BY CONALL COLLIER
Hosts Shamrock Rovers recorded a hard-earned 3-1 All-Island Cup victory against Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday where Sydney Stephens scored her sixth goal of the season for the Bit O’Red.
However, missed chances late in the opening half proved costly for the Bit O’Red and on this occasion that Stephens strike wasn’t sufficient to take anything from the game.
The concession of a couple of early goals gave the hosts a platform for victory despite a determined effort from Sligo Rovers throughout the 90 minutes.
Sligo Rovers manager Gavin Hughes started the same 11 that defeated Bohemians in the Women’s Premier Division last weekend whereas the Dublin side’s manager James O’Callaghan made four changes to the side that had a scoreless draw with Treaty Utd at the Markets Field.
For the hosts, Erica Turner took over between the posts with Ella Kelly, Jamie Thompson and Caitlin St Leger all starting in the outfield positions at the expense of Amanda Budden, Sadhbh Doyle, Emily Corbett and Della Cowper Gray.
Early goals of the soft variety gave the Dublin side a 2-0 advantage without having to over-extend themselves. Ella Kelly found the net in the third minute and Therese Kinnevey added to that tally in the 12th minute.
Sligo Rovers eventually showed some energy and it was rewarded with an opportunist Sydney Stephens goal as the hosts appealed for a free after failing to capitalise on an advantage that was applied by referee Shane O’Donoghue.
Stephens was denied an equaliser by a smart Erica Turner save for the hosts in the 28th minute while at the other end Kinnevey missed the target when she blazed over a gilt-edged opportunity.
The Bit O’Red emulated that feat when Cara King fluffed an equally good chance close to the interval.
Trailing by a goal, Sligo Rovers resumed the second-half smartly but didn’t seriously trouble the hosts who had an excellent chance of a third goal when Rosin McGovern failed to hit the target in the 66th minute.
Soon after, Emily Corbett had a chance for the hosts, but Bonnie McKiernan averted the danger.
With 10 minutes remaining Emma Duffy’s speculative effort skimmed the crossbar and as the clock ticked towards added time Cara Jordan’s centre was headed narrowly over by Manu Baptista Filipe as the Bit O’Red pushed for an equaliser.
Then in that added time the hosts added the all-important third goal from substitute Emily Corbett and that sealed the win..
Shamrock Rovers – Erica Turner; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Therese Kinnevey, Mia Dodd, Maria Reynolds, Katie O’Reilly, Ellen Molloy, Ella Kelly,Roisin McGovern, Jamie Thompson, Caitlin St Leger. Subs – Emily Corbett for Thompson 60 mins, Della Cowper-Gray for O’Reilly 68m, C McLoughlin for Molly 86m.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Kelsey McQuillan, Sabrina Hillyer, Alana Doherty, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Ava Hallinan for Hillyer 72 mins, Paula McGrory for King 79m, Abby Rooney for Duffy and Emma Hansberry for McQuillan both 87m.
Referee – Shane O’Donoghue.
Assistant-referees – Endrit Malaveci, Eric Eaton.
Fourth official – Mark Patchell