Advertisement
Cretaro: testimonial in 2018. Presseye/Cameron Hamilton/INPHO

Raff Cretaro has just signed on for an incredible 17th season at Sligo Rovers

“I’m not here to make up numbers. I’m there to compete to start every week.”

SLIGO ROVERS WILL honour Raffaele Cretaro’s incredible service with a testimonial next year after the Tubbercurry Tornado signed on for a remarkable 17th season at the Showgrounds.

Cretaro, 36, made his Bit O’Red debut in 2000 and has been at the club ever since, with the exception of a season apiece with Galway United in 2006 and Bohemians in 2010.

“Obviously I have to be realistic in that I’m not going to play every game,” he said on signing his new deal for 2018.

“But I’m not here to make up numbers. I’m there to compete to start every week and I’ll be ready again.”

Cretaro is second only to Sligo legend Tony Fagan in terms of his appearances for the club, and second in the goalscoring charts to all-time record holder Johnny Armstrong.

“He still has football in those legs,” Sligo boss Gerard Lyttle said. “You watch him in training and he trains still like a teenager.”

He added: “His experience is vital, especially with the younger players coming in. His knowledge of the game, the league and this club is very important. I think it’s a no-brainer.”

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):

Teen prodigy McSharry falls short on busy day for Team Ireland at European Champs

Author
Niall Kelly
View 6 comments
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel