By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to Tolka Park on Saturday for a crucial Women’s Premier Division game against title-chasing Shelbourne with kick-off at the Dublin venue is set for 4pm.

Sligo Rovers will go into this encounter without Annie McKinley, who has departed following a short stay, and her absence will provide manager Steve Feeney with a selection headache at the heart of the defence.

There are also doubts about Katie Melly, Kate Nugent and Lauren Devaney, but the Bit O’Red has posed problems for the Dublin side in the past, usually when it was least expected.

Both teams will go into this encounter on the back of defeats last weekend, but the Dublin women will be focused on regaining a place at the top of the table at the expense of Athlone Town, who will be in European action.

A victory for Shelbourne will give them a two-point margin at the summit, although Athlone will have a game in hand.

However, Shelbourne lost to Athlone last Saturday and also finished the game with 10 players following the dismissal of Jemma Quinn. Prior to that they exited the FAI Cup on home turf when they were beaten by Shamrock Rovers.

The last two victories for Shelbourne were achieved against Waterford (2-1) and Cork City (2-0), similar to the last two wins for the Bit O’Red, although Steve Feeney’s side won by 2-0 on each occasion.

Using that as a form guide suggests that there won’t be much between the sides on Saturday, but Shelbourne have already won twice against the Rovers, including a hard-earned 3-1 WPD victory last June where Kate Mooney claimed a hat-trick. There was also a 5-0 win in the final qualifying round of the All-Island Cup.

However, the Bit O’Red players will relish the challenge of tackling Shelbourne, with the prospect of causing an upset a major motivator.

Players of the calibre of Paula McGrory, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney and Leah Kelly have the experience to provide the inspiration that could frustrate a Shelbourne side that will be expecting to record a comfortable victory.

Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers is live on LOITV with kick-off at 4pm.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers marked a 100th competitive game when Dublin side Shamrock Rovers visited the Showgrounds on Saturday evening for a Women’s Premier Division (WPD) encounter.

Shamrock Rovers dictated the opening half and grabbed an early Melissa O’Kane goal with Emily Corbett making it a two-goal advantage for the Dublin side in the 18th minute.

The hosts were mostly on the backfoot during that initial 45 minutes with Anna McDaniel posing an occasional threat.

Referee Arnold awarded the first of two penalties in the 38th minute when he pointed to the spot in favour of the Dublin side and Áine O’Gorman duly converted.

Five minutes later he pointed to the spot at the other end following a handball and Paula McGrory converted confidently to give the Bit O’Red a lifeline.

However, the benefit was undone 60 seconds later when O’Gorman ghosted into the home penalty area and steered the ball past Bonnie McKiernan, with the help of a deflection, to give her side a substantial 4-1 interval advantage.

There was nothing of note during the second-half as the Dublin side continued to dictate and the Bit O’Red tried to get back into contention with counter-attacks.

Neither side managed to make a breakthrough although substitute Katie O’Reilly went close on two occasions in the closing stages for the Dublin side.

Alice Lillie was the Harvey Norman Sligo Rovers player-of-the-match while the game also marked the last appearance for central defender Annie McKinley who concluded her short stint with the Bit O’Red with two goals to her credit.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Katie Melly, Alana Doherty, Annie McKinley, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Mairead McIntyre for McGoldrick and Sarah McDaniel for Melly both 68 mins, Cara King for Hansberry and Eimear Lafferty for McGrory both 78m, Laura McGuinn for McKinley 88m.

Shamrock Rovers – Summer Lawless; Fiona Owens, Aimee Neal, Scarlett Herron, Melissa O’Kane, Emily Corbett, Ella Kelly, Áine O’Gorman,Aoife Brophy, Jaime Thompson, Claire O’Reilly.

Subs – T White for O’Reilly 55 mins, A Butler for O’Kane and K O’Reilly for Corbett both 72m, H Martin for Neal 78m.

Referee – Arnold Hunter

Assistant-referees – Dylan Redmond, Eric Eaton.

Fourth official – Richard Storey.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will mark a 100th competitive game in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD), previously Women’s National League, with the visit of Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off scheduled for 5pm.

The historic first game took place on Saturday 5th March 2022 against a Peamount Utd side that featured Republic of Ireland internationals Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman who both scored against the Bit O’Red.

