Athlone Town Stadium, 11 October 2025
Sligo Rovers faced a tough outing at Athlone Town, conceding four first-half goals despite strong resistance from goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan. Early strikes from Madie Gibson and Kelly Brady set the tone, with Hannah Waesch and Gibson adding to the tally before half-time. Rovers showed resilience after the break, with McKiernan producing a series of crucial saves to keep the scoreline from rising further. Substitutions refreshed the side, but Athlone maintained control, securing the WPD trophy as Rovers finish 10th in the league.
Line-ups
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan (Israela Groves 65, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch (C), Kelly Brady, Roisin Molloy (Chloe Singleton 80), Emma Mooney, Madison Gibson, Kate Slevin (Sarah Rice 65)
Substitutes: Maria Matthaiou, Chloe Singleton, Israela Groves, Kerryane Brown, Alexis Strickland, Aoife O’Connor, Hazel Donegan, Lucy Fitzgerald, Sarah Rice
Sligo Rovers: Bonnie McKiernan, Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry (C) (Cara King 46), Paula McGrory, Eimear Lafferty (Louise Masterson 90), Alana Doherty, Bernie Ferreira (Anna McDaniel 46), Alice Lillie (Sarah McDaniel 46), Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick (Ciara Henry 87), Ava Hallinan
Substitutes: Louise Masterson, Ciara Henry, Eve Caprani, Amy McCarthy, Mairead McIntyre, Natasha Kelly, Cara King, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel
Referee: Ryan Maher | Attendance: 708
Sligo Rovers endured a difficult afternoon at Athlone Town, falling behind within the first minute when Gurteen native Roisin Molloy’s precise cross found Madie Gibson, who finished confidently to give the hosts an early lead after 44 seconds. Just seven minutes later, Kelly Brady scored an impressive finish, outpacing Kate Nugent to chip Bonnie McKiernan and double Athlone’s advantage.
Rovers began to settle but struggled to create clear openings. Molloy’s 15th-minute cross was comfortably caught by McKiernan, who was soon called into action again, making two close-range saves from Brady and Emma Mooney in the 19th minute. Athlone continued to dominate, with Hannah Waesch, recently named Women’s Player of the Month, firing a 30-yard strike under the bar in the 26th minute to make it 3–0. A further blow followed in the 32nd minute as Gibson scored directly from a corner.
Athlone Town looked to stretch their league advantage even further, with Molloy narrowly missing from a yard out in the 40th minute, and Mooney and Brady both hitting the bar seconds later. The first half ended with Athlone firmly in control, 4–0 up at the break.
The second half saw a triple substitution at the break, with Anna McDaniel, Sarah McDaniel, and Cara King coming on to refresh the side. Katie Slevin had a clear chance in the 54th minute, but Bonnie McKiernan was in outstanding form, producing a series of crucial saves, including multiple stops from leading scorer Kelly Brady, keeping the scoreline from worsening. McKiernan’s performance was the standout feature of the second half, repeatedly denying Athlone.
Ciara Henry made her first appearance since May 2024, returning to action off the bench in the 87th minute after a long-term injury layoff, receiving a warm reception as she rejoined the squad on the pitch.
Sligo Rovers finish 10th in the WPD. Athlone Town now focus on next week’s FAI Sports Direct Cup final against Bohemian FC, and congratulations to them on winning the WPD title for the 2025 season.
Jack Dempsey