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.

David Goulden at the Showgrounds 

Michael Duffy scored the only goal of the game as Derry City beat Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds for the first time since 2021.

The game’s deciding goal didn’t come without controversy however as the referee’s assistant had initially ruled the goal out for offside before changing his mind.

The results sees Rovers two points adrift heading into the international break. 

Manager John Russell made two changes from the draw in Cork. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Oskar Van Hattum replacing Matty Wolfe and the injured Owen Elding respectively.

Despite an aggressive start from Rovers, it was the visitors who led this game at the break courtesy of match-winner Duffy. 

The multiple league and cup winner was involved eleven minutes in when he crossed for Liam Boyce who nodded wide. City then had to rely on a clearance from Sam Todd, their only change from their draw with Galway. The former Finn Harps man swept away the danger after Jad Hakiki had lobbed the ball over the oncoming Brian Maher after Reece Hutchinson’s ball had opened up the City rearguard. 

Tiernan Lynch’s men opened the lead on 20 minutes when Sligo’s Oskar Van Hattum conceded a set-piece to Duffy for what may have been interpreted as fair challenge. 

The ex-Dundalk winger’s right-footed free-kick from the left drifted into the opposite corner, untouched. Referee’s assistant Darragh Keenan had initially lifted his flag to rule out the goal, before quickly changing his decision.

Without a win at the Showgrounds since 2021, a record which stretches back to the early days of Ruaidhri Higgins’ reign, City then lost midfielder Sadou Diallo to an arm injury nine minutes from the break, after Duffy’s corner had sliced Conor Walsh’s crossbar.   

Sligo’s main threat came from Hakiki who fired well over on 69 minutes as the sides struggled to create much in a second period without many talking points until the dying moments. 

Substitute Stephen Mallon might have done better with his opportunity on 88 but could only fire straight at Maher who had closed the angle. While the Derry stopper easily dealt with John Mahon’s headed effort from a Hutchinson cross on the stroke of full-time.

Jake Doyle-Hayes was then shown a red card after the final whistle.  

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Stephen Mallon HT), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Connor Malley (Ronan Manning 78), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Oskar Van Hattum, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald (Francely Lomboto 78); Cian Kavanagh.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Mark Connolly, Hayden Cann, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Ciaron Harkin 36), Adam O’Reilly; Dom Thomas (Shane Ferguson HT), Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (Danny Mullen 69). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy.  

Attendance: 3,712. 

Sligo Rovers will look to extend their unbeaten run against Derry City to six league games when they face the Candystripes at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Bit O’Red are unbeaten against this weekend’s visitors since July 2023, while August 2021 was the last time Derry overcame Rovers at the Showgrounds. 

Both teams have matching records so far this season with one win and three defeats from their opening four outings. Rovers will bring a two game unbeaten run into Saturday’s tie following victory over Shamrock Rovers and a draw in Cork last Friday. While Derry will arrive in Sligo on the back of a defeat to St Pat’s and a draw with Galway. 

John Russell will be without Wilson Waweru and the suspended Conor Reynolds, who serves the first of a two game ban having been sent off in Turner’s Cross. Russell will have an otherwise full squad to choose from with Jake Doyle-Hayes expected to return to the fold having missed the game on Leeside for personal reasons. 

One player hoping to further impress is full back Reece Hutchinson. The 24-year-old has played every minute of Rovers’ opening five games of the season, scoring in that recent win over Shamrock Rovers. 

Hutchinson says he and his team mates have long put behind them Sligo’s patchy start which saw Rovers lose their first three and are ready to extend their recent good form on Saturday. 

“It was a rough start and everyone in the squad acknowledges that it wasn’t what we expected of ourselves”, he says. 

“We never planned to start with three defeats. But the reaction from the boys has been incredible. We showed a lot of character for a team with so many new players to bounce back the way we have. We’re looking to keep the unbeaten run going now on Saturday.

Looking ahead to Derry, Reece continues: “It’s always tight when we play Derry. They have a lot of talent all over the pitch, but for us it’s about ourselves and what we can do. There’s definitely an advantage there in being at home and we’re looking for another big attendance to replicate the atmosphere we played in against Shamrock Rovers as it gives you such a lift as the game goes on. 

