AVENIR SPORTS ALL-ISLAND CUP MATCH REPORT

ATHLONE TOWN 2 SLIGO ROVERS 1

BY CONALL COLLIER

Battling Sligo Rovers lost out by the odd goal in three in this action-packed Avenir Sports All-Island Cup game against hosts Athlone Town on Saturday night.

The concession of two goals in the space of three first-half minutes close to the interval ultimately proved costly for Sligo Rovers, but the battling qualities of the team was evident in the second-half as they got back into contention.

The Athlone women, who had a couple of good chances after the break, were hanging on in the closing stages following a fine 75^th minute goal from Muireann Devaney that gave Sligo Rovers a lifeline, but they were unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt made three changes to the team that played out a draw with Treaty Utd in the league last weekend.

Bonnie McKiernan, Ciara Henry and Jodie Loughrey came into the team in place of Amber Hardy, Zoe McGlynn and Paula McGrory

Athlone started on the front foot and Hazel Donegan blasted over from close range in the third minute while Emma Doherty and Jodie Loughrey both had chances for the Bit O’Red.

Goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan produced a number of excellent saves when she denied Maddie Gibson and Gillian Keenan as the hosts dictated without managing to make a breakthrough due in no small part to the efforts of Kelsey Munroe, in the opening half, and Keeva Flynn.

However, Sligo Rovers conceded a goal of the ‘soft variety four minutes from the interval when an Athlone corner bounced off Ciara O’Neill at an unguarded far post and rolled into the net.

Then, in first-half added time, referee Daniel Murphy pointed to the spot after what looked like a 50-50 tussle for possession and Athlone went in 2-0 to the good at the interval when Chloe Singleton converted.

Both sides made changes for the second-half, but Athlone were solid in defence as Sligo Rovers tried to get back into contention.

Emma Doherty had a shot saved in the 70^th minute, but further pressure saw Muireann Devaney finish to the Athlone net with 15 minutes remaining.

Bonnie McKiernan produced a superb double save in the 80^th minute to deny Hazel Donegan as the hosts tried to get a third goal with the tempo increasing and goalmouth action at each end.

However, Athlone Town were hanging on in added time and defender Kayleigh Shine picked up a yellow card for an infringement on the edge of her own penalty area, but the resultant free was saved by Katie Keane.

Athlone Town – Katie Keane; Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin, Gillian Keenan, Chloe Singleton, Jenaya Robertson, Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O’Neill. 

Subs – Casey Howe for Gibson, Laurie Ryan for Singleton and Mary Philips for Slevin all 61 mins, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor for Donegan 92m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Kelsey Munroe, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Keri Loughrey, Ciara Henry, Jodie Loughrey. 

Subs – Kelly Crompton for Kiernan, Zoe McGlynn for Henry and Cara King for Lafferty all half-time, Alice Lillie for Munroe 59 mins, Katie Melly for J Loughrey 74m.

Referee – Daniel Murphy.

TREATY UTD 0 SLIGO ROVERS 0

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers earned a Women’s Premier Division point on Saturday evening in Limerick when they produced a battling performance in a scoreless draw against unbeaten Treaty Utd at the Markets Field.

Zoe McGlynn, Eimear Lafferty and Sarah Kiernan were named in the Sligo Rovers starting 11 in place of Jodie Loughrey, Keeva Flynn and Amy Roddy from the previous outing against Galway.

However, Flynn was brought in just before kick-off and gave a solid performance after Kelly Crompton picked up a knock in the warm-up.

The opening exchanges were somewhat frantic at each end as the wind and rain dictated, but Sligo Rovers defended resolutely against both the elements and the persistence of a sometimes over-exuberant Yasmine Saidi for Treaty Utd.

The best chance of the opening half was for Treaty in the 31^st minute when the Bit O’Red gifted possession to the hosts, but the danger was averted.

Treaty returned the favour five minutes later through goalkeeper Ann Marie Ulliac, but once more, the danger was averted.

