’m very happy my future is here and I know what my goals are going forward.”

Liam Buckley said: “Ed has done extremely well, he has shown a fantastic level of maturity and produced some great performances for us.

“I’m delighted to have two outstanding young goalkeepers under contract now first and foremost, but for next season as well and as time goes on they will only get better and better.  

“As I said before, we are looking to build for next year and we are planning accordingly. But we have so much to play for in these next two months. The players know that and what we expect from them going forward.”

A world record attempt for the most models in a fashion show will hit the catwalk in Sligo in aid of Sligo Cancer Support, Sligo Rovers and EJ’s Sligo All Stars on Wednesday 16 October.

Organised by EJ Menswear, the fundraising night will be the official celebration of their 25th year in business and promises to be a night of glamour and glitz fitting for such a prestigious event.

The official launch for this record breaking fundraiser will take place live on Ocean FM in EJ Menswear’s iconic Grattan Street store from 9 – 11am this Thursday.

This fashion extravaganza will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo and a target of over 500 models has been set to ensure the world record is achieved. This once in a lifetime spectacle will be jam-packed with entertainment and excitement from music to celebrities.

Owner of EJ Menswear Eamonn Cunningham said: “Celebrating our 25th birthday with a World Record Breaking attempt gives us the opportunity to raise some much needed funds for local causes like Sligo Cancer Support”.

He added “We would hope everyone will get behind this once in a lifetime event and show their support.”

EJ Menswear will be featuring clothing ranges from the world’s top brands and will be accompanied by none other than their sister ladies store “EJ’s Little Sister”.

Click here to join the launch event on Facebook

To top it all off EJ Menswear have generously added a jaw-dropping prize into the mix.

As part of a draw to be held on the night there is an amazing €25,000 worth of clothing to be won for one lucky person.

A separate fundraising page will also be set up online and it is hoped that it will generate some much needed donations.

With models already signing up to hit the catwalk on the night, many of them household names, and tickets sales well under way it is a night not to be missed.

This officially amazing night will help to raise funds for Sligo Cancer Support, Sligo Rovers FC and EJ’s Sligo All Stars.

Tickets are priced at €20 with all proceeds going to Sligo cancer Support, Sligo Rovers and EJ’s Sligo All Stars.

The 2019 Sligo Rovers Summer Camps, sponsored by The Sligo Champion have come to a close after eight hugely successful weeks in The Showgrounds.

The Summer Camps which began on July 1^st brought hundreds of children to The Showgrounds, in what was an action packed summer for everyone involved.

This was the first year in which the club brought foreign exchange students to the camp, with over 50 international students attending from countries such as Spain, Italy and France.

The Breakfast Club proved extremely popular once again, selling out for three of the eight weeks with the children eating their breakfast in The Showgrounds while also meeting members of the first team squad before the camp commenced each day.

Camp co-ordinator, Shane Crossan, spoke of his delight at how well the camps went while also paying tribute to the coaches. He added

“2019 has proven to be the biggest year for Summer Camps in the clubs history and that is something I am very proud to say.

“The success of the camps year in year out would not be possible without the hard work of the coaches who have proven very popular amongst the kids yet again.

“I would like to pay tribute to Lorraine Mc Donnell in The Sligo Champion and to all of her staff who sponsored our Summer Camps yet again this year. To have such a strong local brand supporting our camps is an honour and a testament to the camp itself.

“Finally I would like to thank all parents who brought their children to The Showgrounds this Summer as without their support and trust the Sligo Rovers camps would not be the success they are today.

Sligo Rovers Football Club would like to wish all of the children the very best of luck as they return to school and we look forward to welcoming them all back again at our Halloween camp in October. Full details of the Halloween Camp will be released in the coming weeks.

Slgio Rovers will UCD in the quarter-finals of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

The match will be played in The Showgrounds on a date in September.

FAI Cup quarter-final draw:

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers v UCD

Waterford v Dundalk

Crumlin United v Bohemians

Sligo Rovers came from two down to beat eight man Limerick following an incredible game at the Showgrounds.

The game saw four players dismissed as the Bit O’Red overturned a two goal deficit to progress to the quarter final for the first time since 2015.

A whirlwind opening saw the hosts behind by two.

The Blues hit the lead just seven minutes in when Karl O’Sullivan took the ball past the last Sligo man before executing a superb finish across the front of goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

With just one win in their last five, Tommy Barrett’s charges further stunned the Showgrounds faithful 90 seconds later.

O’Sullivan taking the ball inside his own half before dodging a series of tackles. The striker then allowed McGinty make the decision before placing the ball past the Scot.

Sligo went close through both John Mahon and Daryl Fordyce, but did find a way back into this tie on 24 minutes. David Cawley’s ball over the top of the Limerick defence picking out Romeo Parkes who slotted the ball beyond Jack Brady for his ninth of the season.

The home side then levelled the game courtesy of Ronan Coughlan. The Limerick native watched as Fordyce’s initial flick came off Brady before pouncing to tie the game.

Coughlan missed a 36^th minute spot-kick after Kris Twardek was fouled inside the box.

The crazy nature of this game continued when Dante Leverock was sent off. While the visitors had Shaun Kelly dismissed for a second yellow.

