Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that the club have agreed a deal with Oxford United to extend Ed McGinty’s loan deal to the end of the 2024 season, subject to international transfer clearance. The Rovers goalkeeper has been in superb form for the Bit O’Red this year, keeping eight clean sheets in this year’s Premier Division to date. 

A firm fans’ favourite since he broke through to become the Bit O’Red’s first choice net-minder in 2019, the Motherwell born shot stopper is widely regarded in League of Ireland circles as one of the best in the country. 

McGinty joined Rovers in 2016 following spells in the youth academies of both Hibs and Glasgow Celtic. He made his Rovers debut from the bench against Drogheda United in late 2017, replacing the injured Shaun Patton at Weaver’s Park in a scoreless draw which saw Rovers secure their status as a top flight club for the following season. 

The now 24-year-old acted as back-up to Micheal Schlingermann the following year and subsequently Mitchell Beeney, before making the number one shirt his own in mid-2019.  

McGinty went on to put in a number of memorable performances for Rovers, most notably his penalty shoot-out heroics against Bala Town in the Europa Conference League first round in 2022. McGinty stopped two of Bala’s spot-kicks to see Rovers progress to face and subsequently knock out Ed’s home-town club Motherwell. 

His performance didn’t go unnoticed and a short number of days later, he signed for Oxford United. McGinty returned to the Bit O’Red on loan earlier this year and has gone on to re-establish himself as the top goalkeeper in Ireland. 

“I’m delighted to get it done”, McGinty said. 

“It can be a weird time when the window opens so it’s nice to have the peace of mind and security. It’s great to be able to move on now and stick with Rovers and with John Russell. 

“John spoke to me about extending the deal quite a while back. I’m ambitious and I want to challenge myself and it felt right to stay in Sligo. There was interest from here and there but for me everything nicely fell into place and it just felt right to stay here. 

“I feel the love from the supporters and the people of Sligo and the club is in my heart at this stage. I learned the game during my first few years here and got into the team and learned a lot. My first stint here gave me a lot of great memories and this time around, it’s all about pushing on and creating more moments. Europe is there for us and we want to really push on now. John has recruited very strategically so it’s just about keeping players on the pitch. If we have our best eleven fit, we can do anything. We’ve already beaten the champions Shamrock Rovers and the league leaders Shels this season. If we can stay consistent, then who knows where we’ll end up.”  

Speaking about McGinty’s decision to extend his stay, manager Russell says: “We have the best goalkeeper in Ireland. 

“He has been a big presence for us both one and off the pitch so I’m delighted he has agreed to extend his loan to the end of this season.

“Understandably, there was a lot of interest in Ed. But we worked very hard to keep him. What’s most exciting for me, is that there is more to come from Ed. He has the right mentality and is driven to succeed.

“This is a deal I know will delight our fans.”  

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Ollie Denham has joined the club on a permanent basis from Cardiff City, subject to international transfer clearance. 

The centre half has signed an 18 month deal at the Showgrounds to extend his stay to the end of 2025, following an extremely impressive start to the season. 

Denham joined Rovers during pre-season for what was initially a six month loan spell from the Welsh side. 

The former Manchester United youth has become a mainstay of the Bit O’Red’s back four, appearing 21 times so far this term. The Englishman has formed a formidable partnership with both Nando Pijnaker and Charlie Wiggett at the heart of the Rovers defence. 

“It’s great to get the deal over the line. I’ve been really happy here in Sligo since day one”, Denham said. 

“I’m looking to kick on now under John Russell and the staff. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far. From the minute I came here, I’ve felt comfortable with the players and coaches. It’s been a great six months for me on and off the pitch.

With Denham, Pijnaker, Wiggett and the yet to return John Mahon and Conor Reynolds all set to vie for central defensive positions, there will be plenty of competition for those spots as the season wears on. 

