A memorable visit to the Showgrounds
Daniel and Eoin Connolly, Fuerty, at the senior hurling championship game between Tremane and Oran in Creggs on Saturday week lasr. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Recently, I had the pleasure of being in the Showgrounds, home of Sligo Rovers who hosted Everton in a pre-season friendly.
The game was a sell-out. Rovers did a fantastic job staging such a glamour fixture. I was impressed by the club’s ongoing development, which includes major plans to increase the Showgrounds’ capacity.
The venue is so close to the town, and is so accessible for rail and bus connections alongside lots of car parking.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Everton captain, Seamus Coleman, along with the rest of the squad who mingled so freely with Evertonians who attended the game. Coleman, who started his career with Sligo Rovers and is now a legend with the Toffees, was the main attraction.
The occasion had a real family feel to it. Everton had a sprinkling of first-choice players on duty with seven of their main starters playing in the first half. But they found a very energetic and skillful Sligo U-19 side a real handful.
I’m sure a couple of the young Sligo Rovers players will have caught the eye of Everton manager Seán Dyche. Who knows, another Seamus Coleman may well have been spotted by the Goodison Park scouts.
Sligo Rovers, under John Russell, are in great form after four straight league wins and a first-round cup win over Cobh Wanderers. They are putting the jigsaw pieces together on the field of play. Off it, however, they have a fabulous facility and one supporters can be proud of.
If you are thinking of going to a League of Ireland Premier Division game, then get to the Showgrounds — you will not be disappointed.
As an Everton supporter, it was great to meet the players up close and personal. It was a bonus that they chose Ireland as their base for the opening week of their pre-season schedule.
In a week where the fashion, hats and style will be on show at the Galway Races, it’s onto Croke Park this Sunday, with three LGFA All-Ireland finals down for decision.
It’s great to see two Connacht teams in the finals, with pride of place going to Galway who meet Kerry in the All-Ireland senior final.
It has been a Roy of the Rovers championship for Leitrim who have caught the eye in reaching the intermediate decider against Tyrone.
In the junior decider, Fermanagh meet Louth. It’s an opportunity for both teams to win silverware and end the year on a high.
Every year, the crowds are getting bigger — a Connacht double would crown the occasion.
On the same day that the DART celebrated its 40th anniversary, my Tuesday Teaser passengers remained on board to reach their destination with the correct answer.
Before John Kiely can you name the last manager who won a Munster SHC with Limerick? It was John Allen in 2013.
Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis, was first to hop on board, with Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; John Croghan, Bundoran; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Pat, Sligo; QPR, Frenchpark; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Joseph Langtry, Tralee; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also enjoying their trip.
This week’s Teaser: Apart from Galway in 2024, can you team the last county to play in an All-Ireland senior football final, senior ladies’ final and senior camogie final in the same year?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from South Roscommon.
Star pupil: Michaela Dunne who ripped up the formbook with a personal tally of 1-4 as Shannon Gaels stunned Boyle in the senior ladies’ football championship.
Crucial win for: Tremane over Oran in the senior hurling championship, which stamps their passport to the knockout stages.
Much do better: Apart from Kellie Harrington, disappointment for Irish boxing at the Olympics Games in Paris.
Spot of bother: In a game of tight margins, the loss of Robert Finnerty to injury after only ten minutes was a massive blow to Galway in the All-Ireland football final.
Weekend highlight: It took a while to warm up, but the second half of Galway and Armagh was edge of the seat stuff coming down the home straight.
What a cracker: The meeting of Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Roscommon Gaels whets the appetite in the opening round of the senior football championship.
“Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you travelled from where you started.”
David Fitzgerald (Clare) was the top scorer from play in this year’s All-Ireland SHC with 2-21, while Patrick Horgan (Cork) was overall top scorer with 5-74.
All eyes are on Paris this week as Ireland look to build on their medal haul so far.
