By Conall Collier
The mid-season break for the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) sandwiched between the second and third round All-Island Cup (AIC) group action will give Sligo Rovers boss Steve Feeney an opportunity to plan for the remainder of the season in the midst of an unprecedented injury crisis.
That was evident in the last outing when the Bit O’Red travelled to Belfast for a crucial AIC game against Linfield with 14 players, but earned a draw when one of the three substitutes, Róise Burke, grabbed a 90th minute equaliser.
The draw came at a price with a lengthy first-half delay after yet another player, Kate Nugent, was added to that injury list. She had to be removed from the pitch by ambulance and returned to Sligo on the team bus via Sligo Hospital.
Kate was replaced by Keeva Flynn while in the second-half Kya McKenna and Róise Burke were introduced after Linfield took a 63rd minute lead.
However, a tenacious team effort produced that late Bit O’Red leveller that leaves the group wide open ahead of this Saturday’s final group game against Shelbourne.
“We went to Belfast for the game against Linfield and we only had 14 players with another 14 unavailable due to injuries, illness or school commitments,” stated Steve Feeney.
“We had a chat before the game and stressed to the girls that while we were light on numbers with only 14 players, we had lots of quality and that was more important.
“For the team to come away from Belfast with a point was absolutely brilliant and says so much about them as a group.
“The substitutes against Linfield added to the quality of the team and while Róise (Burke) got the goal, both Keeva (Flynn) and Kya (McKenna) also made big contributions.
“It might have looked like we were struggling, but that wasn’t the real picture and there’s no point in padding out the bench just for the sake of extra numbers,” he added.
The group in the All-Island Cup is wide open now going into the last series this Saturday (7th June) and any two of the four teams, Sligo Rovers, Bohs, Shelbourne or Linfield, can still qualify for the quarter-finals.
“We know it won’t be easy against Shelbourne, but at least our fate is in our own hands, if we win we qualify, if we draw, it then depends on the result between Bohs and Linfield, but if we lose we’re out,” was Steve Feeney’s assessment.
“Bohs got a draw with Shels in the All-Island Cup and we are certainly looking forward to the challenge of facing Shelbourne, we will have them in the league two weeks later (21st June) so there are plenty of big games for us.
“Nothing is guaranteed in terms of results, look at Athlone Town, unbeaten in the league, but already out of contention in the All-Island Cup after losing to Glentoran and Treaty Utd,” he added.
The injury list is also a major factor for the Bit O’Red management and they will be hoping that there are no more casualties after 90 minutes against a Shelbourne side that remain unbeaten since losing on the opening day of the season against Shamrock Rovers.
However, following a 5-1 AIC victory against Linfield at Tolka Park, the Dublin side had to make the journey to Dalymount Park where they had to rely on a second-half equaliser from American striker Mackenzie Anthony to earn a 1-1 draw.
On the long-term Bit O’Red injury list is goalkeeper Amber Hardy who will be out for the remainder of the season. Steve Feeney provided updates on the remaining quintet of the walking wounded.
“I’m hopeful that Paula McGrory will be able to take some part in training this week as she has made good progress,” stated Steve.
“Katie Melly is now back doing some light work on her own and hopefully we might have her back in full training in three weeks or so.
“Rachel McGoldrick (arm injury) is probably another two or three weeks away from a return to full training
“Jessica Casey was back doing some running last week, but it will be another month or so for her.
“Kate Nugent is possibly looking at a similar time-frame to Katie (Melly) as it’s a similar injury (ankle) so you’re looking at six weeks or thereabouts.
“I’ll have a chat with Head of Academy Conor O’Grady and the under-19 manager to see if we have any options to bolster the panel, a lot of the academy players train with the senior team and they are doing well,” he said.
After Saturday’s AIC game against Shelbourne, the Bit O’Red will face a basement battle against bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves in what will be a huge game for both teams.
“The target for the second half of the season has to be to keep the momentum going, to get results and pick up more points,” stated Steve.
“We have had some good results and we have had results that we felt didn’t reflect our performances, but we will be both optimistic and realistic in our expectations.
“If we can deliver a performance in every game we will always have a chance over 90 minutes, it’s probably the old cliché of taking it one game at a time, starting with Shelbourne this Saturday,” he concluded.