AVENIR SPORTS CUP
SLIGO ROVERS 1, GLENTORAN WOMEN 5
MATCH REPORT BY CONALL COLLIER
Sligo Rovers completed their Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Group campaign with a disappointing defeat against Glentoran Women at the Showgrounds on Sunday evening.
Both teams were chasing a first win in the Group after defeats by already qualified Galway Utd and Athlone Town and it was Glentoran that proved too strong for the Bit O’Red and were well worth a merited victory.
The hosts were well in the game in the opening half and levelled close to the interval, but then conceded a lead goal to Glentoran in the 44th minute to trail (1-2) at half-time.
It was all Glentoran in the second-half with the exception of chances for Muireann Devaney on 57 minutes and Keeva Flynn soon after.
The Bit O’Red featured three changes from the scoreless Women’s Premier Division draw against Bohemian FC seven days earlier with Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent and Lauren Devaney coming into the starting 11 for Zoe McGlynn, Amy Roddy and Cara King.
Glentoran dominated the opening exchanges and missed a gilt-edged opportunity as early as the fifth minute when Demi Vance was wide from inside the six-yard box.
However, Glentoran kept probing and passing the ball around confidently and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Kerry Beattire finished at the far post after a Vance effort was blocked and bounced kindly for the visitors.
Sligo Rovers worked hard in an effort to get into the game and Katie Melly went close in the 35th minute, but her effort was cleared for a corner.
The hosts continued to press and a quick break gave Sarah Kiernan some space and her flick was finished to the net by Muireann Devaney who won a race for possession with Glentoran netminder Ashleigh McKinnion in the 42nd minute.
Parity didn’t last too long and defensive frailty paved the way for Glentoran to lead at the break when Kelly Bailey capitalised after a cross wasn’t cleared and that was sufficient for a 2-1 interval advantage.
Vance claimed her second goal on the hour with an opportunist finish and Glentoran continued to press and were rewarded with further goals from Chloe McCarron in the 76th minute and Joely Andrews five minutes from full-time.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Kate Nugent, Eimear Lafferty, Muireann Devaney, Katie Melly, Keri Loughrey, Alice Lillie, Lauren Devaney.
Subs – Ciara Henry for Nugent and Cara King for L Devaney both half-time; Leah Kelly for Loughrey and Rebecca Doddy for Melly both 65 mins, Amy Roddy for Munroe
Glentoran – Ashleigh McKinnon; Jessica Foy, Nadene Caldwell, Demi Vance, Emily Wilson, Aimee Neal, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Kelly Bailie, Jenna McKearney, Chloe McCarron.
Subs – Rachel Rogan for Neal 64 mins, Sofie Keenan for McKearney, Aimee Kerr for Caldwell and Rachel McIntyre for Wilson all 74m Kascie Weir for Beattie 82m.
Referee – Ryan Maher
Assistant-referees – Wayne McDonnell, Darragh Keegan.
Fourth official – Richard Storey.