McNicholas injury opens door for two other goalkeepers
SLIGO Rovers’ plans to finish the season with a flourish – they have six games left – have been rocked by an injury sustained by goalkeeper Luke McNicholas.
The Mayo man, who became first choice following Ed McGinty’s departure to Oxford United, picked up an ankle injury – in training – when on international duty with the Republic of Ireland U-21 men’s squad.
Ruled out for the remainder of the 2022 season, he has since returned to Rovers and commenced the recovery process with the aim of being ready for pre-season next year.
With 22-year-old McNicholas sidelined, for Saturday’s hosting of Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers, Bit
O’Red boss John Russell has to choose between veteran netminder Richard Brush,
36, or teenager Conor Walsh, who is a Republic of Ireland underage international. Brush, who is in his fourth spell at The Showgrounds, having first joined the club for the 2006 season, has vast experience – he also played in the League of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers and Finn
Harps, while he had spells in Northern Ireland with Ballinamallard United and Cliftonville.
Walsh, who hails from Westport, is highly-rated and has starred at underage level at the Sligo Rovers Academy. In August of last year the custodian signed his first professional contract with the club, a three-year deal.
Yet to play a competitive fixture at senior level for Rovers, last Friday was the 17-year-old’s first senior appearance when he featured against Galway United in a friendly at The Showgrounds last Friday. Meanwhile, John Russell’s outfield options have been boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Seamas Keogh and Karl O’Sullivan,
who is back after compassionate leave following the unexpected death of his dad, Joe, on August 27. Both played in the friendly against Galway. Elsewhere, Rovers defender Nando Pijnaker started both of New Zealand’s recent international friendlies against neighbours Australia.