Buncrana’s Emma Doherty is the latest player to commit to Sligo Rovers’ Senior Women’s National League team for 2022.

The 17-year-old has impressed since joining Donegal Women’s League at under 17 level.

The striker has even scored against the Bit O’Red when playing at under 17 level, scoring five in one game in 2021.

Last October, Doherty was announced as the EA Sports Under 17 National League player of the month.

She once netted eight goals in one game in the Under 17 National League last season.

Doherty’s performances earned her plenty of plaudits, and she is an underage international.

She has been called up to the Irish Under 19 squad, and travelled to Portugal last season with the squad.

Having enjoyed a superb season in 2021, Doherty decided she wanted to push herself even further this year.”I just wanted to challenge myself this year. I went to the IT Sligo open day event and then went to training and I really liked the training and I just thought that was the place for me.”

Doherty is a Leaving Certificate student at Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana, and although there will be some travelling involved in her new venture with Rovers, she is more than willing to take on this challenge.

Her move to Rovers has been made easier by the fact that there are so many other players from Donegal there who she can travel with.

And, there are plenty of familiar faces too which helps.”I knew a couple from emerging talent and a couple from Ireland trials as well,” she said.

Now that Doherty has settled in, she can’t wait for the season to start.

“I love training so far. I’m really loving it. It’s at a very good standard. Steve knows his stuff and I’m really enjoying  it so far. I’m really excited for the season to start. I can’t wait now to get going.”