JOHN RUSSELL
The Galway native was in his first full year at the helm, having initially been interim boss in 2022 before being named Liam Buckley’s full-time successor in June of 2022. The former Rovers player – who was Buckley’s assistant during the Dubliner’s tenure – endured a rollercoaster campaign in 2023 as Rovers were bedevilled by injuries, inconsistency, underpar performances from several of Russell’s signings and poor results. But Rovers somehow survived, despite looking like they would end up in ninth place (the dreaded promotion/ relegation play-off slot). They finished eighth in the standings. In early November Russell was given a new contract for the 2024 campaign, with the club stating: “This has been a challenging and difficult season for all of our supporters and the wider club. We have faith in John to move the club forward – our priority is to build a squad for the new season and have a much-improved year in 2024.” in the final at Tuam Stadium, his trophy acceptance speech went viral when he called Sligo a “f **king big dog” after away wins over Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. A shoulder injury sustained early in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry forced Mulligan off and he had to watch on as Sligo won that game and then fell to Kildare in the All-Ireland decider.
The inspirational midfielder was named the EirGrid U-20 Player of the Connacht Championship and he was also one of five Sligo players chosen among the top 20 U-20 players from this year’s championship. Last month Mulligan played at centre-back on the University of Galway team that won the Electric Ireland HE GAA Senior Football League Division One title (Ryan Cup).
All-Ireland U-20 Championship – he bagged 31 points in five appearances. Twenty-one of his points came at provincial level, including 0-7 in the
ON TARGET: Bunninadden’s Luke Marren, was the top scorer in this year’s GAA Football AllIreland U-20 Championship with 31 points in five games.