Soon after, there was another moment of danger for Treaty when Ulliac ventured outside her penalty area and almost lost possession as she tried to get the ball back into the penalty area.

On the stroke of half-time Katie Lawlee was denied from close range when Keeva Flynn intervened while at the other end Treaty once more almost gifted a lead goal to the Bit O’Red, but escaped with the concession of a corner.

Sunshine greeted the players for the second-half and Treaty were fast out of the traps with an early chance before they also forced a couple of corners without any reward.

Wind-assisted Sligo Rovers dominated the remainder and pressed forward in search of a lead goal.

Paul McGrory missed the proverbial ‘sitter’ in the 66^th minute when Emma Doherty headed a centre back across the Treaty six-yard box.

Sligo Rovers also had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside, but will take plenty of positives from this game as they remain unbeaten away from home and also have clean sheets from those two away games.

The attendance at the game was 506.

Treaty Utd – Ann Marie Ulliac; Grace McInerney, Erin Van Dolder, Talia White, Kayla Kyle, Cara Griffin, Delana Friesen, Yasmine Saidi, Leah Martin, Jillian Tegan O’Toole, Katie Lawlee. Subs – Kate O’Donovan for Van Dolder half-time, Fiana Bradley for Saidi 79m.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Kelsey Munroe, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Zoe McGlynn, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey. Subs – Jodie Loughrey for Kiernan 56 mins, Cara King for McGrory 77m.

Referee – Thomas Joyce.

SLIGO ROVERS 2 GALWAY UTD 3

BY CONALL COLLIER

Five goals in a Showgrounds thriller as Galway Utd survived a stern Sligo Rovers examination and claimed the Women’s Premier Division points from Jenna Slattery’s 88th minute penalty goal.

It was a third successive victory for a Galway side that had scored seven goals in two previous WPD outings without conceding, but on this occasion they had to batten down the hatches in the second-half.

This was a first home game in the Women’s Premier Division for Sligo Rovers as they hosted Galway Utd for the second time in a week after the All-Island Cup group game seven days earlier.

Both teams made some changes with Kelly Crompton coming in for her first start of the season in place of Alice Lillie for Sligo Rovers while Galway made four changes.

Jessica Berlin took over from Maria O’Sullivan between the posts and the trio of Isabella Beletic, Lynsey McKey and Eve Dossen all started.

Galway dominated for most of the opening half and forced Amber Hardy into a finger-tip save in the sixth minute with Kelly Crompton completing the clearance. However, Galway forged ahead after 19 minutes when Jenna Slattery rifled to the net after the hosts failed to clear a corner.

The best chance for the Bit O’Red arrived 10 minutes from the interval when the impressive Keeva Flynn found Jodie Loughrey with a long pass out of defence and her centre was headed narrowly wide by Emma Doherty.

Sligo Rovers resumed smartly in the second-half and Doherty fired home a 53rd minute equaliser when she raced on to an excellent Crompton pass out of defence as Galway conceded a first goal of the season.

Galway upped the tempo and hit the front again in the 70thminute when Jamie Erickson found the net following a scramble in the Sligo Rovers penalty area.

The hosts displayed remarkable character to fashion an 82nd minute equaliser and this time it was Doherty who was the provider with a surge down the wing and a cross that Jodie Loughrey finished to the net at the far post.

Galway found a little bit more in the closing minutes with Julie Ann Russell, a second-half substitute, playing a crucial role and the winning goal arrived in the 88th minute when Slattery converted a penalty. The spot kick was awarded after the referee called play back despite Russell finishing to the net, but Slattery converted what turned out to be a hard-earned winner.

TEAMS

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Emma Hansberry, Kelly Crompton, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Paula McGrory, Amy Roddy, Keri Loughrey, Jodie Loughrey.

