Sligo Rovers’ U15s were at Blackburn Rovers to watch the final home match of the season against Coventry City.

The Irish youth team reached out to Blackburn Rovers to co-ordinate a visit to Lancashire, which also included a training session at Rovers’ Category 1 Academy and a friendly against Rovers’ male U15 academy team.

As part of their visit, Sligo Rovers U15s also played Accrington Stanley and toured the Etihad Stadium, the home of current Premier League champions, Manchester City.

In total, seventeen members of the Sligo Rovers U15s squad, alongside four coaches and parents, headed across the Irish Sea to spend four days in the county. 

Recently, the club welcomed a team of young footballers from the British Football Academy in Singapore, and the Community Trust hosted SuperSport FC from South Africa. 

Sligo Rovers U15 were given the chance to watch current Republic of Ireland international and Sky Bet Championship top scorer, Sammie Szmodics, in action, as Blackburn Rovers drew. 

Head of academy at Sligo Rovers FC, Conor O Grady, said: “We were delighted to spend the weekend in Blackburn and would like to thank Sligo native Darragh Tuffy who facilitated the trip including a game Thursday evening and a training session Friday afternoon.

“These trips provide our players with a great opportunity to play against top class opposition and spend the weekend as a full time footballer. We are looking forward to the clubs next visit with a group.”