SLIGO ROVERS 2 WEXFORD 0

BY CONALL COLLIER
Sligo Rovers turned on the style for a first victory victory in the All-Island Cup opener against defending champions Wexford at a rain-lashed and windswept Showgrounds on Saturday evening where a goal in each half from Cara Jordan gave the home supporters plenty to cheer about.

The victory was also a first win of the season for the Bit O’Red after a hugely disappointing display only seven days earlier when they conceded five goals in the Women’s Premier Division.

Manager Gavin Hughes made three changes to his starting line up from that encounter with Paula McGrory, Abby Rooney and Kelsey McQuillan dropping to the bench in favour of Emma Hansberry, Emma Duffy and Manu Baptista Filipe.

Wexford boss Dave Connell opted to start only three of the team that had lost to Galway the previous week with Emma Bucci, Roisin Joyce and Aisling Roche all surviving the cut.

Mnu Baptista Filipe was the standout player for the Bit O’Red with a composed midfield performance for 65 minutes when she was replaced by Paula McGrory.

The defence was also solid as Emma Hansberry and Leah Kelly stood strong with tremendous support from Ava Hallinan and Sabrina Hillyer and that was sufficient for a first clean sheet of the season.

The wind-assisted hosts stormed into a ninth-minute lead when Cara Jordan’s well-placed shot nestled in the corner of the Wexford net after the opening was created by Manu Baptista Filipe.

The hosts continued to surge forward in an effort to capitalise on the elements with Manu spraying the ball around with confidence as the half progressed.

Emma Duffy benefited from that creativity in the 32nd minute but her effort flashed the wrong side of the Wexford post.

However, the warning lights flashed for the Bit O’Red soon after when defensive indecisiveness gave Wexford a chance, but that was the only occasion and the rearguard was assured for the remainder.

Both Manu and Anna McDaniel went close for Sligo Rovers ahead of the interval without adding to the scoreline.

Wexford resumed the second-half smartly and Bonnie McKiernan saved well in the 46th minute, but the Bit O’Red displayed skill, character and determination to carve out a number of chances subsequently.

Cara Jordan was the architect-in-chief on 71 minutes when she got possession from a short corner and weaved her way into the penalty area before she rifled to the roof of the net past a stranded Claudia Keenan.

That sparked a reaction from Wexford, but for all their endeavour for the remainder the All-Island Cup champions didn’t seriously threaten apart from a Megan Smyth-Lynch effort that hit the top of the home crossbar with 15 minutes remaining.

At the other end, Sydney Stephens carved an opening for substitute Paula McGrory as the Bit O’Red battened down the hatches and moved into pole position in the group with what was a historic first win the All-Island Cup at the 10th attempt.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Sabrina Hillyer, Emma Hansberry, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Manu Baptista Filipe, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Katie Melly for Hallinan and Paula McGrory for Baptista Filipe both 65 mins, Abby Rooney for McDaniel and Rachel McGoldrick for King both 87m, Kelsey McQuillan for Hillyer 89m.

Wexford – Claudia Keenan, Emma Bucci, Kayla Goncalves, Millie Daly, Devon Olive, Aisling Roche, Molly Kirwan, Lauren Walsh, Courtney Chochol, Anna Carson, Roisin Joyce.

Subs – Lauren Dwyer for Roche and Ciara Rossiter for Olive both half-time, Megan Smyth-Lynch for Goncalves and Katie McCarn for Kirwan both 62 mins, Leah McGrath for Chochol 77m.
Referee – Eric Eaton.
Assistant-referees – Oisin Walsh, Sam Ralph.
Fourth Official – Darren Corcoran

Sligo Rovers were beaten on return from our international break on Friday night as St Patrick’s Athletic came from behind to beat the Bit O’Red at Richmond Park.

An early Joe Redmond goal was replied to by further strikes from Romal Palmer, Ryan Edmonson and further goals in the second half from Anto Breslin and Darragh Nugent. 

