By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will mark a 100th competitive game in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD), previously Women’s National League, with the visit of Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off scheduled for 5pm.

The historic first game took place on Saturday 5th March 2022 against a Peamount Utd side that featured Republic of Ireland internationals Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman who both scored against the Bit O’Red.

The duo will feature in Saturday’s encounter with Stephanie Roche (now Stephanie Zambra) patrolling the sideline and Áine O’Gorman bidding to add to her tally of five goals against the Bit O’Red.

However, recent results and form favours Sligo Rovers as the Dublin women will go into this encounter on the back of successive WPD defeats at home to Galway (1-2) and away to Wexford (1-2), Maria Reynolds and Ella Kelly scored for the Dublin side.

Last weekend they bounced back to winning ways with an impressive 2-1 WFAI Cup quarter-final victory against top-of-the-table Shelbourne despite conceding an early goal with Scarlett Herron and Anna Butler replying.

That result will certainly rule out any form of complacency from Steve Feeney’s side although the Rovers players will take positives from the 0-0 result they achieved at Tallaght Stadium last May and prior to that, a 1-1 draw at the same venue last September.

Add in the fact that the Bit O’Red will go into this 100th competitive game on the back of successive 2-0 wins against Waterford and Cork City where the goals were spread between Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Alana Doherty and Emma Hansberry.

Another player who is well capable of hitting the target is central defender Annie McKinely and she is likely to deliver another solid performance in an effort for a third successive cleansheet for her team.

The challenge that his players will face is not lost on Steve Feeney, but speaking after the win against Cork City, he displayed a positive demeanour.

“That’s a couple of successive wins where we scored two goals in each game and kept cleansheets, the target now is to maintain that consistency,” he said.

“The girls deserve this, they stuck at it when things weren’t going their way and we have also moved up the table as well.

“We created lots of chances against Cork, especially in the first-half, but the ball just wouldn’t go into the net, we probably weren’t ruthless enough, but we have scored eight goals in our last five games and won the last two.

“I’m looking forward to the next game now, we are at home again after a break last week and Stephanie Zambra will definitely have her side playing nice football.

“We can play a bit as well, we got a draw last time out at Tallaght Stadium and the target now for us is to make it three wins-in-a-row to consolidate our current position,” he concluded.

The 100th competitive game – Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers – is live on LOITV with a 5pm kick-off at the Showgrounds

JOURNEY TO 100

2022 – 28 played: League 27; FAI Cup 1

(Does not include walkover received from Douglas Hall)

2023 – 26 played: League 20; FAI Cup 3; All-Island Cup 3

2024 – 26 played: League 20; FAI Cup 3; All-Island Cup 3

2025 – 19 played: League 15; FAI Cup 1; All-Island Cup 3

Total – 99 played: League 82; FAI Cup 8; All-Island Cup 9

PHOTO:

The Sligo Rovers players who started in the Women’s Premier Division victory against Cork City on Saturday 9th August (from left) were: back – Alana Doherty, AnnieMcKinley, Emma Hansberry, Bonnie McKiernan, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory; front – Anna McDaniel, Rachel McGoldrick, Alice Lillie, Katie Melly, Leah Kelly. Photo by: Conall Collier.

Sligo Rovers are back in league action this Friday night as the Bit O’Red journey to the south east and to the RSC to take on Waterford, kick-off 7.45pm.

This will be the fourth and final time the sides will meet this season, with Rovers having the better of the Blues so far this term. Waterford won in Sligo on the opening night of the season, but Rovers returned the favour in April, trouncing our opponents by four goals to nil away from home and followed this up with a Wilson Waweru goal to nil win at the Showgrounds in June. 

A win for Rovers would close the gap to John Coleman’s side to five points as John Russell’s men go in search of a third win in five following recent away victories over Cork City in the league and Bohemians in the FAI Cup.

In team news, Russell approaches Friday with no injury concerns and welcomes back midfielder James McManus who missed the Bohs game due to the terms of his loan deal.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, the Rovers first team manager says his team are in a good place, ahead of the Waterford tie. 

“We asked the lads in Dalymount last week to just go out and enjoy what they’re paid to do”, he says. 

“Go out and enjoy themselves and that’s what they did. We want to do that again in Waterford on Friday. 

“I thought we were all over Bohs in the first half and were superb to a man. Second half, Sam Sargeant came up with that big stop from the penalty and we go and score shortly after. We showed a lot of grit and spirit to do that and probably should have gone on to score more. 

“We’ll take a lot of confidence from going to Bohs, the team sitting second in the league and beating them. It’s vital we bring that momentum into this game at the RSC. 

