By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers will host Peamount Utd on Saturday in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) with manager Steve Feeney almost in a position where he might only have 11 fit players following the trauma of the past fortnight.
The stretcher-bearers were kept busy tending to the walking wounded and to those who couldn’t even walk following the WPD game against Galway and the All-Island Cup draw with Bohemians FC last Sunday.
Arising from those encounters, four Bit O’Red players are sitting on the bench due to injuries that were sustained, while Paula McGrory remains on the doubtful list ahead of this Saturday’s action.
Katie Melly and Jessica Casey were sidelined after the Galway game a fortnight ago. Amber Hardy Amber Hardy had to be stretchered off in the 90th minute last week after she sustained a fractured patella, and goalscorer Rachel McGoldrick sustained an arm injury (double fracture) after she fell awkwardly.
That’s the current challenge for Steve Feeney, who can reflect on what was a hugely encouraging display last Sunday, as his target will be a first win of the season against a Peamount side that finished sixth last season.
“We have a relatively young squad; Tommy (Hewitt) gave a lot of girls opportunities last year, and that experience will be helpful this season,” stated the Bit O’Red boss.
“Players like Emma Hansberry, Leah Kelly and Muireann Devaney add experience, and the players coming through from the Academy have the talent to make a serious contribution.
“It was evident in the All-Island Cup last week; we needed a solid performance to get anything out of that contest against Bohemians, and after a slow start, I felt that we were able to control the game for long periods,” he added.
Peamount currently sit in seventh place, some nine points adrift of leaders Athlone Town, as they adjust to the post-James O’Callaghan era after the long-serving manager stepped down from his role at the end of last season.
Emma Donohoe has stepped into the ‘hot seat’ at the Dublin club that has a rich tradition in the league and the distinction of winning the inaugural title back in 2012 when the recently retired Republic of Ireland international Louise Quinn was the captain.
The Dublin club won the last of four titles in 2023 and will always have a place in the history of Sligo Rovers.
Peamount’s home ground, PRL Park in West Dublin, was the venue in March 2022 for the historic first outing for Sligo Rovers in what was then the Women’s National League.
Last time out in the WPD, Peamount found the going tough against bottom-of-the-table DLR Waves and needed a second-half Jess Fitzgerald goal for a hard-earned 3-2 victory.
Peamount enjoyed a 3-0 win away to Cork City last weekend in the All-Island Cup, with goals in the 88th and 90th minutes sealing the victory after Croatian player Antea Guvo gave them the lead in the first half.
Sligo Rovers v Peamount Utd will kick off on Saturday at 3pm and will be available on LOITV.