Rovers will look to put this defeat behind us on Monday night, as we face Derry City at the Showgrounds. Kick-off is 5pm. 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare (Tom Grivosti 72), Luke Turner; James Brown, Barry Baggley, Darragh Nugent, Jay McClelland (Anto Breslin 14); Kian Leavy (Aidan Keena 72),Romal Palmer (Max Mata 78); Ryan Edmondson (Jamie Lennon 72).

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sergeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Kyle McDonagh h-t), James McManus (Daire Patton 64); Alex Nolan (Callum Lynch 78), Seb Quirk, Archie Meekison; Mai Traore.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork ).

Attendance: 4,485.

Kick-Off 5pm The Showgrounds

Match Sponsor: Fureys Of Sligo Coach and Bus Hire

Match Ball Sponsor: Crossan Entertainment

Manager Gavin Hughes on the game against Wexford

“Tomorrow gives our squad a valuable opportunity to test themselves against the current holders of the trophy- one Wexford lifted for the first time last season. It’s also our only home fixture in the All-Island Cup, with trips to Dublin and Belfast next month to complete the group stage.

Last Saturday’s result was disappointing for everyone, but it’s important we learn from it. There were plenty of positives to take: we created several good chances and were unfortunate not to score at key moments.

The players have worked extremely hard in training this week and are fully focused on the challenge ahead. Wexford, like ourselves, are searching for their first win of the season, which will make for a competitive and exciting contest.

As I’ve said before, it is a privilege to be appointed the Manager of Sligo Rovers Women for the club’s fifth season in the League of Ireland. Our responsibility is to concentrate on our own performance – what we do well and what we need to improve on. We showed in our opening game against Athlone Town that we are capable of competing with the best teams in the league.

Once again, I’m looking forward to facing the All-Island Cup champions and demonstrating that we have a team ready to challenge the top sides.”

Sligo Rovers head to Dublin for the first time this season on Friday as the Bit O’Red take on St Patrick’s Athletic in the final series of fixtures of the opening round of this year’s Premier Division. 

Kick-off at Richmond Park is 7.45pm as Rovers go in search of a first win in four following recent narrow losses to Shelbourne, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. The hosts provide what is probably the toughest test in Irish football at the moment having won four of their last five, are unbeaten in six and have the best home record to date this season so far. 

Rovers won the last game between the sides last September at the Showgrounds, but are without victory in Inchicore since May 2023 although there have been some very tight games between the clubs since. 

John Russell prepares for this Good Friday outing without a number of players. 

Sean McHale will not be available due to the terms of his loan. As of Thursday morning, Conor Reynolds (pelvis) and Ryan O’Kane (arm) will miss the trip to the capital. While Ciaron Harkin is out with a muscle strain. 

Daire Patton will be given a fitness test as he continues to recover from recent illness. Russell is hopeful Jad Hakiki and Shane Blaney will return to training next week and may be fit in time to face Bohs on April 10th, but both will sit out the Pat’s game. 

Sean Stewart (ankle) is a doubt.

“Pat’s are in incredibly hot form at the moment”, Russell tells sligorovers.com as we face into a double header weekend with Derry set to visit the Showgrounds on Easter Monday.  

“Although we’re heading there without a few bodies, this is a game we are looking forward to following what’s been a very valuable few days. This weekend is a big opportunity for some players to make their mark and we’ll be asking them to do just that. 

“Our recent games with Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Shelbourne were fairly tight affairs. None of them dominated us and particularly in the Dundalk and Shels game, we were really pleased with how many chances we created. It’s just about taking those opportunities. 

“We see enough of the players every day to have full confidence in their abilities to create and score goals. In our last two games, we hit the crossbar and post and the opposition had players throwing themselves at the ball inside their own area to stop us scoring. 

“It will happen for us, we just need to keep working hard and keep to what we’re doing. 

“We always have a good crowd with us in Inchicore and we’re looking forward to getting out there in front of them again. It’ll be a busy weekend with two really big tests for us.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers 0

Shamrock Rovers 5

BY CONALL COLLIER

Shamrock Rovers maintained an unbeaten Women’s Premier Division away record with a comfortable victory against hosts Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday where defensive lapses proved costly for the Bit O’Red.