“We have a good squad of players and I think competition is good for everyone because it pushes and pushes you. You can then only improve. Everyone in that position is capable in stepping up when asked. 

“It’s a good standard, this league and it’s really tight. There’s a lot of quality players who’ve been around different leagues, and there’s so many young players who can go as far as they want in football. It’s been a good test and a good challenge for me.

“But I do think we’ve a good squad here and we can push for a European spot. We’re very together and I don’t see why we can’t climb the table.”

Commenting on the addition of Denham on a permanent deal, Rovers boss John Russell said; “I’m delighted Ollie has agreed to sign a permanent contract. He has been a brilliant addition to our team this season. 

“He is a player of immense quality who I know will continue to improve and get better. We want to build a team that can be successful and I think that this signing shows the club’s ambition moving forward.”

David Goulden 

Everton will begin their pre-season fixture schedule with a friendly against League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers ­­– the former club of much-loved Blues captain and one of the Toffees’ greatest-ever servants, Seamus Coleman.

Sean Dyche’s men’s senior team will face the League of Ireland Premier Division side on Friday 19 July (4pm BST) at the Showgrounds in Sligo.

The clash will further strengthen the close bond between Everton and the Bit O’Red which, since January 2021, has included a strategic partnership between the two clubs to work on initiatives together ranging from fan engagement, marketing and joint football camps.

The match will also honour fans’ favourite Coleman, who joined the Blues from Rovers in January 2009 for a famed fee of £60,000. The Killybegs native played over 50 times for Sligo, having made his debut against Derry City in late 2006. The Republic of Ireland captain became a mainstay of the first team under the management of Paul Cook before making the move across the Irish Sea and to Goodison Park in early 2009.

After recently signing a new one-year contract to extend his time at Everton into a 16th season, Coleman has etched his name into the club’s record books following years of top-class service and passion for wearing the royal blue jersey.

He holds the Everton record for most ever Premier League appearances (364), while his 422 matches in all competitions has the defender 13th on the Club’s all-time list, 11 behind another former Rovers player, Dixie Dean and Leon Osman in joint 10th.

Coleman was part of an Everton XI which played at the Showgrounds back in 2010 and he has visited the ground on a few occasions since his move to England.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Donegal native said: “It will be a huge honour for me to return to Sligo Rovers with Everton for our opening pre-season friendly of the summer.

“Sligo is a club I obviously hold close to my heart, with them putting their faith in me as a young player which eventually led to my move to Everton.

“I still have many friends at Sligo and it’s been great to see the close bond between the two clubs strengthen over the years. Going back there after more than 15 special years as an Evertonian will mean a lot to my family and me.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Sligo fans and Evertonians at The Showgrounds on Friday 19 July.”

Dean is another Everton legend who has strong links to Sligo Rovers. A world-class centre forward and a genuine superstar of his time, Sligo shocked the football world by announcing Dean’s signature in January 1939. He went on to score ten times in eleven games and steered Rovers towards a second place league finish and their first ever FAI Cup final.

The Showgrounds friendly will form part of a training camp for Everton in the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison on Saturday 17 August.

Speaking about the upcoming game, Sligo boss John Russell said; “It’s an honour to have the Everton first team play at the Showgrounds and a game myself, my staff and our players are really excited about. It’s a game that will capture the imagination of the Irish football public and it’s testament to the people who run our football club that a Premier League team like Everton have chosen to visit us in preparation for their upcoming Premier League season.”

Rovers chairperson Tommy Higgins is looking forward to welcoming the Toffees to Sligo.

He said: “Rovers and Everton have enjoyed a shared history going back to Dixie Dean’s time here all the way to Seamie Coleman’s move to England, our strategic partnership and to the upcoming game here at the Showgrounds.

“We are excited to host Sean Dyche and the Everton first team.

“The game will further highlight the link between both clubs today and going into the future. We are looking forward to what will be a great day for Sligo Rovers, welcoming a Premier League club to the Showgrounds.”

