SPORT ROUND-UP

Quinn is again chosen in ROI women’s squad

Lucy Quinn, the Birmingham City and Republic of Ireland women’s national team striker with Sligo connections, has been named in the 27-player squad for two upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Irish team managed by Vera Pauw take on Sweden this evening, Thursday, at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7pm) in a Group ‘A’ fixture and are away to Finland next Tuesday, October 26 (Olympic Stadium, Helsinki). Next Tuesday’s game has a 4.15pm start (Irish time). Both games are televised on RTÉ2.

Quinn, one of seven forwards selected, made her international debut last month against Australia. Her grandfather Edward Quinn is from Ballymote.

The Republic of Ireland women’s national team squad began their preparations last Sunday, with their first training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown.

Rovers’ LOI fixtures are rescheduled

Three of Sligo Rovers’ six remaining SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures have been rescheduled. Rovers are away to Donegal’s Finn Harps this Saturday, October 23 (Finn Park, 8pm), a game that was originally scheduled for Monday next, October 25.

The club’s hosting of Drogheda United is now on Friday week, October 29 (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm), having previously been set for the following day, Saturday, October 30.

The home game against the now relegated Longford Town – postponed on October 9 due to international call-ups – will go ahead on Monday, November 1, with a 7.45pm start at The Showgrounds.

Sympathy from Sligo GAA after Brian’s passing

Sligo GAA has extended its sympathy to the Clancy family following the recent passing of Brian Clancy, formerly of Holy Well Road, Sligo, and Green Road, Cairns Hill, Sligo town.

Brian, who died at North West Hospice on Wednesday of last week, was a familiar face at Sligo GAA grounds Markievicz Park where he was part of the maintenance staff that looked after the venue before and after games.

“Sligo GAA and the Markievicz Park committee were saddened to learn of the passing of our colleague Brian Clancy,” said a statement from Sligo GAA.

“We always looked forward to cups of tea made by Brian between the games at Markievicz Park and enjoyed listening to his stories of growing up around Cairns Hill as he viewed the developing Markievicz Park below.

“Brian had a great knowledge of all sports and on many occasions predicted the correct outcome of the games played at Markievicz Park.” The statement added: “Brian will be sorely missed by us all in Sligo GAA and we extended our deepest condolences to Brian’s wife Carmel, sons Brian (Jr) and Jude and extended family.”

Monthly award for Bit O’Red star Maguire

Peter Maguire of Sligo Rovers has been named the U-19 recipient in the EA SPORTS National Underage Leagues Player of the Month for September.

Maguire, a defender, hails from Blacklion, County

Cavan. He previously played for Manor Rangers. Along with starring for the club at U-19 level this season, he has featured in several matchday squads for the first team, including their two UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers against Iceland’s FH Hafnarfjordur. He is on a sports scholarship at IT Sligo as part of their partnership with Rovers.

The other award winners for September were Dundalk’s Luke Mulligan (U-14), St Patrick’s Athletic player Brian Moore (U-15) and Shels star David Toure (U-17). Meanwhile, two Rovers underage players, Conor Walsh and Daniel Kelly were in the Republic of Ireland

Boys U-17 squad for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifier against Poland at Turner’s Cross, Cork, on Wednesday of last week. Goalkeeper Walsh played the entire game, which ended 2-2, with defender Kelly an unused substitute.

This result means that the Republic of Ireland, whose managed is Colin O’Brien, head to next spring’s elite round of qualification as winners of Group Five (ahead of Poland).

Saints of 1996 are honoured at county final

At last Saturday’s Sligo LGFA Senior ‘A’ Championship final between St Nathy’s and Geevagh at Fr Brehony Park, Keash, the St Nathy’s team that won the 1996 Sligo LGFA Senior Championship was honoured. The squad from 25 years ago was as follows: Katrina Connolly, Colette McGowan, Rachel Gallagher, Karina McGowan, Eimear Gallagher, Edel Kane, Yvonne Roddy, Angela Gallagher, Angela Doohan, Kathleen Kane (c), Siobhan Stenson, Therese Devaney, Colette Toolan, Louise O’Donnell, Bernadette Groake, Nuala Rooney, Annette Kearns, Mary Kilcoyne, Mary Kilgannon. The managers were Tom Keane and Liam McDonagh. One of the players from that team, Angela Doohan, captained St Nathy’s last Saturday’s in their triumph against Geevagh.

Rovers teams get to Shield semi-finals

Both of Sligo Rovers underage women’s teams have booked their place in the semi-final of their respective Shield competitions.

