BY CONALL COLLIER
Sligo Rovers picked up a first Women’s Premier Division point on the road when they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with hosts Peamount Utd in west Dublin on Saturday evening.
Both goals arrived in the opening half with a Sydney Stephens effort cancelled by Peamount’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle as the Bit O’Red were punished for failing to convert numerous chances before the hosts fashioned that equaliser.
Peamount went into the game on the back of two defeats and gave former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Amy Mahon her first start of the season and the Mayo woman delivered a competent performance.
Sligo Rovers manager Gavin Hughes made two changes from last week’s defeat by DLR Waves with Alice Lillie and Kelsey McQuillan coming in at the expense of Leah Kelly and Ava Hallinan.
The Sligo Rovers players will be disappointed not to have won after they hit the front in the 18th minute. Sydney Stephens pounced on a loose ball inside the Peamount penalty area and turned smartly before firing to the bottom corner at the near post.
The Bit O’Red dominated subsequently and should have added to the tally with chances for Cara Jordan on two occasions and Stephens that weren’t finished.
Peamount had to up the tempo just to stay in the game at that stage and both Mary Philipps and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle were pivotal in that respect.
Peamount’s Sophie Byrne was denied when Bonnie McKiernan tipped over on 33 minutes, but it was level six minutes later following a defensive lapse that was punished when Ryan-Doyle finished to the net.
That gave Peamount a major boost and they could have had a lead goal on the stroke of half-time as the ball bobbled around the Sligo Rovers penalty area, but the danger was averted.
Peamount dominated the early second-half exchanges, but were unable to beat Bonnie McKiernan although the ‘keeper was relieved late in the half when a goalbound effort was cleared off the line.
At the other end, Stephens tested Amy Mahon and Jordan shot wide before referee Sam Ralph ended the contest after five minutes of added time,
Peamount Utd – Amy Mahon; Maeve Russell, Abby Tuthill, Mary Philips, AO’Connor, Aisling Spillane, Sorcha Melia, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, Ciara O’Neill, Antea Guvo, Sophie Byrne.
Subs – Della Doherty for Guvo half-time, Dearbhaile Beirne for O’Connor 74 mins, Kate O’Dowd for Melia 90m,
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Kelsey McQuillan, Emma Hansberry, Sabrina Hillyer, Cara Jordan, Emma Duffy, Paula McGrory, Sydney Stephens, Manu Baptista Filipe, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Cara King for Manu and Abby Rooney for McDaniel both 62 mins, Rebecca McIntyre for McGrory 74m,Ava Hallinan for McQuillan and Alana Doherty for Hillyer both 90m.
Referee – Sam Ralph.
Assistant-referees – Robert Clarke, Aaron Pisarnik.
Fourth official – Glen Geraghty.