Two super strikes from Aoife Brennan and one from Emma Doherty gave Sligo Rovers a first home win in the Women’s National League today against Treaty Utd writes Conall Collier.
Manager Steve Feeney had to make a number of changes due to the unavailability of a number of his squad. Amongst those missing were Yasmin Connolly, Keela Scanlon, Helen Monaghan, Fiona Doherty, Emma Hansberry and Kristen Sample who was on coaching duty in Malta with the Republic of Ireland u-16 girls.
That gave Amy Mahon a first start between the posts and she produced a top class display in front of the home supporters.
Former Sligo Rovers manager (Men’s team) Don O’ Riordan returned to The Showgrounds at the helm of the Limerick side that came into the game in bottom position in the table without a win in four outings.
Rovers had a couple of early chances with Sarah Kiernan and Emma Doherty going close from frees, but a Leah Kelly own goal in the 11th minute that gave Treaty United the lead and left the hosts facing a stiff challenge.
The Limerick side held on to the advantage until nine minutes from the interval when Aoife Brennan levelled from a superbly-struck free on the edge of the penalty area.
Scarcely 60 seconds later, the hosts hit the front from Emma Doherty’s fine finish after she beat the offside and gave Treaty ‘keeper Michaela Mitchell no chance.
And it got better for the Bit O’Red on the stroke of half-time when Brennan rifled another free to the top corner to give the hosts a valuable 3-1 interval advantage.
Wind-assisted Treaty resumed smartly after the resumption and Mahon produced a smart save to deny Heidi O’Sullivan in the 50th minute.
The Bit O’Red worked hard to take control with Lauren Boles, Gemma McGuinness and Orna O’Dowd particularly effective as the hosts were tested by a determined Treaty side.
Jesse Mendez, Lauren Keane Laoise Brown and Emily O’Halloran all battled tenaciously for the Limerick women in an effort to peg back the hosts.
Treaty went close midway through the half following a series of corners, but they were unable to make a breakthrough.
With 10 minutes remaining Treaty forced another series of corners that posed problems, but the hosts survived and countered with Doherty denied by Treaty ‘keeper Michaela Mitchell who advanced smartly out of her area.
O’Sullivan was denied a late goal for Treaty when her effort thundered off the crossbar, but it was the Bit O’Red supporters who were celebrating at the end,
Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Amy Roddy, Katie Melly, Sarah Kiernan. Subs – Paula McGrory for Brennan 70 mins, Jessica Casey for Melly 68m, Kerri O’Hara for Kelly and Amy Hyndman for Doherty both 83m.
Treaty Utd – Michaela Mitchell; Alix Mendez, Emma Deegan, Alannah Mitchell, Lauren Keane, Jesse Mendez, Heidi O’Sullivan, Emma Costelloe, Michaela Lawrence, Emily O’Halloran, Laoise Brown. Subs – Cara Griffin for Costelloe 65 mins, Shannon O’Donovan for A Mendez 68m, Eimear Carey for Brown 84 mins.
Referee – Michael Connolly.
Assistant-referees – Alan Dunne, Keenan Deering.
Fourth official – Joe Hession.