Sligo Rovers unveil double capture of Garry Buckley and Darragh Noone

FAI Cup semi-finalists Sligo Rovers have confirmed the double-signing of midfielders Garry Buckley and Darragh Noone.

Garry Buckley joins the Bit O’Red from Cork City, while Noone makes the move west after winning the First Division with Shelbourne.

Buckley joins his fellow namesake Liam up at the Showgrounds with 187 appearances to his name at Turners Cross since 2012.

Speaking on his move, the 26-year-old told Sligo’s media team; ““I’m really excited. It’s a fresh start, a new challenge. It wasn’t something I did lightly. I had to consider many things.

“I could have stayed at Cork and been comfortable. But I wanted to challenge myself and hopefully win another trophy.

“I’ve won a few but I don’t just want to look back at that. I know Sligo are looking to move towards winning trophies and I’ve bought into that.

“You can’t describe the feeling of winning things. I think winning makes you even more hungry. I want it again, and I’ve come here to get it.”

Also joining is former Bray Wanderers midfielder Noone, who departs Shelbourne after just one year.

“I’m delighted to be here. I’ve always been impressed by Sligo Rovers and so many aspects of the club,” the 22-year-old explained to the Bit O’Red’s media team.

“I wanted to be back in the Premier Division and to get the chance at Sligo Rovers is brilliant. There’s brilliant facilities, players, a manager that I can’t wait to work with because he really sold me on everything the club and him and trying to do.

“There’s a great community sense and the atmosphere at the Showgrounds is always brilliant. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans because I know as an opposition player what it was like coming here.

“I’m hungry to succeed. That’s why I’ve moved here and I’m counting the days down until we properly start pre-season.”

Sligo boss Liam Buckley added; “We are switching some things around having kept 13 players from last year so far.

“These are the first two and others are being pursued. There’s lots going on in that area.”