Sligo Rovers manager Ger Lyttle has hailed the impact of the younger players in his squad and has described centre half John Mahon as a potential future captain of the club. Sligo named four teenagers in their match day squad for the scoreless draw
Sligo Rovers manager Ger Lyttle has hailed the impact of the younger players in his squad and has described centre half John Mahon as a potential future captain of the club.
Sligo named four teenagers in their match day squad for the scoreless draw with St Patrick's Athletic on Saturday, with 18-year-old Mahon handed his first league start after both Kyle Callan-McFadden and Seamus Sharkey were declared unfit in the run up to the game.
Fellow teen Jack Keaney kept his place in the Rovers starting eleven for what was the third game running. While under-19 goalkeeper Ed McGinty and midfielder Lewis Morrison took their places on the bench.
Collooney native Mahon's only other taste of first team football was twelve months ago when he featured for the Bit O'Red in their EA Sports Cup tie with Finn Harps. While Keaney, who hails from Donegal Town, took part in his twelfth senior outing having also made his debut at Finn Park that day.
Lyttle had high praise for both players, commending them for the way they've settled in to the first team scene.
"John is a top player", he stated. "He will be a future captain here as he has it in him. He's still learning the game but he's aggressive, he's good on the ball and he's got those leadership qualities in him from his time as captain of the under 19s.
“Jack's the same and they both know what it's about to play for this club. It's great to see their courage and endeavour.
"We were without our captain Kyle and Seamus tonight and I think both Jack and John became men tonight."
Lyttle also acknowledged the work being done at the Showgrounds in terms of underage structures, outlining how important it is for clubs like Sligo to bring through their own.
"It has to be part of the DNA of the club because we can't compete with the Dundalks, Corks and Shamrock Rovers in terms of budgets. So it's important we look after, nurture and develop our own.
"Huge credit must go to our underage coaches Brian Dorrian and Danny O'Leary who've done some great work with the younger lads over the last few years.
“We want to build on that and also it gives the other young lads hope. They know that there's a first team manager here who will give them a chance."
Lyttle was speaking after Saturday night's scoreless draw with the Saints. A game in which goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney had little to do, but also in which Rovers were unable to find a way past Saints net minder Barry Murphy.
Adam Morgan was presented with a glorious opportunity to win the game fifteen minutes from time, but somehow missed the target from three yards out.
Although frustrated to come away with just one point, Lyttle was keen to point out the positives.
"The last game we played here (Derry) wasn't good enough. We asked for a big performance, a clean sheet and three points tonight. We were disappointed we only got two out of three but we have to build on this as I thought we were the better side.
"We had a few chances throughout. Adam was devastated he missed the header and of all the players here, you'd bank on him to put them away. But overall I thought we were very good. We pressed Pat's, didn't allow them time on the ball and I thought we were the better side. We owed ourselves and the fans that performance."
Next up for Sligo is the long spin to the south east and back to take on Waterford on Friday night before hosting Bray the following Monday.
Looking ahead, Lyttle says: "All these games are tough. It's a ten team league and every team is capable of beating each other. I saw Waterford against Pat's the other night and I was very impressed with the way they're structured and the way they do things. It'll be tough but we expect that."
