Sligo Rovers have today published a detailed Masterplan, including a proposed multi-million euro redevelopment of the Showgrounds stadium with the creation of an academy hub for the north-west region of the country.

Click here to download the Masterplan

The Masterplan presents infrastructural design proposals for the future of Rovers both at our home in the Showgrounds and a potential academy site

There is also a detailed analysis of the economic, social and financial impact that the proposed development could have on the club, the county and beyond, as well as the footballing impact.

The plan has been endorsed by Sligo County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

The redeveloped Showgrounds would have a seated capacity of 6,000, surpassing all the requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium.

It includes the retention of the existing Tracey Avenue Stand and Railway End Stand, with alterations to both, the construction of a new stand at the Church Hill Road End and a new stand in place of the current Jinks Avenue Stand.

New floodlights, turnstiles, hospitality spaces, shops, corporate and sponsors facilities, offices, meeting rooms, upgraded media facilities, multiple changing rooms and a gym would be part of the redevelopment.

The Showgrounds pitch would be extended and the playing surface changed to a hybrid pitch, an innovation that comprises 95% natural grass and delivers more playing time.

The total cost of the overall project as complied by Rhatigan Architects is €17.3million. 

A provisional agreement with Sligo Rugby to facilitate games in the redeveloped Showgrounds has been reached, with the club keen to open up the facilities for community. The Bit O’ Red are also willing to host provincial matches for regional use for the betterment of north-west sport. 

The Masterplan reflects the club’s ambition to expand, as well as trying to maximise the potential of the north-west area to develop more local and international footballers.

This season over 50% of the registered Sligo Rovers first-team squad has been developed from the academy, with an average of 40% in each matchday squad. The club set to climb to second place in the SSE Airtricty League this week.

Through this development, and the growth of commercial areas of the football club, Sligo Rovers aim to greatly enhance the opportunities for future generations of young male and female footballers and increase employment in the football industry in Ireland.

This Masterplan defines the direction of Sligo Rovers as a community owned club and is centrally focused on enhancing the match day experience for fans. Outside of matchday, a pavilion and plaza area outside of the Showgrounds would include space for cafes, restaurants, meeting space and business units. 

The club are actively seeking land within the Sligo area for the development of a home for the expanding Sligo Rovers academy.

Preliminary discussions have taken place with Sligo County Council and a site in the region of eight acres is desired to cater for the needs of the expanding size of the club.

The proposed Academy base would have three playing pitches with associated dugouts, as well as a single storey building containing dressing rooms and other facilities.

The club aims to expand the number of teams under the Sligo Rovers badge to 13 by the middle of this decade and the creation of home is seen as key in order to create a pathway for children to be active and achieve in sport.

Rhatigan Architects were appointed in June to prepare this Masterplan for Sligo Rovers.  Sligo Rovers secured the funding to create the Masterplan from Sligo LEADER. The Sligo LEADER Partnership delivers a range of programmes on behalf of local and national government that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities in County Sligo. Sligo LEADER made it possible to publish the plan of which the club are very grateful.

Speaking at the unveiling of the masterplan, club chairman Tommy Higgins said: “Today we present a vision that has been created not just over the last year but through the growth and enhancement of the club in its modern existence. 

“We see unlimited potential in Sligo Rovers Football Club. Today the football represents a beacon and focal point of the community, something we have worked tirelessly to achieve.

“We also have a youth set-up which is developing countless footballers going on to play senior League of Ireland football each year, while still being in its infancy. Prior to Covid-19, we had 11 players involved with Ireland at underage level during one calendar year and our desire is to invest further in the area.

“In the future we want to develop a facility that can raise standards even further across the board.

“That is by improving football players through investment in coaching, teams and the experience of the supporter to enhance our attendance figures.

“As a community club we also seek to bring further benefits to our local economy and provide the opportunity to young boys aspiring to become the next Seamus Coleman to live out their dream, and for girls who need more front of house women wearing the Bit O’ Red of Sligo Rovers as soon as possible.”

Sligo County Council acting chief executive, Tom Kilfeather, said: “Sligo County Council commends Sligo Rovers on the preparation of their Masterplan for the Sligo Showgrounds.

“Sligo Rovers are a valued presence in our community, and since the club     was established in 1928, their grounds have been available for a range of other sports and activities.

“Throughout its history it has welcomed people from all countries and backgrounds, this tradition and ethos reflecting the cultural diversity of Sligo over the 20^th century.

“The transformation of the ground under the Masterplan would be a major enhancement of the recreational offering in Sligo, and will be a landmark achievement for the club and the wider community.

