Sligo Rovers pay tribute to ‘treasured’ Tommie Gorman

Sligo Rovers have paid tribute to Tommie Gorman, describing the former RTÉ journalist as “one of our most dedicated supporters and treasured figures within our community and beyond”.

Mr Gorman has died at the age of 68. He retired from RTÉ in April 2021 after working at the broadcaster for more than 40 years.

He spent three years working in the Ballina-based Western Journal before joining RTÉ in 1980 as North-West correspondent.

In 1989, he moved to Brussels to become Europe Editor. He was appointed Northern Editor in 2001.

Mr Gorman had a love and passion for Sligo Rovers throughout his life.

The Bit O’Red released a statement on Tuesday in dedication to his enduring connection to the club.

“Tommie, who grew up on Cairns Road, secured his first byline in The Sligo Champion in the form of match reports of Sligo Rovers away games in Dublin in the 1970s while studying in the capital,” it read.

“In the summer 1977 he sold two pages of advertising to Sligo businesses that financed a trip to Yugoslavia to watch Rovers take on Red Star Belgrade and tell the story.

“He reported in the aftermath of the 1983 FAI Cup final, documenting scenes of jubilation from Sligo, which remain a valued archive of our history.

“Twenty-seven years later he stood on the streets of Sligo as the Cup came home for a third time, this time reporting live to a national television audience.

“In 2012 he joined the club’s management committee as the league title came back to the north-west for the first time in 35 years.

“That season the club secured funding that led to the development of the Sean Fallon Centre. He has hosted many events for the club and was instrumental in countless fundraising campaigns

“In recent years, he has been a driving force behind the Showgrounds redevelopment. That work continued up to recent days, such was his desire and belief behind the vision.

“We know how important it is for Tommie to see the storied history of the Showgrounds continue, a place he truly called home.”

“Throughout his life he told our story and lived it with us to change it for the better.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “We are simply devastated by the loss of Tommie.

“Tommie was one of Sligo Rovers’ greatest champions. He championed our club at every opportunity, cherished every great day and believed even in the darkest of times that better times would come.

“Throughout his life he told our story and lived it with us to change it for the better.

“His love of football tied in with his love of Rovers and Sligo. Tommie has inspired all of us and we will miss his presence so much.”

Sligo Rovers plan to pay tribute to Mr Gorman before Friday’s clash with Shamrock Rovers. Concluding their dedication to his memory, the club added: “Two years ago the club paid tribute to Tommie with the inscription on a tile in The Showgrounds. It reads: ‘Tommie Gorman. Rovers Forever’.

“He will always be. May he rest in peace.”