This Sunday, IT Sligo student Mark McGoldrick will fulfil a long held ambition when he takes his place on the Sligo Rovers team bench, in the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers. It will also be the first major football final to be played at the new Aviva stadium.
A second year student studying Health Science and Physiology, Mark is one of a number of students currently attending IT Sligo on a sports scholarship.
A promising young winger who can also play as a striker, he comes from a well known Sligo sporting family. His father, Declan has also lined out for the Bit o’ Red and was an accomplished gaelic footballer.
Studying at IT Sligo is of great benefit to Mark, he admits:
“It is great to be able to study in my home town, while still being able to train with Sligo Rovers. The facilities at IT Sligo are ideal for someone like myself. Even in my short time here, I have seen great changes and the new astro turf pitch is brilliant.”
Mark began his football career with the local Merville United, before moving on to Summerhill College. Last season he signed for Sligo Rovers.
He said: “It was a great honour for me, as I have followed Rovers all my life. My trip to the Aviva Stadium will be my first on Sunday. I genuinely believe that we deserve the success, especially after last year’s near miss against Sporting Fingal.”
Mark has played a part in all of this year’s games in the FAI Cup, including a memorable goal against Monaghan United in the quarter finals at the Showgrounds, having come on as a second half substitute.
He added: “It is always great to come on and score. The FAI Cup is the biggest prize in Irish soccer and is the stuff dreams are made of. I would love to get my chance on Sunday, but I will be more than happy if Sligo win.”
And for someone who scored six times for IT Sligo’s senior soccer team on Wednesday, in the Umbro Cup, he is more than happy to be sprung for the bench, if called upon.
President of IT Sligo, Professor Terri Scott sent her best wishes to Mark and his teammates in advance of Sunday’s game; “It is wonderful to see one of our students achieve such excellent in sport, and on behalf of everyone at IT Sligo I would like to wish Mark and the rest of the Sligo Rovers team the very best of luck on Sunday.”
Up to 20 Sports Scholarship Scheme are awarded at IT Sligo every year. Further details are available at www.itsligo.ie/campus-life/sports-recreation/it-sligo-sports-scholarships/
Mark McGoldrick, a 2nd year Science student at IT Sligo is part of the Sligo Rovers squad who will meet Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup final this Sunday, Also is photo is Paul Powell (right), IT Sligo men’s soccer team manager.
It Sligo shows its support for Sligo Rovers ahead of Sunday’s big game.