In the run up to the FAI Ford Cup Final, JOE has been looking at a few of the key players from Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers, and today we turn our attention to Gavin Peers, the rock at the heart of the Rovers defence.
Dublin-born Gavin Peers was looking forward to a great end to the season with a huge day at Aviva stadium when we caught up with the squad earlier this week to chat about their preparations for the big game.
Sligo will be heading in as favourites, but Peers and his team mates Danny North and Anthony Elding were quick to point out that that means nothing come the big day in a winner takes all final.
Peers began his career as a right back, and his talent was spotted early on when he moved to play for Blackburn Rovers in 2003, at just 17-years-old. He moved to Mansfield Town shortly after in 2005, but he never truly settled before returning to Ireland to play for Sligo Rovers when they were promoted to the Premier Division again in 2006.
Throughout this time he was deployed as a full back on the right hand side, but with injuries racking up to significant players Michael McNamara and Liam Burns saw him switch to centre back in 2007. This was to prove a hugely significant moment in his career, and not only did he become a permanent fixture in the team, but his performances also proved that he was and still is one of the best players in the league.
Success was quick to follow both personally for Peers as well as for Sligo Rovers, and this cup final won’t phase Peers seeing as he’s already been to a few himself. In 2010 and 2011 he was on the winning side, but he has also tasted defeat when Sporting Fingal got the win in 2009 by a scoreline of 2-1.
In 2010, Peers was chosen as a member of the League of Ireland XI to face Manchester United at the Aviva Stadium, recognising his significance both to Sligo and his standing in the league as a whole, and also represented the Ireland U23 squad, which was surely a hugely proud moment in his career.
Peers is the longest serving player at the club, and will be a vital member of the squad in the build up to Sunday’s game thanks to his experience and ability. Although Sligo started the year well, they finished third, a disappointing result for all the talented players in the squad, so Peers and his team mates will surely be looking to leave Dublin on Sunday with a winner’s medal.