Tickets go on sale at the Showgrounds from Tuesday morning at 10am.

Online sales will commence on Wednesday at 10am. Supporters of both Rovers and Everton can access tickets from here. The link will be posted on all social media channels on the day.

There are strictly no ticket sales over the phone.

Ticket pricing:
Adults €20
Concessions (OAPS and students) €15
U-12 €10

PEAMOUNT UTD 2 SLIGO ROVERS 0

BY CONALL COLLIER

Defending Women’s Premier Division (WPD) champions Peamount Utd worked hard for a crucial 2-0 victory against Sligo Rovers, with late goals in each half at PRL Park on Saturday.

The form book suggested that the hosts would win, but the Dublin women had to wait until the 83rd minute for that vital second goal, which gave them some breathing space in a contest they dictated for the most part.

Goals from Freya Healy in the 40th minute and Ellen Dolan seven minutes from time helped Peamount maintain fourth place in the table, some seven points adrift of leaders Athlone Town as the race for the title hit the midway point of the season.

There is perhaps some irony in the fact that the former Athlone Town boss Tommy Hewitt, the man who molded the Westmeath club into shape during a lengthy tenure until midway through last season, is now tasked with a similar challenge for Sligo Rovers.

The Bit O’Red entered and exited this encounter without a WPD win this season, but there was no evidence of any lack of self-belief among the players throughout a battling 90 minutes as the determination and character that are hallmarks of the side were clearly visible.

However, what was really evident was the contrast between the teams in terms of physicality and experience.

Peamount are the current WPD champions and will be heading for a European joust at Champions League qualification shortly, while the Sligo Rovers players are at the foothills of a League of Ireland journey that is focused on developing local talent.

On Saturday, Peamount had a decent chance in the 15th minute when a Dolan strike was well saved by the impressive Amber Hardy, who had an excellent outing and produced a string of spectacular stops.

At the other end, there was a warning for the hosts some four minutes later when the Bit O’Red produced a flowing move down the right that created an opening for Emma Doherty. Her effort shaved the outside of the post to the relief of Peamount custodian Niamh Reid-Burke.

As the scoreboard remained blank, Hardy then produced the save of the match in the 30th minute.

The Bit O’Red netminder deflected Karen Duggan’s goal-bound effort out for a corner with assistance from the woodwork, but there was nothing she could do when Healy finished low to the net soon after to give the hosts a merited 1-0 interval lead.

The pattern of the game was similar after the resumption, but Sligo Rovers coped better with the Peamount pressure and had big performances from teenage defender Keeva Flynn, who was ably assisted by Kelsey Munroe, Kelly Crompton, and Muireann Devaney in what was an overall hard-working team display.

The second Peamount goal came near the end when Dolan powered a header to the net following a good move down the right that produced a superb Becky Watkins cross.

That made the game safe for the James O’Callaghan-managed side, who will have another home game next weekend against Cork City, while Sligo Rovers will be the odd side out in the 11-team WPD with an idle Saturday.

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid-Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Chloe Moloney, Jetta Berrill, Rebecca Watkins, Erin McLaughlin, Freya Healy, Ellen Dolan, Karen Duggan, Dearbhaille Beirne, Ciara Maher.
Sub – Louise Masterson for McLaughlin 85 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Sarah Kiernan, Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Kelly Crompton, Muireann Devaney, Zoe McGlynn, Keri Loughrey, Emma Doherty, Cara King.
Subs – Anna McDaniel for King and Leah Kelly for Munroe both 75 mins, Rebecca McGoldrick for McGlynn 80 mins, Katie Melly for Loughrey and Lauren Devaney for Kiernan both 88 mins.

Referee – Niall McLoughlin.

Assistant referees – Rob Clarke, Wayne McDonnell.

Sligo Rovers delivered the latest blow to Shamrock Rovers’ hopes of a fifth title in a row as former Hoops winger Simon Power struck twice in the space of ten minutes to see off his old side.

