By Conall Collier
Sligo Rovers produced a battling display to earn an All-Island Cup point at the Showgrounds on Sunday against Bohemian FC as manager Steve Feeney saw his injury crisis worsen with both Rachel McGoldrick and Amber Hardy forced out of the action with what looked like serious injuries.
Rovers lost goalscorer McGoldrick 10 minutes into the second-half after she fell awkwardly and sustained an arm injury. She was replaced by Cara King while on the stroke of full-time Bonnie McKiernan replaced Amber Hardy.
Hardy was stretchered-off following a collision on the edge of the six-yard box with Aoife Brennan of Bohemians as both players went for the ball. Referee Daryl Carolan awarded a free-out.
Both teams made five changes from when they met in the first outing in the Women’s Premier Division last month.
Bonnie McKiernan, Keeva Flynn and Cara King all started on the bench while Katie Melly (injured) and Muireann Devaney (unavailable) were also absent with Amber Hardy, Leah Kelly, Sarah Kiernan Alice Lillie and Anna McDaniel deputising.
Absent from the Bohs starting line up were Lisa Murphy, Katie Malone, Abbie O’Hara, Orlagh Fitzpatrick and Shauna Carroll with Fiona Donnelly, Sarah Power, Emma Gaughran, Leiagh Glennon and Hannah O’Brien starting
Bohs started on the front foot in pursuit of an early goal and that gave Amber Hardy an opportunity to display her ability as a shot-stopper on her return to the starting 11 after suspension.
She was in action in the third minute with a good save, but was picking the ball out of the net soon after when a Bohs corner deflected into the net off Kate Nugent in a crowded goalmouth.
Bohs surged forward in search of a second goal and Hardy saved smartly from Hannah O’Brien who was a constant threat and was narrowly off target with a couple of chances subsequently.
However, Rovers displayed all the battling qualities that is a hallmark of the team and got back on terms on 21 minutes when Rachel McGoldrick headed the equaliser from a Emma Hansberry corner.
Bohs reacted positively, but were kept at bay for the remainder of the half as the teams went in on level terms at the interval.
While Bohs were the dominant team in the second-half, very few clearcut chances were created and Rovers battled with the usual character and determination/
Sarah Kiernan and Eimear Lafferty were solid throughout while Leah Kelly
and Alanah Doherty also contributed significantly to what was an encouraging overall team display.
Next up in the All-Island Cup for Rovers is a trip to Belfast to tackle Linfield
while Bohs will host Shelbourne on weekend 24th and 25th May.
Next Saturday Rovers will host Peamount in the Women’s Premier Division while Bohs will travel to play Cork City.
Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Kate Nugent, Sarah Kiernan, Alanah Doherty, Eimear Lafferty, Emma Hansberry, Mairead McIntyre, Rachel McGoldrick, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Cara King for McGoldrick 56 mins, Keeva Flynn for Doherty 80m, Morgan Burnap for McIntyre 87m, Bonnie McKiernan for Hardy 90m.
Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Fiona Donnelly, Sarah Power, Roisin McGovern, Emma Gaughran, Mia Dodd, Hannah Healy, Aoibhe Brennan, Katie McCarn, Leiagh Glennon, Hannah O’Brien.
Subs – Savannah Kane for Healy and Lisa Murphy for Dodd both 68 mins, Alannah McEvoy for Glennon and Katie Malone for McCarn both 70m.
Referee – Daryl Carolan.
Assistant-referees – Niall McLoughlin, John Hanney.
Fourth official – Richard Storey.