Raffaele Cretaro
Forward- Height 5' 5"
- Age 42 years, 6 months
- Place of Birth Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, Ireland
- Nationality Republic of Ireland
- Stats based on games populated in our system. They can be viewed below
Raffaele’s Biography
Tubbercurry native, Raffaele, is a forward who can also play at full back, upfront or in midfield. He began his career at Sligo Rovers in 2000 where he remained for five years. In 2006 he spent one season at Galway United, making 24 league appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.
However, by the start of 2007 Raffaele was back in Sligo colours and he would remain at the Showgrounds for another three seasons. In 2009 he had one of his most successful seasons, scoring 21 league and cup goals and playing in the FAI Cup final, which Sligo lost 2-1 to Sporting Fingal.
In January 2010 he signed for defending Champions Bohemians and scored seven league and cup goals before quitting the club at the end of the season as Bohs entered a period of financial turmoil.
In January of 2011 he returned for his third spell at Sligo Rovers and scored six times in 33 league appearances as Sligo finished runners-up to Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division. Raf also won his first FAI Cup winners medal as Sligo defeated Shelbourne on penalties in the final. The following year delivered a league title winner's medal as Raffaele pitched in with six goals in 27 league appearances. 2013 saw Sligo concede their league crown to St Pats but Raffaele piked up another FAI Cup medal when Sligo defeated Drogheda United 3-2 at the Aviva Stadium.
Raffaele stayed with Sligo Rovers for 2014 but, due to injury, he only played a part in 13 league games, while in 2015, under Owen Heary, he made 27 league appearances without scoring. He did manage two goals in Cup competition, however, netting against The Mayo League in the EA Cup, and against Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. In 2016 he was back in goal-scoring form, hitting ten league goals from 25 league appearances and also scoring once in the FAI Cup. Raffaele re-signed with Sligo for a 17th season ahead of the 2018 campaign. He was also awarded a testimonial game.
He announced his departure from Sligo Rovers for the final time in December 2018, after 17 years. He then signed with Finn Harps. In February 2020, he re-signed for Harps for the 2020 season. Following the 2020 season and on January 1st 2021 Raffaele announced that he was retiring from football.
However, by the start of 2007 Raffaele was back in Sligo colours and he would remain at the Showgrounds for another three seasons. In 2009 he had one of his most successful seasons, scoring 21 league and cup goals and playing in the FAI Cup final, which Sligo lost 2-1 to Sporting Fingal.
In January 2010 he signed for defending Champions Bohemians and scored seven league and cup goals before quitting the club at the end of the season as Bohs entered a period of financial turmoil.
In January of 2011 he returned for his third spell at Sligo Rovers and scored six times in 33 league appearances as Sligo finished runners-up to Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division. Raf also won his first FAI Cup winners medal as Sligo defeated Shelbourne on penalties in the final. The following year delivered a league title winner's medal as Raffaele pitched in with six goals in 27 league appearances. 2013 saw Sligo concede their league crown to St Pats but Raffaele piked up another FAI Cup medal when Sligo defeated Drogheda United 3-2 at the Aviva Stadium.
Raffaele stayed with Sligo Rovers for 2014 but, due to injury, he only played a part in 13 league games, while in 2015, under Owen Heary, he made 27 league appearances without scoring. He did manage two goals in Cup competition, however, netting against The Mayo League in the EA Cup, and against Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. In 2016 he was back in goal-scoring form, hitting ten league goals from 25 league appearances and also scoring once in the FAI Cup. Raffaele re-signed with Sligo for a 17th season ahead of the 2018 campaign. He was also awarded a testimonial game.
He announced his departure from Sligo Rovers for the final time in December 2018, after 17 years. He then signed with Finn Harps. In February 2020, he re-signed for Harps for the 2020 season. Following the 2020 season and on January 1st 2021 Raffaele announced that he was retiring from football.
