Celtic B team coaches, Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus are taking their young charges over the Irish Sea as part of their pre-season preparations to play League of Ireland Premier Division outfit, Sligo Rovers in a friendly at The Showgrounds on Tuesday, 11 July with a 7pm kick-off.
There are a number of connections between the clubs, most notably the likes of former Rovers’ man Willie McStay, Celtic’s current Head of Academy Scouting, who was player/manager from 1992 to 1994 when he won the historic Treble of the FAI Cup, First Division and First Division Shield in the ‘93/94 season.
Also, Celtic legend, Sean Fallon was born in Sligo in 1922 and joined the Bit O’ Red in the late 1940s before joining Celtic a couple of years later. Fallon went on to become a true Celtic hero, making over 250 appearances with the Hoops over an eight-year period.
The Sligoman would then go on to become the club’s assistant manager from 1962 until 1975, taking the team shortly afterwards as caretaker when manager Jock Stein was involved in a near-fatal car crash.
In 2014, The Showgrounds all-weather pitch underwent development works to improve the club’s facilities and it was announced that the new facility would be named in Fallon’s honour and to this day is named The Sean Fallon Centre, the home of the Bit O’ Red’s Academy.
Sligo manager, John Russell is looking to welcoming Celtic. “It promises to be a good occasion for both clubs here at The Showgrounds. I know there is a good history between the clubs with various players or staff having played or managed both here and in Scotland.
“It will be a good test for us, and it will also be good for the supporters of both clubs to come to The Showgrounds and see a good game of football.”
Sligo Chairman, Tommy Higgins added: “We are very happy to welcome Celtic Football Club to The Showgrounds on 11 July. The game will hopefully be an entertaining one for the supporters and we hope to see a large Celtic support here on the night too.
“Celtic are a hugely followed club around the world, particularly here in Ireland and we are all looking forward to the game.”
There is, of course, one more connection, possibly the most important Sligo link to Celtic. Founder of the club, Brother Walfrid was born in Ballymote. Walfrid founded the club in 1888 as a means of raising funds for the Catholic Community in the area.
He is remembered at both Celtic Park in Glasgow and the Community Park in Ballymote where there are two sculptures in his honour.
Tickets for the match are now available HERE and are priced at €15 for Adults, €10 for Seniors and Students and €5 for Under 12s.
✈ The young Celts’ pre-season preparations will continue with a trip to face League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers next month!
🎟 Full information on the match and ticket details ⬇#COYBIG🍀
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) June 27, 2023