Sprung from the bench, Power marked his return from injury with a glorious second half double to sentence the Dubliners to their second defeat on the bounce. While for Sligo, this was their first win in three.  

Seeking to close the ten point gap between themselves and the leading pair of Shels and Derry, Hoops boss Stephen Bradley made four changes from their defeat to St Pat’s. Leoh Pohls returned between the posts, while Gary O’Neill, Richie Towell and Conan Noonan all started having missed the defeat to St Pat’s before the summer break. 

Sligo boss John Russell was boosted by the return of authoritative centre half Nando Pijnaker and skilful winger Power to the match day squad. Pijnaker started having missed the last 13 games due to a rib injury, while Power made the bench against his old employers following his return from a groin issue. Pijnaker was one of two changes with Wilson Waweru the second swap, replacing Kailin Barlow who started the defeat to Dundalk at Oriel Park two weeks ago. 

A riveting first half produced a catalogue of chances at either end. 

Both Towell and Graham Burke went close in the opening ten minutes as the visitors impressed early on. Towell’s full-volley fizzed past Ed McGinty’s post as the Sligo defence stood still in expectation of an offside flag. While Burke dragged an effort across goal after Pijanker’s last ditch block on Johnny Kenny deflected the ball towards Burke. 

Sligo winger Fabrice Hartmann is due to return to parent club RB Leipzig next week and on his final appearance for the club, he forced Hoops net minder Pohls into a smart save with his feet following Hartmann’s placed effort from the angle.

The hosts had their own purple patch mid-way through the second half. Ellis Chapman’s speculative effort skimmed Pohls crossbar on 13 minutes. While Will Fitzgerald went close twice in quick succession nine minutes later. 

Facing his boyhood club, Kenny looked like he would continue his recent goal-scoring spree on 24 minutes. The Riverstown native taking a Gary O’Neill through ball into his stride but could only drag his placed shot wide of McGinty’s goal.

The leaping Hartmann again tested Pohls before the interval with a header from a Fitzgerald cross to finish off a frantic opening 45. While McGinty saved Ollie Denham’s blushes early in the second half when the latter made a mess of an attempted back-pass allowing Kenny to take possession. McGinty had different ideas however as he spread himself wide to deny the Celtic loanee. 

Pohls got a finger-tip to Hartmann’s drive from 30 yards after the German had turned inside just short of the hour.  

Struggling to create much at this stage, Bradley sent on both Aaron McEneff and Jack Byrne while the experienced Aaron Greene was introduced shortly after. But it was a move from the Sligo bench that changed this game.

Substitute Power was less than four minutes on the pitch when he foraged a way to the end line before smacking a low drive beyond Pohls who probably should have done better in his attempts to keep out the Wicklow man.  

There was nothing the floundering Pohls could do about Power’s second seven from time. Power skipping his way past a Hoops defender before sending a sumptuous, twisting effort with the outside of his boot past the helpless keeper.  

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Nando Pijnaker, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Ellis Chapman (Kalin Barlow 70), Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding 94), Fabrice Hartmann (Simon Power 70); Wilson Waweru (Stefan Radosavljevic 78). 

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Josh Honahan, Roberto Lopes, Darragh Nugent; Richie Towell (Trevor Clarke 77), Markus Poom; Gary O’Neill (Sean Hoare 77), Dylan Watts (Aaron McEneff 67), Conan Noonan (Jack Byrne 67) ; Graham Burke (Aaron Greene 77); Johnny Kenny. 

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

Attendance: 3,187

Sligo Rovers return to league action this Friday night after the mid-season break. 

Champions Shamrock Rovers are the opposition as the Bit O’Red take to the pitch at the Showgrounds for the first time in almost one month, kick-off 7.45pm. 

This will be the third time the teams have faced one another this season. The sides played out a scoreless draw in Sligo in March, while the Hoops emerged the winners by three goals to nil at Tallaght Stadium the following month. 

