By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers return to action in the Women’s Premier Division at the Showgrounds on Saturday against a Shelbourne side that could go top with a victory if Athlone Town fail to beat Peamount Utd later on Saturday evening.
That’s a big incentive for the Dublin women, but they won’t find it easy against a Sligo Rovers side that has demonstrated tremendous battling qualities despite an injury crisis that has sidelined a number of key players.
Shelbourne will be starting to like the journey to the Showgrounds as they make it back-to-back trips into the North West with a five-goal haul to their credit from the last outing a fortnight ago in the All-Island Cup.
Title-chasing Shelbourne’s top-of-the-table encounter against Athlone Town was rained-off last weekend while the Bit O’Red lost the bottom-of-the-table encounter against DLR Waves at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray.
While the Bit O’Red lost to Shelbourne and DLR Waves, there was a common theme that contributed to those results and that was squandered goal chances.
Against Shelbourne, the Bit O’Red could have had two goals in the opening three minutes and further chances were also wasted while there was a four-goal haul for Noelle Murray.
It was the same pattern against DLR Waves where wasted opportunities in the opening half were punished when the Dublin side scored on the hour and then battened down the hatches against some serious pressure for the remainder.
A return of five goals in 10 outings for the Bit O’Red tells the story, three goals in the WPD and two in the All-Island Cup.
Rachel McGoldrick is the top scorer on two goals, but she hasn’t featured since she equalised in the 1-1 draw against Bohs in April after she sustained an injury in that game.
Injuries have plagued manager Steve Feeney over the past two months, but that is beginning to ease a little now and Katie Melly has returned to the team.
Muireann Devaney is also available this weekend and Lauren Devaney started last Saturday and delivered a solid performance against DLR Waves.
Paula McGrory will miss the Shelbourne game as she will be away with the Garda team in Germany at the European Women’s Police Championships.
The Gardai are in a group that includes Austria, France and Norway. Paula scored a hat-trick for the Garda team when they defeated the Czech Republic last March to qualify for the tournament in Germany this week, but she should be available for next weekend’s WFAI Cup tie against DLR Waves.
The key requirement for Sligo Rovers on Saturday is some goals. The team has consistently created chances in every game this season, finishing some of those chances on Saturday will have a hugely positive impact and will also boost confidence.