A Sort of Homecoming – Celtic in Ireland to take on Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers is about to take his Celtic side to Sligo in Ireland for a mid-season friendly on Wednesday night against local side Sligo Rovers…

Sligo Rovers v Celtic, Wednesday 9 October 2024. Image, Sligo Rovers FC

In many ways, Sligo is a spiritual home for Celtic, the birthplace of many people that have shaped the Bhoys’ history.

This will not be the Bhoys first trip across the Irish Sea to play Sligo Rovers. In July 1975, the Celts faced Rovers in a pre-season friendly, which ended in a simple 6-1 win for the Bhoys, including four goals from Bobby Lennox.

Bobby Lennox, pictured at Barrowfield in pre-season 1975. Photo: The Celtic Star, digitised in 2023 courtesy of prints supplied by former Celtic Director Tom Grant.

Like the upcoming game which is a complete sell-out, this match was played at the Showgrounds, watched by 7000 fans. The Sligo team had one player of interest to the Celts; Brendan Tully was nephew of legendary Celtic player Charlie Tully.

Although Jock Stein was the Bhoys’ manager, he was unable to make this trip, having been seriously injured in a car crash earlier that same month. This incident would keep Stein out of the Celtic dugout for the 1975-76 season.

In his place was a man well-known in the Sligo area, Sean Fallon, famously nicknamed the Iron Man.

Fallon was born in Sligo and it was here that he first became involved in sport. It was not just football where he excelled; swimming and Gaelic football were also places that he showed off his skills.

Fallon played for the Bhoys 254 times, appearing in defence and attack depending on requirements. He was part of memorable club moments such as beating Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 League Cup Final or scoring the winner in the 1954 Scottish Cup Final.

However arguably his most memorable contribution was as Jock Stein’s assistant manager. He was by Stein’s side throughout his time in charge, not least when the Bhoys celebrated in Lisbon in 1967. And in fact, he was acting boss as Stein recovered from the car crash.

There have been other player and manager connections between Celtic and Sligo too.

imago/Colorsport 03.05.1975, Glasgow – Celtic Glasgow vs Airdrieonians – Scottish Cup 1974/1975, Jock Stein (Celtic Manager) and Coach Sean Fallon – 03/05/1975

In terms of historical importance, after Sean Fallon, the most notable other Celt is Charlie Gorevin. He was born in Sligo and later moved to Glasgow, playing for Govan Whitefield. From there, he became a Celtic player and appeared in the first Celtic game, a 5-2 win over Rangers in 1888, as well as the Bhoys’ first competitive game, a 1-1 draw with Abercorn in the 1888 Glasgow Exhibition Cup.

Another example is Willie McStay. He was a well-known Hoops player in the 1980s, and came from a Celtic family famous across different generations. McStay spent two years in the 1990s as Sligo Rovers manager.

29.08.2011. Photo imago/ColorsportStockport County vs. Mansfield Dietmar Didi Hamann and Assistant Willie McStay at Edgeley Park. Photo: Imago

Some players have also appeared for both Sligo Rovers and Celtic, albeit not all of them have actually reached the Bhoys’ first team. This includes people such as Declan Doyle, Pat McCluskey and, most recently, Johnny Kenny, who is still a Celt although currently on loan at Shamrock Rovers.

Other men from the Sligo area have not pulled on a Celtic jersey – but they have still a profound impact on the club and its history. The most notable of these is, quite simply, the man who made Celtic: Brother Walfrid. Andrew Kerins was born in Ballymote in Sligo in 1840. He later tried to escape the ravages of poverty by moving to Glasgow, and later joined the Marist Order as Brother Walfrid. As head teacher of Sacred Heart School, he tried to feed local poor children through the Penny Dinners scheme.

1887: The Celtic FC team line-up for the 1887-88 season (back row left to right, players only) Willie Groves, Tom Maley, Paddy Gallagher, Willie Dunning, Willie Maley, Mick Dunbar, (front row left to right) Johnny Coleman, James McLaren, James Kelly, Neil McCallum, Mick McKeown. The players are wearing the club’s first strip; white shirt with green collar, black shorts, and emerald green socks. The club crest is a green cross on a red background, reflecting the involvement of Brother Walfrid, of the Marist Brothers Catholic organisation, in the founding of the club.(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In seeking to raise funds for this, Walfrid used various football teams, and he was inspired by Hibernian’s 1887 Scottish Cup win, leading him in November 1887 to organise the establishment of Celtic Football Club. A profound legacy indeed.

Walfrid’s Sligo heritage is celebrated locally to this day. As well as the statue that he has at Celtic Park, in 2004 another statue was unveiled in his former Sligo home. Fittingly, Sean Fallon as a Celtic and Sligo representative was involved in the unveiling.

Another notable Celtic founder was born in Scotland, but had a strong Sligo link.

William McKillop, one of the Celtic FC Founding Fathers. Photo The Celtic Star

William McKillop was born in Ayrshire to Irish parents. He was a successful businessman, operating various shops and restaurants. McKillop helped start the club and later served on the Celtic Board. In addition, he later became an MP, representing North Sligo.

The Celtic and Sligo Rovers match will be far from the biggest game in which the Celts participate this season. However, it has an important place in remembering and celebrating some of the club’s important historical Irish links.

Sligo Rovers v Celtic takes place this Wednesday, 9 October at The Showgrounds in Sligo with the match kicking off at 7.30pm.  The game can be streamed live and you can purchase a live stream pass for €10 from League of Ireland TV.

Matthew Marr

Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

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