Regan Donelon had Liam Buckley’s charges in the lead for the first time before the break with a well hit set piece from 25 yards. While Parkes had his brace just moments into the second period as the relentless pace continued.

Brady got behind Mahon’s free header from a Donelon corner on 52, while the same man got down to deny Parkes his hat-trick shortly after as Rovers looked in control.

The home side made their domination pay on the hour when Cawley finished off Parkes’ dink over the top.

The Shannonsiders were then reduced to eight in quick succession when both Clyde O’Connell and former Sligo midfielder Jason Hughes were dismissed for straight reds.

O’Connell hacking Twardek to the floor, while Hughes seemed to tangle with a steward on the Jinks’ Avenue side of the grounds.

Rovers’ sixth then arrived on 77 when Twardek smashed the ball off the underside of Brady’s crossbar from close range.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Dante Leverock, Regan Donelon (Sam Warde 64); John Russell (Scott Lynch 71), Daryl Fordyce (Kyle Callan-McFadden 40), David Cawley; Kris Twardek, Romeo Parkes, Ronan Coughlan.

Limerick: Jack Brady; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams, Tomas O’Connor, Shane Tracy (Edmund O’Dwyer 79); Karl O’Sullivan, Darren Murphy (Aaron Fitzgerald 79), Jason Hughes, Cylde O’Connell, Lee Devitt; Kieran Hanlon (Adam Foley 60).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Sligo Rovers has issued an update ahead of Saturday’s game with Limerick in The Showgrounds.

Rovers are back in our home for the first time since 27 July and will not return to the venue in the Premier Division until 14 September against Finn Harps. That is a gap of seven weeks. 

The Bit O’ Red are currently awaiting a new date for the league fixture with Dundalk.

Our other home games left in the season are Shamrock Rovers (5 October) and Derry City (19 October).

Sligo Rovers Committee provided an update to fans on a scenario that has emerged for a third year in succession.

“One thing we have found is these periods tend to create an unsettling feeling around the club for our supporters and understandably so. You lose part of the activity around the ground as the big occasion on a Saturday night is not there and some contact as well. These are times that are extremely difficult to combat. The postponement of the Dundalk game was a big blow to us.

“We said last year that it puts clubs under enormous strain, yet here we are again, and we are doing our best at this point. It has occurred for other clubs as well, so going forward, it’s something that has to change in the league and together we all need to come up with a solution.

“For now as a committee we have to put the focus on the short-term. Last Man Standing is ongoing which has raised over €6,000 and our Summer Camps have helped as well but they will end this week.

“In the latter part of the year we are going to honour our 1994 team with a special celebration and there is another major event planned that will raise money for charity and another sporting body along with ourselves. We will also have something that will allow our fans to have their presence in The Showgrounds ingrained forever.

“These are things which I think our fans will enjoy and capture the imagination of the Sligo public. Without giving too much away before official announcements but the events will put smiles on faces and help us in the latter part of the financial year. But they are still a bit away.

“So we do have to stress that Saturday’s game is massively important to us.

“As an all-cash gate where we get a good percentage it will help us. We’d encourage all our fans to try to get to the match and support the half-time lotto too which all goes to the club.

“ While we know this Saturday is a big day of activity in Sligo but we’d love a big crowd to get behind the team. It can make a massive difference to us. 

“Liam will speak about what the game means in the season later in the week when previewing the match but from an off-field perspective it’s just as important.

“The FAI Cup can bring out the best of the club and we’d love to see that on Saturday. Thank you for support in the season so far. 

“As you have seen, we are making plans for 2020 as well as trying to finish this campaign in the best way we can. 

“That is why we are trying to conclude the year with a lot of activity and we hope to have more information on that soon.”   

Sligo Rovers host Limerick in the FAI Cup this Saturday in The Showgrounds, kick-off 8pm.

Rovers are second round action against Tommy Barrett’s side.

Tickets are available at turnstiles.

With the Warrior’s Run happening in Strandhill this Saturday, we have organised a shuttle bus to bring supporters to The Showgrounds and return to Strandhill at full time.

The bus departs the coach park just up from Strand Bar at 7:20pm

To book your seat, contact 085-1234629 The bus costs €5 per person, which can be paid on the evening to the bus driver.

We hope this helps those wishing to attend the run and indeed the game that evening

Vote for the Wehrly Bros Jewellers Sligo Rovers Player of the Month for July

The results were:

5-1 win UCD

0-0 Shamrock Rovers

0-0 Waterford

0-3 Derry City

1-1 Bohemians

Vote in the poll here

We recently paid a visit to The Cranmore Soccer Camp at Sean Fallon Park in Cranmore, which is ran by the Cranmore Co-operative society supported by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP).

SSRP develop sport and recreational opportunities as part of the Cranmore Regeneration Project’s East City Cranmore and environs plan. This has been in place since 2015 and attracts up to 70 children each year.

Based on the popularity of soccer in the community, the Cranmore co-operative society has piloted their first local soccer camp for 30 young people from the area delivered by SSRP community coaches.

We sent Darragh Healy and Scott Lynch to visit the camp recently to put on a coaching session for the kids.

It’s important for us to help out in our local community and we were delighted to be part of this initiative. Thanks to the SSRP coaches and to all the children who participated.