County Sligo’s sporting landscape, rooted in Gaelic games and enriched by soccer, rugby, and other pursuits, reflects a community united by competition and camaraderie. From historic victories to dedicated clubs and athletes, Sligo’s story is one of resilience and achievement.
Gaelic Games: A County’s Core
Gaelic Football and hurling, governed by Sligo GAA, form the backbone of the county’s sporting tradition. The senior football team won Connacht Senior Football Championships in 1928, 1975, and 2007, with the 1922 campaign seeing Sligo reach the All-Ireland semi-final, only to lose a replayed Connacht final to Galway. Hurling has seen recent success, with Sligo claiming the Nicky Rackard Cup, an All-Ireland senior hurling title, in 2008 and 2019, defeating Louth and Armagh respectively. The county also won National Hurling League titles in Division 3B (2020) and Division 3A (2021). The ladies’ football team secured the All-Ireland Junior title in 2006.
In club football, St Mary’s leads with eight Sligo Senior Football Championship titles between 1976 and 1991 and three Connacht Senior Club Football Championships (1977, 1980, 1983). Tubbercurry, with 20 county titles, last won in 2014. Tourlestrane has dominated recently, securing multiple championships, including 2023.
In hurling, Calry St Joseph’s and Coolera/Strandhill compete in the Sligo Senior Hurling Championship, with Calry winning in 2024. St Nathy’s and Drumcliffe have reached All-Ireland junior club finals in ladies’ football.
- Mickey Kearins (St Patrick’s): Widely regarded as Sligo’s greatest-ever footballer. He was the first Sligo All-Star (1971) and captained them to the 1975 Connacht title.
- Eamonn O’Hara (Tourlestrane): Won an All-Star in 2002 after leading Sligo to a famous qualifier win over Tyrone. A key player in the 2007 Connacht championship success.
- Barnes Murphy (Craobh Rua/Ballisodare): Won an All-Star in 1974 and was a cornerstone of the 1975 Connacht-winning team.
- Charlie Harrison (St John’s): Secured Sligo’s fourth-ever Football All-Star in 2010.
- John Brennan (Tourlestrane/Mullinabreena): An iconic full-back on the 1975 Connacht-winning team, selected as Mullinabreena GAA’s Person of the Century.
- Mark Breheny (St Mary’s): A prolific scorer and stalwart for over a decade, integral to the 2007 success.
- David Kelly (Tubbercurry): A talented forward who was a crucial part of the 2007 Connacht championship winning team.
- Dessie Sloyan (Easkey): A top-tier scorer for Sligo during the resurgence in the early 2000s.
- Johnny Stenson (Curry/St John’s): A reliable defender who featured heavily in the 1975 success.
- Adrian Marren (Curry): Known for his high scoring, particularly during the 2010 and 2012 championship campaigns.
Sligo Rovers: The bit o’red
Outstanding soccer personalities include Sean Fallon, a legendary figure who played for Longford Town and was capped for the FAI junior international team in 1947 before becoming a key figure at Glasgow Celtic, Bill Gorman a rare dual-internationalist (1911–1978) who played for both FAI and IFA Ireland teams in 1946, and starred for clubs like Bury and Brentford and Paul McGee who earned caps for the Republic of Ireland senior team.
Sligo Rovers, founded in 1928 through the merger of Sligo Town and Sligo Blues, have been a cornerstone of Irish soccer, playing at the Showgrounds since their inception. The club joined the League of Ireland in 1934 and won their first league title in 1937 under player-manager Jimmy Surgeoner. Further league titles came in 1977, defeating Shamrock Rovers 3-1, and in 2012, clinching the title with a win over St Patrick’s Athletic. Sligo Rovers have won the FAI Cup four times (1983, 1994, 2010, 2011), with memorable moments like Harry McLoughlin’s curling goal in 1983 and Raffaele Cretaro’s penalty in 2011. The club also secured the League of Ireland First Division in 1993–94, the First Division Shield in 1993–94, and the League Cup in 2010. Their 1977 title earned a European tie against Red Star Belgrade, and recent UEFA Conference League appearances, including a 2022 win over Motherwell, have added to their legacy.