Manager John Russell is boosted by the return of both Nando Pijnaker and Simon Power. Pijnaker finds himself back in contention following a rib injury picked up in Inchicore in May. While Power returns to the match day squad following a groin issue which has seen him missing for the last few weeks. 

John Mahon returned to training this week following an achilles injury but remains unavailable for selection. 

Winger Fabrice Hartmann is available for selection but will return to his parent club RB Leipzig after the game. The German’s loan deal is due to expire at the end of this month. Hartmann will depart the Showgrounds having scored eight times in 43 games to date.

Previewing a busy week for Rovers in which Derry are the visitors next Thursday, Russell is hoping for two big performances from his players:

“They have come back refreshed from the break and there is a real hunger and desire amongst everyone to really push on now and make the most of the second half of the season”, he said.  

“We have two big, big home games coming up in the next week against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City and both are at home. We need to make the most of that and we need our supporters in full voice for both games. It’s very important that we play to our strengths on Friday against Shamrock Rovers and really impose ourselves. Shamrock Rovers at home is always a game our players and supporters look forward to and these are the nights everyone wants to be involved in. It will be a tough test but we will make sure we are more than ready for the game. 

“It’s great to have both Nando and Simon back in contention as they are two big players for us. Both had been enjoying really good seasons before their injuries and it was a shame to lose them for so long. I know our supporters are looking forward to seeing them back on the pitch.  

“We’d like to wish Fabrice the best of luck in his future endeavours and thank him for all he’s done for Sligo Rovers. He has treated us to some really magic moments and I hope he gives us something to cheer about on his last game for the club.”

Like everybody else in Sligo and beyond, I’ve been trying to make sense of the shocking sadness of the loss of the great Tommie Gorman.

I feel the loss on a deeply personal level, and I’m well aware I’m not alone in that sentiment.

I’ve known Tommie all my life. We started school on the same day in Scoil Fatima on Pearse Road. He was a little rascal, full of devilment, a star in the school plays and later in Bro. Einard’s famous choir in St. John’s School on Temple Street. Indeed, I would say the first time Tommie Gorman ever appeared on RTE RADIO was as a young member of that choir, performing to the nation, as he was destined to do throughout his life.

Of course, he has become synonymous with Sligo Rovers. He inherited the love of the club from his later father, Joe, who in his own way was a Trojan worker behind the scenes for Rovers back in the 1950s and 60s. Tommie was a supporter like the rest of us, but as his work as a journalist flourished and allowed him access to top level contacts, he used that profile to elevate the club’s ambitions to new heights. The very mention of his name could open doors that would otherwise remain firmly locked; his reputation for integrity and up-front honesty afforded him audiences which would normally be far out of reach for a provincial League of Ireland club. He used all of that clout and influence, not to enhance in any way his own ego, but to ensure Rovers would never be too far from the top of any agenda. This has been particularly true in recent years as the club seeks to implement its ambitious plan for a new stadium. Others with more profound knowledge of this scenario will share their insights over the next short while.

Tommie’s first by-line as a journalist appeared in the Sligo Champion, under match reports on Rovers’ games in Dublin. He was studying journalism at Rathmines College at the time, and needed to build up a portfolio of work. We were delighted to oblige this rising young star. As was to become normal for Tommie, everything he touched turned to gold, as it was in that first season of his coverage for the Champion that Rovers went on to win the League title for the first time in 40 years.

