Simon Power added to 2024 squad

The club are pleased to announce Simon Power has joined the club for the upcoming 2024 season.

The 25 year old Greystones native joins following a number of seasons with Shamrock Rovers. Prior to this he had a successful period in the UK where he made 39 League Two appearances for Harrogate Town.

The winger can play on either wing and becomes the third new addition to the squad following the addition of JR Wilson and Wilson Waweru.

John Russell:

“I am delighted to get Simon to the club. He is an exciting attacking player with the ability to get fans out of their seats. He has experience in the League of Ireland and League Two and at 25 I feel he is hungry to show the quality he has at this club.”

Simon Power:

“I am delighted to sign for the club, it’s good to get the deal done as it’s been in the works over the last few weeks.

“I am still young but I have a lot of games under my belt. My main attribute is pace and power and can get bums off seats and get the crowd going. I am looking forward to getting going now.”

The club today also unveiled a new away kit, which will join our current home and away jersey for 2024. The new kit is available for purchase at our Showgrounds Megastore which is open every day until Christmas Eve.

Full Time Officer to be Appointed for Work in The Community

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce our commitment to significantly enhance the club’s community work and engagement with the appointment of a full-time Football & Social Responsibility (FSR) Officer next year.

While the club has been heavily involved in community activities for many years, Sligo Rovers will, for the first time, advertise for the position of a full-time FSR officer in the first week of January.

The new role, supported by Sligo County Council, will involve using the attraction of football to have a positive impact in many areas of social importance in the Region. 

This will include the delivery of football themed socially focused programmes and events, developing the Clubs community relationships, as well as sustainability measures in line with UEFA’s football sustainability strategy 2030.

Chairman Tommy Higgins said this will be a major boost to the Club’s involvement and activities in the community:

“This is an exciting new chapter in our club’s history. Support of the community has always been at the heart of our club and we see this appointment as a vital element in the future development of Sligo Rovers.

“It will mean as a club we will be able to further our work in the community and make a hugely positive impact across the region”

Full details of the post and closing date for applications will be advertised in the first week of January.

Striker Wilson Waweru joins the Bit O’Red

John Russell has added his second new addition to his squad for the upcoming 2024 season. 

22 year old centre forward Wilson Waweru joins from Galway United after a successful loan spell with Cobh Ramblers where he scored 13 goals from open play last season. The player joins on a two year deal.

John Russell:

“Wilson is a very good player that I am excited to bring to the club. He came through the Galway United academy and always stood out when he broke through to their first team. 

“I have tracked his development and he is moving to us after scoring a lot of goals at Cobh last year. 

“He is a natural finisher, he’s quick, strong, and capable of running in behind. He comes to us at a good age and is a player I’m excited to have with us next year”

Wilson Waweru:

“I am very happy to join the club. I see myself as an out and out number 9 and a focal point up top. I was happy to make the move to Cobh last year particularly with the quality of the goals scored and assists I made. 

“I am looking forward to the step up in quality in the Premier Division. I feel I am becoming a better player every year, with the quality of players at this club I feel I can bring that form with me next year.

More news is expected this week as John Russell continues to build his squad for the upcoming season.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Kelly Crompton signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of experienced midfielder Kelly Crompton for the 2024 Women’s Premier Division season.

Crompton joins having spent her career playing for her hometown team Sion Swifts, whom she has played for since the age of five.

The 27-year-old is the first new signing for Tommy Hewitt’s side, joining Sarah Kiernan, Caoimhe O’Reilly, Emma Hansberry and Leah Kelly in committing for the upcoming 2024 season.

Crompton brings a wealth of experience to The Showgrounds, having been vice-captain of Swifts, with whom she enjoyed great success, including a League Cup win in 2022.

It’s the first time the County Tyrone native moves from Swifts, and is a signing that manager Tommy Hewitt has hailed as being a statement signing for the Bit O’Red.

Crompton said: “I was contacted by Tommy, I had decided to take a step away from the club I was at. To be honest, I was looking to move to this league anyway, it came about at the right time. I’m so excited.

“It was a very difficult decision to leave Swifts. It’s a decision that I know is right for me. I need to push myself on and I feel like this league is a step up. It will be a challenge but a good challenge for me.

“I think I can bring experience, that’s probably my best attribute. I’ve played football for a very long time and I feel like I’ve played a high standard. My experience in how to manage games, and I was vice-captain so I feel like I bring leadership too.”

Tommy Hewitt added: “For me, when Kelly decided to sign I told her it felt like Christmas morning for me! 

“I did a lot of research on Kelly, and we had good conversations. She’s probably underselling herself a bit just mentioning experience, she’s a very good footballer and a good person. That’s the kind of person we want at Sligo Rovers.

“We’ll hopefully have three or four more signings coming in over the next couple of weeks. It’s a great day for the club having a player of Kelly’s quality coming into the league, she’s definitely going to help this team progress.”

Sarah Kiernan signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of Sarah Kiernan for the 2024 season. 

The Grange native joined Rovers in 2018 when she joined the newly formed under-17 team. She played for the club at under-17 and under-19 levels before joining the senior team in its debut year.

Over the past two seasons, Sarah has become a regular in the first team, playing 46 times. 

In October, it was announced that Sarah was selected to be one of nine players at the club to be awarded a sports scholarship for the 2023/24 academic year through Sligo Rovers’ partnership with Atlantic Technological University.

