Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park on 27 September for their penultimate Women’s Premier Division away fixture. Kick-off is at 15:00, with all the action available live on LOITV.

Rovers aim to secure valuable points as the league nears its final stages. Despite a 4-1 defeat to Peamount United last week, the first-half play and counter-attacking moments highlighted the team’s potential.

In team news, both Leah Kelly and Cara King are set to miss the trip and could be sidelined for the remainder of the season, with assessments due in the coming days. Cara King was forced off the pitch during last Saturday’s defeat, while Leah Kelly completed the full 90 minutes despite carrying a knock. Their absence will be a setback as Rovers prepare to face Bohemians.

Bohemian FC sit sixth in the table and have won three of their last four games, including a 2-2 draw in their most recent match after trailing 2-0. Rovers have drawn both meetings with them this season, but this will be their first trip of the campaign to Dalymount Park.

Manager Steve Feeney said: “Bohemians have had a great season. They are a well-drilled, organised team with some talented young players. They were runners-up in the All-Island Cup, are in the FAI Cup final, and are performing strongly in the league. We take confidence from drawing with them twice this year, so we know we can compete on the day. But we must turn up and learn from the mistakes in last Saturday’s defeat, because they are a team that can punish us.”

Jack Dempsey

Greenogue Park, 20 September 2025

Sligo Rovers fought hard in Dublin but were beaten 4–1 by hosts Peamount United, who controlled the majority of possession throughout the match.

Line-ups

Peamount United:
Ciara Glackin; Lauryn O’Callaghan (C) (Grace Moore 86), Mary Phillips, Sadhbh Doyle, Eleanor Ryan Doyle (Lucy McCartan 22); Ellen Dolan (Karla Moore 86), Abby Tuthill, Sorcha Melia (Mia McGonnell 86), Dearbhaile Beirne; Antea Guvo, Aisling Spillane

Substitutes: Niamh Coombes, Lucy McCartan, Karen Duggan, Mia McGonnell, Toni Marie Ceno, Ruby Gallagher, Grace Moore, Abigail Quinn, Karla Moore

Sligo Rovers:
Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King (Ava Hallinan 70), Eimear Lafferty, Kate Nugent, Katie Melly (Alice Lillie 58); Leah Kelly (Paula McGrory 58), Emma Hansberry (C), Alana Doherty, Mairead McIntyre (Bernie Ferreira 79); Muireann Devaney, Anna McDaniel (Rachel McGoldrick 70)

Substitutes: Louise Masterson, Paula McGrory, Bernie Ferreira, Alice Lillie, Eve Caprani, Rachel McGoldrick, Ava Hallinan, Lauren Devaney, Natasha Kelly

Referee: Daryl Carolan

Rovers started brightly, with Alana Doherty making early defensive interventions to limit Peamount’s initial attacks. On nine minutes, Muireann Devaney drove down the left and her shot was saved by Peamount goalkeeper Ciara Glackin, but the rebound fell to Emma Hansberry, who calmly finished to give Rovers the early lead.

Peamount responded and equalised on 28 minutes through Sorcha Melia. Despite the home side dominating possession for most of the first half, Rovers stayed organised and kept the game level at 1–1 going into the break.

The second half saw Peamount take control. Ellen Dolan scored twice, including a well-struck effort from distance, while substitute Ruby Gallagher produced a rocket of a strike into the far corner to seal the result.

Rovers were forced to defend for long spells but still created moments of danger on the counter. At the other end, Peamount’s Dearbhaile Beirne came closest to scoring with a half-volley that rattled the crossbar.

Manager Steve Feeney made several changes to respond to the pressure and injuries. Paula McGrory, Alice Lillie, Rachel McGoldrick, and Ava Hallinan all featured, with Cara King having to be lifted off due to injury after a strong defensive shift.

Throughout the match, Bonnie McKiernan was busy in goal, making a number of saves and helping to keep the scoreline from being wider.

Despite the result, Rovers showed promise in the first half and will look to build on that as they head to Dalymount Park next Saturday to face Bohemian FC.

Jack Dempsey

Sligo Rovers head to Greenogue Park on 20 September for a key Women’s Premier Division clash against Peamount United, kick-off 17:00. With just four games left in the season, Rovers are determined to keep building momentum and secure as many points as possible as they aim for a strong finish.

Rovers have shown plenty of belief and attacking intent in recent games. Their last outing against Treaty United was a perfect example of that spirit. Trailing 2-0 with only minutes to play, Muireann Devaney’s strike sparked a comeback that was sealed by Paula McGrory from the penalty spot, earning a dramatic 2-2 draw. Manager Steve Feeney reflected on the performance:

“The Treaty game was a strong performance, even though we found ourselves 2-0 down. Full credit to the girls, with only six or seven minutes remaining and being 2-0 down, they kept pressing and driving. That first goal gave them belief, and they were rewarded with a second to earn a point.”

Peamount United arrive in excellent form, having won four of their last five games, scoring freely and conceding just three goals. Ellen Dolan has been in particularly strong form, scoring four goals during this period and providing a challenge Rovers will need to manage carefully. Feeney added:

“Peamount have been on an excellent run of form, despite a narrow loss to third-placed Galway United. We know we’re facing a strong Peamount side that is scoring goals and getting results, so we must be at our best to give ourselves a chance.”

The sides last met on 3 May at the Showgrounds, with Rovers securing a 1-0 victory through Anna McDaniel’s early strike, marking Sligo Rovers’ first win over Peamount since March 2022.

In terms of squad availability, Kya McKenna is the only new injury concern following an academy game. A few other players remain sidelined from earlier in the season, but Rovers have plenty of options to keep playing with energy and attack positively.

“For this game, the focus is on being switched on, taking the belief from the Treaty game, and being positive in attack. We’ve been scoring more recently, which is pleasing, and we want to build on that. With four games left and 12 points to play for, we want to finish as high as possible. DLR are three points ahead, but Waterford and Cork are breathing down our necks, so every point counts.”

Kick-off is at 17:00 on Saturday at Greenogue Park, with all the action available to watch live on LOITV.

Jack Dempsey

By Conall Collier

Second last home game of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) for Sligo Rovers with the visit of Treaty Utd to the Showgrounds on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.

Despite last week’s reversal against Shelbourne, Steve Feeney’s side will be well-motivated for this encounter and the emphasis will be solely on restoring some pride.

The Bit O’Red delivered a disjointed second-half performance against Shelbourne and that is a statistic that the players will be focused on as they bid for a third home win of the season.

A tough season in terms of injuries has posed a consistent selection headache for Steve Feeney who reported after the game at Tolka Park that goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan, one of the top shot-stoppers in the WPD, played most of the game with a dislocated finger.

Add in the absence of players of the calibre of the injured trio of Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn and Jessica Casey plus the loss of the recently-departed Annie McKinley, that has forced other players into covering roles, not an ideal scenario at any time, but definitely a major handicap with so many others also on the casualty list.

Assessing last week’s second-half display as the low point of the season would be a reasonable conclusion. It was in stark contrast to the opening half where the Bit O’Red matched Shelbourne in all departments with the exception of the scoreboard.

And that wasn’t a new phenomenon as it was the team with the lowest number of goals this season against the team with the highest number of goals scored.

Nevertheless, Paula McGrory was unlucky not to claim at least two goals in that opening 45 minutes as Muireann Devaney sprayed passes around the pitch. There was also the absence of Emma Hansberry until late in the game after she was delayed on the way to the venue.

“The second-half against Shelbourne wasn’t typical of what we can produce, we just looked very disjointed and we made it far too easy for a Shelbourne side that had to win to stay in the race for the title,” commented Steve Feeney.

“We told the girls at half-time that we could quite easily have been on level terms and that’s a positive we can take out of the overall performance.

“I felt we put it up to Shelbourne in the opening half and I certainly didn’t anticipate what happened in the second-half, but we can’t dwell on that now and we have an opportunity to rectify it this weekend against Treaty Utd,” he added.

The Limerick side could move into third place with a victory at the Showgrounds if results elsewhere are favourable and the players will also be vying for starting places in the WFAI Cup semi-final the following weekend.