“Last week was a big confidence boost for the players. We have a lot of new lads here with the signings we made and they all looked very comfortable in their roles at Dalymount. That’s testament to the new players and how well they have taken to their new surroundings. But it also shows how well our current crop has adjusted to the changes. 

“It’s a long trip down there but we’ve prepared well and have a plan so we’re looking forward to it. We’re going to have to be at the top of our game as Waterford will make it hard for us. They’ll be wanting to pick up as many points as they can as quickly as they can and will see this game as ideal for putting further space between us and them.”

David Goulden 

On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, I’d like to congratulate everyone involved with Sligo Rovers on your women’s senior team reaching the milestone of 100 competitive games.

The Bit O’Red has a long history in League of Ireland football, and it was fantastic to be at the home of Peamount Utd in March 2022 when the women’s team made its debut in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League as it was at the time.

It was a historic day for the club and a proud moment for players who were the first to represent this great club at senior level.

It is hugely important to have a club of Sligo Rovers’ tradition, passion and ambition in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, as you provide a clear pathway for young players from the town, county and surrounding areas.

We’ve already seen some excellent players progress through the ranks of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy to the first team, and this is showing no signs of slowing down.

There have been a number of memorable performances over the first four seasons, including the victory over champions Shelbourne in that debut campaign, especially as the game was live on TG4, and advancing to the semi-finals of the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup in 2023 and 2024.

Off the pitch, the players have been terrific ambassadors in promoting women’s and girls’ football and have been role models for local girls who can now aspire to represent Sligo Rovers at the highest level in this country.

I’d like to thank all of the players, coaches, support staff, administrators, volunteers, sponsors, local stakeholders and supporters who have played a massive part in the Sligo Rovers journey so far and helped guide the team to this landmark fixture.

It is clear that the football community in the northwest is fully behind this team.

It is exciting to see what the club can go on to achieve and the positive impact that you will continue to have on women’s and girls’ football.

Keep up the good work.

Mark Scanlon

League of Ireland Director

By Conall Collier

Popular Sligo Rovers player Katie Melly is the sole member of the current squad who started in the club’s historic first game at senior level against Peamount Utd on Saturday 5th March 2022.

Since then, Katie has established herself as a key member of the team with wholehearted performances on a regular basis.

She recalled that memorable first outing in the Women’s National League, now the Women’s Premier Division, last week ahead of the team’s 100th competitive outing.

“We didn’t really know what to expect that day, but we knew it would be a tough game for us,, as Peamount had won the league in 2019 and 2020 and finished second in 2021,” explained Katie.

“They also had players of the calibre of Republic of Ireland internationals Áine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche,, so it was probably one of the toughest starts we could have had, but it was great to have an opportunity to see the standard that we needed to achieve.

“The following week we had our first home game against DLR Waves,, and there was great support for us that day. Although we didn’t win,, we learntplenty and then got our first victory the following weekend against Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

“We have a bit more stability about us now, a bit more experience, even for the younger players, whereas for that first game against Peamount, it was a realal journey into the unknown for us,” she added.

It has been a memorable journey for the Melly family,, who are all avid supporters of the Bit O’Red,, and for Katie, who can remember going to the Showgrounds to watch her local team from the age of four or five.

Katie is proud to play for her local club at the highest level, but it has taken a lot of effort.

commitment and determination on behalf of her and her parents, Dessie and Marie, who used to drive her to training locally and then with Castlebar Celtic when she was recruited as a 16-year-old by the Mayo side.

“This season most of us know what to expect, and it has been all about learning and adapting, trying to improve with each game, and now, in our fourth season, we can have more confidence about ourselves,” she added.

“I missed a few games this season after I picked up an injury against Galway last April, but I’m glad to be back playing again.

“I ruptured ligaments in my ankle, but I’m able to play once the ankle is strapped up. Before each game, I’ll get it sorted properly at the end of the season.

“I’m playing more of a defensive role now, and I’m really enjoying it. I find that there is more time on the ball, and that allows for better decisions.

“We are very together as a squad; players like Emma Hansberry, Leah Kelly, and Sarah Kiernan – we have a good understanding now, and that’s helpful when the newer players are settling in.

“We got our first away win of the season against a few weeks ago, and our target is to pick up as many points as possible in the remaining games,” she concluded.

Sligo Rovers were rewarded for our FAI Cup third round win over Bohemians last week as the Bit O’Red were drawn against Kerry FC in the quarter final of the same competition.

This will be a first ever senior bout between Rovers and the Munster outfit, with the game set to take place at Mounthawk Park in Tralee on the weekend of September 14th. 

2024 cup winners Drogheda United host Shamrock Rovers, while John Caulfield’s Galway United meet Stephen Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

Two ties will be selected for broadcast on RTÉ2 television with the other two live on LOITV.

