Sligo Rovers can confirm defender John Mahon has suffered a fractured tibia. 

The injury was sustained in yesterday’s friendly with Athlone Town and he will be out for the “foreseeable future“ according to his manager.

Manager Liam Buckley said: “It is a fracture of the tibia. We’ll support John over the coming weeks and months and he will be back. 

“He will recover in the right manner in accordance with the medical staff. The break is being assessed at the moment.

“He’s having further scans and in time the picture will be clearer. We’ll be without John for some months but we know he will return later when the time is right. 

“We’re all disappointed but setbacks are to be overcome and we will do that together with John as a group.”

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.

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

Sligo Rovers are delighted to reveal our brand new home jersey as we return to the roots of the club.

This new jersey is a throwback to our origins and is based on feedback and research with our fans over a period of time.

The club has never been as dedicated to our work in the community – the very basis of the foundation of the club – so we feel it appropriate to make this change and stick with it.

The new home shirt is made by our kit sponsor and supplier JOMA Sport and in association with our primary sponsor Avantcard.

Jerseys are available to purchase online now and on Sunday from 1:30pm at The Showgrounds until 4pm.

Buy online here

https://srfcdirect.com/jerseys/home/

Sizes are small to XXLarge and begin at 4-6 for kids up to 12-14.

All Super Reds who have a €10 discount voucher from their membership this year from can get their shirt on Sunday at the open day.

It will also be viewable at our question and answer night on Monday in Thomas Connolly’s Bar from 8pm.

Sligo Rovers CEO Colin Feehily said: “Our last stripe jersey was five years ago, so I think it’s time to go back to our roots, as when we started back in 1928 we wore a red and white striped jersey.

“I think the fan base would see this design as the club’s traditional colours and it has meaning behind it. We hope the supporters young and old like it, and we look forward to seeing the team wear it in a couple of weeks for the new season.”

Joma brand manager Susanne McNamara: “We were delighted to launch this new 2020 jersey in conjunction with Sligo Rovers.

“We feel it takes the club back to its roots with the traditional stripes whilst embracing a new modern look. We hope the Bit O’ Red supporters like it as much as we do, and wish Rovers the very best for the season.”

Chris Paul, Avantcard’s CEO, said: “As the new main shirt sponsor for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, we were delighted to collaborate with Sligo Rovers on the design of their new home and away kits.

“I understand that the red and white stripes of the new home jersey combine great memories from the past, with powerful ambitions for the future. We have many supporters amongst our team in Carrick-on-Shannon, who were all super excited to be the first fans to try on the new jersey earlier today.”

Purchase here

https://srfcdirect.com/jerseys/home/

Sligo Rovers play our first home game of the season on Friday 21st February against St Patrick’s Athletic in The Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers will host a question and answer night next Monday 3^rd February in Thomas Connolly’s Bar on Markievicz Road at 8pm. 

Manager Liam Buckley and a senior player will attend the event. Liam will be interviewed by broadcaster Austin O’Callaghan.

The new Sligo Rovers home jersey in association with Avantcard can be viewed at the event.

It will be revealed this weekend on our social media accounts and for sale on SRFC Direct online. 

Liam will speak about putting his squad together, the search for the final players, pre-season so far, the opening game with Finn Harps and much more. 

Following the event the usual live music on Mondays at Thomas Connolly’s will begin from 9:30pm. 

Two families with very similar tales are our Stories from the Wall this week and share a strong Sligo name.

To date, 210 tiles have been sold for the new wall with the deadline this Friday to buy one to be erected in time for the new season.

Buy your tile here

The Kearins family in New York sent a video this week telling the story of how their grandfather is part of Sligo Rovers folklore and will be remembered on the Wall.

Laura Kearins, who is based in the Bronx, has helped carry on the tradition of supporting the club from her father Tony Kearins and grandfather Michael Kearins.

Michael remortgaged his home during a difficult time for the club early in its history in order for it to survive and to celebrate their great commitment to Rovers, they have bought several tiles.

Tony, Lena, Leo, Nancy, Debra, Michael, Brenda, Tara, Oisin, Ansela, Nan, Tess, Mickey, Julia and Theresa have bought seven tiles between them.

Brenda and Alan Kearins are among our most dedicated supporters here in Sligo as part of the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust.

As Laura said in a video recorded at her residence in the Bronx: “I’m asking for everyone to support the Bit O’Red and buy a tile at The Showgrounds as most of us Kearins’ have already done here in New York and Sligo. The Kearins family will be reunited at The Showgrounds through the Bit O’ Red Wall.”

The Kearins family are part of the history of our club.

There is another Kerins Family who have purchased three tiles and reside in New York, although no relation.

Donie Kerins made the purchase on behalf of his late brother Tom and father Tommy who supported Rovers all his life.

The family originally had connections in Grange and lived on the Mall. Donie’s mother still lives in Sligo.

The message from Donie has the family name with messages on each tile

Bit O’ Red Forever

Rovers Forever.

(Click here to buy a tile)

Sligo Rovers were 5-1 winners last night against Ballinamallard in our latest pre-season friendly.

