Galway took the Women’s National League points at The Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon with a narrow 2-1 victory against hosts Sligo Rovers writes Conall Collier.

Due to an injury to Rovers’ keeper Kristen Sample in the second-half, there was nine minutes added time at the end. Unfortunately for Rovers and Sample, the American sustained a broken arm and will be out of action for a long period.

Rovers enjoyed a good opening spell and there was a great tussle between Lauren Boles for the hosts and Galway’s Julie Ann Russell, a sister of Men’s Assistant Manager John, throughout.

Galway forced two early corners, but Rovers settled into the game and
created a number of good chances without seriously troubling Abbiegayle Ronayne between the posts.

However, there was a scare for the hosts in the 10th minute when Sample had to divert a deflected free out for a corner with a smart save.

Galway continued to press and Sample was in action again in the 14th minute when Emma Starr broke through, but her shot was saved.

Rovers found a perfect response to that let-off when Emma Doherty beat the out-rushing Ronayne in a race for possession and then slotted to the empty net from the edge of the penalty area.

Leah Kelly created the chance with a great piece of individual skill and a good ball out of defence.

Galway reacted positively and upped the tempo and had a couple of efforts narrowly off target before Becky Walsh glanced a 39th minute header off the foot of the post.

The post saved the hosts again soon after when Jenna Slattery was denied and the same player fluffed a couple of better chances on the stroke of half-time.

In added time Walsh headed an equaliser for Galway and they added a second goal on the hour as they resumed the second-half smartly with Shauna Brennan finishing to the net.

Bit O’Red ‘keeper Kristen Sample sustained her injury in her efforts to save the Galway effort and she was replaced by Amy Mahon who was in action fairly quickly as she saved well from Jenna Slattery in the 70th minute after Galway had a goal ruled out for offside.

Russell had a fine effort for Galway that skimmed the top of the crossbar in added time and she also hit the post while the Bit O’Red had long-range efforts from Gemma McGuinness and Sarah Kiernan.

Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Amy Roddy, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Sarah Kiernan. Subs –
Fiona Doherty for Brennan 56 mins, Amy Mahon for Sample 60 mins, Helen Monaghan for O’Hara and Katie Melly for Kelly both 70 mins,


Galway WFC – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Becky Walsh, Emma Starr, Shauna Brennan, Chloe Singleton, Julie Ann Russell, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Therese Kinnevey, Jamie Erickson, Kate Thompson. Subs – Lauryn Gamache for Slattery 83 mins, Aoife Thompson for McKee and Taylor Rutland Singleton both 89 mins, Nicole McNamara for Thompson 97 mins.

Referee – Sean Stephens.