2025 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Quarter-Final draw:

Kerry v Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

Finn Harps v Cork City

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United

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 100^th 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 100^th 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

A superb finish from Owen Elding and an heroic penalty save from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ensured Sligo Rovers’ name is in the hat for the quarter-final draw of the Sports Direct FAI Cup, as the Bit O’Red beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park. 

In what was one of the most impressive showings of the season so far, Elding’s tenth goal of the season, in the 53rd minute was enough for Rovers to dump Bohs out of the cup and progress to the last eight. 

Will Fitzgerald, not for the first time this year, provided the assist before Elding unleashed a superb left footed drive from the edge of the area, well beyond the reach of Bohs keeper James Talbot. 

Sargeant’s superb save from Dayle Rooney’s penalty had arrived just moments earlier in an exciting cup game which saw both sides create chances.

Although Rovers restricted Alan Reynolds’ side in the second period, with Sargeant pulling off another wonderful stop when the ball took a wicked touch off Ollie Denahm. While the London-born stopper reacted with one hand to keep a Rhys Brennan effort out late on. 

The draw for the FAI Cup quarter final takes place on Tuesday. 

Bohemians: James Talbot; Niall Moraghan, Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh (Liam Smith 54), Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney (Adam McDonnell 67) Ross Tierney, Conor Parsons; Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74)

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Edwin Agbaje 52), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin, Sebastian Quirk; Ryan O’Kane (Daire Patton 81), Jadi Hakiki (Ronan Manning 81), Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

Conall Collier

It’s appropriate that the 100th competitive game for the women of Sligo Rovers should take place at the Showgrounds, a significant milestone achieved on home turf. It’s also appropriate that there is a type of symmetry about the occasion, but that may require a brief explanation for the purpose of clarity.

Saturday, 5th March 2022 brought the ‘new’ team in the Women’s National League (as it was at the time) to PRL Park in West Dublin, close to the village of Newcastle, the home of Peamount Utd, three-time League champions.

Steve Feeney was on the sideline facing his first managerial test at senior level for the Bit O’Red and will have the distinction of managing the team for the 100th competitive game.

Katie Melly started for the Bit O’Red against Peamount Utd and continues to feature, as does a 65th-minute substitute on the opening day, Paula McGrory. Another player from that historic first game, Orna O’Dowd, is currently a team coach.

Shamrock Rovers provide opposition for the 100th competitive game, and the Dublin side features two women who made a big impact for Peamount Utd back in March 2022.

The Republic of Ireland duo each scored two goals for Peamount Utd – Stephanie Roche (now Stephanie Zambra) in the first half and Áine O’Gorman in the second half.

Four seasons later, Stephanie Zambra now has the role of manager for the Dublin club, while Áine O’Gorman is still finding the net on a regular basis.

The Dublin club only returned to the Women’s Premier Division in 2023 (it was rebranded for the 2023 season) after withdrawing at the end of the 2013/2014 season.

Their first match back was against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday, 4th March 2023, where they claimed a 2-1 victory with Áine O’Gorman finding the net in the 92nd minute in front of 750 supporters.

Katie Melly and Stephanie Roche (Zambra) both featured in that game also.

THE TEAMS – 5TH MARCH 2022

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid Burke, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Chloe Moloney, Tiegan Ruddy, Erin McLaughlin, Karen Duggan, Sadhbh Doyle, Dora Gorman, Alannah McEvoy, Stephanie Roche, Aine O’Gorman.

Subs – Tara O’Hanlon for McEvoy, Jetta Berrill for McLaughlin and Lauren Kelly for Doyle (both 65 mins), Sarah Duke Power for Moloney (73 mins), and Michelle Doonan for Roche (81 mins)

Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample, Amy Hyndman, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Helen Monaghan, Lauren Boles, Amy Roddy, Katie Melly, Gemma McGuinness, Aoife Brennan, Fiona Doherty.

Subs – Erin Coyle for H. Monaghan and Paula McGrory for Brennan, both 65 mins; Lauren McLellan for Doherty, 76 mins; and Ciara Henry for Hyndman, 83 mins.

The Sligo Rovers players who started the first game in the Women’s National League on Saturday 5th March 2022 against Peamount Utd (from left) were: back – Lauren Boles, Kristen Sample, Fiona Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Helen Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Roddy; front – Katie Melly, Gemma McGuinness, Amy Hyndman, and Ruth Monaghan.

100TH COMPETITIVE GAME SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST:

Women’s Premier Division: Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, kick-off 3pm live on LOITV.

Full back Edwin Agbaje has signed a short term deal with Sligo Rovers, the club can confirm.

