‘veteran’ of Rovers

Speaking ahead of Rovers’ first pre-season game which took place in Athlone Town on Tuesday, Banks said he was pleased with the calibre of opposition on offer to test them before the new campaign gets under way. “These pre-season games can’t come quick enough. “I think the Athlone game will give us a good indication of where we are both in terms of fitness and how we all settle into a system for this year.”

“We have a good run of pre-season games ahead of playing Dundalk, that is what you want.”

“These games will give us a competitive edge. Athlone have a good squad as have Galway, while Shels probably have a better squad now than last season. We know we can expect a game from Finn Harps as well.”

BANKS said there is a tangible excitement about the promise of European football this summer. Competing in these continental competitions is on the bucket list of every professional footballer and he is confident there is a blend of youth and experience which can serve them well.

“Having a chance to play in Europe is massive. It is the kind of thing you want to look back on at the end of your career.”

“There are a few lads in the team who have the experience of playing in Europe before as well so that will be a big help.”

“Greg Bolger and David Cawley have seen plenty of action in European fixtures, Walter [Figueira] played in Europe last year with Derry and Garry Buckley has played and scored as a Cork player – all that experience will be vital to us if we want to do well in Europe.”

In addition to competing in the Premier Division and in Europe, Banks, who turns 24 in April, is also keen to go one step further in the FAI Cup this year. The 2019 semi-final was a landmark game for him, now he wants to taste what he hopes could be a carnival atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium later this year.

“That was an unbelievable atmosphere. It’s something I never experienced in my career before but to lose the way we did was heartbreaking. We went up to Dublin, played well in last year’s semi-final against Shamrock Rovers but just couldn’t score.” He added: “The people of Sligo are due a day out at the Aviva Stadium again and if we can get there hopefully by then we will have some sort of crowds allowed at games.” Meanwhile, former Rovers player Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has signed for Dundalk.

LIAM BUCKLEY’S SIGNINGS:

LEWIS Banks, pictured, is one of 22 players signed by Rovers manager Liam Buckley for the 2019 and 2020 campaigns. The full list of signings (which doesn’t include players promoted from the underage ranks) during those seasons are as follows: Ronan Murray (2019-2020), Johnny Dunleavy (2019-2020), Dante Leverock (2019), John Russell (2019-present), Romeo Parkes (2019-present), Lewis Banks (2019-present), Brendan Ogbu (2019*), Daryl Fordyce (2019), Ronan Coughlan (2019-2020), Sam Warde (2019), Brian Morley (2019), Danny Kane (2019-2020), Niall Watson (2019), Garry Buckley (2019-present), Darragh Noone (2020), Will Seymore (2020), Teemu Penninkangas (2020), Jesse Devers (2020), Ryan De Vries (2020-present), Alex Cooper (2020), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (2020), Sigitas Olberkis (2020). Five of these 22 signings – John Russell, Romeo Parkes, Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley and Ryan De Vries – are signed for 2021, with Russell’s primary role being that of assistant manager. Another of Buckley’s signings list above, Danny Kane, could yet re-sign for the coming season. *Nigerian Ogbu signed as a Rovers player but never made it to Sligo due to administrative issues.