“We showed against Cork that there’s plenty of heart in this group. Being part of the defence, I was disappointed with the amount of goals we conceded in our first three. But we shored things up against both Shamrock and Cork and showed that once we cut out the individual mistakes at the back, we’re a force for anyone as we are really threatening going forward.” 

Having steadied the ship with that impressive win over Shamrock Rovers and followed that result up with a solid point in Cork, Russell says he is expecting a wounded and dangerous Derry to visit Sligo. He has also called for the Sligo sporting public to back the Bit O’Red under the floodlights once more.

“We know how tough it will be and what kind of test Derry will offer”, he warns. 

“They have had a difficult start to the season, are in a hugely false position and we need to expect a backlash as they will be coming to Sligo looking for a win. 

“They have invested in their squad heavily over the winter and have huge strength in all positions. They also have players with international experience and there is no way a squad of their depth will be stuck in their current situation for much longer. 

“We have to be at our best to deal with them on Saturday and that’s why we need a big crowd. We saw over four thousand in for the Shams game and that support got us across the line. We’re hoping for our supporters to come out on Saturday to get behind the team.

David Goulden 

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers face the trek to Turner’s Cross to tackle Cork City for the first Women’s Premier Division (WPD) away game of the season on Saturday, kick-off 5pm.

Close encounters between the sides have been the norm, and last season the Bit O’Red achieved a first WPD win with a hard-earned victory in Cork while the Munster women enjoyed a narrow win at the Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney will be aiming to build on the positives from a scoreless draw last weekend against Bohemian FC as he returns to a venue where the Bit O’Red famously achieved a historic first League of Ireland victory in the debut season in 2022.

“There’s never much between the teams, and I suppose Cork will want to make a good start in their first home game of the season after losing against Peamount Utd in the opener,” Steve stated last weekend.

“They have a new manager this year, and I have no doubt that it will be a close contest, but we have to back up our performance now and show a bit of consistency.

“Paula (McGrory) sat out last week’s scoreless draw against Bohemians; it was a late decision and more of a precaution than anything else.

“Katie (Melly) picked up a knock during the game, but hopefully both will be available for selection, and we should have a couple more players in contention also.

“Hopefully, we will have a full panel to select from, and there is huge competition for places in the starting 11.

“Based on the evidence of the Bohs game, I feel we have a good competitive squad, but we will have to be at our best to get anything out of the game in Cork.

“If we can get another performance like last Saturday and maybe add a little bit to it, then we will be in contention and will have every chance of taking something home with us; three points would be great,” he concluded.

Cork City Focus

New manager Frank Kelleher saw his team lose last Saturday against Peamount Utd as the Dublin women won by 2-0 with both goals scored in the opening 15 minutes.

Saturday’s encounter at PRL Park was a special occasion for Cork City’s Eva Mangan, who made her 100th appearance for the club, and she will pose a serious threat to the Sligo Rovers rearguard on Saturday.

“It was a disappointing start to the season; we conceded the goals in the first 15 minutes, but after that I think we matched Peamount for the remainder,” said the Cork City boss.

“We were denied a goal by a great Amanda Budden save for Peamount before the interval, and again she made a fine save in the 85th minute.

“I’m really looking forward to the first home game now because I think we can take some momentum from our performance against Peamount.

“I think Fia (Fiana Bradley) played very well, and it’s great to see Cathranne (Fitzgerald) in with us, and she had a good debut.

“We were all delighted for Eva (Mangan) to make her 100th appearance; she’s a top-quality player,” he added.

MATCH DETAILS

Cork City v Sligo Rovers will be live on LOITV with kick-off at 5pm on Saturday.

We would like to welcome James Ottewill, CEO and owner of Van Haven, and Dan Duffy – Van Haven Ireland; they are our new Diamond Sponsors at Sligo Rovers.

Van Haven is revolutionizing the way people experience travel and adventure, offering state-of-the-art, sports Combis, business use mobile offices and camper vans that are designed for modern explorers. Each van is equipped with smart technology, premium amenities, and customizable features, making it the perfect home on wheels for weekend getaways or cross-country journeys.

James and team, welcome to Sligo Rovers and thank you for your support.

