By Conall Collier

There was a mad minute at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening as hosts Wexford took the Women’s Premier Division points at the expense of a Sligo Rovers side that had ‘keeper Amber Hardy red-carded in the second half.

Manager Steve Feeney made two changes from the previous week’s game against Waterford, with Hardy and Alice Lillie replacing Bonnie McKiernan and Cara King.

Despite the final scoreline, this was a much-improved performance from the Bit O’Red, especially in the second half until they went down to 10 players, which effectively finished the game as a contest.

However, there was that key moment in the space of 60 seconds. Sligo Rovers reduced the 2-0 interval deficit when substitute Mairead McIntyre scored in the 62nd minute, but Wexford found an instant response as Ellen Molloy netted at the other end to make it 3-1.

Wexford had dominated the opening half and were denied an early goal when Sligo Rovers defender Keeva Flynn blocked a goal-bound shot in the 10th minute.

Soon after, Wexford’s Ellen Molloy broke through as the Sligo players appealed for handball, but her effort was wide of the target.

However, Molloy was involved in the buildup for the lead goal in the 17th minute with Charlotte Cromack finishing past Amber Hardy.

The Bit O’Red ‘keeper had to be at her best three minutes later to deny Kylie Murphy, who was unmarked at the far post.

Wexford continued to press, and Cromack headed over before the second goal arrived close to the interval when Murphy’s cross deflected in off the far post.

For Sligo Rovers in that opening half, Katie Melly and Anna McDaniel had chances, but the Wexford rearguard stood strong.

Sligo Rovers dominated the early exchanges after the interval with Emma Hansberry, who was outstanding, going close before McIntyre scored her side’s first goal of the season.

Wexford countered from the subsequent kick-off, and Molloy finished well, but the Bit O’Red pushed forward again and forced a series of corners that had the Wexford defence scrambling to clear the danger.

The action was end-to-end, and as Wexford surged forward in the 77th minute, Amber Hardy raced to the edge of her penalty area in an attempt to clear the ball and collided with a Wexford player. Referee Claire Purcell brandished one red card as both players received treatment.

Wexford capitalised from the resultant free, and Della Doherty made it 4-1, while at the other end, Paul McGrory carved an opening but was denied by a fine Maria O’Sullivan save.

Aoife Kelly completed the scoring for the hosts in added time.

Wexford – Maria O’Sullivan; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Kylie Murphy, Becky Cassin, A Kelly, Ellen Molloy, Freya De Mange, Charlotte Cromack, Sium Murdiff.

Subs – Millie Daly for Dwyer 60 mins, Aine Walsh for Cromack and Micheale Lawrence for Murdiff both 80 mins, Leah McGrath for Murphy 83 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Eimear Lafferty, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Rebecca McIntyre for Melly and Cara King for Doherty, both 60 mins; Bonnie McKiernan for McDaniel, 79 mins; and Jessica Casey for Lillie and Kya McKenna for Lafferty, both 80 mins.

Referee – Claire Purcell.
Assistant referees: Dermot Broughton, Jonathan Hennessy.
Fourth official – Robert Clarke.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds

Despite a commanding second half performance, ten-man Sligo Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in three at the Showgrounds by league champions Shelbourne.

Two goals from the visitors in the opening twelve minutes had Shels ahead following an apprehensive start from Rovers. But a strike late in the opening half from Reece Hutchinson gave the Bit O’Red hope going into the second period.

John Russell’s charges were well on top in this second half and even after Cian Kavanagh was shown a somewhat contentious red card on 72 minutes, Rovers continued to cause Damien Duff’s charges plenty of issues. 

Even with ten, Rovers continued to press their opponents and almost equalised in injury time through a late Harvey Lintott header which looped wide of Conor Kearns’ goal. 

Searching out that first victory in five, the visitors made the same number of changes to the starting eleven which were held by Cork before the international break. Even without regular starters like Paddy Barret, Sean Boyd and Sean Gannon, Shels were still able to name a strong side. Mark Coyle, John Martin, Mipo Odubeko, Lewis Temple and Evan Caffrey all made their way back into Damien Duff’s plans. 

Sligo welcomed back Matty Wolfe and Owen Elding, both of whom missed the recent narrow defeat to Derry. 

It took just three minutes for the champions to take the lead when Martin profited from an under hit back pass from Oskar Van Hattum. The former Dundalk striker rounded Conor Walsh before finishing into an empty net. 

