About the Showgrounds
The Showgrounds is Sligo Rovers FC. The stadium has hosted the Bit O Red since their inception in 1928 and has seen the good days, and the bad. The stadium has been the HQ for four successful league campaigns (Two premier, two first), and some of World Football's greatest powehouses played at the ground.
The ground was bought in 1968 by the club for the sum of £4,000 and under the terms may never be used for any purposes other than sports and leisure. The stand seen above was constructed in 2001 and in 2006 the 'Shed' end of the ground saw a re-vamp to bring it into line with UEFA Regulations to ensure Sligo's Europa League games could take place in their home town. Currently the capacity stands at 5,500 but once held 13,908 in the 1983 FAI Cup semi-final against Cobh Ramblers.
The ground was bought in 1968 by the club for the sum of £4,000 and under the terms may never be used for any purposes other than sports and leisure. The stand seen above was constructed in 2001 and in 2006 the 'Shed' end of the ground saw a re-vamp to bring it into line with UEFA Regulations to ensure Sligo's Europa League games could take place in their home town. Currently the capacity stands at 5,500 but once held 13,908 in the 1983 FAI Cup semi-final against Cobh Ramblers.
Away Fans
Away fans are situated at the Jinks Avenue Stand at the Southern End of the ground. The stand is shared with home supporters and security is generally light (Depending on the opposition!). The end runs down the length of the byline and is rather cosy, with only seven or eight rows of seating. The view from the stand isn't generally exceptional but fans are right on the touchline, breathing down the linesman's neck! Sligo is usually a wonderful away trip for supporters, and an essential one for any League of Ireland fan!
Directions
From Dublin/Galway: Enter Sligo via the N4 dual carriageway. Once you come to the roundabout go straight through then take a left at the first set of traffic lights. Continue on for approximately half a mile going up Church Hill and the ground is on your right.
From Derry:Enter Sligo via the N15 and cross the Hughes Bridge. Take the forth right on the N4 dual carriageway at a set of traffic lights. Continue on for approximately half a mile going up Church Hill and the ground is on your right.
From Belfast: Enter Sligo via the N16 and take the first exit of the Abbott roundabout. Continue on until the first set of traffic lights and take a right up Ash Lane. Go straight through the next roundabout until the next set of traffic lights, take a left towards Dublin and cross Hughes Bridge. Take the forth right on the N4 dual carriageway at a set of traffic lights. Continue on for approximately half a mile going up Church Hill and the ground is on your right.
From Derry:Enter Sligo via the N15 and cross the Hughes Bridge. Take the forth right on the N4 dual carriageway at a set of traffic lights. Continue on for approximately half a mile going up Church Hill and the ground is on your right.
From Belfast: Enter Sligo via the N16 and take the first exit of the Abbott roundabout. Continue on until the first set of traffic lights and take a right up Ash Lane. Go straight through the next roundabout until the next set of traffic lights, take a left towards Dublin and cross Hughes Bridge. Take the forth right on the N4 dual carriageway at a set of traffic lights. Continue on for approximately half a mile going up Church Hill and the ground is on your right.
Parking
Parking can usually be found easily enough around the ground. Church Hill may be restricted on matchday, but Rosehill and Jinks Avenue can also be used for parking.
Food and Drink
The Showgrounds is situated a mere few minutes from the town centre, where every kind of restaurant to suit your taste can be found. The Sligo club site itself recommends three pubs for away supporters...
Carr's - Located opposite the railway station at the corner of Wolfe Tone Street/Strandhill road under a 10 minute walk from the Showgrounds.
O’Neill’s - Located at the corner of Church Hill/Wolfe Tone St about a five minute walk from the Showgrounds.
Mooney’s – Located across the road from the turnstiles to the Showgrounds.
Carr's - Located opposite the railway station at the corner of Wolfe Tone Street/Strandhill road under a 10 minute walk from the Showgrounds.
O’Neill’s - Located at the corner of Church Hill/Wolfe Tone St about a five minute walk from the Showgrounds.
Mooney’s – Located across the road from the turnstiles to the Showgrounds.