By Conall Collier
Anna McDaniel’s 19th-minute goal gave battling Sligo Rovers a thoroughly deserved first Women’s Premier Division (WPD) win of the season at the expense of Dublin side Peamount Utd at the Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.
This was a tremendous display by the Bit O’Red as the players were rewarded for 90 minutes of nonstop pressure on the opposition, and that was a big factor in a second clean sheet of the season.
Rovers boss Steve Feeney made two enforced changes from the previous outing in the All-Island Cup, with both Amber Hardy and Rachel McGoldrick missing out through injury.
They were replaced by Bonnie McKiernan and Cara King, while the continued absence of Jessica Casey, Katie Melly and Paula McGrory, all on the injured list, was another factor in team selection.
Peamount boss Emma Donohoe opted to start Amanda Budden between the posts again in favour of Leona Heffernan, who had played the previous week against Cork City.
Lauryn O’Callaghan, Ciara Maher and Neala Byrne also returned to the side in place of Lucy McCartan, Sorcha Melia and Toni Ceno, who had also featured against Cork City.
From kick-off the Bit O’Red didn’t allow the opposition to settle into any type of rhythm and played mostly in the Peamount half with Alanah Doherty carving out an early chance.
However, Peamount went close from a well-struck Rebecca Watkins shot from distance in the 16th minute, but the flawless Bonnie McKiernan tipped over.
Once again, Sarah Kiernan was outstanding in defence, with both Leah Kelly and Alice Lillie providing solid backup, while Eimear Lafferty and Emma Hansberry were tireless around the middle.
The only goal arrived in the 19th minute, and while McDaniel applied the finishing touch, it was Mairead McIntyre’s drive that created the opening.
The hosts were reasonably comfortable for the remainder of the opening half and had the ability to absorb some intense second-half Peamount pressure as the Dublin women went in search of an equaliser.
Both sides had chances, with a Carla McManus shot on 81 minutes the best of what Peamount produced. At the other end, Amanda Budden made a good save to deny Rovers substitute Muireann Devaney in the 89th minute.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Leah Kelly, Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Alanah Doherty, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Kate Nugent, Mairead McIntyre, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Muireann Devaney for King 73 mins, Natasha Kelly for McIntyre and Keeva Flynn for Doherty, both 86 mins, and Morgan Burnap for McDaniel 94 mins.
Peamount Utd – Amanda Budden; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Mary Phillips, Ciara Maher, Rebecca Watkins, Carla McManus, Abby Tuthill, Jess Fitzgerald, Karen Duggan, Antea Guvo, Neala Byrne. Subs – Lucy McCartan for Byrne and Sorcha Melia for Maher, both half-time; Sadhbh Doyle for O’Callaghan 70 mins, Ruby Gallagher for Guvo 77 mins.
Referee – Arnold Hunter.
Assistant referees – Darren Corcoran, Darren Carey.
Fourth official – Michael Connolly.