“Sligo County Council fully supports Sligo Rovers Management Committee in the delivery of the objectives set out in the Masterplan.”

FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill added: “We talk a lot about football in the community, not just here in Ireland but across the globe, and Sligo Rovers are standard bearers in this regard.

“I am delighted to see the range of this Development Plan which reflects the club’s standing in the Sligo community in a fitting manner. Such development is a cornerstone of our vision for the future of all our League of Ireland clubs. Well done to all involved with this project.”

Walter Holleran, FAI head of facility development, has promised to support the plan: “This ambitious Development Plan from Sligo Rovers clearer shows a footballing venue can be more than just a playing field for 22 players. Great credit must go to all involved to Sligo Rovers for their approach and visionary concept. The FAI unanimously supports this development plan and will continue to support its progress into development.”

Further reaction to the Masterplan is available here.

Sligo Rovers will host supporter events around the Masterplan at a later date.

Mayor of Sligo, Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady has welcomed the publishing of the Sligo Rovers Masterplan today.

The initial announcement was made early this morning.

Click here to download the Masterplan

Mayor O’Grady added: “I would like to congratulate the Management Committee of Sligo Rovers on the launch of their MasterPlan for the Showgrounds

“The outstanding progress Sligo Rovers are making on and off the field this year is a great source of pride for the club’s supporters and the wider community.

“Over recent years the Showgrounds has been transformed into one of the finest league venues in the country, and the new Masterplan brings this ambition to a new level.

“We have an exciting journey ahead of us: The prospect of European football, the very positive start to the 2021 league campaign, and the roll out of the initial phases of this outstanding Masterplan

“The Showgrounds has been at the heart of our community for generations, and the vision outlined in this Plan will secure this wonderful facility for generations to come.”

FAI League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon has also commented: “Sligo Rovers have long been one of the great clubs in the history of League of Ireland football and the passion and commitment which their players show on the pitch has always been matched by their supporters and stakeholders off it.

“This development plan carries on the great community involvement tradition at Sligo Rovers and will, I am sure, act as a prototype for clubs across the country. I look forward to seeing come to fruition in the coming years. Congratulations to all concerned.”

Rovers chairman Higgins continued: “I’m thankful to both Sligo County Council and the FAI for the assistance as the masterplan was conducted, as well as the sub-committee here in The Showgrounds and the fantastic team at Rhaitgan Architects.

“We have known our short-term and long-term targets at Sligo Rovers for quite some time. Today we have all of those aspirations contained in the Masterplan.

“We hope our own supporters and anyone connected to sport and the community here in Sligo shares the excitement and desire that we have today. It is our intention to bring all of the elements of the Masterplan to fruition.”

Rory Raftery, member of the Executive Committee of Sligo Rugby Club, has spoken warmly on his sport coming to the home of football in Sligo, which is referenced in the Masterplan: “On behalf of Sligo Rugby Club we would like to very much express our continued interest in the use of the facilities in The Showgrounds for the sport of rugby.

“While we have developed our own playing facilities at Hamilton Park, Strandhill, we are somewhat limited in terms of the size of the venue to attract considerable viewing numbers. We have previously explored the possibility of hosting a Connacht senior provincial game at The Showgrounds and we continue to do so moving forward. Not just a senior provincial game but there is considerable potential for a Connacht Junior game, ladies game, underage finals, Sligo RFC Connacht senior cup final game or even an All-Ireland League Bateman Cup semi-final/final, perhaps even an IRFU Ireland U20’s fixture, following the success of the FAI Under-21 games held at The Showgrounds.

“To this end, we lend our full support to the development of the Showgrounds with a potential use of the ground at some point in the future for rugby. We are very thankful to Sligo Rovers for reaching out to Sligo RFC to explore the potential use of the ground as and for the very welcoming and inclusive manner in which this has happened.”

Last year Sligo Rovers appointed a five-person committee to engage with Rhatigan Architects as they undertook a host of supporter and community studies.

The committee included Tommy Higgins, Mark Cummins and Roddy Murphy of the Sligo Rovers Management Committee, Gerard O’Connor of the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust and Ivor Parke, former committee member during our 2012 league-winning season and long-time volunteer.

Rhatigan Architects is a design-driven practice, specialising in community, workspace, residential, heathcare and education buildings. With over 80 years in practice, their team of 22, led by three directors, provides quality design and delivers robust buildings for all of our clients. They deliver beautiful, efficient, sustainable buildings and settings, emphasising daylight, natural ventilation, renewable energy and materials.

Rhatigan Architects were delighted to be given the opportunity to work in conjunction with Sligo Rovers on the development of the Masterplan for the Showgrounds.

Director Gavin Phelan notes “We recognise that Sligo Rovers football club is an important part of the DNA of Sligo Town and see this landmark development as a means of enhancing this social connection with the people of Sligo. The proposed designs strive to achieve the highest standards for supporters and team alike – adding to the atmosphere and overall experience on matchdays, whilst also developing the grounds in a manner which enhances community facilities locally.

“One of the key aims of the project has been, in conjunction with the upgrade of the stadium and pitch facilities to a contemporary 6,000 seat capacity arena, to develop stronger relationships with community – which shall be achieved with the development of the new public plaza at the entrance to the site.”

A sub-committee will now be appointed by the Sligo Rovers Management Committee to bring forward the Masterplan. Further updates will be issued in due course.

Download the Sligo Rovers Masterplan here

Sligo Rovers wish to advise supporters that this Saturday’s match with Wateroford will not proceed as the opposition can not play the fixture.

The matter will go to the FAI Disciplinary Unit next week.

Our next game is Friday 21 May vs Longford Town.

Declan Boyle is the new Sligo Rovers Under-19 manager, the club can confirm.

Boyle, a former player and part of the club’s 1994 FAI Cup winning team, joins the club following the departure of Brian Dorrian.

Boyle has worked in the Finn Harps academy as Under-17 manager. He led the side to a league and cup double in the 2018 season.

Sligo Rovers head of academy Conor O’Grady said: “We’re delighted to welcome Declan back to the club. He is a very high calibre appointment.

“His record in football, from playing to coaching and work with underage players, is of the highest quality. He ticks all the boxes for us.

“It’s not an easy task to replace Brian who I want to thank because he has been a fantastic coach here and also a great colleague and friend. It’s great for him to get the post in Donegal.

“Declan takes his first training session tonight and I think he’ll make a big impact at the club. The Under-19 team are going to really benefit from what he brings.”

Boyle: “I’m thrilled to become the Under-19s manager. It’s a great opportunity.

“There are great support mechanisms in place at the club and Conor has been brilliant to work with.

“Having been part of the emerging talent programme in Mayo, I know a lot of the current Under-19 team and players in the other groups.

“I enjoyed the time at Harps and having spent two years out, it’s a great time to take the role here.

“It is all about developing and improving young players. You only have to look at the players who have come through the set-up at Sligo Rovers in the last few years. I hope to continue that and try to improve every player we have in the group.”

The club can also announce further appointments. Aaron O’Connor, formerly of Warrenpoint Town and Boyle Celtic, is the new manager of the Women’s Under-17 side.

Brian Morahan, a Uefa A Licence goalkeeping coach, is the new head of goalkeeping in the academy.

O’Grady added: “Aaron and Brian are two more top-class additions. They both bring a lot of experience and I think they will make a seamless transition into working with our players.”

This season will also see a number of first-team players working with the academy teams. Garry Buckley, Greg Bolger, Lewis Banks and Niall Morahan will each work with one male team, while Scott Lynch will work with the Women’s Under-19 side.

O’Grady has also welcomed Emma Hansberry and Stacey Muldowney into the coaching set-up for the two women’s teams.

He added: “Emma and Stacey are important figures in female sport in Sligo. They’re going to be role models and examples to some of the girls in the academy.

“They have a lot of experience and we want to develop their coaching attributes too when working under Danny and Aaron. The women’s area is a key growth area for the club and we have plans to expand it in the next year.

“We have to develop female coaches too because girls not only deserve older mentors and to learn from their experiences, but we also need female coaches to be leading figures too in time. Emma and Stacey will be influential going forward we hope.”   

Men’s teams:

Under-19s: Declan Boyle

Under-17s: Ryan Casey

Under-15s: Paul Masterson and Marcel Gordon

Under-14s: Alan Farry

Women’s teams:

Under-19s: Danny O’Leary

Under-17s: Aaron O’Connor

View a selection of images from Friday night’s win over Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity League by James Fallon.

Jordan Gibson’s fourth goal of the season saw 10-man Sligo Rovers inflict a fourth defeat of the season on struggling Dundalk at Oriel Park.

The 23-year-old showed superb skill to nutmeg Andy Boyle before rifling to the net from 25 yards out to ensure Liam Buckley’s men got back to winning ways after two draws and a defeat in their last three outings.

The result – achieved despite losing Garry Buckley to a second bookable offence eight minutes into the second half – leaves them two points off St Patrick’s Athletic in second place and four points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers ahead of the two Dublin sides’ clash at Richmond Park on Saturday.

