Mayo footballers to play for Sligo IT in finals

THREE Mayo footballers will play in the Rustlers Division 1 final on Monday next, March 12.

Michael Guilfoyle from Foxford, Gary Higgins from Ballyhaunis and Darren Murray from Balla will play with IT Sligo FC against Limerick IT.

The final, which was postponed due to Storm Emma, will kick off at 2 p.m. at the FAI headquarters in Abbottstown, Dublin, and a win for IT Sligo FC will see the team return to the College & Universities Football Premier League.

The team made the finals after beating Blanchardstown IT 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw in the semi-final playoff.

IT Sligo have also qualified for the Rustlers Plate final, after beating Bray FE 9-0. The team will play against GMIT in Galway tomorrow (Tuesday, March 6).

Many of the players in the squad, including Mayo player Gary Higgins, are on IT Sligo’s Sports Scholarship Programme which helps talented student athletes reach their sporting potential.

Up to 20 new scholarships and bursaries are awarded each year under the scheme and students who are rewarded scholarships receive mentoring support, training guidance and other value-added support.

The overall aim of the scheme is to recruit, manage and develop players/athletes with exceptional ability to position IT Sligo as a premier centre of sporting performance.

Said Colin Jinks, head coach of IT Sligo FC: “This is my first year managing IT Sligo with assistant Darragh Healy. We started back September with this group and they haven't looked back since. They’re a small panel but that's what makes them a close group that get on so well. They work extremely hard every game for one another with each player showing how talented they are and have taken to the style of play we have implemented with ease.

“We head into the final against a class Limerick IT side knowing we will have to be at our very best to beat them but before that we have a final to take care of against GMIT in Galway which again shows how good the lads have been all season.”

For more information on IT Sligo’s Sports Scholarship Scheme please see: https://www.itsligo.ie/study-at-it-sligo/sports-scholarships/scholarship/

* Pictured are members of the IT Sligo FC first team. Back Row: Niall Brennan, Ben Treanor, Jason Quinn, Brian Kavanagh, Ryan O'Reilly, Darren Somers. Front Row: Conor Blaney, Michael Guilfoyle, Gary Higgins, Ryan Norris, Rowland Anderson