There is plenty to play for in that sense for the Munster women who are unbeaten in their last six outings and they can also boast a victory over Galway Utd last weekend when Madison McGuane converted a late penalty for a 2-1 victory.

There was also a 1-1 draw against Athlone Town in that six-game unbeaten run, but in July the Limerick side lost 6-0 to Shelbourne in the All-Island Cup quarter-final.

Treaty also laboured to 1-0 (WPD) and 2-0 (WFAI Cup) wins against a DLR Waves side that had to work hard for narrow victories against the Bit O’Red this season.

Based on that form, it might depend on which Treaty Utd side turns up at the Showgrounds on Saturday, but they will certainly take positives from a 3-0 WPD victory they enjoyed against the Bit O’Red last April at the Markets Field.

Looking forward to the encounter, Steve Feeney confirmed that Katie Melly and Kate Nugent will be available for this weekend as he reflected on the intensity and competitiveness of the WPD this season.

“I’ve said it before, the standard has improved so much, it’s hugely competitive and Treaty will be a big challenge for us on Saturday, they are in the top four and have a cup semi-final the following weekend,” said Steve.

“We have a good panel of players, lots of quality, it mightn’t look that way if you are judging by our last result, but look at what Athlone Town have achieved so far this season, they are looking forward to a Europa Cup clash against Glasgow City and they also achieved three wins in Champions League qualifying.

“That’s the level that we can aim for and I am adamant that we have quality young players who will have learned from last week’s experience and will be eager to make a statement against Treaty on Saturday.

“We have only two home games remaining this season and it would be a great way to finish off with two home victories, starting on Saturday against Treaty Utd,” he concluded.

Sligo Rovers v Treaty Utd is live on LOITV from the Showgrounds on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers gave another battling Women’s Premier Division (WPD) performance but ended up on the wrong end of an 8-0 scoreline against title-chasing Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday evening.

Both teams went into this encounter on the back of defeats, but the Dublin women were focused on regaining a place at the top of the table at the expense of Athlone Town who were in winning European action on Saturday.

Emma Hansberry was named in the starting 11, but was replaced by Mairead McIntyre before kick-off while Sarah McDaniel and Eimear Lafferty replaced the departed Annie McKinley and Katie Melly.

Shelbourne created the more clearcut chances in the opening half, but Sligo Rovers also had some good opportunities and finished the first 45 minutes with a tally of six corners.

The main difference on the scoreboard was that Shelbourne finished three of those opportunities to the net whereas the Bit O’Red didn’t and had to be content with going close on at least three occasions, all through Paula McGrory.

Muireann Devaney’s ability to play defence-splitting passes was a highlight of the first-half, but all the plaudits went to the hosts after they were gifted a 23rd minute lead.

Bit O’Red ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan, who made a series of excellent saves, lost possession of the ball from a centre and Noelle Murray capitalised instantly for the opening goal.

Further goals from Mackenzie Anthony and Megan Smyth-Lynch eased the Dublin side into a 3-0 interval advantage.

Shelbourne upped the tempo for the second-half and the Bit O’Red simply had no response.

Anthony added three more goals and there was one apiece from Smyth-Lynch and substitute Halle Murphy Harcourt.

Before kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of the late Ollie Horgan.

Shelbourne – Amanda McQuillan; Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Alex Kavanagh, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Noelle Murray, Jess Gargan, Aoibheaqnn Clancy, Lucy O’Rourke, Mackenzie Anthony, Maeve Wollmer.

Subs – Rachel Graham for Clancy and Gabriella Del Pico for Kavanagh both 62 mins; Sarah McCaffrey for Murray and Madeline McKInley for Gargan both 70m
Halle Murphy Harcourt for Anthony 81m

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Alana Doherty, Eimear Lafferty, Leah Kelly, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Rachel McGoldrick, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Mairead McIntyre.

Subs – Kya McKenna for McGoldrick, Emma Hansberry for McGrory and Bernie Ferreira for M McIntyre all 62 minutes, Lauren Devaney for Doherty and Cara King for A McDaniel both 84m,

Referee – Mark Moynihan.
Assistant-referees – Ruben Collins, Christopher Daly.
Fourth official – Wayne McDonnell.

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.