The game was played on the astro pitch at Ferney Park due to inclement weather.

Ronan Coughlan scored a hat-trick, while a trialist also scored two.

Regan Donelon was forced off in the first-half with a suspected shoulder injury.

Next up is Athlone Town away on Saturday at 2pm.

This year Valentine’s Day falls on the opening night of the League of Ireland season – which isn’t ideal for around 600 Sligo Rovers fans planning on travelling to Finn Park for our first game.

We have many couples that follow the Bit O’ Red but also, begrudgingly, accept that partners sometimes do not bond over a night watching the Rovers.  

So far two buses – including a double-decker – have been filled with fans set to travel to Donegal. More are expect to follow with over two weeks to go.

The course of true love may not run smoothly if you do not create a plan for Friday 14^th February – so we have come up with a solution.

You can download your Sligo Rovers-themed Valentine’s Day Card for your loved one as you confess your undying love – with a message subtlety added that you are moving the love-filled day until Saturday so you can travel to Finn Park.  

The final part even includes our new signing Will Seymore informing you that Saturday will in fact be a much more romantic day that Valentine’s Day.

Download the card below, print two pages and combine them. More importantly, see you all in Ballybofey.

Sligo Rovers take on Ballinamallard in our next pre-season friendly on Tuesday night in Ferney Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

Rovers beat Drogheda United last Thursday in United Park.

A friendly with Athlone Town follows on Saturday afternoon.

Sligo’s most renowned soccer ambassador, Sean Fallon and a former Editor of the Sligo Champion, Seamus Finn are among those who will be remembered on The Bit O’Red Wall at the Showgrounds.

Tiles for the wall, being created by the Boyle-based firm Feely Stone, cost €100 each and the closing date for inclusion in the first section of the wall is January 31^st.

To date, 200 tiles have been sold. Get yours here

Sean Fallon was born in Sligo in 1922.  He was a sports all-rounder and after playing for Sligo and Glenavon, he signed for Glasgow Celtic and would later captain the famous club and play for Ireland.

He became a Celtic legend as was always conscious that the club was founded by Andrew Kerins, a Marist brother from Ballymote Co. Sligo.  Sean was assistant manager to Jock Stein when Celtic won the European Cup, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon.  Sean would later manage the famous club.

He and his family maintained their links with Sligo and regularly spent their summer holidays in Rosses Point.  Shortly before his death, Sean passed on his Irish international caps to his grandchildren.  Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, always acknowledged that Sean had a huge influence on his career and he delivered the eulogy at his funeral in Glasgow in January 2013.

Seamus Finn was the editor of the Sligo Champion who resisted several job offers in order to spend his journalistic career in his native Sligo.

Jim Gray, his twin brother, Leo and Michael Moran, who all worked with Seamus decided it would be appropriate to honour the contribution of their deceased colleague on The Showgrounds Wall.

Buy your tile

According to Jim: “ Seamus had the distinction of once being banned from the Showgrounds because his reporting for The Sligo Champion and for RTE annoyed some of the club’s committee.  

“But peace soon broke out and Seamus returned to the work that he loved.”

“Seamus always felt there was a whole world in the local.  As well as editing the Champion, he developed a great interest in photography and his empathy with Sligo was reflected in his photographic work.  

“We learned a lot from him and we are delighted with the opportunity to see that his contribution is remembered and celebrated in The Showgounds.”

The Sean Fallon tile will read

SEAN FALLON

SRFC and CELTIC

LEGEND

The Seamus Finn Tile will read

SEAMUS FINN

1947 – 2017

A SLIGO CHAMPION

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce a new partnership with Elite Athletic Performance who have come on board as our academy teams’ strength and conditioning partner for 2020.

Based out of Summerhill College’s fantastic sporting facility, our underage players will go through a pre-season programme each week between now and March, which will be overseen by Garry O’ Hehir and Ross Chrystal of Elite Athletic Performance.

Club CEO Colin Feehily expressed his delight at the new arrangement:

“It’s something I felt was missing last season from our underage system. It’s important for us as a club to give the academy players as much as possible to help them get better and develop in their time with us.

“Strength and conditioning is vitally important nowadays, and we are happy to have this boxed off for them. It’s a great location for us, just up the road from The Showgrounds and no doubt many of our players are familiar with it as they attend the school there.

“We feel as a club it’s important to give the youth teams as much as possible to try and mirror what the first team do and mirror their training methods. We’re all trying to be on the same page here.”

Each team have attended Summerhill College this week and have began testing sessions and will begin individual and team programmes from now until their season starts in mid-March.

Garry O’ Hehir of Elite Athletic Performance:

“Myself & Ross are delighted to be on board with the Rovers academy teams for the coming season. It’s something we like to focus on, developing young, local talent which is definitely the case here.

“We’ve seen all the lads so far this week and we’re excited to start working with them ahead of the new season.“

Visit Elite Athletic Performance on Instagram: @elite_athletic_performance_ire or on Facebook: Elite Athletic Performance