The final game of the Women’s National League (WNL) season as DLR Waves took the points with a comfortable 5-1 victory at the expense of Sligo Rovers.
The Bit O’Red handed out player of the year awards before kick-off in what was a historic inaugural campaign, Lauren Boles took the player of the year award and Emma Doherty scooped the young player of the year accolade.
Both sides had early chances with Katie Malone firing over for DLR and Emma Doherty denied by Eve Badana at the other end, all in the opening five minutes.
DLR looked the more likely to score in those opening exchanges and in the ninth minute the home defence was exposed when Malone found some space in the penalty area and finished well.
The Bit O’Red created a chance almost immediately, but Emma Doherty hurried her shot and Badana saved comfortably.
The remainder of the half was well-contested with DLR enjoying periods or dominance, but failing to add to the tally while Sligo Rovers threatened on the break without creating any clearcut chances.
Katie Melly had a great chance to get Sligo Rovers back into contention in the 55th minute, but her shot produced a spectacular save from Badana and then DLR took control and went 3-0 in front.
Kate Mooney scored twice in the space of 10 second-half minutes, one from the penalty spot and one a fine individual effort before the hour mark, she completed her hat-trick in the 67th minute to give her side a comfortable 4-0 advantage.
Substitute Amber Cosgrove added a fifth for DLR with a super strike in the 79th minute before Lauren Boles found the net for the hosts seven minutes from time.
Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Katie Melly, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle Carr, Aife Haran.
Subs – Sarah Kiernan for Hyndman, Aoife Brennan for O’Hara and Ciara Henry for Melly all 63 mins, Amy Roddy for Haran and Lauren McLellan for McGrory both 75m
DLR Waves – Eve Badana; Louise Corrigan, Fiona Donnelly, Kerri Letmon,
Katie Malone, Aoife Brophy, Mia Dodd, Jane McKevitt, Sophie Watters, Kate Mooney, Shauna Carroll. Subs – Carla McManus for Mooney and Robyn Bolger for McKevitt both 68 mins, Catherine Cronin for Carroll and Amber Cosgrove for Malone both 79m, Rugile Auskainyte for Badana 85m.
Referee – Marc Lynch
Assistant-referees – Darren Carey, Darren Corcoran,
Fourth official – Alan Carey.