He also famously covered Rovers’ first excursion into European football. By then, he was working for the Western Journal. (I later joined him there to help launch THE SLIGO JOURNAL). It would have been unthinkable even for a national newspaper, never mind a fledgling regional paper, to send a reporter to Eastern Europe to cover a game. But Tommy was resilient and enterprising even then – he pounded the streets of the town and county selling advertisements for the paper which would cover the cost of the trip. I still vividly recall the two-page spread he produced on return, including the famous description of Fago sitting on the ball in the centre circle of the vast arena in Belgrade, happily waving to the bemused fans of Red Star Belgrade. He also brought his own camera, capturing a catalogue of iconic pictures from one of the most historic nights in the club’s history. At the time, it would have been frowned upon by trade unions for a reporter to double as a photographer, but Tommie never let silly rules get in the way of a good story. I imagine it wasn’t the last time he would bend a few rules in order to bring home the yarn.

Another early Rovers memory of Tommie is that he used to travel to away games on the team bus, which would have been unheard of at that time. Players would tell me how great it was that on the way home, when they stopped in for some refreshments, Tommie would produce a cheque book and cover the costs. No wonder they loved him!

He would later join the management committee, working on the nuts and bolts beneath the bonnet to help keep the club ticking over. In more recent years, his work was more behind-the -scenes, but no less important. His lasting legacy will be the new stadium, to which he devoted practically all of his time after his retirement from RTE.

I just want to share a few personal stories about the decency and dignity which shaped Tommie’s life. The great journalist is being, and will be, rightly lauded over the coming days, weeks and months. But here’s a few snippets of the boy and man that I knew.

Just a few examples:

Tommie always loved a scoop. I was present for what I’m fairly certain was his first ‘exclusive’. We were working with THE SLIGO JOURNAL at the time, early 1980s. The English tabloids were full of a story about a man who had absconded from his Birmingham home with his young daughter. There was a full- scale manhunt in operation. However, the combined might of Scotland Yard and the British Tabloid press could not find the fugitives. But Gorman did.

He tracked them down to a battered old caravan in Strandhill, and he brought me along to meet them and help with the interview. Neither of us were old enough to drive, so our chauffer was Tommie’s dad, Joe.

For us young bucks, there was the thrill of the story, the scent of a genuine scoop. But Joe Gorman could only see the plight of this frightened young girl living in a tawdry caravan, far from home in a strange land, being battered by howling wind and rain in the dead of a Strandhill night.

He marched the fugitive and the young child across to the Baymount Hotel, banged a fistful of pound notes on the reception desk and demanded that this man and child be given a warm room for the night and a hearty breakfast in the morning.

“Ye can have your headlines”, he admonished us. “But I’ll do right by the child”

Many times over the years, whenever I heard stories of Tommie’s selfless good deeds, my mind raced back to that night in Strandhill, and the example set by his father. The apple didn’t fall far.

By the time Sligo Rovers won the League of Ireland title in 2012, I’d be writing about the club for more than 40 years. But I wasn’t in the Showgrounds on that momentous October day when they clinched their first championship since 1977. Instead, I watched the game on television from home, having just been discharged from hospital during a difficult period of cancer treatment.

Naturally, I became quite emotional when Rovers scored the winner late in the game, and watched the wild celebrations, wishing I could be there. Within minutes, my phone pinged. It was Tommie: “This one’s for you, Jim”. In all the euphoria and excitement erupting in the Showgrounds, Tommie found the time to include me in the celebration, to make sure I wouldn’t be forgotten. Just so typical of the man. He’ll never know just how much that mean to me at that difficult period of my life.

His personal letters are stuff of legend. Whether it was a birth or a bereavement, the hand-written note would arrive, perfectly pitched, dripping with empathy, friendship and love.

On radio the other day, when the sad news first filtered through, I heard John Downing, the former Brussels corr with the Irish Independent telling how, after his first meeting with Tommie, he had made a note in his diary: “Mad, or what!” And I thought, thank God, I wasn’t the only one. Because being around Tommie could be mad at times. He was so unconventional. The sharp political analyst, making light of the most complicated developments of the day, was a million miles from the man who would stop you in a busy street, grab you around the neck, and plant a massive smacker of a kiss on your lips; or the fiercely competitive beach footballer who would contest every ball or throw-in as if playing in a Champions League final; or the guy who, after we’d manage to talk a few girls from St. Angela’s College into letting us take them home, would drive them instead to the Holy Well in the dead of night to say a few prayers!

