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The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘A bright future' – Sligo Rovers star hails ‘great kid' Owen Elding as coach admits ‘there will be a lot of interest'
SAM SARGEANT does not relish shooting drills against Sligo Rovers hotshot Owen Elding — but loves watching him test rival keepers. Elding, 19, has burst on to the scene this year, becoming a Bit O'Red regular and scoring eight goals — including some eye-catching long-range efforts. Advertisement 2 27 June 2025; Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant revealed what it's like training with Owen Elding Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile 2 The 19-year-old has been the breakout star of the League of Ireland campaign Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile And Sligo stopper Sargeant admitted thunderbolts like He smiled: 'You know when you're in a finishing drill with Owen and he's gearing up to take a shot that you are going to do well to save it. 'He's a great kid, a great player and as much as you get frustrated when he scores past you in training, that's what you want him to be doing for the team. 'He's got a bright future ahead of him.' Advertisement Read More on League of Ireland Elding's rockets will be on show again tonight as Sligo Rovers host top-of-the-table Shamrock Rovers. The English-born frontman's form has even led to the FAI contacting him about playing for Ireland as he moved here aged seven when his father Anthony joined the Bit O'Red. And Showgrounds assistant manager Ryan Casey admitted that plenty of overseas clubs have also made calls. He revealed: 'There is going to be a lot of interest in him. He's a young kid, he's doing well, he's scoring great goals, his all-round performances this year have been brilliant. Advertisement Most read in Football 'He's playing with a maturity and he works unbelievably hard for the team as well. But his goals are catching everyone's eye at the moment. 'He was around the team last year, he's been training with us full-time for a long time and we always knew how talented he was. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict 'We could see how talented he was last year but he's had a real breakout year. 'Physically, his body has changed, he's a man out there now, whereas last year you could see the teenager in him. Advertisement 'His confidence has gone through the roof, we always knew he had the technical ability, all those things combined have made him really stand out this year.' And after a tricky start to the season that saw Sligo Rovers bottom of the table, they have hit form since the summer break. Sargeant added: 'We've come a long way where we're pleased with the result but disappointed not to take more. 'We've come a long way to be disappointed taking seven points from four games and we know on our day we can beat anyone and start climbing the table.' The hosts have Gareth McElroy available after he suffered a concussion against Drogheda last month, though Oskar van Hattum and Ronan Manning have hamstring injuries. Advertisement New loan arrivals James McManus and Ryan O'Kane, as well as permanent signings Paddy McClean and Seb Quirk, are available following the opening of the transfer window on Tuesday. But Sligo face a Hoops side that are riding high at the top having won nine of their last 11 games. They will be without Adam Matthews, Aaron Greene and Trevor Clarke who are expected to return for the FAI Cup tie with Wexford in two weeks. ODDS : Sligo Rovers 6-1, Shamrock Rovers 4-11, Draw 16–5. VERDICT : Shamrock Rovers Advertisement
The 42
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
New League of Ireland star finalising Irish eligibility as rise continues
SLIGO ROVERS MANAGER John Russell has confirmed that Owen Elding is in the process of finalising his eligibility for the Republic of Ireland. And the Bit O'Red boss revealed a number of clubs are interested in the 19-year-old who has taken the League of Ireland by storm this season. Elding scored his eighth goal in the Premier Division on Friday after producing a sensational 35-yard strike with his left foot in the 1-1 draw with Bohemians. The teenager scored a similarly spectacular effort away to champions Shelbourne last month and such eye-catching moments are just part of the reason why Sligo have a job on their hands to keep him. The club do at least have the comfort of knowing that Elding signed a contract until the end of 2027, and Russell confirmed there is no release clause so the Bit O'Red are in a relatively strong position. 'It's important as a club that we move forward and get proper fees for our talents if we're developing them. And I think whoever does eventually prise Owen away from the club, it'll be a hell of a fee,' the manager said. Advertisement THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD FROM OWEN ELDING🤩 Sligo Rovers lead in Dalymount thanks to the boy wonder. — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 27, 2025 'Obviously the window opens July 1st. There's a lot of clubs interested. I'm sure there was a lot here [on Friday]. And when a 19-year-old kid is doing what he's doing, there's always going to be bids coming in. So we'll just have to wait and see. 'He's a real talisman for a kid so young. And I love his mentality. He wants to win, but he wants to get on the ball and demands it. He's orchestrating things with other players. He has a really good game understanding. He's just getting better and better, and as long as we have him, we've got a chance of winning matches. 'I don't want to be losing on him. He's doing unbelievable this year. And I think for his own development, having a full season is good for him. 'He's playing, he's confident, he's enjoying his football. Sometimes you can get distracted and end up going somewhere. And then they might be loaning out or you're training with a team that you might necessarily be playing games. 'It's all about playing now and for me he's got to be up for Young Player of the Year. I'd love to see him be standing at the end of the season in Team of the Year, Young Player of the Year and getting the recognition for the talent that he has, and also pulling us out of the position that we're in. 'Every game he's demanding the ball. He's looking to make things happen. His defensive work is top class and I want to keep my best players,' Russell continued. 'It's incredible. His technique is off the charts, like, and he's been honing that for the last couple of years. He works hard, he stays after training and practicing. It's no coincidence then when the lights come on, on a Friday or Saturday night, he's producing the goods.' Stop whatever you're doing and appreciate this moment of greatness from Owen Elding!😮 Game on in Tolka. Goal of the season? — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 23, 2025 Born in England but raised in Sligo after his father, Anthony, signed for the club in 2013 and decided to stay in Ireland to raise his family, Elding also looks set to feature for Ireland at underage level in the not-too-distant future. 'I would have flagged this a while back. The stuff going on in the background, trying to get him nationalised. He's been in the country since he was 11 years of age,' Russell said. 'He's been here and I think there's talk in the background. Hopefully that will be resolved. He should be in that 21s squad. 'I think it's just a bit of paperwork that the FAI have to organise. I'm led to believe that it's close. I think for everyone it would be good if it happens soon.'
