BY CONALL COLLIER

Two goals from Gracie Dunaway and an Emma Duffy strike paved the way to a 3-0 Women’s Premier Division victory for Sligo Rovers against hosts Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Saturday.

After the disappointment of conceding an added-time winner to Waterford seven days earlier, the Sligo Rovers players were determined to make amends for that blip.

A solid performance was crucial and Ella Karolak made a major contribution to the victory while Bonnie McKiernan produced a number of important saves, especially early in the second-half.

Chasing a top four finish, a victory was vital and Sligo Rovers made a positive start with early pressure on the Cork City defence as Gio Dionicio and Cara Jordan posed some tough questions for the hosts.

Those tactics paid off in the 11th minute when Emma Duffy gained possession on the edge of the Cork penalty area direct from a corner and rifled a tremendous shot to the top corner of the Cork net for a merited lead goal.

The Bit O’Red continued to press and Gracie Dunaway added a second goal on 24 minutes when she tapped home from about two yards after Olivia Rush created the opening.

Trailing by two goals at the interval, Cork City were quick out of the traps for the second-half and Ellie O’Brien had a shot on target in the 48th minute before Yuna Go was denied in a one-on-one by Bonnie McKiernan.

The Bit O’Red weathered the mini-storm and forced a series of corners that finished in a Gracie Dunaway hitting the ball from the edge of the penalty area for an opportunist third goal on 58 minutes.

Cara Jordan set up a late opportunity for Dunaway who had a chance of a hat-trick, but she was narrowly wide four minutes from time.

Cork City – Una Foyle; Heidi Mackin, Ellie O’Brien, Holly O’Hagan, Stella Berezowski, Eva Mangan, Lauren Homan, Zoe Finnerty, Yuna Go, Leah O’Leary-Callender, Alex Mendez.

Subs – Amy McCarthy for Mendez half-time, P O’Shea for Homan 66 mins, S Redmond for Bereezowski 80m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Ava Hallinan, Alana Doherty, Sabrina Hillyer, Ella Karolak, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Gracie Dunaway, Olivia Rush, Gio Dionicio, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Mairead McIntyre for McDaniel half-time, Sarah McCaffrey for Duffy 66 mins, Leah Kelly for Hallinan 80m, Emma Malone for McKiernan and Katie Glynn for Dionicio both 83m.

Referee – Ian O’Keeffe.

Assistant-referees – Paul Braganza, Eoghan McAuliffe.

Fourth official – Ricky Crean.