Subs – Sarah Kiernan for Munroe half-time, Zoe McGlynn for Hansberry 54 mins, Eimear Lafferty for Roddy 70m, Alice Lillie for Crompton and Jessica Casey for McGrory both 78m.

Galway Utd – Jessica Berlin;

Aoibheann Costello, Isabella Beletic,

Jamie Erickson, Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson, Rolake Olusola, Lynsey McKee, Emily Kavanagh, Therese Kinnevey, Eve Dossen.

Subs – Julie Ann Russell for Kavanagh 61 mins, Emma Duffy for Dossen 84m, Lucy Jane Grant for Olusola 92m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Sligo Rovers return to Women’s Premier Division action this Saturday as Galway United are the visitors for the second week running, kick-off at the Showgrounds, 7pm.

Rovers will be without Leah Kelly (hand) and Keela Scanlon (ACL). While Kerri O’Hara, Yvonne Hedigan and Amy Hyndman will be assessed in the lead up to this Connacht derby.

This is the second week running that the Tribeswomen will visit Sligo. Galway came away with a two-goal win last Saturday in the Avenir Sports Cup, although Rovers were well on top in the second period.

The Bit O’Red already have their first Premier Division point on the board, following a really impressive scoreless draw with one of the title favourites Shelbourne at Tolka Park. 

Manager Tommy Hewitt will take charge of Rovers for a league game at the Showgrounds for the first time. He says last Saturday’s game gives his team plenty of confidence heading into this weekend’s clash. 

” After a good result up in Shelbourne, we’d be looking to get another good result here on Saturday”, he says. 

“Hopefully there’ll be a big crowd out to support the girls. We spoke before the game last weekend about how the main thing for us was to be competitive against a team like Galway. 

“We’re a very good team and obviously they’re the All-Island Cup holders and they’re doing well in the league. They haven’t conceded a goal, but I felt for stages of the match on Saturday, we did compete with them.”

Hewitt was encouraged by the number of supporters who showed up for last week’s game and the Rovers boss is hoping for even bigger numbers this Saturday. 

He continued: “There was nearly 300 at the game last Saturday and we will be looking for more. But the crowd that were here on Saturday really got behind the girls.

“The big crowds really motivate the girls whether they’re in front or behind. They are the 12th player.”

SLIGO ROVERS 0 GALWAY UTD 2
BY CONALL COLLIER

Two Rola Olusola goals was the difference between the sides as holders Galway Utd returned to the scene of their 2023 Avenir Sport All-Island Cup final success for a 2024 opening round joust against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

This was a tough and uncompromising encounter and the opening exchanges were end-to-end with Emma Doherty having an early chance for the hosts while Jenna Slattery and Olusola both went close for Galway.

In the 19th minute Emma Doherty won a free for the Bit O’Red, but Kelsey Munroe hit over and from the resultant goal-kick Galway countered and conjured an opening goal.

The impressive Olusola raced clear and finished confidently despite the best efforts of Amber Hardy.

Both sides probed for openings subsequently with the best chance created by Galway from a corner in the 38th minute, but on this occasion Amber Hardy produced a spectacular save in a crowded goalmouth.

Sligo Rovers resumed smartly in the second-half and Allice Lillie surged forward from the kick-off, but her effort was narrowly over as the rain lashed down before easing a little.

Galway added a second goal in the 51st minute when Olusola got on the ball in the penalty area and once more applied the finishing touch for a 

2-0 advantage.

The hosts upped the tempo after Hardy produced a superb save to deny Olusola her hat-trick and it looked like Galway ‘keeper Maria O’Sullivan spilled the ball into her own net from a Keri Loughrey cross, but the referee awarded a free out.

The Bit O’Red continued to push for a goal and Keri Loughrey’s shot with eight minutes remaining was saved by O’Sullivan as Galway held on for victory.

The teams will meet again next Saturday evening at the same venue in the Women’s Premier Division.

TEAMS
Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Emma Doherty, Paula McGrory, Amy Roddy, Keri Loughrey, Jodie Loughrey, Alice Lillie. 