Legendary Everton forward and England’s recod holder for goals scored in the top division, Dixie Dean played for Sligo Rovers in the early months of 1939. He joined in January of that year to boost the club’s FAI Cup campaign and made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals in just 7 league appearances and helping the team reach the 1939 FAI Cup final.
Other Sports: Rugby, Athletics, and More
Rugby thrives through Sligo Rugby Club, based at Hamilton Park, which supports men’s, women’s, and youth teams competing in the Connacht League. Aengus McMorrow from Crossboy near Ballintogher, was fullback for Garryowen, representing Ireland in the 1951 Five Nations against Wales. Sligo All-Stars Basketball Club fosters local talent, while Sligo Athletics Club, using the Sligo IT track, has produced athletes like Mona McSharry, a swimmer who competed at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Coola Post-Primary School celebrated All-Ireland soccer success in 2025, showcasing the county’s youth development.
Key Facilities
The Showgrounds, established in 1907 and home to Sligo Rovers since 1928, is a historic venue hosting soccer, Gaelic games, and community events like Fr Peyton’s 1954 Rosary Crusade, which drew 25,000. Owned by the people of Sligo, it features an outdoor museum chronicling the club’s history. Markievicz Park hosts GAA matches, while the Sligo Regional Sports Centre offers indoor facilities for basketball, badminton, and fitness. Cleveragh Regional Park supports athletics and cycling, with the Sligo Cycling Club active in the area.
Prominent Personalities
Sligo has produced several standout figures. In Gaelic games, Mickey Galvin and Daithí Hand managed the hurling team to Nicky Rackard Cup victories, while Paddy Henry led the ladies’ footballers to their 2006 All-Ireland title. In soccer, Raffaele Cretaro, a Tubbercurry native, became a Sligo Rovers icon, scoring the decisive penalty in the 2011 FAI Cup final. Willie McStay guided Rovers to a 1993–94 treble, while Ian Baraclough managed the 2012 league title. Tony Fagan, Rovers’ record appearance holder, lifted the 1983 FAI Cup. Mona McSharry has brought international recognition through swimming, and Johnny Chadda was a key volunteer for Sligo Rovers’ community efforts.
Honours and Years of Success
Soccer honours include Sligo Rovers’ League of Ireland titles (1937, 1977, 2012), FAI Cups (1983, 1994, 2010, 2011), First Division and Shield (1993–94), and League Cup (2010). Sligo’s county teams have earned Connacht football titles in 1928, 1975, and 2007, with hurling All-Irelands in the Nicky Rackard Cup (2008, 2019) and National League titles in 2020 (3B) and 2021 (3A). The ladies’ footballers won the All-Ireland Junior title in 2006. St Mary’s secured Connacht club football titles (1977, 1980, 1983) and eight county titles (1976–1991). Tubbercurry won 20 county football titles, with their last in 2014, while Tourlestrane has claimed recent championships.
In hurling, Calry St Joseph’s won the 2024 county title. St Nathy’s and Drumcliffe reached All-Ireland junior ladies’ football finals.
Sligo’s sporting community continues to grow, with clubs, facilities, and athletes building on a proud legacy. From the Showgrounds’ electric atmosphere to the community spirit at Markievicz Park, the county’s love for sport promises more victories in the years ahead.
Sports in the county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Sligo:
Ireland’s county Sligo is renowned for its poetic heritage and coastal scenery, with the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery offering one of Europe’s oldest prehistoric sites. The Benbulben mountain provides striking hiking trails, while Strandhill’s beaches are ideal for surfing. Other attractions include the historic Lissadell House and its gardens. Sligo is Ireland’s 22nd largest county by size (1,796 square km) and seventh smallest by population (70,198). Population peaked at 180,886 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 50,275 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Sligo is Ireland’s 17th most visited tourist county with around 133,000 international visitors per year.
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