The U-17s have confirmed their place in the last four of the EA SPORTS Women’s U-17 National League of Ireland Shield with a game to spare. They were 3-2 winners at home to Greystones on Saturday

AWARD: Peter Maguire, the Sligo Rovers player who was named U-19 Players of the Month for September in the EA SPORTS National Underage League Player of the Month awards scheme.

SUCCESSFUL: The Sligo AC Girls U-13 selection that won the team category at last Sunday’s County Sligo Juvenile Cross Country Championships that took place in Ballymote.

afternoon last thanks to goals from Orna Murphy and Jessica Casey, who scored twice.

Rovers play their final group game away to second placed DLR Waves this Saturday – upcoming opponents who are currently three points behind the Bit O’Red but level on goal difference.

If Rovers finish second, they will play Shelbourne in the semi-final, while a victory means they play one of Bohemians, Waterford and Carlow-Kilkenny, who could all finish second in Group ‘B’. Meanwhile, the U-19s are heading to the semi-final of the EA SPORTS Women’s U-19 National League of Ireland Shield as the winners of their group.

They were also 3-2 winners, beating Carlow-Kilkenny at home on Sunday. The visitors threatened Rovers’ chance of securing top spot in the section when they went into half-time with a 2-0 lead, but the Darragh Healy-managed hosts showed their resolve as Kate Nugent, Sarah Kiernan and Helen Monaghan all netted in an impressive comeback victory. This win ensures that they will be at home in their semi-final with Bohemians. This weekend, Rovers return to action in the EA SPORTS U-19 National League of Ireland when they visit reigning champions St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday. Rovers are the current leaders.

At U-17 level, Rovers are also set to contest their final group game in the EA SPORTS U-17 National League of Ireland Shield this weekend.

In order to finish in the top two and progress to the semi-final, Rovers need to record a victory over CavanMonaghan and hope UCD fail to beat Finn Harps. Meanwhile, Manorhamilton’s Muireann Devaney, a former Rovers women’s U-17 player now with Athlone

Town in the FAI Women’s National League, has been named in the Republic of Ireland Women’s U-19 squad for three UEFA Women’s Under19

European Championship qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland played England last night (Wednesday) at Markets Field, with games to come at the Limerick venue against Switzerland on Saturday and Northern Ireland on Tuesday next.

Ford is third in Bridgestone Order of Merit

TJ Ford, the talented member of County Sligo

Golf Club, has finishes third overall in the final standings of this year’s Golf Ireland Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit.

Ford’s total was 585 ranking points, with runner-up Hugh Foley (Royal Dublin) and winner Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas Golf Club) amassing 724 and 1,073 points respectively. Ford’s standout moment was his victory in the South of Ireland Amateur Open, while he was runner-up in the Mullingar Scratch Trophy. Hugh Foley, who was second in the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit standings, won the West of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open at Rosses Point last month.

McLoughlin plays in Irish Amateur Open

Sean McLoughlin of County Sligo Golf Club was among the competitors for last weekend’s Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship at The European Club in Wicklow. The teenager, who competed in his first West of Ireland this year, was tied for 36th place with an overall score of 235

(75, 84, 76).

One shot better off was Rosses Point’s Sean Flanagan, who now plays for Portmarnock Golf Club, who tallied

234 (78, 79, 77).

The tournament winner was Douglas Golf Club’s

Peter O’Keefe, whose victory

here and in this year’s AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close, earned him top spot in the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit final standings. Meanwhile, County Sligo Golf Club had a representative in last weekend’s Irish Women’s and Girls’ Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club. Maebh McLoughlin, a Girls U-18 competitor, missed the cut for last Sunday’s third and final round having scored 163 (82, 81) from the tournament’s opening two rounds. The competition was won by Germany’s Charlotte Back. Elsewhere, County Sligo Golf Club’s Seryth Heavey is involved in this week’s Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open that got underway at Donegal Golf Club yesterday, Wednesday. The tournament on the Murvagh links, which consists of three rounds, continues until tomorrow (Friday) evening.

Walsh features at Junior Four Nations in UK

Calry teenager Cliona Walsh, a member of Sligo Tennis Club, was on the Tennis Ireland national selection for the Junior Four Nations tournament in the UK at the end of last month.

Walsh was in the U-18 category, along with Cian Blake (captain), Aisling O’Connor, Freddy Murray and Hugh O’Sullivan. Ireland had three teams involved (U-12, U-14 and U-18) for contests against Scotland, England and Wales over three days. This tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Team Ireland selections were based on national rankings after this year’s Junior Lawn Championships of Ireland. Two years ago Walsh represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Sligo Tennis Club’s recent charity event raised over €1,100 for North West Hospice.