The hosts fell further behind on twelve minutes. Easily moving the ball from right to left, possession eventually fell to Shels’ Martin who turned provider, teeing up Kerr McInroy who lashed the ball beyond Walsh courtesy of a cultured first time finish. 

Facing the deficit, Sligo did steadily find a footing in this one.

Connor Malley struck Kearns’ post with a long-range effort on 27, while man-of-the-match Jad Hakiki along with Owen Edling both went close before Hutchinson provided reward for effort when he fired home from inside the area in added time at the end of the half. 

Rovers’ intention looked far more meaningful in the opening moments of the second period with Shels forced to soak up Sligo pressure. But Kearns’ goal was well protected as the Drumcondra side had to scramble to clear the danger on several occasions as Rovers battled to find their second goal. 

Malley screwed wide, an effort off the outside of his boot shortly after the hour mark as the hosts looked to be coming closer to breaking the Shelbourne resolve.  

The wind was temporarily taken from Sligo sails on 72 when Kavanagh was shown red after he caught Coyle on the follow-through immediately after he sent a shot goalwards, much to the dismay of the home support. 

Shels almost capitalised instantly on the numerical advantage only for Rovers net minder Walsh, who kept his side in the reckoning courtesy of a full-stretch save to deny substitute John O’Sullivan. While fellow change Boyd tested the Mayo man with a pot-shot on the turn which Walsh was equal to minutes later.  

Rovers almost found what would have been a well-earned late equaliser from the most unlikely of sources in injury time. Having ventured forward for a corner, a cleared ball fell to goalkeeper Walsh whose cross was met by Lintott. The full back’s header sailed across the face of Kearns’ goal. 

Next up for Rovers is a visit to Phibsboro to face Bohemians on Friday, April 4th, kick-off in Dublin is 7.45pm. 

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Oskar Van Hattum (Harvey Lintott 61), John Mahon, Ollie Denham (Gareth McElroy HT), Reece Hutchinson (Francely Lomboto 81); Connor Malley, Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning HT); Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh. 

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Evan Caffrey, Lewis Temple, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Kerr McInroy, Mark Coyle; JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 64); Ali Coote (Ellis Chapman 53), John Martin (Sean Boyd 78), Mipo Odubeko (Harry Wood 64).

Referee: Paul Norton. 

Attendance: 2,857.

League of Ireland action returns this week following the March international break as Shelbourne are the visitors to the Showgrounds this Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm. Sligo Rovers will look to end a run of two games without a win while the Dubliners will arrive in Sligo seeking a first victory since February 21st having registered three draws in their last four outings. 

In team news, Rovers will be without both Jake Doyle-Hayes and Connor Reynolds, both of whom are suspended. Doyle-Hayes serves the first of a three game ban following a red card issued to him in the aftermath of Rovers’ recent defeat to Derry. 

Reynolds will sit out a second game following a two game ban handed to him after he was sent off in Cork a few weeks ago.

Rovers will also be without Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon, but Owen Elding is in contention to be involved after he picked up a knock in the lead up to the Derry game. 

The Bit O’Red got the better of the 2024 champions in terms of head-to-head results last season. Damien Duff’s side beat Rovers in the first clash between the sides in March. But Sligo went on to twice beat Shels at home and away before picking up a well earned point in a scoreless draw at Tolka Park in September. 

Rovers boss John Russell is excited to be returning to action following the short break in competitive play. He oversaw a mid-season friendly win over Ballinamallard United last week and says his squad are eager to get back to league duty on Friday. 

“This is going to be a big test for us as any game against the reigning champions would be”, Russell says. 

“They have added in terms of bodies in the winter and they’ve added real quality whilst keeping hold of their big-game players. Not many clubs have the privilege of being able to do that. 

“They will have gathered a lot of experience having won the league last year and you have to expect that they’ll come to Sligo looking to win the game.  

“We’ve enjoyed the break and it’s given us time to reflect whilst also working on many aspects of our game. The players are extremely focused ahead of this one and they’re all looking forward to what is a big game for us. 

“We must now perform to our strengths. The players have all trained well and you can really see the connections being forged between them and that’s really pleasing. 

“We need our fans to come out again in big numbers and get behind the team from kick-off. Let’s create a big atmosphere and see where that takes us.”