Both managers made three changes from the previous weekend defeats. Sligo Rovers lost (1-2) away to Galway Utd with the concession of two penalties after taking the lead while the Dublin women lost at home to Peamount Utd and finished with 10 players following the dismissal of Roisin McGovern.

Abby Rooney, Cara King and Anna McDaniel started for the Bit O’Red at the expense of Emma Hansberry, Alice Lillie and Ella Karolak as manager Gavin Hughes sought a winning formula.

For the visitors, Mia Dodd, Della Cowper-Gray and Caitlin St Leger started for James O’Callaghan’s side with McGovern (suspended), Sadhbh Doyle and Emily Corbett missing out.

Early and late goals in a high-tempo opening half gave Shamrock Rovers a two-goal interval advantage with the first from a sixth minute Ellen Molloy penalty and the second on 43 minutes from Katie O’Reilly.

Defensive lapses by the Bit O’Red contributed to both goals but in between those scores, the hosts created a number of chances with Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory and Sydney Stephens piling pressure on the Dublin women.

Six minutes into the second-half Stephens brought a finger-tip save out of Amanda Budden with a well-struck effort as the hosts made a valiant effort to get back into contention.

However, all that effort counted for nothing midway through the half when the Dublin women were gifted a third goal. Mia Dodd got a touch on the edge of the penalty area at the expense of the out-rushing Bonnie McKiernan and the ball rolled into the net.

Substitute Alice Buggle added some extra gloss to the victory when she grabbed a couple of opportunist late goals for the Dublin side as they eased to victory.

Shamrock Rovers were also fortunate to finish with 11 players following some retaliation in the 80^th minute after a Sligo Rovers player was yellow-carded.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Kelsey McQuillan, Sabrina Hillyer, Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory, Abby Rooney, Sydney Stephens, Cara King, Anna McDaniel. 

Subs – Emma Duffy for Rooney, Manu Baptista Filipe for McGrory and Emma Hansberry for McQuillan all 65 mins, Alana Doherty for Hallinan 82m.

Shamrock Rovers – Amanda Budden; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Maria Reynolds, Therese Kinnevey, Ella Kelly, Mia Dodd, Katie O’Reilly, Ellen Molloy, Della Cowper-Gray, Jaime Thompson, Caitlin St Leger. 

Subs – Sadhbh Doyle for Dodd and Alice Buggle for Cowper-Gray both 67 mins, Emily Corbett for Molloy 70m, Taylor White for Thompson and Mia Gaff for O’Reilly both 85m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant-referees – John Hanney, Klaudia Pawula.

Fourth official – Dylan Redmond.

Match sponsor: Ivor Parkes Decorators

Match ball sponsor: Sligo Park Hotel

Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at the Showgrounds as Shelbourne squeezed past the Bit O’Red in a tightly fought contest. 

Daniel Kelly scored the game’s only goal just past the hour, while Shels goalkeeper Wessel Speel pulled off a wonderful save in added time to deny Archie Meekison and preserve the Dubliners’ points.

This was Rovers’ final outing before the international break with John Russell having to prepare his side for this game without creative winger Ryan O’Kane who faces up to two months out with a fractured arm sustained at Oriel Park on Monday night. Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Sean Stewart also missed out with knocks. 

O’Kane was one of two changes for Russell from that loss in Louth. Meekison took his place in the Sligo starting eleven, while centre half Sean McHale replaced Gareth McElroy who dropped to the bench. 

Chasing the tails of fellow Dubliners and early challengers Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s and Bohs, Shels boss Joey O’Brien looked to keep up their recent impressive record in the north west. Kelly, John Martin, Ali Coote and Sam Bone all coming back in having missed the recent testy stalemate with Bohemians.

Sligo hadn’t recorded a win over the Tolka outfit in almost two years and looking for a first win in three, they did manufacture an early opening. However, nobody was willing to meet Meekison’s flated ball to the back stick six minutes in. 

