Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Glasgow Celtic will travel to the Showgrounds to take on the Bit O’Red for a mid-season friendly on Wednesday October 9th, kick-off 7.30pm.
The game will honour the memory of the late Tommie Gorman, lifelong Sligo Rovers supporter, who was instrumental in initiating this visit of the Scottish giants to Sligo before he sadly passed away in June. It will also celebrate the friendship and close links between the clubs along with marking Celtic’s historical links to County Sligo.
This match will take place just a few miles from the birthplace of Andrew Kerins, better known as Brother Walfrid, a Ballymote native who founded Celtic all the way back in 1888. Statues honouring Brother Walfrid are erected both at Celtic Park and in Ballymote town itself.
Another intrinsic tie and a huge figure which connects Rovers and Celtic will also be celebrated on the day and that is Sean Fallon, the Sligo native who not only played for both clubs but was also Celtic’s assistant manager when the famous Lisbon Lions beat Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup final. That incredible triumph marked Celtic as the first ever British side to win this competition, the precursor to the modern day Champions League.
Fondly remembered in Glasgow as Celtic’s ‘Iron Man’, the astro-turf facilities at the Showgrounds are also named after Fallon.
This meeting follows on from Rovers’ meeting with Everton in July of this year and once again, there is expected to be huge interest as another giant of European football visits Church Hill Road.
Celtic first team manager Brendan Rodgers will travel with his squad. He is looking forward to visiting Sligo and bringing some of his first team to the Showgrounds.
“When you’re working at a club like Celtic you are reminded every day of its history”, he says. “So it’s great to be able to visit and play in Sligo, a place where the club has so many amazing links. The game takes place during the international window so it’ll be a good work out for the first team players who aren’t involved with their countries that week. We know there is a huge Celtic following in Ireland, nowhere more so than in the north west, so it will be a great chance for so many to see the players in action.”
“For myself personally, its always great to go home so this is a trip I am really looking forward to but for everyone else of course, both sets of fans and both clubs, I know this will be a great occasion.”
Rovers boss John Russell is also anticipating the visit of the Scottish Premiership champions.
“It’ll be a great day for both clubs given the history Celtic have here in Sligo”, he notes. “I’d expect the game to sell out straight away and it’ll be great to see the Showgrounds packed to the rafters. It’ll be a nice test for our boys to see how they get on against one of the biggest clubs in the world. The excitement in the area when Everton visited in the summer was amazing and I’d expect a huge amount of attention will be focused on this game also.”
Interest in this game is expected to be high and supporters are advised to secure their tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
A priority window for tickets for Rovers supporters will take place at the Showgrounds for season ticket holders, Super Reds, 500 Club members and full members of the club this Monday, September 9th and Tuesday, September 10th between 10am and 5pm. All those purchasing tickets must provide proof that they are eligible to purchase tickets under one of the aforementioned categories.
Tickets will then go on general online sale this Wednesday, September 11th at 10am
Tickets are €25 general admission and there will be a limited number of concession tickets available, with OAPs/students/over 12s costing €18 and U12s costing €12.
All online tickets are subject to a €2 booking fee.