Subs – Kelly Crompton for Lillie 57 mins, Eimear Lafferty and Sarah Kiernan for Roddy and Munroe both 65m, Jessica Casey and Cara King for McGrory and J Loughrey 76m.

Galway Utd – Maria O’Sullivan; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Jane Grant, Jamie Erickson, Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson, Rolake Olusola, Jodie Griffin, Emily Kavanagh, Therese Kinnevey, Emma Duffy. 

Subs – Heather Loomes for Kavanagh 65 min, Lynsey McKee for Grant and Eve
Dossen for Griffin both 72m, Amy Madden for Costello 80m.

Referee – Ryan Maher.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of Amy Hyndman for the 2024 season.

Amy joined Rovers from Athlone Town ahead of the 2022 season and made a number of appearances since.

The Grange native came through Benbulben FC’s academy, where she competed in the local Sligo/Leitrim Youths league before signing for Sion Swifts in Northern Ireland, where she played for two seasons.

speaking to Sligorovers.com, Amy said

“I am delighted to have re-signed with Sligo Rovers for the 2024 season. We’ve had a good pre-season with Tommy and the coaching staff and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can push on as a team this year.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of Jessica Cassey for the 2024 season.

Casey has come through our Academy and made a number of appearances in 2022 and 2023 for the senior team

Casey was a regular starter for our Women’s under-19 team last season and will continue to play for both the under-19s and First Team in 2024.

speaking to Sligorovers.com, Jess said

“I’m delighted to be a part of the Sligo Rovers women’s team for the 2024 season.
We have built a strong foundation over the past few years, and I’m thrilled to work with Tommy and the girls to build on it. It’s also great to see the hard work being done within the academy to push us to the senior level, and I can’t wait to get going for the season ahead.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of Helen Monaghan for the 2024 season. Helen initially signed for the club’s U-17 side in their inaugural season and is now in her seventh season with the club. She has also played an important role since the senior team entered the Women’s Premier Division, making 23 appearances over the last couple of seasons.

Speaking with sligorovers.com, Helen said:

“I am delighted to be re-signing for Rovers. I feel we have had a good pre-season under Tommy, and we are all looking forward to the season starting this weekend. We want to continue to build on the hard work that we have been putting in over the last few years.”

Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt is happy to have Helen back on board:

“It’s important for the club’s to have locals playing with the club and that is why it is great to have Helen on board for the 2024 season. She has nearly grown up in the club and I know she is hungry to help the club compete for major honours.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of Eimear Lafferty for the 2024 season. The Inishowen native returns for a second season with the #bitored.

Speaking with sligorovers.com, Eimear said:

“I’m delighted to re-sign with Sligo Rovers for the coming season. It’s an exciting time for the team and it will be great to build off all of the hard work that’s been done so far by Tommy and all the coaching staff.”

Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt added:

“It’s great to be able to work with a player of Eimear’s experience. She has a full pre-season with us now and I would expect her to be one of our key players for the campaign.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the re-signing of promising youngster Kate Nugent for the 2024 season. The defender has been with the club since 2018 when she signed for the academy and she also attending ATU as part of their scholarship programme with Rovers.

Speaking with sligorovers.com Kate spoke of her delight at re-signing with the #bitored:

“I’m delighted to sign back with Sligo Rovers and am looking forward to working with Tommy. It’s an honour to play for the first team as I feel like I’ve grown up in the club having come through from the academy. I’m also grateful for my scholarship with ATU, which will allow me to continue to develop as a player while continuing to progress in my education. I look forward to the season ahead and what the girls and myself will achieve.”

Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt is delighted to have Kate all signed up for the new campaign:

“She is a very promising young player and I want to help her push on and break into the first team. It is great as well to have her on a full scholarship with ATU and this is something that I want to help grow so that we can bring more of the most talented young players to the club and help them with their football career while also helping them to get a third level qualification.”