Raffaele Cretaro

Raffaele Cretaro (born 15 October 1981) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for his boyhood club Real Tubber. He holds the all-time appearances record for Sligo Rovers. He joined local side Real Tubber as a youth player at under-10 level. After making the Sligo/Leitrim squads at under-16 and under-18 level, Cretaro was recommended to Sligo Rovers. He made his goal-scoring debut for Sligo in a 3–0 win over Monaghan United at Gortakeegan on 3 September 2000. Cretaro became a regular in the first team under Don O'Riordan and established himself as an attacking full-back who could be called upon to play in multiple positions. Instead he signed a part-time deal with First Division team Galway United in February 2006. He started for Galway in an FAI Cup match against Athlone Town on 26 May 2006, winning a penalty for his side. He scored at home against Athlone Town on 3 September 2006. Although he missed two months due to a broken jaw, Cretaro still earned a place in the First Division Team of the Year having made 24 league appearances for the Tribesmen and scoring three times in all competitions. However, McDonald was sacked during pre-season and replaced as manager by Paul Cook. Cretaro credits Cook for instilling a belief in the side and, in 2008, the team finished fourth in the league and qualified for the 2009–10 Europa League. On 13 July 2010, Cretaro appeared for Bohs in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League. On 18 August 2010, he scored twice at home to Bray Wanderers. He scored five league goals in total before leaving the club at the end of the season as Bohemians entered a period of financial turmoil. In his first season back, he scored six times in 33 league appearances as Sligo finished runners-up to Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division. Cretaro also won his first FAI Cup medal as Sligo defeated Shelbourne on penalties in the 2011 final, with Cretaro scoring the winning penalty. The following year, under Ian Baraclough, Cretaro won the 2012 League of Ireland Premier Division and scored two goals at home to St Patrick's Athletic as Sligo secured their first league title in 35 years. In 2013, he started the FAI Cup final as Sligo beat Drogheda United 3–2 at the Aviva Stadium.

Cretaro's 2014 season was hampered due to injury and he was limited to 13 appearances for Rovers in the league. He returned to fitness in 2015 under new manager Owen Heary, but made 27 league appearances without scoring. Cretaro surpassed Tony Fagan as the club's record all-time league appearance holder. He joined newly promoted Finn Harps in 2019. In 2021, he retired from League of Ireland football.

While still playing at Sligo Rovers, Cretaro took up coaching with their under-19s team in 2017.

Style of play

Cretaro made his breakthrough as a utility player and has deputised in every position bar goalkeeper.

Career statistics Club extratime cites 24 appearances, finalwhistle cites 25 appearances

Honours Sligo Rovers League of Ireland Premier Division: 2012 FAI Cup: 2011, 2013 League of Ireland First Division: 2005