Goalkeeper Conor Walsh has put pen to paper on a further one year deal at the Showgrounds, Sligo Rovers are delighted to confirm.
The highly-rated 19-year-old joined the Bit O’Red’s academy from home town club Westport United in 2020 when he was 15, featuring at both under 17 and 19 levels before signing his first professional deal just one year later.
The Mayo man made his first team debut on the final day of the 2022 season against Bohemians at Dalymount Park and appeared five times the following year.
2024 was a big year for the former Rice College and Summerhill student who spent time on loan at both Finn Harps and Wexford. He appeared six times for Harps’ first team before helping Wexford achieve a promotion play-off position and an FAI Cup semi-final berth, playing 14 games for the Ferrycarrig Park side.
Walsh also starred in Rovers’ memorable mid-season game with Everton in July last, the teen keeping a famous first-half clean sheet against a Toffees side brimming with both Premier League and international experience.
The talented shot-stopper has represented the Republic of Ireland at various underage levels and was rewarded for his fine form whilst on loan at Wexford back in November when he was selected for the Irish under 21s squad for games against Sweden in Spain.
“I’m really happy to get the deal done”, Walsh says.
“I have learned so much in my time here at Rovers and am lucky to be working with the coaches both in the academy and at first team level. Last year at Harps and Wexford, the time was another learning curve for me as I had some great first team experience and I’m looking to build on that again this year. The time with the international team was brilliant too and has given me a lot of self-confidence knowing I’m being tracked by Irish coaches.
“The manager is assembling a very solid team and he knows what he wants. That’s evident by the fact that so many are signed up already. 2025 looks like it’s going to be a really exciting year at the Showgrounds.”
Speaking to sligorovers.com, Rovers boss John Russell says he is looking forward to seeing how far Walsh can go.
“Conor has huge potential so I’m delighted he’s signed again”, he says.
“He had a really successful loan spell at Wexford where he produced some top class performances. It was so important for him to get out on loan and get some senior game time. It’s certainly helped his development and growth.
“I was delighted to see his inclusion in the recent U21s side. This shows how far he’s come in the last 12 months or so.
“Sligo Rovers has a history of producing top class goalkeepers so we’re really excited to see what Conor can do here.”
David Goulden