By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers gave another battling Women’s Premier Division (WPD) performance but ended up on the wrong end of an 8-0 scoreline against title-chasing Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday evening.
Both teams went into this encounter on the back of defeats, but the Dublin women were focused on regaining a place at the top of the table at the expense of Athlone Town who were in winning European action on Saturday.
Emma Hansberry was named in the starting 11, but was replaced by Mairead McIntyre before kick-off while Sarah McDaniel and Eimear Lafferty replaced the departed Annie McKinley and Katie Melly.
Shelbourne created the more clearcut chances in the opening half, but Sligo Rovers also had some good opportunities and finished the first 45 minutes with a tally of six corners.
The main difference on the scoreboard was that Shelbourne finished three of those opportunities to the net whereas the Bit O’Red didn’t and had to be content with going close on at least three occasions, all through Paula McGrory.
Muireann Devaney’s ability to play defence-splitting passes was a highlight of the first-half, but all the plaudits went to the hosts after they were gifted a 23rd minute lead.
Bit O’Red ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan, who made a series of excellent saves, lost possession of the ball from a centre and Noelle Murray capitalised instantly for the opening goal.
Further goals from Mackenzie Anthony and Megan Smyth-Lynch eased the Dublin side into a 3-0 interval advantage.
Shelbourne upped the tempo for the second-half and the Bit O’Red simply had no response.
Anthony added three more goals and there was one apiece from Smyth-Lynch and substitute Halle Murphy Harcourt.
Before kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of the late Ollie Horgan.
Shelbourne – Amanda McQuillan; Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Alex Kavanagh, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Noelle Murray, Jess Gargan, Aoibheaqnn Clancy, Lucy O’Rourke, Mackenzie Anthony, Maeve Wollmer.
Subs – Rachel Graham for Clancy and Gabriella Del Pico for Kavanagh both 62 mins; Sarah McCaffrey for Murray and Madeline McKInley for Gargan both 70m
Halle Murphy Harcourt for Anthony 81m
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Alana Doherty, Eimear Lafferty, Leah Kelly, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Mairead McIntyre.
Subs – Kya McKenna for McGoldrick, Emma Hansberry for McGrory and Bernie Ferreira for M McIntyre all 62 minutes, Lauren Devaney for Doherty and Cara King for A McDaniel both 84m,
Referee – Mark Moynihan.
Assistant-referees – Ruben Collins, Christopher Daly.
Fourth official – Wayne McDonnell.