Supporters are asked to note the change in game day from Rovers’ traditional Saturday night to Friday. 

David Goulden

 
By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday for a fourth game of the Women’s Premier Division season to tackle Wexford with the action set for a 6pm kick-off.

Following an opening day draw against Bohemian FC at the Showgrounds, the Bit O’Red players have found the going tough and have yet to find the net for a first goal of the season.

However, they will be able to take lots of positives out of the fact that plenty of chances have been created despite subsequent defeats against Cork City and Waterford.

The challenge facing the team at the moment is not lost on manager Steve Feeney who has highlighted the number of chances created in each game as a positive sign.

“The attitude and commitment of the players can't be faulted and while we haven't won yet, it's early in the season and we are creating chances, that's a big positive,” he suggested.

“If we can finish one or two of them this weekend we will be in with a chance of taking something home from Wexford.

“I've said it before, there are no easy games in this League and it won't be any easier for us now this Saturday.

“We will have to stay focused, stick at it, the players need to keep bringing the correct attitude to each game and I have no doubt that they will do that at Ferrycarrig Park,” he added.


FOCUS ON WEXFORD

Wexford have a home win against Peamount Utd a fortnight ago to their credit and will be aiming to build on that despite defeats away to Bohemian FC last weekend and Athlone Town on the opening day of the season.

A top four finish last season will not have satisfied officials at a club that has won four league titles, the last was in 2018.

However, scoring goals has been an issue for Wexford as they have managed just one goal in three outings, that was a deflected own goal off a Peamount defender in a 1-0 victory.

Goalkeeper Maria O’Sullivan was outstanding in that game and Wexford will be looking to players like Ciara Rossiter and Kylie Murphy to boost the prospects of another home victory.

The game will be live on LOITV and kick-off at Ferrycarrig Park is 6pm.

By Conall Collier

Three games into the Women’s Premier Division season, and Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney remains positive despite last Saturday’s reversal against Waterford in front of the TG4 cameras at the Showgrounds.

Following an encouraging start to the season with a draw against Bohemians, the Bit O’Red has faltered twice subsequently and also drawn a blank on the scoreboard.

The manager’s positivity is centred on the fact that against both Cork City the previous week and Waterford last Saturday, the team created at least half a dozen scoring opportunities in each game.

Steve believes that once the first goal is scored, it will boost the confidence of the players who
can’t be faulted for their determination and commitment.

“The attitude and commitment of the players can’t be faulted, and while we haven’t won yet, we are creating chances; that’s a big positive,” he commented.

“Last Saturday was similar to the previous week against Cork City; we missed a hatful of chances, and Waterford took theirs and picked up the three points.

“It’s quite simple: if we don’t take the chances that we create, we certainly can’t expect to win games.

“We were in contention when trailing by a goal, but we gave away the penalty in the second half, and then it was 2-0, but we still made openings and just didn’t take them.

“We pushed to try to get something from the game, but in fairness to Waterford and ‘keeper Maeve Williams, she made some good saves.

“Having said that, we hit too many shots straight at her; we needed to be a bit more composed in front of goal, and hopefully we will see that in Wexford,” he concluded.

By Conall Collier

Two Olivia Shannon goals paved the way for a historic first Women’s Premier Division win for Waterford at the expense of Sligo Rovers in front of the TG4 cameras at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney made one change from the previous week, with Anna McDaniel coming in for Rachael McGoldrick.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half and had a number of chances, with Muireann Devaney and Anna McDaniel both on target with good efforts.

However, Waterford took the lead in the 33rd minute when Olivia Shannon got a vital touch in a crowded goalmouth from a corner to claim a historic first goal in the League of Ireland for the Munster women.

The Bit O’Red laboured through the remainder of the half, with the only real chance arriving in the 41st minute when a Paula McGrory header was saved by Waterford netminder Maeve Williams.

Soon after the resumption Waterford had a gilt-edged chance for a second goal, but Zara Corcoran blazed over the bar from inside the six-yard box, and the home defence breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Sligo Rovers upped the tempo subsequently, and Anna McDaniel brought a good save out of Maeve Williams in the 63rd minute, but an error at the other end gifted Waterford a penalty 60 seconds later, which Shannon converted.

The hosts kept battling, and Mairead McIntyre had a good effort blocked in the 73rd minute, and Muireann Devaney was on target soon after as Waterford defended well.

