Bit O'Red may need outside investment, admits skipper Fitzgerald

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins recently warned members at their annual general meeting of a pressing dilemma due to the increasing difficulty of competing with rivals boasting deeper pockets.

Will Fitzgerald of Sligo Rovers poses for a portrait with his SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Player of the Month April 2026 award at The Showgrounds. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Sligo Rovers captain Will Fitzgerald admits his club may have to attract external investment to preserve their long-term Premier Division status.

Bar Bohemians, whose commercial revenue is the highest in the league through jersey partnerships with the likes of Oasis, Sligo are the only fan-owned club in the top-flight.

Chairman Tommy Higgins recently warned members at their annual general meeting of a pressing dilemma due to the increasing difficulty of competing with rivals boasting deeper pockets.

Relegation battles have been the reality of recent seasons and Fitzgerald, despite being voted SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of Month for April, confesses a new direction could be inevitable.

“I can't lie, it’s difficult,” the 26-year-old said ahead of Friday’s trip to Shelbourne. “Sometimes my heart goes out to our manager John Russell in what he's trying to achieve here.

“It's very difficult with our budget constraints, how we operate as a club by having no major financial benefactors behind us. That difficulty will only increase year on year.

“We can't deny that and that's why it was alluded at our AGM about the possibility of going to a half-and-half fan ownership, bringing investors.

“It might be a model we must look at in order to sustain our future as a Premier Division club. Especially with the excitement around rebuilding our stadium.” 

The Limerick native even resisted an approach from Dutch club Roda twice to remain at the club he joined at the start of 2022.

“It was close to happening during the last transfer window,” revealed the left winger. “They’d shown interest two or three times and it would have been a very exciting move but sitting down with the club and the manager really got my head straight on what I want the next few months and this year.

“I'm settled here and very happy with my football. Roda are a massive team, playing in a great stadium with great fans. You never know, something like that might materialise again in the future.” In the meantime, there’s a table to climb. They currently occupy the relegation playoff spot but are a point off eighth-placed Drogheda United and another one adrift of Friday’s opponents Shels in sixth.

Joey O’Brien’s Reds have yet to win at Tolka Park so far this season. Fitzgerald scored in Sligo’s last win there, during Shels’ 2024 title-winning campaign, and says his squad enjoy their trips to the capital.

“Shels are a very good team, with lots of great players whom I crossed paths with at Sligo, so we know how much of a threat they can bring on their night.

“But we, as a club and as a team, really enjoy going up to Dublin and causing a few upsets.” 

Meanwhile, new Waterford manager Graham Coughlan brings his side to St Patrick’s Athletic in dire need of wins to try to cut the nine-point gap on Sligo.

“Graham is very clear on what he wants us to do and how he wants us to play,” said striker Tommy Lonergan ahead of returning to his former club in Inchicore.

“He has a great track record of getting teams out of bad situations, so it’s great for us to have his experience with us.

“He has very good tactics on what he wants us to do and very clear on patterns of play, so there’s a good game plan he wants us to execute.

“Pat’s are on a really good run of form but all we need is our first win to start building. Last Monday’s 3-3 draw against Dundalk was a great building block because I felt that the second half was our best performance of the season. We just need to start on the front foot, not concede in the first 30 minutes and then wake up. It’s about being proactive from the first minute.” 

Romal Palmer is back from injury for Saints, who lost ground on leaders Shamrock Rovers by drawing away to Sligo Rovers and Galway United over the long weekend.

Bohemians head north with Dundalk intent on avoiding their winless streak extending into double figures. Galway United host champions Shamrock Rovers, while Drogheda United welcome Derry City to Co Louth.

Turner’s Cross hosts the First Division’s top two but it’s UCD, rather than Cork City, who sit on the summit following last weekend’s back-to-back defeats for the Rebels.