game finishing 2-2 on aggregate. The result was to be decided on penalties, with Edward McGinty making the crucial save to give Rovers the win and help them advance to the second round of qualifying. Sligo Rovers were then drawn to take on SPFL side Motherwell FC in the second qualifying round, a fixture Sligo people looked upon with weariness and excitement. To add to Rovers' misfortune, star keeper Edward McGinty completed a transfer to Oxford United, just hours before the match was to commence. Rovers had to rely on young goalkeeper Luke McNicholas to make his European debut. The winner of the tie was to take on Norwegian team Viking FK. Much to the surprise of the Scottish media, Rovers stunned Motherwell FC in Fir Park, beating the Scottish side 1-0 thanks to an Aidan Keena lob, capitalizing on a Bevis Mugabi defensive error. Young goalkeeper Luke McNicholas shined in his debut, making numerous important saves to deny the Steelmen. Rovers took the fixture back to the Showgrounds, easing past the Scottish minnows in a 2-0 win, which included a Shane Blaney wonderstrike of a free kick from 35 yards out, and a Max Mata goal late into injury time, securing one of the bit o' red's most famous wins ever. This was the furthest the club had ever gotten in European competition. The European run was all but over, when on August 4th, Sligo Rovers lost 5-1 away to Viking FK in Stavanger, David Cawley's late penalty a consolation goal. The team came back to a town proud of the team, eagerly awaiting the second leg in the Showgrounds. The game was not one to be missed, with regards to the game and the atmosphere, as 3,800 people filled a packed out Showgrounds. Rovers came out on top on the day, finishing their European adventure with a 1-0 win at home to Viking FK, a Will Fitzgerald header proving the winning goal. The bit o' red would go on to finish the domestic season in 5th place, hoping for better things to come in 2023 under John Russell. Supporters Since its foundation, the club has had a small but loyal following in Sligo town, where it has been an outpost for football since its inception into the League of Ireland. Sligo Rovers currently averages gates of around 2,000. The average attendance for 2012 season was 3,007. Sligo Rovers