McHale got a foot in front of Kelly’s shot towards the bottom corner as Sam Sargeant closed in. The Pat’s loanee’s intervention perhaps had a bigger impact than from first viewing, as it looked as if Kelly’s effort might have sneaked in following a superb through ball from former Sligo midfielder Jack Henry-Francis.

Even early on, this game was stretched, which opened up the pitch for either side. 

The Shels rearguard was left scrambling to clear the ball on 21 minutes when a panicked Speel fired an attempted clearance off the back of his own player. Shels blessed by the positioning of defender Sam Bone who scooped Alex Nolan’s follow-up shot on off his own goal line.

Kameron Ledwidge fired a rocket from 25 yards over the Rovers goal 90 seconds later. While a rare mishap from Ollie Denham allowed Kerr McInroy space to progress and find Harry Wood but Rovers skipper Will Fitzgerald returned in time to block away Wood’s goalward strike. 

Sligo were left aggrieved in Dundalk when Fitzgerald conceded a questionable late penalty for the Lilywhites’ winner. The Limerick native had a shout for a spot kick for his own side late on in the first period when he tangled with Ali Coote in the Shels area. Referee Paul Norton decided to go against Fitzgerald again, booking him for simulation. 

McHale headed a Fitzgerald corner past Speel’s front post thirteen minutes into the second half, after the Dunboyne native battled his way to the end line.  

The Drumcondra men made the most of hesitant Sligo defending on 63 minutes when they hit the lead. Rovers sat off, allowing Kelly to pull inside on his left foot before rifling a superbly executed drive into the opposite corner of Sargeant’s goal. 

Wood nearly doubled Shels’ lead five minutes later but Sargeant managed to shepherd the ball past his post. While Rovers pair Gareth McElory and Seb Quirk had opportunities at the Shels end as Sligo’s search for a first goal in three games went on.

Rovers did create once more chance in added time, but Speel reacted in time to get in front of Meekison’s hammered effort. 

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Gareth McElroy 70), Seb Quirk, James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 79); Alex Nolan (Mai Traore 70), Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.  

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Zeno Rossi, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris (Sean Gannon 77); Jack Henry-Francis (JJ Lunney 86), Kerr McInroy; Daniel Kelly (Evan Caffrey 86), Ali Coote (Maill Lundgren 67), Harry Wood; John Martin (Sean Boyd 76). 

Referee: Paul Norton 

Attendance: 2,878.

Sligo Rovers men’s senior team will look to head into the international break on a high as we face Shelbourne at the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Match sponsor for this weekend’s game is Ivor Parkes Painters and Decorators, while match ball sponsor is Sligo Park Hotel.

This will be the first meeting between Rovers and the 2024 Premier Division champions since last October, when Shels ran out winners at Tolka Park. 2026 will provide the Bit O’Red with a chance to improve on 2025’s record against Joey O’Brien’s side, with the Drumcondra outfit recording four wins from as many meetings between the clubs.

Rovers come into this game on the back of defeats over the St Patrick’s Day weekend to both Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds and Dundalk at Oriel Park.

In team news and as of Friday morning, boss John Russell will go into this game without Daire Patton who continues to struggle with illness. While Shane Blaney, Jad Hakiki and Conor Reynolds continue to recover from injuries and will miss out. Russell is hopeful full back Sean Stewart may recover from a knock he picked up against Galway last month, in time to make the bench. 

Winger Ryan O’Kane will miss out for an extended period having fractured his arm in that narrow defeat in Louth on Monday evening. The former Dundalk man underwent surgery yesterday (Thursday) morning and is set to be out of action for a considerable period of time. 

Looking ahead to a big night at the Showgrounds, Russell acknowledged the setback of losing a player like O’Kane, but is keen to see members of the squad take up the opportunity. 

“It’s so frustrating for us as we only had Ollie Denham and Carl McHugh back last week and Sean (Stewart) is moving along nicely”, Russell tells sligorovers.com. 

“But now we won’t have Ryan for a while so it’s a big blow for us.