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Patrick McClean on wishing he never left Sligo Rovers, return from short-lived retirement and stepping on toes
The defender previously played for Sligo Rovers in 2018 Sligo Champion Today at 16:02 Defender Patrick McClean says he's always regretted leaving Sligo Rovers in 2019, as the Derry native returns to The Showgrounds for a second stint. McClean joins the Bit O'Red on an 18-month deal after being placed on the transfer list by Glentoran.
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Anything less than three points against Waterford ‘not acceptable' says John Mahon as Sligo Rovers captain targets a turnaround in form
Sligo Champion Today at 23:30 Sligo Rovers captain John Mahon says the Bit O'Red must pick up three points this Saturday when they take on Waterford at home in the first game since returning from the international break. Rovers are currently sat bottom of the table after a dreadful first-half of the season, and Mahon says the players are well aware that their season so far has been well off what is expected of them.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Reece Hutchinson the hero as Sligo Rovers beat Galway
Reece Hutchinson scored the decisive goal in the second-half, as Rovers collected just a second clean sheet of the year. It was what felt like another must win game for Rovers, who travelled to Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night desperate to pick up points, still sitting bottom of the table. With three defeats and two draws in their last five, the Bit O'Red have found wins hard to come by this season. John Russell's men had just two wins in their opening 15, and had only kept one clean sheet in those games. Russell made three changes to the side that lost to Bohemians the previous week, with John Mahon returning from suspension, and Matty Wolfe and Jad Hakiki returning to the starting 11. Ronan Manning missed out through injury, while Francely Lomboto and Harvey Lintott dropped to the bench. Galway had also struggled for form in recent weeks, and came into this Connacht derby with three defeats on the bounce. John Caulfield is without several key players through injury, and made three changes to his side for this tie. Bobby Burns, Ed McCarthy and Greg Cunningham all came back into the team, with Conor McCormack, Cillian Tollett and Regan Donelon all dropping out. In what was an even first half, Rovers started brightly. Rob Slevin diverted Hakiki's cross away from goal on three minutes, before the hosts put Rovers under pressure for a period, with Sam Sargeant barely troubled. Paddy Hickey's cross was volleyed at goal by the league's top scorer Dyer, with Rovers captain Mahon blocking it down, before Sargeant saved comfortably from McCarthy's low effort. Killian Brouder and David Hurley forced saves from Sargeant, before Gareth McElroy cleared Jeannot Esua's drive off the line. Brendan Clarke was called into action on 37 minutes, pushing Cian Kavanagh's overhead kick away from goal, claiming Jake Doyle-Hayes' tame effort in additional time at the end of the half. Dyer burst down the left-hand side two minutes into the second-half and just as the New Zealander went to pull the trigger, McElroy got his body in the way. Rovers were breathing a sigh of relief on 67 minutes when Paddy Hickey's shot somehow stayed out. The American cleverly worked his way around Hutchinson, aiming for the far post, only for his effort to hit the post and bounce around, with Rovers eventually clearing the danger. Two minutes later, Rovers went ahead. Former Barnsley man Matty Wolfe burst forward and picked out the run of Hutchinson on his left. The left-back cut inside and fired at goal, his effort taking a deflection and going in past Clarke to put the Bit O'Red ahead. The home side threw everything at Sligo Rovers late on, and were applying serious pressure, but Rovers to their credit held on and picked up a valuable three points. Two late goals from St Patrick's Athletic mean that Cork City lose again, and are now just above Rovers on goal difference. Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Greg Cunningham; Jeannot Esua, Cian Byrne, Bobby Burns (Colm Horgan, 57 [Brian Cunningham, 92]), Ed McCarthy (Stephen Walsh, 81); Patrick Hickey, David Hurley (Sean Kerrigan, 92); Moses Dyer. Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Harvey Lintott, 74), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Matty Wolfe (Francely Lomboto, 82); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh. Referee: Damien MacGraith.
