By Conall Collier
Shelbourne eased to three valuable Women’s Premier Division points at the Showgrounds on Wednesday evening with four goals to spare against Sligo Rovers.
First-half goals from Kate Mooney (two) and Leah Doyle gave the Dublin side a 3-0 interval advantage and while they created plenty of second-half chances and tested the woodwork they could only muster one more goal that arrived from substitute Jemma Quinn in the 85th minute.
Going into tonight’s game Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt made a number of changes as he welcomed back Bonnie McKiernan between the posts after she had been sidelined through injury and suspension.
Katie Melly also started and made a useful contribution in the opening 45 minutes with a number of efforts on target and there was also a return at the interval for Emma Hansberry who had also been sidelined through injury.
Kate Mooney had Shelbourne in front in the ninth minute and she added a second in the 33rd minute following a quick counter attack as Sligo Rovers unsuccessfully appealed for a free and then lost possession.
Leah Doyle made it 3-0 soon after before Rachel McGoldrick had a chance for the hosts close to the interval.
The introduction of Emma Hansberry and Muireann Devaney for the second-half saw a more composed Bit O’Red performance while another substitute, Paul McGrory, had the ball in the Shelbourne net soon after she was brought on, but she was penalised for impeding ‘keeper Amanda McQuillan.
McQuillan was later yellow-carded after she raced out of her penalty area, but failed to get to the ball ahead of McGrory
Sligo Rovers go to Tallaght Stadium on Saturday for another WPD encounter and will then have a week to prepare for the FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone at the Showgrounds on Sunday 22nd September.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Cara King, Kelsey Munroe, Jessica Casey, Katie Melly, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick.
Subs – Emma Hansberry for McGoldrick and Lauren Devaney for Casey both half-time, Paula McGrory for Melly and Roise Burke for Kelly both 60 mins, Lauren Devaney for Lafferty and Lesley Ann Sweeney for Munroe both 75m
Shelbourne – Amanda McQuillan; Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Rachel Graham, Noelle Murray, Roma McLaoghlin, Jess Gargan, Magaret Pierce, Christie Gray, Kate Mooney.
Subs – Megan Smith-Lynch for Gary, Lucy O’Rourke for Graham and Nia Hannon for Slattery all 55 mins, Hannah Healy for Pierce and Jemma Quinn for Mooney both 67m, Aoife Sheridan for Keena 82m
Referee – David Dunne.
Assistant-referees – Aaron Pisarnik and Niall McLoughlin.
Fourth Official – Darren Corcoran.