“As disappointing as it is to lose a lad of Ryan’s talent, we’re now looking for someone to step up and take the opportunity. This is why you have a squad. Archie Meekison and Guilly Priosti both came on in Dundalk and did very well for us so we’ll be looking for our players who maybe haven’t had much time this season to now step up.”

Shels come to Sligo unbeaten in three having drawn with champions Shamrock Rovers, beaten Derry away and played out a stalemate with Bohs on Monday last. 

“They’ve talent all over and are in decent form”, Russell continues. 

“We need to be more ruthless in the final third and that starts on Saturday. Against Dundalk, we had more of the ball, created many more chances and had the overall better of the play. Unfortunately, decisions didn’t go for us but now it’s about how we react.

“We’ve got to now keep turning the screw and things will go for us. We have a tremendously talented group here and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and things will fall into place.”  

David Goulden

Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan scored a controversial late penalty as Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at Oriel Park.

The Irish international’s winner arrived in the 83rd minute after Eoin Kenny fell to the floor inside the Rovers area following a less than physical challenge from Will Fitzgerald.

This wasn’t the only questionable refereeing decision on the night as the away side were denied what looked like genuine penalties of our own when both Ollie Denham and James McManus were impeded in front of Enda Minogue’s goal. 

The Lilywhites finished this contest without their full quota of players when Aodh Dervin was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Fitzgerald. 

In a game in which Rovers were well on top for large swathes, McManus fired a powerful effort inches wide of Minogue’s goal early on. While Fitzgerald pulled a stretch from the Dundalk ‘keeper shortly after in a first half that struggled to provide any real goal-scoring chances.

John Russell was forced into an early switch when Ryan O’Kane was stretchered off with a serious arm injury after he fell awkwardly contesting a header. Archie Meekison his replacement. 

The Scot came within inches of the opener four minutes into the second half. The once Bohs attacker cracking a superb, rising effort on to the Louth men’s crossbar following impressive pressure from the visitors. 

Rovers had Minogue spinning around again on 53 when he got his fingers to Gareth McElroy’s header from a Fitzgerald corner, the goalkeeper pushing McElroy’s effort on to his crossbar. 

Sligo were denied what looked like two penalties in this second period when a Dundalk defender awkwardly smashed through McManus just feet inside Minogue’s box. While Denham was pulled down by two defenders as he challenged for a ball swung into the area a few minutes later. 

Referee Oliver Moran then raised the night’s biggest talking point when he pointed to the spot after Kenny threw himself on the ground with Fitzgerald behind him. 

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Wilson (Buckley 51), Dervin; McDaid (Mullen 51), Kenny, Horgan; Arub (Groome 62) (Warren 84).

Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; Quirk, McManus; Nolan (Rego Priosti 83), McHugh, O’Kane (Meekison 45+7); Kavanagh (Traore HT).

Referee: Oliver Moran.

Sligo Rovers’ men’s senior team continue our busy St Patrick’s weekend schedule on Monday evening with a trip to County Louth to take on newly promoted Dundalk.

Kick-off at Oriel Park is 7.45pm as the Bit O’Red look to return to winning ways following defeat to Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on Friday evening. 

This will be the first Premier Division meeting between the sides since September 2024, but Rovers did meet the Lilywhites in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park last year. Goals from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes saw John Russell’s side progress on that occasion.

Ciaran Kilduff’s charges have been impressive since their promotion following their First Division title success last year. 

Beaten just once in their opening five games, Dundalk have already taken points from Galway, Drogheda and champions Shamrock Rovers. While they put five past Waterford on Friday evening.

In team news and as of Sunday morning, Rovers go north east without Jad Hakiki, Conor Reynolds, Shane Blaney and Sean Stewart who are injured. Daire Patton is expected to miss out with illness although Carl McHugh returns following a suspension. 

Previewing the match, Rovers boss Russell sees this game as an opportunity for Rovers to get points on the board ahead of the visit of Shelbourne to Sligo on Saturday.

“It’s a big game for both sides, no doubt”, he tells sligorovers.com. 

“Dundalk have had a super start to the season and are playing very well at the moment. We have to give them a lot of respect for that. They have signed very well and have a good mix of youth and League of Ireland experience. 

