Mayo venue for Sligo Rovers v Westport United friendly this Saturday

Some of Ireland’s finest professional footballers will be in action in Westport on Saturday (January 25) when Sligo Rovers meet Galway United in the annual Adam Mulchrone memorial game.

This year, for the first time, the winning team will leave Abbvie United Park with a trophy – the Adam Mulchrone Memorial Cup.

Both squads will be travelling full strength as the build up continues to the League of Ireland season.

Sligo Rovers and Galway United had magnificent seasons last time round and were in contention for the title right up until the dying embers of the season.

The two managers – John Russell (Sligo) and John Caulfield (Galway) – have been busy during the close season adding quality players to their squads.

As well as the two sides fared last season, the reality of the League of Ireland is that it will be harder again this year to reach the same levels.

There’s a real local Westport feel to the Sligo Rovers team. John Russell cut his managerial teeth with Westport United while players like Conor Walsh, Conor Reynolds, Conor Cannon and Jamie O’Malley all came through the United ranks at underage level before moving on to The Showgrounds. Expect to see those players involve at some stage on Saturday.

Galway’s links with Westport United are also strong. The current Westport manager and director of football, Anthony O’Neill, was a former player with the club and until his move to Westport was a member of the Galway United management team.

The game itself marks the life of the late Adam Mulchrone, who passed away in January 2019. Adam was a much loved player with the club and his passing left a massive void in the lives of his family and his club.

Once again ACT for Meningitis is the charity partner for the game. Kick off on Saturday is at 2 p.m. and admission is €10.