Ex-Rovers star Eoin Doyle had part to play in Gibson’s move
GOAL FEVER: Cretaro expresses his delight after netting against Longford Town in 2016.
at home with his family.
The call of sport will never be far away, however, and he fully intends on answering it for as long as possible. “It is something I am passionate about. I enjoy coaching, maybe I will get into management down the line,
TUSSLE: Cretaro in action against Rovers in last year’s Premier Division.
SOCCER CHAT: Cretaro talks to Brian Kerr at a Sligo Sports Awards ceremony hosted by either way I would love to stay in the game for as long as I can.”
As for potentially lacing up his boots at a local level by playing Junior soccer, it looks as though defences in the Sligo-Leitrim & District Soccer League will have a new challenge to contend with when they face Real Tubber in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League.
“There is a very good chance I’ll be playing [for Real Tubber],” Cretaro revealed.
“I’ve been involved with Real Tubber all my life. I have taken coaching sessions with the club’s youth and senior teams.”
“In the past I said the last ever game I want to play is in a Real Tubber jersey and that hasn’t changed.”
ONCE OF ROVERS: Attacker Eoin Doyle impressed for Sligo Rovers over two and a half seasons. He is a former teammate of the Bit O’Red new signing, Jordan Gibson.
SLIGO Rovers’ newest signing has revealed how a former Bit O’Red great persuaded him to move to The Showgrounds.
Attacking midfielder Jordan Gibson joined Rovers on Monday. From Birmingham in England, Gibson already got a taste of the League of Ireland’s top flight having featured for St Patrick’s Athletic in 2020, joining them at last July’s restart to what was a truncated season.
Prior to playing for St Pat’s, the 22-year-old’s career took him to Glasgow Rangers as a youth player before going on to play first team football with Bradford City and Stevenage.
It was at Bradford where the versatile performer, who is also comfortable in attack, was a teammate of Eoin Doyle, who played for Rovers between July 2009 and December 2011.
Gibson had been planning on a return to England, but a chat with Doyle persuaded him to take up on an offer put on the table by Rovers
LOI EXPERIENCE: Rovers’ latest signing Jordan Gibson, played with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2020.
boss Liam Buckley.
“I spoke with Eoin Doyle as I played with him at Bradford and he couldn’t have spoken highly enough of the club.”
“He said it [Rovers] was a great club and it would be a great move for me,” Gibson revealed.
“Eoin Doyle is a top man, I played with him a few times at Bradford. He is an all-round good person.” “He was the first person who came to mind when Sligo were interested as I knew he played with Sligo and in Ireland.
“I thought even though it was a while ago now, his experience and guidance and advice would aid me to make my decision.”
Speaking about his 14th signing of the season, Buckley said: “I think he’s a player the supporters here will appreciate and he’ll be an asset to us.”
“We are trying to hand-pick the players we want in the group and Jordan is one we feel will fit into how we want to play.”
“I’m looking forward to bringing him here for the start of pre-season and the opportunity will be there for him to take.”
Meanwhile, another Birmingham native, Richard Brush, could sign for the Bit O’Red for a fourth time. It is understood the 36-year-old netminder’s arrival – as cover for Ed McGinty – would allow talented young goalkeeper Luke McNicholas the chance to go out on loan.
Brush has been playing with Cliftonville in Northern Ireland in recent seasons while his three previous spells at The Showgrounds came in 2006-2010, 2012, and 20142015.
ROVERS SQUAD
SIGNED FOR 2021 (14 PLAYERS): Ed McGinty, Luke McNicholas, Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, John Mahon, David
Cawley, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries, Romeo Parkes, Mark Byrne, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger, Shane Blaney, Jordan Gibson
“You always dream about what you can achieve and I was lucky to have achieved so much with my boyhood club.”