Wall deadline extended – Stories from the Wall

Due to a surge of interest in the Bit O’ Red Wall at The Showgrounds, the deadline for purchasing a tile has been extended.  Feely Stone of Boyle have agreed to accept new applications up to 6pm Wednesday next, February 5th. 

Get your tile here

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

This first section of the wall will be ready to coincide with Sligo Rovers first league home game of the new season against Saint Patrick’s Athletic on Friday, February 21st.

The ‘Bit O Red’ wall project has attracted interest from Sligo Rovers fans in Australia. 

It is the home from home of Ailbhe Cunningham and her husband, Frank.  Ailbhe’s late father, Tommy Curran from Grattan Street, was a committee member at the Showgrounds for many years.

Eight years ago Tommy Curran’s daughter in law, Olga, presented a very special memento to Sligo Rovers.  It is the League of Ireland Championship flag,  given to the club after it won the title for the very first time in 1936/37.  It was retained by Tommy Curran’s family after his death and they passed it on the club during the golden League and FAI Cups run eight years ago.

A piece of history – just like the Bit O’ Red wall

From Australia Ailbhe has ordered three tiles  – one on behalf of her family in Australia and the others in remembrance of her late father and her brother, Liam, who died in 2011. 

Another Sligo Rovers Australia-based supporter, Frank Gannon, has purchased a tile in the Showgrounds Wall.  As an eminent scientist, he has worked in many countries, including the US, France and Germany.  He is about to retire from his position as chief executive of a major cancer research centre in Australia.

His tile will state

FRANK GANNON

REDS FAN 4EVER

HOME AND AWAY

Three Sligo pubs, renowned for football discussions, will feature on The Wall.  Foleys of Castle Street, Connollys, Markievicz Road and Cahenys of Mail Coach Road have a long, unbroken link with the Showgrounds.   Foleys have been loyal sponsors of Sligo Rovers for many years.  The same applies to Connollys – its owner, Gerry Nicholson served as a committee member member in The Showgrounds.  

When the FAI Cup was brought home to Sligo after victory over Bohemians in Dalymount Park in 1983, the trophy had a stop-off at Cahenys and the celebrations featured in a colourful report on the RTE television programme, Ireland’s Eye.

The Cahenys tile will state

CAHENYS

MAILCOACH ROAD

UP THE LOCALS