Steve Feeney was handed the manager’s bib for the debut season of Sligo Rovers in the Women’s National League a week before Christmas Day 2021.
The first manager of the Sligo Rovers Women team was tasked with assembling a panel some 80 days before the first outing against high-flying Dublin club Peamount Utd.
On that first day Steve patrolled the sideline in west Dublin only a few yards from his Peamount Utd counterpart, James O’Callaghan, a former Sligo Rovers player during the 1992/’93 season.
Steve has a clear recollection of the first outing that produced home victory, but a subsequent reversal by the FAI when Peamount were penalised for fielding an ineligible player.
“Firstly, it was an honour to have the role of manager, and it’s a great achievement, the 100th competitive game for Sligo Rovers, if you go back five years or so, the club had under-age girls teams, but there was no talk about a senior team,” commented Steve.
“Looking back to March 2022, I suppose the excitement of the day for everyone, going to play one of the most successful teams in the Women’s National League as it was at the time, it was a real journey into the unknown.
“A big test for any team on the first day of the season, but it was even more daunting for us as it was our first competitive game and the first women’s team at senior level in the history of the club.
“We weren’t actually too disappointed at the end despite a 6-0 win for Peamount, we played well and showed plenty of character, something that has become a hallmark over the last few seasons
“We went on to demonstrate that character when we recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Shelbourne 3-2 in the first live game televised by TG4 at the Showgrounds later that season.
“I even got a nomination for the manager of the year award at the end of the season along with Noel King and Tommy Hewitt, I was a bit surprised with that, but it was lovely to get to an event like that and represent the club,” he added.
Steve had two seasons at the helm, 2022 and 2023, but then he took a break for 2024 and returned to take on the role again for the current 2025 season.
“I took a break for 2024 because I really needed a break, it’s a demanding role, managing the team, and a full-time job with a family, four children and an understanding wife is a requirement,” explained Steve.
“The league has become very professional, apart from training there is a lot of other stuff to deal with as well. It’s challenging to keep on top of everything and try to get some sort of balance.
“The standards have improved so much, teams don’t get the recognition they deserve, but just look at what Athlone Town achieved there a couple of weeks ago in those first round Champions League qualifiers with 4-0 and 3-0 wins against Cardiff City and ZNK Agram from Croatia.
“When we started back in 2022 there was a bigger gap in standards, but that has closed substantially now although both Athlone Town and Shelbourne appear to be well ahead of the other 10 teams.
“When Sligo Rovers joined it brought the number up to 10 teams, but it was still a three-round series, now with 12 teams it’s on a two-round basis and the All-Island Cup has also added a new dimension.
“To be playing the 100th competitive game is huge for everyone involved in women’s football, there is a pathway now for young girls in Sligo and further afield, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, to play at the top level.
“At the moment we have players who have come through the Sligo Rovers Academy and have featured in many of those 100 games.
“Looking around the League you will see players making 100 appearances and over the next season or two we will probably have players from Sligo Rovers achieving that feat, long may it continue,” he concluded.
By Conall Collier