Emma Hansberry had the last chance for Sligo Rovers with a free that Maeve Williams tipped over.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Kate Nugent, Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Mairead McIntyre for King, Rachel McGoldrick for Doherty and Alice Lillie for Lafferty all 66 mins, Kya McKenna for Nugent and Sarah Kiernan for McGrory 81 mins.

Waterford – Maeve Williams; Danielle Griffin, Jessica Lawler, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke, Chloe Atkinson, Mia Lenihan, Sophie Slattery, Olivia Shannon, Aoibh Thomas, Zara Corcoran. Sub – Nancy Edogiawerie for Corcoran, 89 mins.

Referee – Mark Houlihan.

Assistant referees – Fintan Butler, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Marc Lynch.

Sligo Rovers will be aiming to maintain an unbeaten home Women’s Premier Division record when they welcome Waterford on Saturday evening in front of the TG4 cameras with the live action set for a 7.35pm kick-off.

This will be the first visit to the Showgrounds for Waterford,, who are the new faces in the Women’s Premier Division,, and both teams will be keen to find some improvement on last week’s results.

Sligo Rovers conceded four goals against Cork City at Turner’s Cross,, while Shelbourne fired four past Waterford at the RSC last Saturday as the Munster women played a historic first home game in the League of Ireland.

While Waterford will go into Saturday night’s encounter on the back of two defeats, they lost on the opening day (2-0) against Treaty Utd at the Markets Field; the Bit O’Red had an encouraging scoreless draw against Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

Manager Steve Feeney was disappointed with the performance last weekend and will be looking for a quick response from his players this Saturday night.

“That’s two games now,, and we haven’t scored. We will have to put that right quickly, but at least we created plenty of chances in Cork. The key now is to finish them,” he commented.

“We are certainly capable of winning the game against Waterford, but that won’t count for anything if we don’t deliver a performance on the pitch.

“We certainly won’t be underestimating the threat that Waterford will pose; we are not in any sort of a position to be doing something like that.

“Apart from the players who are still on the injured list, there are no new concerns from the Cork game. Leah Kelly, Keela Scanlon and Ciara Henry are still a few weeks from returning to action, but everyone else is fine.

“We will have to make sure we have the correct attitude going into the Waterford game; we will have to regroup and make sure we are ready to go on Saturday,” he concluded.

FOCUS ON WATERFORD

That first home game for Waterford was a huge occasion, and a crowd of 1,076 turned up at the RSC, where they were treated to a battling performance that included two penalty saves by talented goalkeeper Maeve Williams.

Waterford were in contention until about 25 minutes from time when Shelbourne managed four goals in a 10-minute spell, one from a penalty with the rest engineered from corners.

Waterford manager Gary Hunt will have taken plenty of positives from his team’s performance against the Dublin women.

“We will dust ourselves down after that game against Shelbourne, and we are looking forward to going to Sligo next Saturday,” commented the manager.

The game will be live on TG4 with kick-off at 7.35pm and free entry to the Showgrounds.

By Conall Collier

Two games into his return to the Women’s Premier Division, Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney has certainly experienced the positives and negatives of the new season.

The positives of an opening day draw against a well-regarded Bohemians side were followed by the negatives of a disappointing defeat against Cork City at Turner’s Cross last Saturday.

Since Sligo Rovers entered the League of Ireland, games against Cork City have usually finished with a goal between the sides.

However, the concession of four goals last Saturday delivered a dollop of reality, and Steve was certainly aware that the performance against Cork wasn’t good enough.

“We weren’t good defensively, and Cork punished us, while at the other end we didn’t take our chances,” he commented.

“On the opposite side of that, we probably created more chances against Cork than we did against Bohs, so that would be a positive.

“You could say that the scoreline was a bit harsh, but it really was down to the fact that we didn’t
Take our chances; Cork did and got the win they deserved.

“The previous week against Bohs we were good defensively, and against Cork we weren’t as good; that just about sums up our performance,” he added.

After keeping a clean sheet against Bohemians, the below-par display against Cork was a major concern for the manager.

“We are very disappointed with the type of goals we gave away, especially after looking so solid the previous week, and we will have to address that,” he said.

“I suppose the penalty miss in the 94th minute just about summed up our day, but we have to focus on the next game now, and that’s against Waterford on Saturday,” he concluded.