London, California and Ballina are three of the locations that will be celebrated on the next section of the Bit O’ Red Wall at Sligo Showgrounds. 315 tiles feature in the first section of the wall unveiled at the home of Sligo Rovers last year. Already 100 tiles have been purchased for the next phase of the project.

Cormac ‘Corky’ Kilfeather, originally from Pearse Road, Sligo is the London link. Michael Taheny, a native of Riverstown Co. Sligo and now living in California, is the lucky recipient of a tile as a Christmas present from his son and namesake. Hugh Hanly, who has been travelling the Ballina Road to Sligo will provide a Co. Mayo link on the wall.

Speaking from London, Corky Kilfeather told how he will be delighted to celebrate the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Harley Finnegan, on the wall. Harley’s parents, Danielle and Ryan Finnegan (a native of Calry) are living in Sligo. Cormac has also reserved tiles for his two other grandchildren, Cody and Casey and for his children, Karen and James.

“I’m hoping someone will put up one in my name when I’m pushing up the daisies”, Corky joked. He ran a popular bar on Markievicz Road for several years but has been back in London for almost two decades.

“I’ve followed the Rovers since I was a boy and that will never change. It was two of my oldest Sligo pals, Paddy Houze and Padraig ‘Lotch’ Lynch who were encouraging me to buy a tile and I ended up booking six! It keeps up the connection with the Showgrounds down through the generations.”

Michael Taheny (junior) is based in Cavan. Childhood memories of going to matches in The Showgrounds with his father, Michael (senior) prompted him to purchase a Christmas gift.

Michael (senior) is a native of Riverstown and was a boarder in Summerhill College. He had a landscape gardening business at Carrraroe but has been working and living in California for twenty years.

“In the past when I crossed the Atlantic to visit my father, we sometimes went to LA Galaxy games. But each time he is home, if we can make it happen, we go together to the Showgrounds.”

According to Michael (junior) “The tile is a Christmas present for him. It will say

‘Michael Taheny

Sligo California’

Hugh Hanly was born in Collooney Co. Sligo and after his university years he worked at the Snia plant in Hazelwood before settling in Ballina Co. Mayo in the early 80’s. All through his life he has been a loyal Sligo Rovers supporter and a contributor to the various fund-raising initiatives that have allowed the club to stay afloat.

“Like all supporters I’ve seen Sligo Rovers struggle on and off the field. But results against the odds, like the recent victory against Dundalk and the spirit of the club more than make up for the bad times. I refer Friday night games because they allow you to be with your family on a Saturday night. Even though it’s an hour-long journey over and back, the habit is still strong”

Hugh is known in Ballina for the trojan work he and a small group of friends carry out to run the local tennis club. He is delighted by the way Sligo Rovers’ underage structures are now attracting players from surrounding areas including Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal. He believes Rovers captain, Ballina-born David Cawley, has helped to increase the club’s popularity in Mayo.

Hugh’s tile will state

Hugh Hanly

Sligo & Ballina

A Lifetime Fan

The new section of the wall will be ready for the start of the new season. Each tile costs 100 euro and the project provides a unique way to be remembered and celebrated at The Showgrounds. The work is carried out by the renowned Boyle-based stonemasons, Feelystone. Each tile accommodates 3 lines, with 16 characters, including spaces per line.

The project also allows supporters who are living away from home to celebrate their links with the club. Another dimension of the scheme is gives a chance to remember deceased family members and their long association with The Showgrounds.

The Wall enhances the Open Museum aspect of Sligo Rovers HQ and it is another reminder of Sligo Rovers’ special community status as a league of Ireland club.

To purchase a tile online, please click here.

For more information, or to purchase a tile over the phone, you can contact Shane on 087-7526445.