Showgrounds, 4 October 2025
Sligo Rovers fell to a narrow 3–2 defeat at home to DLR Waves in a match full of intensity, key moments, and a red card that ultimately swung the game against the hosts.
Line-ups
Sligo Rovers:
Bonnie McKiernan, Emma Hansberry (C), Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Alana Doherty (Sarah Kiernan 90), Alice Lillie (Mairead McIntyre 83), Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick (Cara King 83), Ava Hallinan (Anna McDaniel 58)
Substitutes: Sarah Kiernan, Louise Masterson, Bernie Ferreira, Lauren Devaney, Cara King, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Mairead McIntyre
DLR Waves:
Niamh Richardson, Leah Donnelly, Chloe McCarthy, Keelin Dodd, Bronagh Kane, Neema Nyangasi, Amber Cosgrove (C) (Abbie Brophy 55), Cliodhna Donnelly (Rebecca McMahon 46), Nadine Clare (Eve Conheady 55), Michelle Doonan, Siun Murdiff (Amber Cullen 71)
Substitutes: Eve Badana, Rachel Doyle, Rebecca McMahon, Abbie Brophy, Shauna Peare, Eve Conheady, Lauren Strong, Amber Cullen
Referee: Darragh White
DLR Waves struck early, taking the lead inside four minutes when Michelle Doonan played a precise low pass into Neema Nyangasi, who finished confidently past Bonnie McKiernan. Rovers responded well, with Eimear Lafferty testing Richardson from distance, while McKiernan was called into action at the other end to deny Doonan.
Rovers had a golden chance to level in the 20th minute when Rachel McGoldrick drove into the box and was brought down by Bronagh Kane. Paula McGrory stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Richardson produced a fine save to keep DLR ahead.
McGrory made amends just after the half-hour mark. From a Kate Nugent free-kick delivered deep from halfway, McGrory controlled the ball expertly before squaring it to Emma Hansberry, who finished neatly to make it 1–1.
DLR threatened again before the break, with Doonan twice finding herself through on goal, but McKiernan stood firm—first saving with her foot, then watching the second strike drift wide.
Rovers came out strongly in the second half and deservedly took the lead. McGoldrick’s dangerous cross forced Richardson to parry the ball onto the crossbar, and McGrory reacted quickest to turn home from close range, putting Rovers 2–1 ahead.
The advantage was short-lived. Within minutes, Doonan struck again for DLR, firing a crisp, low effort into the corner to bring the game level at 2–2.
In the 58th minute, 15-year-old Ava Hallinan received a warm ovation as she was substituted for Anna McDaniel after an impressive first senior start for the club.
Rovers’ task became much harder just after the hour mark when Katie Melly was controversially shown a straight red card for a challenge outside the area, despite cover being present. Muireann Devaney was also cautioned in the aftermath for dissent.
Even with ten players, Rovers continued to battle. McDaniel forced Richardson into a smart low save, while Alana Doherty’s close-range effort from a corner was cleared off the line.
However, DLR reclaimed the lead in the 79th minute when Doonan pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box to grab her second of the game and restore the visitors’ advantage.
Rovers pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but couldn’t break through a packed DLR defence. Late on, there was an emotional moment as Sarah Kiernan made her return to action for the first time since the passing of her mother, met with warm applause from the home support.
The result keeps DLR Waves in ninth place ahead of the final weekend, while Sligo Rovers remain in tenth.
Sligo Rovers travel to the Athlone Town Stadium next Saturday to face newly crowned champions Athlone Town in their final fixture of the 2025 season.
Jack Dempsey