By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers will face DLR Waves for the second time in a fortnight when the Dublin side travel to the Showgrounds this Saturday for a first-round Women’s FAI Cup encounter.
Two weeks ago, DLR Waves shaded a fiercely competitive Women’s Premier Division (WPD) encounter with a 60th-minute Amber Cullen goal that gave her side a first win of the season.
Last August, however, Sligo Rovers knocked the Waves out of the Cup with a 3-1 quarter-final victory at the Belfield Bowl. On that occasion, goals from Anna McDaniel, Kelsey Munroe and Paula McGrory sealed the victory against the hosts, who found the net through Robyn Bolger.
The action on Saturday will be end-to-end as both teams will be eager to advance, but in terms of the formbook, it would appear that Sligo Rovers have the better credentials with semi-final appearances over the past two seasons. DLR Waves have exited at the quarter-final stage of the competition in each of the last three seasons but will be confident of success based on that victory a fortnight ago.
Nevertheless, Sligo Rovers can also approach the tie with an equal amount of belief based on the evidence from last week’s outing against title-chasing Shelbourne. Although Shelbourne won by 3-1, it was an uncomfortable 90 minutes for the Dublin side, who had to rely on a first-half penalty for the lead before adding a second soon after.
However, they were rocked when Anna McDaniel scored for the Bit O’Red following a superb Muireann Devaney pass to leave it 2-1 at the interval, and that set up a nervy second half for the Dubliners.
A positive in every game this season for the Sligo Rovers players is the fact that they continue to create chances, and they will do so again on Saturday. Finishing is the real challenge.
According to manager Steve Feeney, Paula McGrory will be available and could return to the starting lineup.
“Cara King looks like she will be out with an ankle injury, and we will assess Alana Doherty ahead of Saturday’s game,” commented the Bit O’Red boss.
Both Alana Doherty and Cara King were replaced in the second half last weekend against Shelbourne. Katie Melly and Ava Hallinan may not be available, but Alice Lillie, who missed the last couple of games, will return to the squad.
“The players have been giving so much in terms of effort and have shown improved form in every outing; hopefully they will get the reward they deserve on Saturday, a victory and a place in the quarter-finals,” added Steve.
WFAI Cup Stats 2022 – 2025
2022
First Round
Sligo Rovers w.o., Douglas Hall scr.
DLR Waves 5, Treaty Utd 0
Quarter-Finals
Bohemian FC 3, Sligo Rovers 1
Wexford 3, DLR Waves 1
2023
First Round
Sligo Rovers 11, Bonagee Utd 0
DLR Waves 3, Wexford 3 (DLR Waves won 4-3 on pens)
Quarter-Finals
Bohemian FC 0, Sligo Rovers 1
Shelbourne 2, DLR Waves 1
Semi-Final
Sligo Rovers 0, Athlone Town 4
2024
First Round
Sligo Rovers 5, Terenure Rangers 0
DLR Waves 4, Whitehall Rangers 0
Quarter-Final
DLR Waves 1, Sligo Rovers 3
Semi-Final
Sligo Rovers 0, Athlone Town 1
2025
First Round
Saturday 28th June – Sligo Rovers v DLR Waves, kick-off 3pm, live on LOITV.