“We’re looking to flesh out and improve on our performance against Shamrock Rovers. We were well in the game for most of the first half and dealt with them. 

“But conceding twice late on in that half was a real kick in the teeth. Second half, we had the majority of the play and I think had the surface been a bit kinder to us, we would have had a much better chance of coming back into it.

“We’re not big fans of astro pitches but I believe their new one is a big improvement on the old one and I know the firm surface will suit our type of play if we try and move the ball with pace.

“It’s a quick turnaround but we’re slowly getting players back. Ollie (Denham) played the last few minutes on Friday and we have Carl McHugh back so that’s two very experienced lads back in the squad which is a boost.” 

David Goulden

Showgrounds, 14 March 2026

Sligo Rovers began their 2026 Women’s Premier Division campaign with a draw against reigning champions Athlone Town at the Showgrounds, in a game where the hosts were unlucky not to come away with all three points. After falling behind in the second half, Rovers responded well and were rewarded when captain Emma Hansberry’s free kick found its way through to the net to bring the sides level.

Line-ups

Sligo Rovers:
Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly, Ava Hallinan, Emma Hansberry (C) (Manu Baptista Filipe 78), Cara Jordan, Paula McGrory (Rachel McGoldrick 90), Ella Karolak, Sabrina Hillyer (Abby Rooney 90), Kelsey McQuillan (Mairead McIntyre 73), Alice Lillie, Sydney Stephens

Substitutes: Ivana McMahon, Alana Doherty, Emma Duffy, Abby Rooney, Katie Melly, Manu Baptista Filipe, Natalie Yoo, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre

Athlone Town:
Maria Matthaiou, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch (C), Dana Scheriff, Roisin Molloy, Isabel Ryan (Alexis Strickland 65), Emma Mooney, Melissa O’Kane (Hazel Donegan 65)

Substitutes: Courtney Maguire, Chloe Singleton, Kerryanne Brown, Alexis Strickland, Niamh Dundon, Hazel Donegan, Danielle O’Neill, Muireann Daly, Michaela Hand

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Rovers started brightly and forced two early corners as they looked to take the initiative. In the 17th minute, Cara Jordan came close to opening the scoring when she struck a powerful effort that forced Maria Matthaiou to palm the ball away for a corner. Two minutes later, Ella Karolak had a chance from a well-delivered free kick as Rovers created the better of the early opportunities.

Jordan continued to cause problems down the wing and was one of the standout performers in the early stages as the home side searched for the opening goal.

Athlone eventually broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Melissa O’Kane combined with Isabel Ryan before the ball found Dana Scheriff, who finished past Bonnie McKiernan, despite the Rovers goalkeeper having performed strongly throughout the game.

The goal briefly shifted momentum in Athlone’s favour as the visitors enjoyed a short spell of possession following the opener.

Rovers responded positively and pushed forward, with Cara Jordan’s persistence down the flank forcing Kayleigh Shine into a yellow card as she drove towards goal.

The equaliser arrived in the 69th minute when captain Emma Hansberry stepped up to take a free kick from distance. Her effort travelled through the players and beyond the goalkeeper to bring Rovers level.

Both sides made changes as the game entered its final stages. Mairead McIntyre replaced Kelsey McQuillan in the 73rd minute, while Manu Baptista Filipe came on to make her debut for Rovers shortly after, replacing Hansberry after the captain suffered an injury following a challenge from Athlone captain Hannah Waesch.

Rovers nearly found a late winner in the 86th minute when Cara Jordan delivered an excellent cross that was met by Paula McGrory, but the Athlone goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep the scores level.

Further late substitutions saw Rachel McGoldrick replace McGrory and Abby Rooney come on for Sabrina Hillyer in the closing moments as Rovers pushed for a winner.

Despite late pressure, the sides could not be separated and both teams settled for a point to begin the new campaign.

Sligo Rovers travel to Eamonn Deacy Park next Saturday, 21 March, where they will face Galway United.

Jack Dempsey