Mayo native one of four Sligo Rovers academy graduates to agree professional deals
Sligo Rovers have announced that no fewer than four academy graduates have agreed professional deals with the club – among them Mayo native Conor Reynolds.
The former Westport United player joins Daire Patton, Kyle McDonagh and Gareth McElroy in committing to pro contracts for next year, further strengthening the Bit o' Red's commitment to nurturing and developing players from within its own ranks.
The news comes as a further boost to the club following the announcement at the weekend that first team manager John Russell has signed a new two-year deal.
Reynolds, a centre-half, made his debut back in 2023 against Cork City and has gone on to line out for the first team on three more occasions. An unfortunate leg injury cut short his opportunities for senior football after he sustained the knock in the win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park back in May. However, he continued his recovery with a brief appearance in the friendly with Celtic last week. Reynolds has been capped at international level.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Patton has been at the club since he was 13 and was a stand-out talent as he rose through the ranks at both club and schoolboy level for Summerhill College. The skilful midfielder has represented the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy level and has featured twice for Rovers' senior team, making his debut against Bohemians earlier this year.
McDonagh has played three times for the first team and has also represented his country. The Tubbercurry native made his senior debut against Derry City at the Brandywell when he replaced Stefan Radosavljevic back in May.
Rovers supporters will already be familiar with Burnfoot-born McElroy, who has impressed since his first team debut in a win over Waterford at The Showgrounds in September. A commanding centre-half, McElroy has slotted into the heart of the Sligo defence on three occasions this term following the departure of Nando Pijkanker. The 19-year-old also played a key role in the club's Under 20s team this season.
Commenting on the deals, John Russell said the news is further proof of how the club's underage structures are run.
“Developing players through the academy system and bringing them to a level where they are ready for first team football is what the underage set-up at the club is there for,” he stated.
“Conor, Daire, Gareth and Kyle are each proof of the great work the academy coaches are doing here at Rovers. It shows that the academy structures are in good shape, and it's a huge boost for the first team when we can call on the young lads when needed.
“All four have reasonable first-team experience at young ages and each have excelled when called upon. It's an indication of how healthy a state the club is in when you have groups of players rising through to sign professional deals.”
The manager concluded: “We are always keen to give youth a chance here at The Showgrounds and we will be looking to further develop and sign from our own academy as the years go on.”