Perhaps more significantly, however, is the fact it puts them nine points clear of Dundalk, who have now slipped to a first league defeat under interim manager Jim Magilton.

On their worst run of form since 2012 when the side needed a relegation play-off to stay up, the Louth men lacked a real threat throughout.

Even after their opponents had been reduced to 10 men, they struggled to break them down – relying on long punts forward hoping something would break for them. It didn’t and the result means they have now lost as many matches as they did in their 2019 title-winning campaign, with two of those defeats coming after the league had been secured.

With any hope of a title challenge now surely up in smoke, it will now be a huge task to even ensure European qualification for next season – something that Magilton described as “the bare minimum” expected of the side on Thursday.

Even if they can turn their form around, they’ll have a job catching a Sligo side who have now bettered them twice – even if they didn’t get the win their efforts deserved at The Showgrounds on the opening night.

Buckley has his side playing good stuff and after this result they can now start looking up the table and dreaming of a possible title push rather than looking in the rear view mirror.

The home side had the first chance of the game when former Bit O’Red player Junior got in on the left only for Ed McGinty to get a hand to his effort before it was hooked clear.

Sligo were unlucky not to take the lead themselves on 10 minutes when Walter Figueira rattled the crossbar with a vicious strike from the edge of the area after the Dundalk rearguard had stood off him.

Junior then had another shot straight at McGinty before Han Jeong-woo was also denied by the Republic of Ireland U-21 goalkeeper, who did well to get down at his near post to make the save.

This was Dundalk’s best spell and on 29 minutes they almost had another good opening when Han dispossessed John Mahon before slipping Sean Murray in only for Garry Buckley to get across and block his first-time shot.

The Louth men then had a big let-off on 31 minutes when Peter Cherrie made a big save to deny Johnny Kenny after he had raced from halfway after dispossessing Val Adedokun.

The breakthrough would arrive on 39 minutes when Gibson collected Remeo Parkes’ pass before turning to nutmeg Boyle and then firing past Cherrie to the bottom left hand corner from all of 25 yards.

Lewis Banks then headed over from a corner five minutes after the restart before Daniel Cleary almost put a free-kick into his own net with an overhit ball that went out for a corner.

The home side were then thrown something of a lifeline when Sligo were reduced to 10 men on 53 minutes after Buckley, who had been booked in the first half for a late challenge on Val Adedokun, received a second yellow card for a high boot on Junior.

Substitute Daniel Kelly then had a big chance to level nine minutes later after being teed up to the right of goal by Murray, but he blazed over.

Michael Duffy then glanced a header wide from a Raivis Jurkovskis cross on 69 minutes before the Latvian international drilled another half-chance well over three minutes later.

Wilfried Zahibo then had an effort blocked by Niall Morahan, but it was Figueira who would be next to threaten as his shot from inside his own half almost caught Cherrie out on the 90-minute mark.

Zahibo would have two headers in stoppage time to try and rescue a point for Dundalk but on each occasion McGinty was equal to them as he ensured his side held out for all three points.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Raivis Jurkovskis, Daniel Cleary, Andy Boyle, Val Adedokun; Chris Shields (Patrick McEleney 67), Wilfried Zahibo; Han Jeong-woo (Daniel Kelly 55), Sean Murray, Michael Duffy; Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Ole Erik Midtskogen 81).

Subs not used:Alessio Abibi, Greg Sloggett, Darragh Leahy, Enda Douglas, Ryan O’Kane, Jesus Perez.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, John Mahon, Robbie McCourt; Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan; Johnny Kenny (Colm Horgan 74), Jordan Gibson, Walter Figueira; Romeo Parkes (Shane Blaney 55).

Subs not used: Richard Brush, Ryan De Vries, Regan Donelon, Darren Collins, David Cawley, Scott Lynch, Cillian Heeney.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick).

The Friends Of Sligo Rovers 500 Club has made another infrastructural investment in the Bit O’ Red with the purchase of a new lawnmower for grounds staff.

The five-figure purchase will help the upkeep of the Showgrounds surface and is the latest project by the 500 Club, having helped fund the reseating of the Treacy Avenue Stand two years ago.

Founded in 2003, the 500 club continues to be one of our most solid fundraising project. In the last financial year, the 500 Club provided €90,000 to Sligo Rovers.

It was particularly important during the Covid-19 period as it provided steady income for the club when all other streams had been negatively affected.

The new John Deere lawnmower is state-of-the-art and will allow for greater  maintenance of the pitch which is vitally important for all of our teams.

