Tommy Hewitt recruits former Athlone Town duo Muireann Devaney and Kelsey Munroe for Sligo Rovers

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With Tommy Hewitt now in charge at The Showgrounds, it should come as no suprise that the former Athlone Town manager has lured some of his former charges into the Sligo Rovers squad ahead of the 2024 season.

Hewitt, who led Athlone to second place in both the league and FAIW Cup in 2022, left the Midlands club midway through last season and took the reins at Sligo last October.

With only eight players officially announced for the coming season, the club revealed the signing of former Athlone midfielder, Muireann Devaney, on Saturday.

And this was followed by the capture of former Athlone left-back, Kelsey Munroe, earlier today.

Both Devaney and Munroe were key players in the club’s title challenge of 2022 and both lined out against Shelbourne in thay year’s Cup final defeat to Shelbourne.

2023 saw both players suffer a loss of game-time with Munroe making just 2 league appearances before injury forced her to step back from the first team.

Devaney found herself in and out of the starting XI in the latter half of the season under new manager Ciaran Kilduff.

Munroe was delighted to have made the move west when she spoke to the Bit o’ Red website, sligorovers.com .

“I think there’s big things coming for Sligo Rovers. There’s some great new signings coming in, and the girls who have been there the last couple of years, there’s great potential in this time. I think it could be an exciting year.”

Devaney, who previously played at U17 level for Sligo, was also pleased to be back playing closer to home.



“I’ve had three great seasons with Athlone. Travelling for the last number of years was hard, but Sligo is only in the road. It’s going to make it a bit easier for me, having friends and family in the stand when it’s so close.

”I went to Athlone with the ambition of winning something and getting my place in a senior team. I’ve had that experience now, and I hope there’s something I can bring to Sligo with that experience.”

Hewitt, meanwhie, is thrilled with his double signing.

“[Kelsey’s] hungry to get back into the game. That’s what I was looking for here, players that are hungry. I know what Kelsey can bring. Kelsey is a confidence player, she’s very good on the pitch. She’s experienced, she can read the game.

“I think [Muireann’s] the most under-rated player in the league. I’ve always said that to her. I think by now she should be a senior international and hopefully with her performances now at Sligo that will happen."

About Simon O'Gorman

Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile