By Conall Collier
Battling Sligo Rovers earned a precious Women’s Premier Division (WPD) point at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening with an 86th minute Keri Loughrey equaliser against Shamrock Rovers.
What was admirable about the result, from a Sligo Rovers perspective, was that the hosts hit the front in the fifth minute from an opportunist Aine O’Gorman effort that could certainly be classified as of the ‘soft’ variety, but the players displayed true grit and determination to stay in the game.
It was no more than the performance over 90 minutes merited as the players earned a tangible reward that will certainly boost confidence ahead of next Sunday’s FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone Town at the Showgrounds.
The opening goal was a setback as the Bit O’Red conceded a couple of early corners. From the second one O’Gorman made the most of some space in the penalty area and lobbed her effort past Bonnie McKiernan.
Sligo Rovers almost grabbed an equaliser inside 60 seconds, but Paul McGrory’s effort flashed past the outside of Amanda Budden’s post.
Nevertheless, the Bit O’Red belied a bottom-of-the-table position and dominated for large parts of the opening half with Anna McDaniel a constant threat with her tireless running.
She went close in the 20th minute when her centre was fumbled by Budden and a minute later Muireann Devaney tested the home ‘keeper who saved well.
At the other end, Joy Ralph brought a good save out of Bonnie McKiernan as the hosts enjoyed a 1-0 interval lead.
Tommy Hewitt brought Katie Melly and Alice Lillie on for Paula McGrory and Kelsey Munroe at half-time and the Bit O’Red coped well with the swirling wind. A high-tempo performance coupled with some fine saves by Bonnie McKiernan kept the outcome in the balance.
On 65 minutes Katie Melly laid the ball off to Keri Loughrey and her effort was saved by Budden while at the other end Joy Ralph was narrowly off target for the hosts.
Most notable about the Bit O’Red was the way the players demonstrated an ability to match the opposition in terms of physicality and that, along with a willingness to work hard on and off the ball, ultimately contributed to a positive result.
Eimear Lafferty and Jessica Casey brought fresh legs for the final 25 minutes in place of Emma Hansberry and Rachel McGoldrick and Roise Burke also made another appearance for Anna McDaniel in the closing stages.
With four minutes remaining Joy Ralph was yellow-carded for an infringement around the halfway line. Bonnie McKiernan took the resultant free and lofted the ball into the penalty area where Keri Loughrey stood strong and finished to the net under pressure.
Loughrey almost grabbed a winner in added time, but a first point on the road since a scoreless draw with Treaty Utd last April certainly made the journey home much more enjoyable.
Shamrock Rovers – Amanda Budden; Fiona Owens, Savannah McCarthy, Maria Reynolds, Aoife Kelly, Stephanie Zambra, Lia O’Leary, Aine O’Gorman, Joy Ralph, Scarlett Herron, Ella Kelly.
Subs – Melissa O’Kane for Zambra and Katie O’Reilly for A Kelly both 70 mins, Jamie Thompson for E Kelly 81m.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Katie Melly for McGrory and Alice Lillie for Munroe both half-time, Eimear Lafferty for Handberry and Jessica Casey for McGoldrick both 65 mins, Roise Burke for McDaniel 83m.
Referee – Kate O’Brien.
Assistant-referees – Keenan Deering, Sean Stephens.