The 500 club, led by a very dedicated 500 Club Committee continues to grow. The committee is Vincent Nally, Michael Drury, Peter Henry, Sean Crossan, Tony Quinn, Michael Clancy and Robbie Fitzpatrick.

The increase in membership will allow for more projects outside of the regular income it provides to club finances.

Sligo Rovers chief executive Colin Feehily said: “We are very thankful to Vincent, Peter, the 500 Club Committee and all of the members who play their part in contributing to Sligo Rovers.

“The 500 Club has raised over €1.7m since it began and it is fair to say it has helped us at some of the most difficult moments.

“As it grows, we can see it help more projects like new seating and this new pitch aid. On behalf of the club, we want to express our gratitude again.”

If you are interested in becoming a 500 Club member please email michaelclancy04@gmail.com with your name and contact details. If you wish to join you can make payment in a number of ways.

It is now available to join via Paypal.

You can sign up for monthly payments of €20 for 12 months or in a one off payment of €240.

Users can pay by credit/ debit card or by logging into their PayPal account. This is an ideal method of payment for exiled fans abroad. However there is a small additional charge in respect of PayPal’s processing fee.

To pay monthly, click here

To pay yearly, click here

Sligo Rovers begin the second round of fixtures in the SSE Airtricity League on Friday night as they face Dundalk in Oriel Park.

The game is live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and WATCHLOI.

After making the best since to a league season since 2013, accumulating 16 points from nine games, Rovers begin the second quarter of the campaign.

The Bit O’ Red have had four wins, four 1-1 draws and a single defeat so far.

Rovers had two of those draws last weekend. The game with St Patrick’s Athletic ended in disappointment after the concession of a 95th minute equaliser.

However, it leaves the Bit O’ Red in third place going into this encounter.

The teams have played some eventful games in recent times. The opening weekend of the season saw Liam Buckley’s side denied a winner when Mark Byrne’s goal was ruled out late on.

Romeo Parkes had brought the Bit O’ Red level after a Patrick McEleney opener. Last year Rovers completed a double over Dundalk in the league, including the 2-0 win needed to secure the Bit O’ Red’s place in the Europa League Conference first round draw next month.

They were bright spots in a difficult opposition for Rovers against a team which have dominated in the league for much of the last decade.

The Lilywhites are unbeaten in their last five games, so ahead of this Friday’s live game on RTÉ2, it is set to be a fascinating encounter.

In team news, Danny Kane misses out while Mark Byrne will have a late fitness test.

Liam Buckley said: “It was a disappointing end to the game on Monday obviously. As we reflect on it, the performance over the course of the 90 minutes was decent. We have to keep trying to get it better because it still isn’t where we feel it can be.

“I do think we can win more games with the capabilities within our group. We came close last Monday and in the end we came away with a draw. It was a decent display against a team at the top of the table.

“The first series is done, we’ve had a period of transition settling in new players, young players and trying to improve on our overall team performance with that in mind. 

“There is a lot of football to come with just a quarter of the season played and the start we’ve made has given us a chance to kick on over the rest of the year.

“I do think Dundalk will be an even more difficult proposition compared to our first meeting. Like us, they had bedding in period for a lot of new players early on in the season.

“They’ve also gone through a managerial change and what comes with it They will be a lot stronger, they’re picking up wins and we have to be ready for them. 

“That said, it’s a game we’re looking forward to. We’re determined to build on the work we’ve put in so far this year and it’s another chance for us to do so and show what we can do.

“The games between the teams are always close and it’s going to be the same on Friday I feel.”

Sligo Rovers wish to send our gratitude to Brian Dorrian after his departure from the club this week to take up a role with the FAI as High Performance Director role for Donegal.

Brian has been a dedicated youth coach and a huge asset to the Bit O’ Red during two spells at the club.

At Under-19 level, he has coached, nurtured and mentored countless players who have gone onto play senior football with the club.  

He has played a role in the recruitment of players at youth level since 2017 and served as a coach at first-team level over the last five years.

In 2018 Brian became our first-team manager for a two-game period prior to the appointment of Liam Buckley as he led to club to a win on the final night of the season.

Brian’s commitment was exemplary given his commute from Killybegs for every session and match at varying levels of his involvement.

Last year the club won the Under-19 Shield under Brian’s management.

All at Sligo Rovers are very grateful for the role Brian has played in the development of the youth set-up at the Showgrounds.

He departs with the club very thankful for all of his hard work and dedication to the club, as well as being such a well-liked personality around The Showgrounds every day.

We wish him well in his new role at the FAI. An update on a new Under-19 manager will be issued shortly.