Earlier this year, Sarah was awarded the League of Ireland goal of the month for her long-range goal against Wexford Youths. 

Speaking to sligorovers.com, Sarah said, “I’m delighted to be re-signing with Sligo Rovers for the 2024 season. I’m looking forward to working with Tommy and the new management team and building on what we’ve created over the past two years.”

Tommy Hewitt is delighted to have Sarah commit to another season. “I’m delighted Sarah is staying with the club. I’m looking forward to working with her this season.”

Ray Gallagher Honoured By Sligo County Council

Long serving Sligo Rovers volunteer and Club Vice President Ray Gallagher was honoured by Sligo County Council on Wednesday evening at its annual Cathaorleach’s Awards ceremony. Ray won the ‘Community Individual’ Award category for his lifetime of exemplary service.

Presenting the award on behalf of the Awards Committee, Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady said has spent most of his 86 years serving the people of County Sligo, and highlighted in particular his work in developing the Showgrounds.

‘Ray served as Chairman of the Management Committee and subsequently the Ground Development Committee, under his stewardship the Treacy Avenue stand was built, a new all weather pitch was laid and a car park and boundary wall were provided in a partnership with Sligo Borough Council.

During his lifetime of service to Sligo Rovers, has made an enormous input in many areas, arguably his most valuable contribution was in relation to the Showgrounds. In 1968, Ray played a key role along with Albert Higgins and then Mayor and Club Chairman the late John Fallon in acquiring the two estates that made up the Showgrounds, the Fowler and Campbell estates, thus providing Sligo Rovers with a permanent home. In 2016, under Ray’s leadership, the ground was legally registered as a Charitable Trust, thereby ensuring it is preserved in perpetuity as a community and recreational facility for the people of Sligo.’

Councillor O’Grady concluded her tribute by noting ‘Ray’s modest and unassuming nature, which ensured he never sought the limelight or any acknowledgement for his lifetime of voluntary service, but his vision and drive in securing the Showgrounds bestows a priceless legacy for future generations of Sligo people.’

Caoimhe O’Reilly signs for the 2024 season.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the re-signing of goalkeeper Caoimhe O’Reilly for the 2024 season.

Caoimhe joined last July from Hounslow Women in England. Unfortunately, due to an injury picked up during training, she was unable to make an appearance for the Bit o’Red in 2023

On signing back, Caoimhe said, “I am delighted to have re-signed with Sligo Rovers for 2024.  I was unlucky with an injury that kept me on the sidelines since joining in the break last season, but I am really looking forward to putting that behind me. During my time on the sidelines, I have seen the potential and talent in this squad of players, and I really feel that over the course of the 2024 season that, we can push on and prove how good we are. I am hoping for a good year with this talented group of players under the new management of Tommy and his team .”

Tommy Hewitt is delighted to have Caoimhe on board for the 2024 season. “Caoimhe is a very good Goalkeeper with loads of experience, and we are excited to see her on the pitch next season.”

Emma Hansberry signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Emma Hansberry has re-signed for the 2024 Season.

Last year’s club captain brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously played at domestic and international level, she is a former Irish youth international, throughout her career.

Hansberry said on her signing, “I am very happy to be re-signed with Sligo Rovers for the 2024 season. I am looking forward to working with the new management team and players that come in. We hope to build on what we have created over the last two seasons and have some more memorable days for Sligo Rovers.”

Manager Tommy Hewwit added
“I’m delighted Emma has decided to stay at the club. It’s important for myself and the staff to keep a player of Emma’s experience.”

2024 season tickets are available now for just €50 online via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Will Fitzgerald signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers is pleased to announce that Will Fitzgerald has signed back with the club for the upcoming 2024 season.

The 24 year old attacking midfielder will line out for his third season with the Bit O’Red.

“I’m delighted to sign back with the club for next year.

Ever since I first arrived at the club, I’ve been made feel welcome by everyone in & around the club.

It’s a great club with even better people involved & I know how much it means to the supporters & community to see it thriving.

I am loving my football here & I look forward to hopefully making my 100th appearance for the club, which if that happens is something that I’ll be forever proud of.

I can’t wait to pull on the Rovers jersey again & I’m looking forward to us pushing on next year”

John Russell:

“I’m delighted Will has agreed a new deal with the club.

Will is a top professional who brings so much to the team in terms of his energy, work rate and quality.

He has an excellent mentality and is exactly the type of character I want at the club.

I’m excited to have him with us again as I feel he can take his game to another level next season.”

Fixtures for the upcoming season are due to be announced this week. Season Tickets sales are on sale together with our new 2024 training merchandise at https://srfcdirect.com/

Leah Kelly signs for 2024

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Leah Kelly has re-signed for the 2024 season.

The versatile player recently became the first female player to reach 50 appearances for the club, playing both at wing back and central midfield.

Leah expressed her delight to be back with the Bit o’Red for another season:

She said: “I am delighted to be re-signing for Sligo Rovers. I think this is a massive year for us as a group and as a club.

“It’s time for us to really push on. I’m really excited to start working with Tommy and his team and see what we can achieve in 2024.”

Tommy Hewitt added: “I am delighted Leah has agreed to stay with the club for the 2024 season.

“She is driven and ambitious, so I look forward to working with her in the coming months.

“I’m hoping to have more players announced in the coming weeks as we build our squad for the 2024 season.”