The duo will feature in Saturday’s encounter with Stephanie Roche (now Stephanie Zambra) patrolling the sideline and Áine O’Gorman bidding to add to her tally of five goals against the Bit O’Red.

However, recent results and form favours Sligo Rovers as the Dublin women will go into this encounter on the back of successive WPD defeats at home to Galway (1-2) and away to Wexford (1-2), Maria Reynolds and Ella Kelly scored for the Dublin side.

Last weekend they bounced back to winning ways with an impressive 2-1 WFAI Cup quarter-final victory against top-of-the-table Shelbourne despite conceding an early goal with Scarlett Herron and Anna Butler replying.

That result will certainly rule out any form of complacency from Steve Feeney’s side although the Rovers players will take positives from the 0-0 result they achieved at Tallaght Stadium last May and prior to that, a 1-1 draw at the same venue last September.

Add in the fact that the Bit O’Red will go into this 100th competitive game on the back of successive 2-0 wins against Waterford and Cork City where the goals were spread between Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Alana Doherty and Emma Hansberry.

Another player who is well capable of hitting the target is central defender Annie McKinely and she is likely to deliver another solid performance in an effort for a third successive cleansheet for her team.

The challenge that his players will face is not lost on Steve Feeney, but speaking after the win against Cork City, he displayed a positive demeanour.

“That’s a couple of successive wins where we scored two goals in each game and kept cleansheets, the target now is to maintain that consistency,” he said.

“The girls deserve this, they stuck at it when things weren’t going their way and we have also moved up the table as well.

“We created lots of chances against Cork, especially in the first-half, but the ball just wouldn’t go into the net, we probably weren’t ruthless enough, but we have scored eight goals in our last five games and won the last two.

“I’m looking forward to the next game now, we are at home again after a break last week and Stephanie Zambra will definitely have her side playing nice football.

“We can play a bit as well, we got a draw last time out at Tallaght Stadium and the target now for us is to make it three wins-in-a-row to consolidate our current position,” he concluded.

The 100th competitive game – Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers – is live on LOITV with a 5pm kick-off at the Showgrounds

JOURNEY TO 100

2022 – 28 played: League 27; FAI Cup 1

(Does not include walkover received from Douglas Hall)

2023 – 26 played: League 20; FAI Cup 3; All-Island Cup 3

2024 – 26 played: League 20; FAI Cup 3; All-Island Cup 3

2025 – 19 played: League 15; FAI Cup 1; All-Island Cup 3

Total – 99 played: League 82; FAI Cup 8; All-Island Cup 9

PHOTO:

The Sligo Rovers players who started in the Women’s Premier Division victory against Cork City on Saturday 9th August (from left) were: back – Alana Doherty, AnnieMcKinley, Emma Hansberry, Bonnie McKiernan, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory; front – Anna McDaniel, Rachel McGoldrick, Alice Lillie, Katie Melly, Leah Kelly. Photo by: Conall Collier.

On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, I’d like to congratulate everyone involved with Sligo Rovers on your women’s senior team reaching the milestone of 100 competitive games.

The Bit O’Red has a long history in League of Ireland football, and it was fantastic to be at the home of Peamount Utd in March 2022 when the women’s team made its debut in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League as it was at the time.

It was a historic day for the club and a proud moment for players who were the first to represent this great club at senior level.

It is hugely important to have a club of Sligo Rovers’ tradition, passion and ambition in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, as you provide a clear pathway for young players from the town, county and surrounding areas.

We’ve already seen some excellent players progress through the ranks of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy to the first team, and this is showing no signs of slowing down.

There have been a number of memorable performances over the first four seasons, including the victory over champions Shelbourne in that debut campaign, especially as the game was live on TG4, and advancing to the semi-finals of the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup in 2023 and 2024.

Off the pitch, the players have been terrific ambassadors in promoting women’s and girls’ football and have been role models for local girls who can now aspire to represent Sligo Rovers at the highest level in this country.

I’d like to thank all of the players, coaches, support staff, administrators, volunteers, sponsors, local stakeholders and supporters who have played a massive part in the Sligo Rovers journey so far and helped guide the team to this landmark fixture.

