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.