Conor looking to stake claim on Sligo's number one shirt

It was a season of contrasting fortunes for Mayo’s Conor Walsh last year as a frustrating loan spell with Finn Harps was followed by a successful one with Wexford, which has bolstered his chance of claiming the number one spot with Sligo Rovers this campaign.

You could argue that Sligo’s first two results of the new campaign – 3-2 (home) and 3-0 (away) defeats to Waterford United and Drogheda United – have improved his chances even further, but the real catalyst for a change in his fortunes was probably a very impressive showing for Sligo Rovers against Everton in July last year.

“It was one of those games where you didn’t know how it would end up score-wise. It was a good performance from us and an unbelievable experience to be a part of,” Conor Walsh has told the Western People. “It worked out well for all the young lads who played.

“It wasn’t a shock that Everton put out a full strength team as it was their first pre-season game and you knew they would want to give players a run. But it was still something else to be lining up against players that you see playing week in, week out in the Premier League. It was a good test and it really stood to us.” 

After being recalled from his loan spell in Ballybofey, Westport native Walsh found himself on the move again, going from the northwest to the southeast as he signed a loan deal with First Division outfit Wexford.

“It was something I had talked about with John (Russell). I had been with Finn Harps for the first half of the season and it didn’t really work out. I was on the bench and didn’t really get to play any senior football. So he put my name around that I was available to go on loan and Wexford said that they would take me. That turned out to be a great move as I had an unbelievable time with them and was playing week in, week out. The travel wasn’t too bad either as I trained with Rovers on a Monday and Tuesday and then as Wexford trained in Carlow, I stayed in Dublin and trained with them on the Wednesday and Thursday and then played on a Friday.” 

Conor Walsh’s move coincided with an upturn in fortunes for Wexford as they reached the promotion play-offs and also got to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup where they were beaten by the eventual winners Drogheda United.

“The whole second half of last season was a great one for the club and at one stage we were one of the best teams in the country in terms of our form. So it was great to be involved in that and to be playing, there isn’t a better feeling. We had the great run to the play-offs and then that was an unbelievable experience to play Drogheda in United Park in the cup semi-final. There was a great atmosphere and while we didn’t win on the day, we gave a great account of ourselves and again it was just great to be a part of.” 

Walsh’s form put him on the radar of a few clubs around the country but the chance to compete for the number one spot at Sligo Rovers saw him sign a new deal in the Showgrounds. After the departure of Ed McGinty to Shamrock Rovers, Walsh is now battling with new signing Sam Sargent for the top spot.

“There was interest from a few clubs but nothing really that would have dragged me away from Sligo. Once I spoke with John and about his plans for the season and talked about the role that he wanted me to play, it was a no brainer really. Now that Ed is gone the number one jersey is there to be fought for. We’ve brought in Sam who is a top keeper and great fellow and we all get on really well, so we will see what happens.

"We’re lucky as well that we have Brushie (Richard Brush) around, he is a bundle of energy and is unbelievable to work with and just great to have around the club. He gives great advice to us and only rarely mentions that he played in White Hart Lane for Shamrock Rovers in their great European run in 2011! Although to be fair, if I had done that I would be doing the same,” jokes Conor.

It was a testing off season for Sligo Rovers who lost a number of key players from their squad such as McGinty, Simon Power and Ellis Chapman, but their misfiring start to the new Premier Division season aside, Conor Walsh feels that the club has signed well and says they will be looking to compete for honours in the 2025 campaign.

“It was to be fair but that is part of football and is something that will keep happening. We lost some great players but have brought in some as well. We have a strong group and you can feel that we are coming together and starting to gel. I think we are all looking forward to the new season and to seeing if we can compete for honours.”