Sligo Rovers 1-1 Peamount UTD
By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers produced another battling performance as they earned a valuable Women’s Premier Division (WPD) point against defending champions Peamount Utd at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
Peamount dominated the opening half and were ahead at the break through Ellen Dolan, but the Bit O’Red wrestled the initiative after the resumption with Muireann Devaney’s late equaliser a merited reward for a determined team performance.
Bonnie McKiernan’s display between the posts was a vital factor also as she produced a series of stunning saves throughout the 90 minutes.
However, the turning point came around the hour mark when manager Tommy Hewitt sent Rachel McGoldrick into the action and her contribution was crucial as the Bit O’Red upped the tempo and left Peamount a bit frayed at the edges.
The Dublin women totally dominated the opening half with Sligo Rovers ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan producing those saves that were crucial to limiting the Dublin side to a 1-0 interval advantage.
Inside and outside her penalty area McKiernan was almost unbeatable, but she was left exposed via a defensive lapse in the 19th minute and Peamount’s Ellen Dolan made the most of the opportunity for the only goal of the opening half.
The Bit O’Red didn’t create any meaningful chances and Peamount were assured and poised throughout the opening 45 minutes. That surely had manager James O’Callaghan wondering why his team is so far off the pace this season.
The answers were provided in the second-half as bottom-of-the-table Sligo Rovers, without a win in the League this season, played the Dublin side off the park, with chances for Anna McDaniel, Muireann Devaney and Rachel McGoldrick as the Bit O’Red went in search of the equaliser..
That duly arrived in the 80th minute following a period of sustained pressure with Muireann Devaney pouncing on a loose ball in the Peamount penalty area and finishing past Niamh Reid Burke.
There was also a lot of assistance from Bonnie McKiernan during that second-half as she continued to enhance her reputation between the posts as she denied Peamount on at least three further occasions and kept her side in contention.
There was a late chance for the Bit O’Red in added time when Keri Loughrey attempted to race clear from around halfway, but Peamount substitute Aoife Brophy hauled her down, a yellow card was brandished.
The Bit O’Red continue to show improved form and will now go to Cork next week aiming to deliver another spirited performance.
Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Cara King, Kate Nugent, Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Katie Melly, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Rachel McGoldrick for Melly 60 mins, Jessica Casey for Lafferty 89m.
Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid-Burke; Toni Marie Ceno0, Dearbhaile Beirne, Niamh Farrelly, Ciara Maher, Karen Duggan, Chloe Moloney, Ellen Dolan, Rebecca Watkins, Jessica Fitzgerald, Freya Healy. Subs – Sophie Miranda for Ceno 51 mins, Aoife Brophy for Fitzgerald and Keri Letmon for Byrne both 81m
Referee – Paudie Hayes.
Assistant-referees – Conor Fitzgibbon, Keenan Deering.
Fourth Official – Darren Corcoran.