Our Bit O’ Red Wall is currently in Phase Two of it’s production, with sales continuing to grow as we approach Christmas.

Our club shop in Barton Smiths has been busy taking orders, with families buying a tile for their friends or relatives as part of their Christmas present.

Although your tile would not be in place for Christmas, the club provide Wall Tile gift pack, showing their place on the wall is secured, which can be handed over on the big day.

There were over 300 tiles placed on the wall in February 2020 during completion of Phase One, and we hope to have Phase Two completed by the end of January 2021.

To buy your tile online, click https://srfcdirect.com/bit-o-red-wall-tile/

Our club shop in Barton Smiths opens until 6pm all week, and opens Christmas Eve until 3pm.

Saturday afternoon saw our Under 19 team host Bray Wanderers at The Sean Fallon Centre in the Under 19 League Of Ireland Shield semi-final.

The Under 19 team were without a game since October but they didn’t let their lack of match practice show as the lads ran out convincing 6-2 winners.

The away side were reduced to 10 men early on when a high boot caught Peter Maguire in the chest, with referee Damien MacGrath having no option but to issue the red card.

Aaron Perry saw a first half penalty saved by the Bray goalkeeper, before Sean Kerrigan converted a second Rovers’ spot kick soon after, with MacGrath pointing to the spot after a foul in the area.

Bray showed good spirit and equalised before half time with a well taken goal.

Cillian Heaney scored early in the second half for Rovers to restore the lead with a close range finish. Moments later it was 3-1, with Perry making up for his earlier missed penalty with a wonderful free kick from range.

Bray kept battling and reduced the lead again with a fine effort which gave James Robinson no chance in The Rovers’ goal.

It was 4-2 soon after, with Heaney’s mazy run creating space for substitute Johnny Kenny to get in behind the Bray defence and Heaney’s through ball was perfect for Kenny to finish well past the ‘keeper.

Tubbercurry native Perry made it five with another long distance effort, cutting in from the left and curling it around the Bray goalkeeper in the right hand corner.

The scoring was complete in the final few minutes when Under 17 players Kailin Barlow and Kenny combined, with Barlow playing his team-mate through on goal and The Riverstown man made no mistake with his finish.

Brian Dorrian and his staff take their side to Athlone on Tuesday night for The Under 19 Shield Final against UCD at 7pm.

Rovers:

James Robinson, Daniel Gray-Harrigan, Jason Devaney, Peter Maguire, Bryan Lynch, Rossa McAllister, Conor McKeon, Sean Kerrigan, Aaron Perry, Cillian Heaney, Ciaran Jennings.

Subs:

Johnny Kenny, Kailin Barlow, Cillian Gaffey (GK), Cian Kilcoyne, Lee Wilson, Sean McAteer, Ben Edeh.

Our 500 Club Committee have held their draw for December.

Below is a list of winners:

€500 Paul Leyden, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

€100 John Joe Gilroy, Hazelwood, Sligo

€100 John Kelly, Taur, Moneygold, Co. Sligo.

€100 Theresa Culligan, Ballydoogan, Sligo.

€100 Frank Carty, Strandhill, Co. Sligo.

€100 Paschal Mooney, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim.

€50 Frank Clancy, Corofin, Co. Galway

€50 David Rowe, Goatstown, Dublin.

€50 Michael Toolan, Lavagh, Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

€50 Anthony Sweeney, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.

We wish to thank all our 500 Club members for their continued support and thank our 500 Club Committee for their commitment to the club each year. The 500 Club continues to be a crucial income stream for Sligo Rovers and we are looking to continue it’s growth into 2021.

To become a 500 Club member, visit https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/500-club/ or email Michael on michaelclancy04@gmail.com

Happy Christmas to all 500 Club Committee and members from all at Sligo Rovers.

Expressions of Interest

Sligo Rovers FC is seeking expressions of interest from potential players for our Women’s National League Under 17 team, and a potential Women’s National League  Under 19 team.