By Conall Collier

Popular Sligo Rovers player Katie Melly can be described as a young veteran, although she only started her fourth season in the Women’s Premier Division with her hometown club in a scoreless draw against Bohemians at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

That ‘veteran’ tag can be substantiated by the facts: Katie is the only player who started on Saturday for Sligo Rovers and also started in that historic first League of Ireland game back in March 2022 against Peamount Utd.

Now in her fourth League of Ireland season, it has been a memorable journey for the Melly family, who are all avid supporters of the Bit O’Red, and for Katie, who can remember going to the Showgrounds to watch her local team from the age of four or five.

Another claim that Katie, who played under-age with Strand Celtic, can make is that she also started in the club’s historic first victory in March 2022 against Cork City at Turner’s Cross, and the Bit O’Red will travel to the Munster venue this Saturday buoyed by a positive opening to the season.

Talking after last Saturday’s encounter at the Showgrounds, Katie pointed to the experience that the team has now, compared to that first outing at PRL Park in west Dublin a little over three years ago.

“I’m not old enough to be classified as a veteran, but I know what you mean in the sense that I played in the first game, and I’m really pleased to continue playing, but it was tough going against Bohemians, and I got a bit of a knock near the end,” she commented.

“We have a bit more stability about us now, a bit more experience, even for the younger players, whereas for that first game against Peamount, it was a real journey into the unknown for us.

“At this stage most of us know what to expect, and it has been all about learning and adapting, trying to improve with each game, and now, in our fourth season, we can have a bit of confidence about ourselves,” she added.

Katie is very proud to play for her local club at the highest level, but it has taken a lot of effort, commitment, and determination on her behalf and her parents, who used to drive her to training locally and then to Castlebar when she was recruited as a 16-year-old by the Mayo side.

“It’s great to get the first game of the new season out of the way, and I’m really enjoying playing, but our squad is very competitive, and no one is guaranteed a starting position,” she stated.

“We had a preseason of seven weeks, lots of training, and games in preparation for the new campaign, and I felt we gave a good performance against Bohemians and showed what we are capable of.

“We got a point on the board and the next target is to get a victory, we go to Cork on Saturday and there is never much between us, but we have to adopt a positive approach and aim for three points,” she concluded.

By Conall Collier

Almost four years to the day since he took charge of Sligo Rovers in the historic opening game in the Women’s National League (as it was in 2022), Steve Feeney took his place again on the sideline for an opening game of the season on Saturday.

Now rebranded as the Women’s Premier Division, Saturday’s encounter at the Showgrounds saw a determined and strong Sligo Rovers side make a positive start to the 2025 season with a scoreless draw against Bohemian FC.

Both sides had chances throughout a hard-fought affair, and while the Sligo Rovers boss was disappointed not to get a win, he agreed that a draw was probably a fair outcome.

“We were very disciplined in terms of our shape, and it was a really pleasing performance. It’s nice to get a point on the board. I would have preferred three points, but we can certainly build on this,” he commented.

“We are fortunate to have some talented young players coming through to the senior team, and when you factor in that Rachel McGoldrick, Anna McDaniel, and Mairead McIntyre played a Connacht semi-final yesterday (Friday), the effort and commitment were phenomenal.

“Mairead was outstanding and caused a lot of problems for the Bohs defence, and we are really looking forward to her progression throughout the season.

“She was a late inclusion to the starting 11 due to an injury to Paula (McGrory); we probably could have chanced playing Paula, but we opted for caution.

“What I found pleasing was the way we had the physicality to stand up to Bohs when we had to, and I don’t mean in a way that was just lashing the ball and flying into tackles; it was controlled, and it was important.

“Looking at the team, it’s a young team; Keeva Flynn is still only 17, but she plays like a veteran centre-back, and we also have some very good experienced players.

“Those experienced players will help the younger players, and it worked out well today. I’d imagine there will be some improvement to come as well, and we have to build on this result in Cork next Saturday,” he added.

NEXT UP

Saturday, 15th March—Cork City v Sligo Rovers, 5pm, live on LOITV

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers and Bohemians played out a well-contested Women’s Premier Division scoreless draw at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

Sligo Rovers started on the front foot and brought a fine save out of Bohs netminder Rachael Kelly in the seventh minute at the expense of a corner.

