North fears cup may be his final flourish for Sligo
DANNY NORTH fears that Sunday's FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium will be his last appearance in a Sligo Rovers shirt.
The 26-year-old won a league title in his first season at Sligo, following his move from St Patrick's Athletic, and can finish off his second term there with a cup winner's medal, but the former Grimsby Town man is out of contract once the cup clash with Drogheda United is over, and reckons his time at the Showgrounds is also over.
"I'm not sure what the future holds but it's looking like Sunday will be my last game for Sligo, which would be a shame," says the striker, who was out for the first half of the season with a cruciate injury.
"If that's the case then I'd like to go out with a bang and help us win the cup, it's important for us to finish off the season with a trophy. My contract here is up and there's been no offer of a new deal.
"The last time I spoke to the club was when I questioned the gaffer about the club's plans, he just said I had to prove I was over my injury so he had something to go to the board with, since that happened I have been available for every game.
"If the club want me to stay then we can talk, if not then it's a case of farewell and good luck, I will move on to another chapter in my career.
"I have a couple of things coming up in the off-season. There is the chance of a few trials in England and there's the possibility of something in Norway. I don't know what will happen, all those years I was at Grimsby Town I never imagined I would end up in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers, playing in the Champions League, so I'm ready for any challenge.
"Hopefully Sunday will go our way, we can celebrate for a few days and after that I will try and sort out my future."
It's been a difficult time for North, who missed the second half of last season and the first part of this term, with a knee injury.
"I was out for a long time and when you miss pre-season it's always hard to catch up," he says.
"But as the season has gone on I felt stronger, I think I contributed when I came into the squad, I got a goal the other week so I'm hoping the season can end well."
Sunday will be North's first taste of the FAI Cup final but his teammates are well versed on the day as this will be the club's fourth final in five seasons.
"I think that's an advantage for us, Drogheda's players haven't been to that many finals but we have that experience on our side and maybe it can count on the day," he says.
"I can't wait for this game. when I was at St Pat's I got to the semi-final twice and we lost both. Hopefully my record can change this season."