The Offaly native, who operates predominantly on the right side, joins the Bit O’Red having departed EFL Championship side Ipswich Town recently. He links up with Rovers having penned a deal until the end of the current season and joins subject to international transfer clearance.

The 21-year-old began his life in football at local side Edenderry Town, before moving on to join the academy at Shamrock Rovers at 14. Two years later, he was picked up by the Tractor Boys and spent five years there and was also loaned to both Sutton United and Yeovil Town. Agbaje has represented the Republic of Ireland at various underage levels and was named Ipswich’s Academy Player of the Year in 2023.

His availability for tonight’s (Friday) game with Bohemians is ITC dependent.

Agbaje is the seventh new player in the door this summer as manager John Russell looks to finish the season on as strong a note as possible.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, the defender says he feels the Showgrounds is the ideal place for him to continue his career, noting the club’s model and record in terms of giving youth a chance.

“I spoke to people at the club a lot over the summer and got to hear in detail about the style of play and how things are done here at Rovers”, he says.

“It really impressed me and Sligo seems like a place where I can really fit in. It’s a great place for young players like myself to develop. John (Russell) has a proven track record of bringing through, developing and giving chances to younger players like me so the opportunity here speaks for itself.

“I’ve been here for a few sessions now and I am loving it. I’ve got on really well with the players and coaches so now I’m just looking forward to getting out there and helping the team out.

“I love to attack, to get forward and support the front men. But I’m a defender first and foremost and my job is to keep the ball out of our net and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I’m looking to settle in as quickly as I can. I know we only have a handful of games left so I want to play in as many games as I can and help the club pick up as many wins as we can along the way. There’s great competition here and that just helps things along.”

Russell has long been an admirer of the former Shamrock Rovers defender and says the move is one that he hopes will benefit both parties.

“Edwin is an extremely talented player”, he says.

“He’s got all the attributes you look for in a defender. He has pace, he’s strong, aggressive and good on the ball.

“We feel he can make a big impact here between now and the end of the season.

“As a manager, I am constantly looking to improve the team and bring in quality. I’ve been in contact with Edwin for a while now so I am delighted he has decided to join us. We really feel he can thrive here at Sligo Rovers.”

David Goulden

Focus reverts to the Sports Direct FAI Cup this Friday as Sligo Rovers return to the capital for the second time in less than a week to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

For the second week running, midfielder Jad Hakiki is the Bit O’Red’s only injury concern ahead of this third round trip to Phibsboro. The Dubliner is yet to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up against Shels at the Showgrounds recently and is doubtful to be fit in time to take part. 

Defender Paddy McClean is available for selection after the red card he was shown against St Patrick’s Athletic last Sunday, was overturned by an appeals committee. 

Friday will be Rovers’ fourth game against Alan Reynolds’ side this season and a third journey to Dalymount, with Friday’s visitors yet to pick up a win against Bohs this year. 

Manager John Russell returns to the scene of Rovers’ famous 2010 and 2011 FAI Cup semi-final victories. Russell was involved in both games as a player, both of which Rovers won by a goal to nil on the way to successive cup triumphs at the Aviva Stadium. 

With four all-Premier Division ties taking place in this round, the Rovers boss feels Friday’s knock-out tie could pose a favourable outcome for the winners. 

“It’s a massive opportunity for both sides”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“You have four top flight teams that are guaranteed to be knocked out this weekend and if you can make it through, with a bit of luck you might find yourself with a decent draw in a quarter-final.

“We are yet to beat Bohs this season but all three games between us have been extremely tight. The first game up here, they pulled away late on and at the Showgrounds they won it with a last minute winner. Our last game up there back in June, we defended for our lives after going one up, we deal with everything and they score in the fifth minute of added time. I expect Friday will be just as competitive.  

“We were hugely disappointed with how our last two games worked out. Against Shels, we created chances but didn’t take them and then against Pat’s, Paddy’s red obviously plays a huge part. Bu we didn’t see out the next 15 minutes or so of play and they hit us with a sucker punch early in the second half. 

“So we’re looking for a more settled performance on Friday. We know we have more than enough in us to get through and of course Bohs will be very strong at home. They’ll have a big, boisterous crowd behind them as they always do but I expect we’ll pack out the away end as we have done the last few years up there. 

“I don’t like the old cliches and that anything can happen. You need to be properly prepared and you need to make happen, what you want to happen. Bohs gave Shels all sorts of problems last weekend at Tolka and if we’re not set from minute one, they’ll do the same to us. 

“I have huge belief in this group and this a big opportunity for them. It’s not a secret around Sligo that we would dearly love to go far in this competition this year.” 

David Goulden