Sligo Rovers hang onto top teenage prospect for another year after Ireland under-21 recognition
Conor Walsh helped Wexford to reach the FAI Cup semi-finals and got called into Jim Crawford's international squad in what was a year of real progress
Hot prospect Conor Walsh has signed a new Sligo Rovers deal - hot on the heels of his first Ireland under-21s call-up.
Walsh, 19, was in Spain with Jim Crawford's under-21s for two friendlies against Sweden and although he didn't play it is the first time the Westport teenager has featured at that level.
He has represented Ireland at various underage levels, however, and Sligo believe they have a top goalkeeper on their hands.
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Walsh has agreed a new one-year deal after he spent last season gaining experience on loan to Wexford - helping the club to reach the FAI Cup semi-finals - and Finn Harps.
He made his Sligo debut against Bohs on the final day of the 2022 campaign. "I'm really happy to get the deal done", Walsh said. "I have learned so much in my time here at Rovers and am lucky to be working with the coaches both in the academy and at first team level.
"Last year at Harps and Wexford, the time was another learning curve for me as I had some great first team experience and I'm looking to build on that again this year.
"The time with the international team was brilliant too and has given me a lot of self-confidence knowing I'm being tracked by Irish coaches.
"The manager is assembling a very solid team and he knows what he wants. That's evident by the fact that so many are signed up already. 2025 looks like it's going to be a really exciting year at the Showgrounds."
Rovers boss John Russell commented: "Conor has huge potential so I'm delighted he's signed again. He had a really successful loan spell at Wexford where he produced some top class performances.
"It was so important for him to get out on loan and get some senior game time. It's certainly helped his development and growth. I was delighted to see his inclusion in the recent under-21s side. This shows how far he's come in the last 12 months or so.
"Sligo Rovers has a history of producing top class goalkeepers so we're really excited to see what Conor can do here."
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