It is clear that the football community in the northwest is fully behind this team.

It is exciting to see what the club can go on to achieve and the positive impact that you will continue to have on women’s and girls’ football.

Keep up the good work.

Mark Scanlon

League of Ireland Director

By Conall Collier

Popular Sligo Rovers player Katie Melly is the sole member of the current squad who started in the club’s historic first game at senior level against Peamount Utd on Saturday 5th March 2022.

Since then, Katie has established herself as a key member of the team with wholehearted performances on a regular basis.

She recalled that memorable first outing in the Women’s National League, now the Women’s Premier Division, last week ahead of the team’s 100th competitive outing.

“We didn’t really know what to expect that day, but we knew it would be a tough game for us,, as Peamount had won the league in 2019 and 2020 and finished second in 2021,” explained Katie.

“They also had players of the calibre of Republic of Ireland internationals Áine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche,, so it was probably one of the toughest starts we could have had, but it was great to have an opportunity to see the standard that we needed to achieve.

“The following week we had our first home game against DLR Waves,, and there was great support for us that day. Although we didn’t win,, we learntplenty and then got our first victory the following weekend against Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

“We have a bit more stability about us now, a bit more experience, even for the younger players, whereas for that first game against Peamount, it was a realal journey into the unknown for us,” she added.

It has been a memorable journey for the Melly family,, who are all avid supporters of the Bit O’Red,, and for Katie, who can remember going to the Showgrounds to watch her local team from the age of four or five.

Katie is proud to play for her local club at the highest level, but it has taken a lot of effort.

commitment and determination on behalf of her and her parents, Dessie and Marie, who used to drive her to training locally and then with Castlebar Celtic when she was recruited as a 16-year-old by the Mayo side.

“This season most of us know what to expect, and it has been all about learning and adapting, trying to improve with each game, and now, in our fourth season, we can have more confidence about ourselves,” she added.

“I missed a few games this season after I picked up an injury against Galway last April, but I’m glad to be back playing again.

“I ruptured ligaments in my ankle, but I’m able to play once the ankle is strapped up. Before each game, I’ll get it sorted properly at the end of the season.

“I’m playing more of a defensive role now, and I’m really enjoying it. I find that there is more time on the ball, and that allows for better decisions.

“We are very together as a squad; players like Emma Hansberry, Leah Kelly, and Sarah Kiernan – we have a good understanding now, and that’s helpful when the newer players are settling in.

“We got our first away win of the season against a few weeks ago, and our target is to pick up as many points as possible in the remaining games,” she concluded.

Conall Collier

It’s appropriate that the 100th competitive game for the women of Sligo Rovers should take place at the Showgrounds, a significant milestone achieved on home turf. It’s also appropriate that there is a type of symmetry about the occasion, but that may require a brief explanation for the purpose of clarity.

Saturday, 5th March 2022 brought the ‘new’ team in the Women’s National League (as it was at the time) to PRL Park in West Dublin, close to the village of Newcastle, the home of Peamount Utd, three-time League champions.

Steve Feeney was on the sideline facing his first managerial test at senior level for the Bit O’Red and will have the distinction of managing the team for the 100th competitive game.

Katie Melly started for the Bit O’Red against Peamount Utd and continues to feature, as does a 65th-minute substitute on the opening day, Paula McGrory. Another player from that historic first game, Orna O’Dowd, is currently a team coach.

Shamrock Rovers provide opposition for the 100th competitive game, and the Dublin side features two women who made a big impact for Peamount Utd back in March 2022.

The Republic of Ireland duo each scored two goals for Peamount Utd – Stephanie Roche (now Stephanie Zambra) in the first half and Áine O’Gorman in the second half.

Four seasons later, Stephanie Zambra now has the role of manager for the Dublin club, while Áine O’Gorman is still finding the net on a regular basis.

The Dublin club only returned to the Women’s Premier Division in 2023 (it was rebranded for the 2023 season) after withdrawing at the end of the 2013/2014 season.

Their first match back was against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday, 4th March 2023, where they claimed a 2-1 victory with Áine O’Gorman finding the net in the 92nd minute in front of 750 supporters.

Katie Melly and Stephanie Roche (Zambra) both featured in that game also.

