Ireland under-21 midfielder Sadlier extends Sligo stay

Sligo Rovers capped off a brilliant night last night at the Showgrounds when they followed a 3-0 win over Longford Town with the announcement that Kieran Sadlier has extended his contract through to the end of the 2017 season.

Former Ireland under-21 midfielder Sadlier signed for The Bit O' Red in January from English League One side Peterborough United.

Sadlier has been one of the better players for manager Dave Robertson this season and his performances has won over the Sligo fans.

The only blip in his time so far at the north-western club was a sending-off in the first game of the season against Shamrock Rovers.

Dave Robertson says he is delighted to be keeping Sadlier at the club for the next 18 months.

“It’s really great to have him signed,” Robertson told the club's website.

“There has been a lot of speculation around him. The good thing is that everyone can see that amount of talent that Kieran has.

“For the club and for it’s future it is a fantastic signing to make. To have him here for the next two years is brilliant. It is exactly where we want to be.

“Our aim is to play in that positive, attacking style and Kieran definitely helps us do that. He fits the mould of the type of player to help with that. It is brilliant to secure the signing.

“We want to continue with the quick attacking brand of football and everyone has seen that with the way Kieran likes to play he can help with that.

“It will really help him to have that security. He has settled in really well to life in Sligo already.

“Having this contract will help him just focus on football now. The challenge I have set for him is to add more goals to his game. I think everyone has seen that he is more than capable of doing that.”

The club will hope the signing of Sadlier to a long-term contract shows fans that the club is going in the right direction and the mistakes of last season have been learned from, and that Roberston's long-term plan for the club will see some more of the influential players being signed to longer contracts.