On the morning after his wonderful wedding and marriage to the love of his life, Ceara, when most new grooms would be nursing a hang-over or spending blissful hours in the company of his new bride, Tommie demanded that we all meet for a game of ball on Rosses Point beach. Some start to the honeymoon!

When my twin brother, Leo and I, wrote our book, Local Heroes: A Celebration of Sligo Sport, in 2022 we invited Tommie to write the foreword. Despite being in the middle of writing and promoting his own memoir, he immediately fulfilled our dearest wish, penning the most personal and beautiful introduction to our book. It was probably the best thing in it!

These are just a few random thoughts, an attempt at a coherent tribute to a man we all loved. Tommie, as is widely known, loved Sligo. These next few days will demonstrate just how strongly and genuinely that love is reciprocated. We will never see his likes again. How lucky we are to have shared this landscape with him, and how sorely we will miss him. Rest easy, Scoop.

Sligo Rovers today mourn the loss of Tommie Gorman, one of our most dedicated supporters and treasured figures within our community and beyond. 

While Tommie was best-known as North-West Correspondent, European Editor, Northern Editor and an integral part of RTÉ News for decades, his love and passion for Sligo Rovers shone throughout his life. 

Tommie, who grew up on Cairns Road, secured his first byline in The Sligo Champion in the form of match reports of Sligo Rovers away games in Dublin in the 1970s while studying in the capital.

In the summer 1977 he sold two pages of advertising to Sligo businesses that financed a trip to Yugoslavia to watch Rovers take on Red Star Belgrade and tell the story. 

He reported in the aftermath of the 1983 FAI Cup final, documenting scenes of jubilation from Sligo, which remain a valued archive of our history.

27 years later he stood on the streets of Sligo as the Cup came home for a third time, this time reporting live to a national television audience.

In 2012 he joined the club’s management committee as the league title came back to the north-west for the first time in 35 years.

That season the club secured funding that led to the development of the Sean Fallon Centre.

He has hosted many events for the club and was instrumental in countless fundraising campaigns.

In recent years, he has been a driving force behind the Showgrounds redevelopment.

That work continued up to recent days, such was his desire and belief behind the vision.

We know how important it is for Tommie to see the storied history of The Showgrounds continue, a place he truly called home.

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “We are simply devastated by the loss of Tommie. 

“Tommie was one of Sligo Rovers’ greatest champions. He championed our club at every opportunity, cherished every great day and believed even in the darkest of times that better times would come. 

“Throughout his life he told our story and lived it with us to change it for the better. 

“His love of football tied in with his love of Rovers and Sligo. Tommie has inspired all of us and we will miss his presence so much. 

“Our thoughts are with his wife Ceara, children Joe and Moya, sister Mary and brother Michael and all who knew Tommie across his wonderful life.” 

Tommie Gorman once wrote: “The Bit O Red bond is something that cannot be denied”.

The proudest Sligo man and Rovers fan; his contribution to our club will live on through the indelible mark he made with us. 

Two years ago the club paid tribute to Tommie with the inscription on a tile in The Showgrounds. 

It reads: Tommie Gorman. Rovers Forever.

He will always be. May he rest in peace.

The club will pay tribute to Tommie at this Friday’s game against Shamrock Rovers.  