THE TEAMS – 5TH MARCH 2022

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid Burke, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Chloe Moloney, Tiegan Ruddy, Erin McLaughlin, Karen Duggan, Sadhbh Doyle, Dora Gorman, Alannah McEvoy, Stephanie Roche, Aine O’Gorman.

Subs – Tara O’Hanlon for McEvoy, Jetta Berrill for McLaughlin and Lauren Kelly for Doyle (both 65 mins), Sarah Duke Power for Moloney (73 mins), and Michelle Doonan for Roche (81 mins)

Sligo Rovers – Kristen Sample, Amy Hyndman, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Helen Monaghan, Lauren Boles, Amy Roddy, Katie Melly, Gemma McGuinness, Aoife Brennan, Fiona Doherty.

Subs – Erin Coyle for H. Monaghan and Paula McGrory for Brennan, both 65 mins; Lauren McLellan for Doherty, 76 mins; and Ciara Henry for Hyndman, 83 mins.

The Sligo Rovers players who started the first game in the Women’s National League on Saturday 5th March 2022 against Peamount Utd (from left) were: back – Lauren Boles, Kristen Sample, Fiona Doherty, Aoife Brennan, Helen Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Roddy; front – Katie Melly, Gemma McGuinness, Amy Hyndman, and Ruth Monaghan.

100TH COMPETITIVE GAME SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST:

Women’s Premier Division: Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, kick-off 3pm live on LOITV.

Full back Edwin Agbaje has signed a short term deal with Sligo Rovers, the club can confirm.

The Offaly native, who operates predominantly on the right side, joins the Bit O’Red having departed EFL Championship side Ipswich Town recently. He links up with Rovers having penned a deal until the end of the current season and joins subject to international transfer clearance.

The 21-year-old began his life in football at local side Edenderry Town, before moving on to join the academy at Shamrock Rovers at 14. Two years later, he was picked up by the Tractor Boys and spent five years there and was also loaned to both Sutton United and Yeovil Town. Agbaje has represented the Republic of Ireland at various underage levels and was named Ipswich’s Academy Player of the Year in 2023.

His availability for tonight’s (Friday) game with Bohemians is ITC dependent.

Agbaje is the seventh new player in the door this summer as manager John Russell looks to finish the season on as strong a note as possible.

Speaking to sligorovers.com, the defender says he feels the Showgrounds is the ideal place for him to continue his career, noting the club’s model and record in terms of giving youth a chance.

“I spoke to people at the club a lot over the summer and got to hear in detail about the style of play and how things are done here at Rovers”, he says.

“It really impressed me and Sligo seems like a place where I can really fit in. It’s a great place for young players like myself to develop. John (Russell) has a proven track record of bringing through, developing and giving chances to younger players like me so the opportunity here speaks for itself.

“I’ve been here for a few sessions now and I am loving it. I’ve got on really well with the players and coaches so now I’m just looking forward to getting out there and helping the team out.

“I love to attack, to get forward and support the front men. But I’m a defender first and foremost and my job is to keep the ball out of our net and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I’m looking to settle in as quickly as I can. I know we only have a handful of games left so I want to play in as many games as I can and help the club pick up as many wins as we can along the way. There’s great competition here and that just helps things along.”

Russell has long been an admirer of the former Shamrock Rovers defender and says the move is one that he hopes will benefit both parties.

“Edwin is an extremely talented player”, he says.

“He’s got all the attributes you look for in a defender. He has pace, he’s strong, aggressive and good on the ball.

“We feel he can make a big impact here between now and the end of the season.

“As a manager, I am constantly looking to improve the team and bring in quality. I’ve been in contact with Edwin for a while now so I am delighted he has decided to join us. We really feel he can thrive here at Sligo Rovers.”

David Goulden

By Conall Collier

Goals in each half from Paula McGrory and Muireann Devaney gave Sligo Rovers a second successive Women’s Premier Division victory at the expense of bottom-of-the-table Cork City at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

The hosts were deservedly ahead at the interval and had plenty of chances in the opening half but had to wait until second-half added time for a second goal.

Play was held up briefly in the first half when first assistant referee Richard Storey sustained an injury, and he was replaced by fourth official Darren Corcoran.

