Sligo Rovers

As a New Zealander in Ireland, Max Mata is accustomed to people bringing up rugby with him, a conversation starter that has ramped up across the last month.

Social media allows friends and family to keep track of his exploits. He’s hoping it might trigger a call back into the fold. “Ten years ago, there was only a handful of people knowing what they were talking about and trying to teach it but there’s a broader base now. Sligo emerged as a loan option earlier this year and the opportunity to move back into European territory was seized upon. “It was an awesome experience,” he says. Mata is trying to explore the globe with it. I wouldn’t say there was pressure to play but, of course, friends and stuff...Years ago a very small percentage of kids was playing, people would make fun of you but I didn’t care because it was so much fun,” he continues, before breaking into a smile. “I’ve never really found it that interesting to watch,” shrugs the 22-year-old. As a New Zealander in Ireland, Max Mata is accustomed to people bringing up rugby with him, a conversation starter that has ramped up across the last month. We have a lot of players in Europe now. He enjoyed playing it as a youngster and he has friends making their way in the business; school pal Tamaiti Williams was in action for the Maori All Blacks against Ireland last week, while another peer, Caleb Clarke, is an up-and-coming talent with All Blacks caps under his belt. Tuning into events at home over the past three weekends wouldn’t have crossed his mind.

As a New Zealander in Ireland, Max Mata is accustomed to people bringing up rugby with him, a conversation starter that has ramped up across the last month.

Social media allows friends and family to keep track of his exploits. He’s hoping it might trigger a call back into the fold. “Ten years ago, there was only a handful of people knowing what they were talking about and trying to teach it but there’s a broader base now. Sligo emerged as a loan option earlier this year and the opportunity to move back into European territory was seized upon. “It was an awesome experience,” he says. Mata is trying to explore the globe with it. I wouldn’t say there was pressure to play but, of course, friends and stuff...Years ago a very small percentage of kids was playing, people would make fun of you but I didn’t care because it was so much fun,” he continues, before breaking into a smile. “I’ve never really found it that interesting to watch,” shrugs the 22-year-old. As a New Zealander in Ireland, Max Mata is accustomed to people bringing up rugby with him, a conversation starter that has ramped up across the last month. We have a lot of players in Europe now. He enjoyed playing it as a youngster and he has friends making their way in the business; school pal Tamaiti Williams was in action for the Maori All Blacks against Ireland last week, while another peer, Caleb Clarke, is an up-and-coming talent with All Blacks caps under his belt. Tuning into events at home over the past three weekends wouldn’t have crossed his mind.

Oxford United are set to complete a deal for Sligo Rovers goalkeeper and club captain Ed McGinty, the Irish Mirror has said.

It is added that an unnamed Championship club were also interested in McGinty, who has spent his entire career to date with Sligo Rovers. At 22, McGinty looks to be a promising goalkeeper and given his leadership qualities and experience of senior football, he could prove to be a clever signing in the years to come. According to a report from the Irish Mirror, 22-year-old goalkeeper McGinty is on the verge of a move to Oxford United.

Oxford United are closing in on sealing a move for Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Edward McGinty, according to a report from the Irish Mirror.

McGinty’s arrival may force Stevens and Eastwood to step up their performance levels in the new campaign as Oxford look to challenge for a top-six finish in League One. Eastwood made 14 league appearances for Oxford in the previous campaign whilst Stevens represented the club on 30 occasions in this division. Discussions are currently ongoing between Oxford and Sligo over whether McGinty will be able to make a final appearance for the League of Ireland side in their Europa Conference League clash with Motherwell on Thursday.

Sligo Rovers prepared for Thursday's Europa Conference League visit to Motherwell in less than ideal fashion as they were beaten at home by basement side ...

Aidan Keena smacked the crossbar eleven minutes in after his diagonal run allowed him to make the space. Sligo boss John Russell shuffled his pack from Thursday’s starting side that finally saw off Bala in their Europa Conference League tie. Nobody came to meet Keane as he made his way towards the edge of the Sligo area, allowing the midfielder to arrow the ball past McNicholas and into the bottom corner.

In hot conditions, UCD kept their cool to register only their second win of the season thanks to goals from Donal Higgins and Dara Keane.

Despite increasing Sligo pressure, UCD doubled their advantage with a crisp finish from Dara Keane in the 68th minute. In hot conditions, UCD kept their cool to register only their second win of the season thanks to goals from Donal Higgins and Dara Keane. SLIGO Rovers stumbled in their bid to close the gap on fourth-placed St Patrick's Athletic when losing 2-0 to bottom of the table UCD at The Showgrounds.

Motherwell enter the European arena on Thursday but, prior to that, will feature in Monday's Uefa draws. The Steelmen host Sligo Rovers in Thursday's Europa ...

Motherwell reached the Europa League third qualifying round in season 2020-21, losing 3-0 to Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva in a one-off tie. The second leg of the Motherwell-Sligo tie is on 28 July and the third qualifying round will be played over 4 and 11 August. The play-off round draw takes place on 1 August and those matches will be on 18 and 25 August. The Steelmen host Sligo Rovers in Thursday's Europa Conference League first leg, with the draw for the next round three days earlier.

THERE has been European heartbreak for outstanding Bala Town. After losing the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round tie ...

Bala had the better of the second half as well, with Lassana Mendes, James Davies and Kay all having opportunities to put the tie to bed. Dave Edwards found space in the area to get on the end of an inviting cross by Brad Bauress and direct the ball past McGinty to silence The Showgrounds crowd. Dave Edwards' strike saw brilliant Bala win the second leg 1-0, but they failed to progress to the next stage as Sligo triumphed in the ensuing penalty shootout.