Pat Spillane of Sligo, pictured at the AIB sponsorship launch of the 2024 GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships at the D-Light Studios in Dublin. AIB marking it’s ninth year sponsoring the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, will once again celebrate #TheToughest players in Gaelic Games - highlighting the grit, determination and passion that is required to win this year’s Championship. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Pat Spillane will miss Sligo’s Connacht SFC Semi-Final against Galway on April 20.
An adductor muscle injury means Spillane will miss the upcoming encounter, but the St Jude’s clubman hopes to be available for the championship group stage action in either the All-Ireland series or Tailteann Cup.
Sligo defeated Leitrim on Sunday, but Spillane won’t feature in the Galway contest. “I'm looking at another couple of weeks out now,” Spillane says.
“I'm nearing the end of the rehab process now, thank God, hopefully I'll be alright for the group stages.
“It has been a frustrating couple of weeks. I was delighted to see the lads get the result the last day, it was a strong performance. I'm not too far away now, so I'm buzzing to get back.”
Spillane has occupied a significant role in the Sligo revival in recent years. Under Tony McEntee’s guidance an exciting crop of players are beginning to deliver for Sligo in the senior ranks.
“There is a lot of positivity, particularly around the underage with what is going on,” Spillane responds.
“Colleges teams making All-Ireland finals, a lot of the young lads are stepping up to senior level. There has been brilliant development over the last few years, so you'd be optimistic about the future.”
Pat Spillane in Allianz Football League action for Sligo. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Ultimately, it ensures that significant optimism is attached to Sligo football once more. “100 per cent,” Spillane replies.
“All of the young lads coming into the panel have integrated seamlessly, in fairness, they've been brilliant additions.
“I was buzzing to see Canice Mulligan make Team of the Week, this is his first year with the senior side, which is brilliant.
“More lads the likes of Lee Duignan, Daire O'Boyle, and a lot more fellas. Everyone that has come in has had an impact, there will be more fellas coming in next year again, which is brilliant. So, it is going in the right direction.”
Spillane is simply relishing being part of the Sligo adventure. “It has been really enjoyable, results aside, everything else aside, they are a lovely group,” he says.
“It is a really enjoyable team to play for, we play a nice brand of football, with a great set-up, it has been really enjoyable.
“I suppose I've been fortunate with my timing joining Sligo. I've come at a time when a lot of good things are happening, a lot of things are falling into place in terms of the development of the county and the players coming through.
“A lot of the lads are the same age as me, so the timing has been good. I've benefited from that and I've had an enjoyable three years.”