Cork started on the front foot and had a couple of early chances, but they failed to capitalise, and they were eventually punished midway through the half when Paula McGrory gave the Bit O’Red the lead.

Alana Doherty played a good ball out of defence, and McGrory raced clear and confidently slotted the ball past Cork ‘keeper Clodagh Fitzgerald.

The hosts continued to press forward and went close in the 28th minute when Annie McKinley headed over.

The Cork rearguard was under severe pressure subsequently and avoided conceding a second goal with assistance from both the crossbar and the post on separate occasions.

McGrory had a chance from an Emma Hansberry free in the 40th minute, but she just failed to connect inside the six-yard box.

Leading 1-0 at the interval, Sligo Rovers had an excellent opportunity for a second goal at 50 minutes, but Paula McGrory was denied by another good Clodagh Fitzgerald save.

Both sides laboured to create any clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half until the 94th minute when Muireann Devaney got on the end of a defence-splitting pass and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the Cork City net.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Katie Melly, Annie McKinley, Alana Doherty, Alice Lillie, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, and Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Kya McKenna for Hansberry and Mairead McIntyre for McGoldrick, both 70 mins, Sarah McDaniel for Melly 74 mins, and Bernie Ferreira for McGrory

Cork City – Clodagh Fitzgerald, Sadbh McGoldrick, Shaunagh McCarthy, Heidi Mackin, Aine Walsh, Jodie Griffin, Christina Dring, Eva Mangan, Aoife Cronin, Ellie O’Brien, Holly O’Hagan.

Subs – Cliodhna Malone for Cronin 57 mins, Amy McCarthy for O’Brien and Ciara McNamara for Griffin both 65 mins, Sophia Redmond for Walsh and Cathranne Fitzgerald for Dring both 76 mins.

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant referees – Richard Storey, Oisin Walsh.

Fourth official – Darren Corcoran.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will host bottom-of-the-table Cork City in what is likely to produce an intense Women’s Premier Division (WPD) encounter at the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Maximum points will be the target for both teams, and eight previous WPD meetings have produced 26 goals, with the Bit O’Red winning on four occasions with only one draw, and that produced six goals.

The Bit O’Red leapfrogged Cork last Saturday with a first away win of the season, while the Munster side lost at Turner’s Cross against a title-chasing Shelbourne side that moved to the top of the table on goal difference ahead of Athlone Town.

Understandably, the main focus for the remainder of the season will be on the battle for the 2025 WPD title, but the contest at the foot of the table will be even more intense for the bottom four with just eight games remaining for the quartet of Sligo Rovers, Cork City, Waterford and DLR Waves.

Those four teams are separated by only three points, and the remaining results between them could determine the finishing positions at the foot of the table.

The Sligo Rovers players will take lots of positives into Saturday’s game following that 2-0 first away win of the season last weekend against a Waterford side that finished with 10 players following a first-half red card, with goals from Emma Hansberry and Alana Doherty.

Leading at the interval through Emma Hansberry, Sligo Rovers were reasonably comfortable in the second half. Substitutes Paula McGrory and Bernie Ferreira both made solid contributions, and Alana Doherty added the crucial second goal with about 25 minutes remaining.

The Wehrly Bros player-of-the-month for July, Kya McKenna, could have added a third goal near the end, but the Waterford ‘keeper blocked her effort; however, she will be eager to find the net this weekend if she gets the chance.

Scoring has been a challenge for the Bit O’Red until recent weeks, but they got two goals against Galway for a 2-0 advantage only to concede in the second half at Eamon Deacy Park, but two more goals last Saturday.

The tally now stands at 12 goals in all competitions this season, with six goals in the last four outings and also four clean sheets.

Players returning from injury gave manager Steve Feeney extra options, and that was evident last Saturday as Rachel McGoldrick and Leah Kelly made the starting 11.

McGoldrick returned for the first time since she sustained an injury at the end of April, and Leah Kelly had missed the previous two outings but was influential on her return. Katie Melly was also on the injured list earlier in the season but has now slotted effectively into a more defensive role.

However, Cork City will take plenty of positives from last Saturday’s performance against Shelbourne, where they were certainly worthy of taking at least a point but ended up on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.

