Stadium: The Showgrounds
Manager: Paul Cook
Founded: 1928
Finished last season: third
Players in: Jason McGuinness (Bohemians), Alan Kirby (Sporting Fingal), Raffaele Cretaro (Bohemians), Daryl Horgan (Salthill Devon), Brendan Clarke (Sporting Fingal).
Players out: Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers), John Gibson (Dundee- End of loan), Mauro Almeida (Released), Conor O’Grady (Finn Harps) .
After last season’s cup double and third-place finish in the league, there were real signs that Paul Cook is on the cusp of something great in Sligo.
Although midfield stalwart Conor O’Grady has left, with Mauro Almeida and Gary McCabe also departing, impressive acquisitions such as Jason McGuinness, Alan Kirby and the return of Raffaele Cretaro from Bohemians should improve their chances even more.
Expect Cretaro to lead the line with Matthew Blinkhorn, while Joseph Ndo is likely to produce yet many more moments of creative brilliance in the centre of the park for the Bit O’Red. Gavin Peers will have a new partner in Jason McGuinness at the back and it should make for a very solid defensive partnership.
Rovers have looked impressive in pre-season thus far and despite Cook playing down their chances, the bookmakers seem to agree by making them second favourites to win their first title since 1977 at a price of 3/1. Still, with Shamrock Rovers strengthening their squad again in the off-season, it is going to be a tough task.
If they were a TD, they’d be? Richard Bruton. Well-liked, stylish and good with figures. But not quite ready for the top job.
The Score’s verdict: second.
View from the terrace
Patrick Forde, Sligo Rovers fan
Where will you finish this season? second.
How will you do on opening weekend? A narrow win away to Derry.
Key man? Joseph N’do
Weak link? We don’t have one
New signing you’re most looking forward to seeing? Not really a new-signing, but the returning Cretaro.
League’s best player (outside your club)? Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers)
League’s best gaffer (outside your club)? Ian Foster (Dundalk)
Easiest fixture? Home to Drogheda United
Toughest fixture? Shamrock Rovers or Derry away
Best away atmosphere? Shamrock Rovers
Worst away atmosphere? UCD
Favourite terrace chant? Just can’t get enough (it’s not robbed from Celtic, honest)