Muireann Devaney crested the opening with an excellent pass and Rachel McGoldrick unleashed a fine shot, but Kelly got a touch.

Both teams had chances subsequently, mainly from corners, with defences coping well.

The back four for the Bit O’Red stood strong with Keeva Flynn dominant while Devaney, Eimear Lafferty and Emma Hansberry shaded the midfield exchanges.

Bohemians missed a gilt-edged chance for an interval advantage when Orlagh Fitzpatrick directed her effort from the edge of the six-yard box wide of the post in the 44th minute as the teams went in level at the interval.

Katie McCann went close for Bohs soon after the resumption and the Dublin women continued to pile on the pressure against a hard-working Sligo Rovers side.

Bonnie McKiernan handled confidently as the Dublin women continued to press forward and posed some serious questions.

Mairead McIntyre was a constant threat for Sligo Rovers and made it difficult for the central defenders of Bohemians as the hosts enjoyed a brief period of dominance.

Muireann Devaney had a good effort that went over the bar with five minutes remaining as Kya McKenna replaced McIntyre.

Bonnie McKiernan saved well from Alannah McEvoy in added time, but it ended with honours even on the opening day of the season.

THE TEAMS
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan;  Cara King, Kate Nugent, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Katie Melly, Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry, Eimear Lafferty, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre.

Subs – Anna McDaniel for McGoldrick 61 mins, Kya McKenna for McIntyre 84m, Alice Lillie for Melly 93m.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Lisa Murphy, Roisin McGovern, Aoibhe Brennan, Hannah Healy, Katherine Malone, Abbie O’Hara, Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Shauna Carroll, Katie McCann, Mia Dodd.

Subs – Sarah Power for O’Hara half-time, Alannah McEvoy for Fitzpatrick 57 mins, Savanah Kane for McCann, Fiona Donnelly for Dodd both 71m, Hannah O’Brien for Carroll 90m.

Referee – Paudie Hayes.
Assistant-referees – Richard Storey, Conor Harkin.
Fourth official – Michael Connelly.

Owen Elding scored Sligo Rovers’ only goal of the game as the Bit O’Red took a point from Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

Elding netted his second strike of the season on 25 minutes when he expertly nodded Harvey Lintott’s pin-point cross across the front of the City keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Leading at the break, Rovers then had to rely on a string of superb stops from goalkeeper Conor Walsh in the second period and found themselves playing the last twenty minutes of this tie with ten men, after substitute Conor Reynolds was shown a straight red for a late challenge on Malik Dijksteel.

Cork had leveled the game six minutes previous courtesy of Kitt Neslon.

Fresh from a convincing win over Shamrock Rovers the Monday previous, Rovers began this game the brighter.

Conor Malley wasn’t too far away with an early header from a Will Fitzgerald set piece before Elding headed Rovers into the lead. 

Cork had half an opportunity through Charlie Lyons who fired well over from an improvised overhead kick, while the ball was in the Sligo net moments later. The goal was ruled out however, after a City player had fouled Walsh on the Mayo man’s goal-line. 

Walsh produced the goods early in the second period, going full stretch to keep out another Lyons effort, this time with the head. While the pressure eventually told on 62 when Nelson’s seemingly innocuous looking effort took a wicked deflection off John Mahon as the ball fumbled past the helpless Walsh. 

Reynolds was dismissed when he crashed into Dijksteel one minute after he was introduced from the bench.

The incident rallied the Rebels, but player-of-the-match Walsh denied Milan Mbeng, Alex Nolan and sub Josh Fitzpatrick with a trio of absolutely stunning saves in added time.

Next to come for Rovers is the visit of Derry City to the Showgrounds this coming Saturday, kick off 7.45pm. 

Cork City: Tein Troost; Darragh Crowley, Milan Mbeng, Charlie Lyons, Benny Couto; Rio Shipston, Seán Murray; Alex Nolan, Kitt Nelson (Harvey Skieters 80), Malik Dijksteel (Josh Fitzpatrick 71); Ruairí Keating.

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Harvey Lintott (Conor Reynolds 67), Ollie Denham, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson; Matty Wolfe (Ronan Manning 67), Connor Malley; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki (Stephen Mallon 78), Will Fitzgerald; Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 46) (Gareth McElroy 90+1).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

David Goulden