By Conall Collier

Goals in each half from Paula McGrory and Muireann Devaney gave Sligo Rovers a second successive Women’s Premier Division victory at the expense of bottom-of-the-table Cork City at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

The hosts were deservedly ahead at the interval and had plenty of chances in the opening half but had to wait until second-half added time for a second goal.

Play was held up briefly in the first half when first assistant referee Richard Storey sustained an injury, and he was replaced by fourth official Darren Corcoran.

Cork started on the front foot and had a couple of early chances, but they failed to capitalise, and they were eventually punished midway through the half when Paula McGrory gave the Bit O’Red the lead.

Alana Doherty played a good ball out of defence, and McGrory raced clear and confidently slotted the ball past Cork ‘keeper Clodagh Fitzgerald.

The hosts continued to press forward and went close in the 28th minute when Annie McKinley headed over.

The Cork rearguard was under severe pressure subsequently and avoided conceding a second goal with assistance from both the crossbar and the post on separate occasions.

McGrory had a chance from an Emma Hansberry free in the 40th minute, but she just failed to connect inside the six-yard box.

Leading 1-0 at the interval, Sligo Rovers had an excellent opportunity for a second goal at 50 minutes, but Paula McGrory was denied by another good Clodagh Fitzgerald save.

Both sides laboured to create any clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half until the 94th minute when Muireann Devaney got on the end of a defence-splitting pass and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the Cork City net.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Katie Melly, Annie McKinley, Alana Doherty, Alice Lillie, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, and Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Kya McKenna for Hansberry and Mairead McIntyre for McGoldrick, both 70 mins, Sarah McDaniel for Melly 74 mins, and Bernie Ferreira for McGrory

Cork City – Clodagh Fitzgerald, Sadbh McGoldrick, Shaunagh McCarthy, Heidi Mackin, Aine Walsh, Jodie Griffin, Christina Dring, Eva Mangan, Aoife Cronin, Ellie O’Brien, Holly O’Hagan.

Subs – Cliodhna Malone for Cronin 57 mins, Amy McCarthy for O’Brien and Ciara McNamara for Griffin both 65 mins, Sophia Redmond for Walsh and Cathranne Fitzgerald for Dring both 76 mins.

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant referees – Richard Storey, Oisin Walsh.

Fourth official – Darren Corcoran.