Our Women’s Under 17 team have enjoyed three seasons since entering the league, and it is hoped that we can build on our efforts by adding a Women’s Under 19 team for the coming season.

As the FAI sought interest from clubs already involved in the WNL to enter teams to a potential new U19 league, we have expressed our interest in entering a team, although we await confirmation on whether or not this league will go ahead.

We continue to grow as a club, and we understand that there is a wealth of talent within the locality. Women’s football is very much part of the club’s long term aims, and therefore we wish to continue our commitment to the game by adding another team.

While we await confirmation on the Women’s Under 19 league, we wish to invite expressions of interest for both the U19 team, and our U17 team which will be in its fourth season come 2021.

Players born in 2002 – 2006 are eligible. 

Please see link below:

We are delighted to announce our 500 Club winners from October & November.

The 500 Club remains an integral part in the club’s fundraising each year, with over 500 members contributing €20 per month to the club.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank our loyal 500 Club Committee who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the club.

If you would like to join our 500 Club, visit https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/500-club/ or call The Showgrounds on 0719171212

The winners are as follows:

October:

• €500 – Barbara McGlynn, Old Market Street, Sligo
• €100 – Eamon McGowan, Teeling Street, Sligo
• €100 – Ciaran Adams, Ocean Links, Strandhill, Sligo
• €100 – Conal McGlone, Knocknaganny, Sligo
• €100 – Joe Kilfeather, High Street, Sligo
• €100 – Paddy Colgan, Dalton Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
• €50 – Paul Kilgallon, Stephen Street, Sligo
• €50 – Veronica Drury, Calry, Sligo
• €50 – Alan Chapman, Goatstown, Dublin
• €50 – Ruairi Rynn, Rathmines, Dublin

November:

• €500 – hugh Hanley, Ballina, Co. Mayo
• €100 – John McKeon, Drumfin, Co. Sligo
• €100 – Michael Cox, Strandhill Road, Sligo
• €100 – Mark Quinn, Cliffoney, Co. Sligo
• €100 – Brian Bourke, Dunboyne, Co. Meath
• €100 – Seamus Gallagher, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo
• €50 – Blaine Gaffney, Summerhill Village, Sligo
• €50 – Paul Gilleece, Circular Road, Sligo
• €50 – Aiden Meehan, Riverside, Sligo
• €50 – Sean Crossan, Rathcormac, Sligo

Congratulations to all those who received their prizes and thanks to all our 500 Club members

One of the most stylish wingers to grace Sligo Showgrounds, the late Tony Cavanagh, is to be remembered in the next section of the Bit o’ Red Wall at Sligo Showgrounds.

The first phase, made up of 315 individual tiles was erected last year. According to Colin Feehily, chief executive of Sligo Rovers, “plans for a new section, with Joseph Ndo featuring on the first tile, are attracting lots of interest. It’s a great way to celebrate a link with the club and we plan to have all the tiles for the next section of the wall sold and in place for the opening of the new season.”

Belfast-born striker, Tony Cavanagh, was signed by Billy Sinclair after Rovers won the League in 1977. The skilful performances he delivered during his two seasons at The Showgrounds earned him a reputation that remains intact forty years later.

‘Cav’ came to Sligo from Dundalk where he and fellow-winger, Jimmy Dainty, were key players in a side managed by Jim Mc Laughlin. A native of Belfast, he had been coaxed to Oriel Park after a season with Irish League side, Glentoran, by Des Casey.

In Sligo his modest personality and great sense of humour made an instant impression on everyone he met. He lodged with Bridie and Tommy Callaghan in Emmet Place. It was a great address for football because Tommy’s father and namesake had scored the first ever goal for Sligo Rovers in senior soccer.

Cav’s fellow lodger was Donegal-born left winger, Marty Kelly. They became part of the Sligo streetscape – Tony in the long, dark coat and Marty in a blue version. He loved banter and was a regular visitor at lunchtime to the Houze household in Market Street.

But Tony Cavanagh’s reputation was earned by his football skills. He had wonderful ball control, he was a great dribbler and to complement all, he was fearless. Often on poor surfaces, where the pace of the ball was slowed by rain and mud, defenders frequently targeted the jinking winger.

