BY CONALL COLLIER
Bonnie McKiernan’s 92nd minute finger-tip save earned Sligo Rovers a well-deserved Women’s Premier Division point following a thrilling 1-1 draw against hosts Treaty Utd in the live TG4 game on Saturday evening.
Last week at Tolka Park McKiernan made a finger-tip save to deny Shelbourne from the penalty spot and on this occasion she spectacularly tipped Madison McGuane’s goal-bound effort over the bar.
Both sides were disappointed not to win an encounter where the action flowed from end-to-end throughout the 90 minutes as a Cara Jordan-inspired Sligo Rovers hit the front through Emma Hansberry on 35 minutes, but the impressive Katie Lawlee levelled for Treaty six minutes later.
The Bit O’Red created the more clear-cut chances in that opening half although Treaty shaded the exchanges in terms of possession and Lawlee was a constant threat.
Treaty ‘keeper Katherine Hess made a smart save after only six minutes and was kept on her toes as Hansberry went close on 23 minutes and she then saved well from Anna McDaniel.
However, she had to pick the ball out of the net when Hansberry produced a composed finish after the chance was created by Jordan letting the ball run.
The lead was short-lived when Lawlee embarked on a solo raid that took her past a couple of challenges before she flashed her effort to the net to leave it level at the interval.
The pattern was similar in the second-half and Hess was relieved when Treaty scrambled a clearance after she dropped the ball from a Bit O’Red corner in the 52nd minute.
The Bit O’Red continued to press and Jordan on two occasions and Cara King were unlucky not to score.
While Treaty enjoyed lots of possession, they didn’t cause any real problems for a hard-working Sligo Rovers side in which Ella Karolak was excellent although it took that 92nd minute McKiernan save to deny McGuane a winner for Treaty.
Treaty Utd – Katherine Hess; Grace McInerney, Kyan Coady, Emma Oliphant, E Goggin, Katie Jones, Madison McGuane, Katie Lawlee, Jodie Griffin, Ciara Breslin, Sarah Rice.
Sub – Áine Walsh for Griffin 70 mins.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Kelsey McQuillan, Alana Doherty, Sabrina Hillyer, Ella Karolak, Emma Hansberry, Cara Jordan, Sydney Stephens, Emma Duffy, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Alice Lillie for McQuillan 63 mins, Paula McGrory for Hansberry 75m.
Referee – Eric Eaton.
Assistant-referees – Shane O’Donoghue, Oisin Walsh.
Fourth official – Wayne McDonnell.