The 500 Club members draw for January, February and March was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

April 2024

• €500 Joe Doherty – Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo
• €100 Gary Loughlin – Oranmore , Co. Galway
• €100 Seamus Cummins – Oakfield, Sligo
• €100 Tom Hargadon – Woodtown Lodge, Co. Sligo
• €100 Kieran O’Dowd – Gurteen, Co. Sligo
• €100 Matt Lyons – Stephen St, Co. Sligo
• €100 Sean Devins – Churchill, Co. Sligo
• €100 Amanda Kelly – Cartron Village, Sligo
• €100 Oisin Moran – Christchurch, Dublin 8
• €100 Charles Harrison – Skreen, Co. Sligo

May 2024

• €500 Justin Clarke – Orlando, USA
• €100 Neil McGowan – Circular Rd, Co. Sligo
• €100 Paul McGarry – Ballygawley, Co. Sligo
• €100 Mary Harrison – Skreen, Co. Sligo
• €100 Pat Dolan – Strandhill Rd, Co. Sligo
• €100 Gerry Murray – Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo
• €100 Mary Harte – Cartron point, Co. Sligo
• €100 John O’ Reilly – Dromahaire, Co. Sligo
• €100 Paul Higgins – Strandhill, Co. Sligo
• €100 Andrew Dodd Jr – Calry, Co. Sligo

June 2024

• €500 Rodger McDermott – Enfield, England
• €100 Lorna Fahey – Cairns Hill, Sligo
• €100 Conor Gillis – Bradford, England
• €100 John Horan – Trio Foods, Ballinode, Sligo
• €100 Adrian Keavney – Cleveragh Ind Est, Sligo
• €100 Sean Feehily – kevinsfort, Sligo
• €100 Colm Foley – Goatstown, Dublin 14
• €100 Michael J Cawley – Castletown, Co. Waterford
• €100 Kieran Bruen– Grange, Co. Sligo 
• €100 Bryan Henry – Castlegarron, Sligo

· Sligo biopharmaceutical company becomes ‘Diamond Partner’ in new multi-year agreement

· New sporting partnership part of the biopharmaceutical company’s support of local communities and sports organisations

· ‘AbbVie Academy’ will assist emerging young male and female talent in the region

· New collaboration launched at a special event in the Showgrounds

June 2024: Sligo Rovers and local biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie, have announced a new multi-year sporting partnership. A key aspect of the new collaboration is the establishment of the ‘AbbVie Academy’ which will support the development of youth soccer in the northwest region. The new agreement also sees the company become match shirt sponsor of the U20 boys and U19 girls academy teams.

This company’s collaboration with the supporter-owned Sligo League of Ireland club reflects AbbVie’s support of local communities and sports organisations. The project will help the club raise identify and develop emerging talent in the region. AbbVie is also the main sponsor of Sligo GAA and LGFA senior football teams.

The company has two plants in Sligo, one in Ballytivnan and the other on the Manorhamilton Road, employing more than 500 people in total. Many of the company’s Sligo employees are keen supporters of the club and already involved in grassroots activities and the development of the game.

Commenting on the new agreement, Georges El Damaa, Site Director at AbbVie Manorhamilton Road, Sligo said: “We are pleased to officially announce the launch of our partnership with Sligo Rovers. We take pride in supporting an organisation that aligns with our dedication to the community and our emphasis on inclusivity. Together, we will empower young people to achieve their full potential.”

Michael Gallagher, Site Director at AbbVie Ballytivnan, Sligo welcomed the new partnership and said: “We are excited to work alongside Sligo Rovers in identifying and nurturing emerging talent. We look forward to a successful and impactful partnership that will benefit individuals, the wider local community and the sport in general.”

Andy Feakins, CEO of Sligo Rovers, said: “Sligo Rovers FC are excited to have AbbVie as one of our Diamond Partners. With this partnership, the company are supporting ‘The AbbVie Academy’ at The Showgrounds. The Academy is where identified young male and female talent, from 14 to 20, hone their skills under the tutelage of experienced coaches. The ’AbbVie Academy’ will also be utilised by the wider football community. We will offer sporting programmes, education, training and fun to a wide variety of children and adults via our newly launched Community Initiative, overseen by our Football Social Responsibility Officer.

“As a community club partnering with this highly reputable global brand, we will jointly support development of youth and adults across a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds for the betterment of individuals and the region.”