Television coverage of the League of Ireland was very limited, action replays and slow-mo technology didn’t feature and there was no tradition of protecting and encouraging expressive players like Cav.

He frequently played when carrying an injury because football was his full-time work. Several of the Sligo Rovers squad had lined out against him when he played for Dundalk. The likes of Tony Fagan, Paul Fielding, Graham Fox, Tony Stenson, Chris Rutherford, Mick Leonard, Gary Hulmes and Padraig Mc Manus became his close friends after he came to the Showgrounds.

Tony Cavanagh died far too young, aged 54, in August 2003. He was survived by his mother, his two sisters and his two daughters. He was laid to rest in Belfast’s Milltown Cemetery.

The inscription on the Tony Cavanagh tile, sponsored by an anonymous fan, will read

Tony Cavanagh

Classy Winger

We Remember You

As well as enhancing the ground, the Bit O’Red Wall helps to provide funds for Sligo Rovers. It is one more example of the initiatives taken by the club to make the Showgrounds as the beating heart of Sligo and a standard-bearer for the League of Ireland.

It is anticipated that fans may wish to purchase a tile on the wall as a Christmas gift. Shane Crossan is overseeing the work. Tiles may be bought by using the Sligo Rovers website or by phoning Shane at 087-7526445. They are also available between now and Christmas Eve at Barton Smith Sport, Sligo at our official club shop.

To order a tile online, you can click https://srfcdirect.com/fundraising/bit-ored-wall/

Alternatively, to purchase a tile over the phone, or to seek more information, you can contact Shane on the above number.

Every year our loyal outlets across the region are always here to help and support the club with season ticket sales.

This year is no different with our 12 Match Ticket Pack for 2021, with five retail outlets throughout the region in addition to The Showgrounds and our club shop at Barton Smiths.

The following is a list of retail outlets where you can purchase your 2021 Match Ticket Packs.

• Collery’s Menswear, Grattan Street, Sligo
• Lavin’s Menswear, Ballymote
• Collery’s Shop, Beltra
• Tansey’s Centra, Gurteen
• Gerry Kenny Sport, Ballina
• Barton Smiths, Sligo
• The Showgrounds office

We wish to take this opportunity to thank our outlets for their assistance as always.

Our match packs for 2021 were launched this week and has received a huge amount of goodwill and interest to date.

You can purchase your tickets at www.srfcdirect.com or through any of the above outlets.

We are delighted to bring our supporters our brand new range of club merchandise for 2021 with thanks to Joma Sport.

We have purchased a range of merchandise in time for Christmas and have made it as easy as ever to shop online with us and get your favourite Bit O’ Red items, without having to leave your home.

Our range of merchandise is available now at our official online store, www.srfcdirect.com

We are now offering a FREE home delivery service on any orders with an address of within a 10km radius of The Showgrounds. In December, during the busy Christmas period, we are operating this service right up until Christmas eve. Simply select ‘Click and Collect’ option but leave us a note saying you’d like us to deliver it, and include your address, and we will be in touch.

We also have a click and collect service available at The Showgrounds, and when our store opens in town for Christmas, all click and collect items can be picked up at Barton Smith, where we will be once again opening in December, with an exact date to be confirmed.

We have a range of brand new training gear for kids and adults, as well as some new ladies wear items. Full kid’s tracksuits proved popular last Christmas and we have our nicest ever this time. A range of club merchandise will also be available soon, including bobble hats, scarves and new Bit O’ Red mugs, available in the coming days.

We also continue to sell our Annie West designed posters for €12, which can also be delivered free of charge to your home or you can pick it up from us. These are a fantastic design and have been ever popular over the last couple of months.

You can pre order your Christmas items today and we guarantee you will have these when the stock arrives in just over a fortnight.

We also encourage supporters to take a book of annual draw tickets to support the club, and you can help sell them to your friends or family.

To view our new range visit www.srfcdirect.com