Bit o' Red confirm new deal for Mayo man David Cawley

Sligo Rovers have announced that David Cawley has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

The 29-year-old Ballina native enters his eighth season with the club in 2021 and becomes the third player to commit to Rovers for the next campaign after Niall Morahan and John Mahon signed for 2021 last month.

Cawley (pictured above), who played for Ballina Town at youths level before joining Ipswich Town in the UK as a teenager, has spent most of his adult playing days back in Ireland with the Bit o' Red apart from one season each at St. Patrick's Athletic and Galway United.

“The years have flown by,” said Cawley in an interview published on the club's website today. “I think it’ll (new contract) bring me into my eighth and ninth season. It’s great. I was delighted to be approached about a new deal. It was only going to end up one way. The deal was straight-forward and I couldn’t wait to sign. Before this contract runs out, as a player I want to pull the club further forward.”

Reacting to the announcement of his signing, Cawley's manager at Rovers, Liam Buckley, said: “We’re delighted to get David signed. He has been a fantastic player for the club for a long period and he is very important to the side here.

“A two-year contract is good for both the player and the club, so that aspect is welcome too. David is very keen to be part of a successful Sligo Rovers and that’s what we want.

“Next season is just around the corner so planning is crucial. We have to plan as best we can. This is another good move in doing so.”

Rovers play Dundalk in their final league game at the weekend hoping to finish in as high a position as possible, while they also have an FAI Cup quarterfinal against Derry City to look forward to. After having experienced a good degree of success with Rovers between 2012 and 2014, Cawley wants to win more trophies before retiring.

“I can’t finish up my career without winning something again. It would torture me,” he said, adding: “I know I’ve won trophies but when you do win something you want to win it again. You have to be hungry. We’re in the FAI Cup and I’d like to get to the semi-final of that and see from that.”