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Showgrounds confirmed as Europa League venue
European football will be played in Sligo this season, after it was confirmed that The Showgrounds has passed a UEFA inspection.

As the venue had not hosted a European match since the introduction of UEFA licensing, an inspector from UEFA last week visited Sligo to inspect the facilities at The Showgrounds. Today, it was confirmed that the venue passed the inspection and so Bit O' Red fans can look forward to European football coming to Sligo this season.

The news was welcomed by Chairman Dermot Kelly: "Given the huge amount of work that has taken place in the ground in recent weeks, this news is a great boost for everyone at the club. While I was confident the ground would meet the various criteria, it is re-assuring to know that UEFA deem the Showgrounds a suitable venue for European football."

The ‘Category 2’ status required for participation in the Europa League meant the Club had to plan and roll out a detailed development programme. This involved acquiring new seats for both the new and Jinks’ Avenue Stand, structural work to the Jinks’ Avenue Stand, refurbishment of the dressing rooms, and the provision of designated areas for Drug Testing, Event Controllers, Media and Hospitality, and a series of minor upgrading works throughout the ground.

The Chairman welcomed the completion of the new car-park in the week prior to the UEFA visit. "This is an excellent facility, and it totally transforms this area of the ground. This project was delivered in association with Sligo Borough Council, and I think illustrates what can be achieved by working in active partnership with the Local Authority. Under our agreement, the Borough Council will use the facility as a public car park for five years, and it remains open to the club for match nights and also for customers visiting our all weather facility. This is the second major initiative delivered by working with Sligo Borough Council, the first being the boundary wall along Churchill. We enjoy an excellent relationship with the Local Authority, and I would like to think we could work together on other projects in the future."

The Chairman also paid tribute to the FAI in helping the Club prepare for the UEFA inspection: "From Chief Executive John Delaney down, the FAI have been very forthcoming with advice and support, and Padraig Smith and Regina Coppinger in particular were a great help to us at every stage of the licensing process and in preparation for the UEFA Inspector’s visit. We will continue to work alongside the FAI as we make our plans for Europe."
 
 
 
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