By Conall Collier
Two Olivia Shannon goals paved the way for a historic first Women’s Premier Division win for Waterford at the expense of Sligo Rovers in front of the TG4 cameras at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney made one change from the previous week, with Anna McDaniel coming in for Rachael McGoldrick.
The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half and had a number of chances, with Muireann Devaney and Anna McDaniel both on target with good efforts.
However, Waterford took the lead in the 33rd minute when Olivia Shannon got a vital touch in a crowded goalmouth from a corner to claim a historic first goal in the League of Ireland for the Munster women.
The Bit O’Red laboured through the remainder of the half, with the only real chance arriving in the 41st minute when a Paula McGrory header was saved by Waterford netminder Maeve Williams.
Soon after the resumption Waterford had a gilt-edged chance for a second goal, but Zara Corcoran blazed over the bar from inside the six-yard box, and the home defence breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Sligo Rovers upped the tempo subsequently, and Anna McDaniel brought a good save out of Maeve Williams in the 63rd minute, but an error at the other end gifted Waterford a penalty 60 seconds later, which Shannon converted.
The hosts kept battling, and Mairead McIntyre had a good effort blocked in the 73rd minute, and Muireann Devaney was on target soon after as Waterford defended well.
Emma Hansberry had the last chance for Sligo Rovers with a free that Maeve Williams tipped over.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King, Keeva Flynn, Alana Doherty, Kate Nugent, Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry, Paula McGrory, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Mairead McIntyre for King, Rachel McGoldrick for Doherty and Alice Lillie for Lafferty all 66 mins, Kya McKenna for Nugent and Sarah Kiernan for McGrory 81 mins.
Waterford – Maeve Williams; Danielle Griffin, Jessica Lawler, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke, Chloe Atkinson, Mia Lenihan, Sophie Slattery, Olivia Shannon, Aoibh Thomas, Zara Corcoran. Sub – Nancy Edogiawerie for Corcoran, 89 mins.
Referee – Mark Houlihan.
Assistant referees – Fintan Butler, Keenan Deering.
Fourth official – Marc Lynch.