Áine Walsh was denied by the post, while Amy McCarthy, Eva Mangan and Ellie O’Brien all had chances against Shelbourne, but the ball just wouldn’t go into the net. The Dublin side scored midway through the first half but had to wait until the 88th minute for a second goal that came from the penalty spot.

Despite a sequence of 13 games without a win, the Cork City players have produced some encouraging performances and enjoyed a 4-0 victory against the Bit O’red at Turner’s Cross last March.

On that occasion, two goals in each half gave Cork City an opening win of the season at the expense of a Sligo Rovers side that also missed a 94th-minute penalty.

Two goals from Christina Dring and one each by Aoibhin Donnelly and Ciara Fitzpatrick sealed the win.

Despite that scoreline, the Bit O’Red created numerous opportunities, but it was one of those days when nothing went right. Paula McGrory had a chance on 36 minutes, but her effort on the turn went wide, while Rachel McGoldrick and Muireann Devaney both went close.

Katie Melly was denied in the 75th minute when her free kick from 30 yards thundered off the Cork City crossbar, while Alana Doherty and Keeva Flynn also had chances.

End-to-end action is anticipated with the game live on LOITV, kick-off at 3pm.

By Conall Collier

First goals of the season from Emma Hansberry and Alana Doherty gave Sligo Rovers a first Women’s Premier Division (WPD) away win of the season against Waterford on a first visit to the RSC.

There was also another first in the closing stages when ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan was penalised by referee David Dunne, who awarded Waterford a corner as he deemed the Bit O’Red netminder didn’t release the ball within the eight seconds time allocated. It seemed like a harsh decision, as a Waterford player was blocking. McKiernan was at the edge of the penalty area and raised her foot as the keeper attempted to kick the ball.

That incident aside, this was a solid performance from Steve Feeney’s side as Rachel McGoldrick returned to the starting 11 for the first time since she sustained an injury against Bohemian FC in the All-Island Cup at the end of April. Leah Kelly also made the starting lineup after missing the last two outings due to an injury she sustained in the WFAI Cup against DLR Waves.

The opening exchanges were tight, with the Sligo Rovers defence curtailing Fiana Bradley on her first home start for the hosts, and Waterford went close through Jessica Lawler midway through the opening half. However, it got tougher for the Munster women as they were reduced to 10 players in the 29th minute when the referee issued a red card to Stephenie Dumevi after she impeded Muireann Devaney, who was through on goal.

That forced Waterford boss Gary Hunt into a change and Danielle Griffin replaced Olivia Shannon, but soon after, the Bit O’Red capitalised and hit the front when Emma Hansberry fired her side into the lead with a good finish.

Waterford still threatened on the counter and had a couple of opportunities before the interval, and Bonnie McKiernan produced a smart save on the stroke of halftime when she fingertipped a well-struck Bradley effort to safety at the expense of a corner.

Sligo Rovers were reasonably comfortable in the second half with substitutes Paula McGrory and Bernie Ferreira making a solid contribution, and Alana Doherty adding a crucial second goal in the 64th minute. Emma Hansberry’s free wasn’t dealt with by the Waterford defence, and Doherty applied the finishing touch to ease the Bit O’Red into the comfort zone.

Waterford kept pushing forward, but Sligo Rovers could have had a third goal two minutes from time when substitute Kya McKenna raced clear, but Waterford’s Maeve Williams was equal to the task and averted the danger.

Waterford – Maeve Williams, Jessica Lawler, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke, Chloe Atkinson, Fiana Bradley, Sophie Slattery, Olivia Shannon, Erin O’Brien, Stephanie Dumevi, I. Walsh.
Subs – Danielle Griffin for Shannon (29 mins), Orla Hickey for O’Brien (halftime), C. Kearney for Atkinson (85 mins).

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan, Alice Lillie, Leah Kelly, Annie McKinley, Alana Doherty, Katie Melly, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Paula McGrory for McGoldrick and Bernie Ferreira for McIntyre (58 mins), Kya McKenna for McDaniel and Cara King for Lillie (76 mins), Lauren Devaney for McKinley (80 mins).

Referee – David Dunne
Assistant referees – Chris Campbell, David Connolly
Fourth official – Kevin O’Sullivan