BY CONALL COLLIER

From five for to five against was only the tip of the iceberg for Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt following Saturday’s Women’s Premier Division (WPD) reversal against hosts Athlone Town.

Two red cards, one for goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan and one for manager Tommy Hewitt, were the main topics of discussion at the end of 90 minutes although the majority of spectators would have been unaware that the Sligo Rovers manager had been sent-off at half-time.

Sixty seconds had hardly elapsed when the referee deemed Bit O’Red goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan guilty of a red-card challenge on former Sligo Rovers player Casey Howe.

A further three minutes elapsed before the referee had an opportunity to brandish the ‘Bit O’Red’ to McKiernan as both players required immediate attention arising out of a hefty head-on collision.

Both players challenged for the ball with McKiernan racing from her penalty area and Howe going in the opposite direction.

Following the collision, both players had to be assisted off the ground and then off the pitch and play resumed with a free for Athlone.

Facing Athlone with a full complement of players would be a stern challenge for any team, but to have only 10 for 89 minutes meant that this was yet another test of character for Sligo Rovers.

Two quick first-half goals eased Athlone into the comfort zone by the interval and when the team emerged for the second-half there was no sign of Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt in the technical area.

Usually, a post-match interview with the manager is pitchside, but on this occasion the chat took place under the stand of the well-appointed Athlone Town Stadium, due to the red card.

Upset and annoyed was the demeanour of the manager, but it was in no way related to the result or the performance of the team.

“Look, I don’t want to say much because I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” stated Tommy Hewitt.

“The two players were injured, Bonnie sustained concussion and Casey (Howe) didn’t fare too well out of it either, but there wasn’t anything malicious in the challenge.

“I approached the officials at half-time as I wasn’t sure what Bonnie had been sent-off for, the game was only on for about a minute and I didn’t really see what happened.

“I asked the referee about the red card and he told me to go away and then I got a red card.

“Leaving that to one side, it was a tremendous performance from the team, I know I say it every week, but I was immensely proud of how they stood up to a very talented Athlone team.

“Earlier this season (in Athlone) we had a similar type of incident when the Athlone ‘keeper impeded our player when we had a goal-scoring chance and we didn’t even get a free.

“I suppose, to sum it up, I’m very disappointed with certain aspects of today’s game and it’s also tough on the players,” he concluded.

BY CONALL COLLIER

Top-of-the-table hosts Athlone Town took the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) points against a Sligo Rovers side that was reduced to 10 players in the opening minute on Saturday night.

Early first-half Athlone Town goals from Rosin Molloy and Brenda Ebika Tabe were augmented by a second Molloy goal soon after the resumption, a fine Kerry-Anne Brown strike on the hour and an 89^th minute Jesi Lynn Rossman penalty that completed the tally.

Against the odds, a young Sligo Rovers enjoyed some good spells in the game and substitute Anna McDaniel’s super 70^th minute strike was a real reward for the overall efforts of the 10 players.

However, the pattern of this game was set after only 60 seconds when Bit O’Red goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan was red-carded by referee Glen Geraghty following a challenge outside her penalty area that looked like a clash of heads with Athlone Town’s Casey Howe.

The former teammates at the Showgrounds last season were both assisted from the pitch after a lengthy stoppage.

When play resumed with an Athlone free, Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt had to withdraw Paula McGrory with Amber Hardy taking over between the posts.

That left a depleted Bit O’Red side facing into 89 minutes of a rear-guard action against possibly the best team in the WPD at the moment as the Westmeath women vie for supremacy with joint-leaders Shelbourne ahead of next Saturday’s visit to Tolka Park.

There was further censure for Sligo Rovers during the interval when manager Tommy Hewitt was red-carded following a query to the officials regarding the decision to send-off Bonnie McKiernan in the opening minute. That gave coach Brendan Fitzsimons the managerial bib for the second-half.

Athlone Town dominated for the most part and were certainly worthy of a four-goal winning margin that would have been substantially greater without the performance of substitute goalkeeper Amber Hardy who drew gasps of admiration from supporters with some spectacular saves.

The nine outfield players also produced excellent performances in what would have been a rapid learning experience in a challenging environment.

The Bit O’Red just couldn’t cope with the surging runs down the wing of player-of-the-match Rosin Molloy who scored in each half and made the opening for her side’s fourth goal as Athlone probed and pushed in an effort to improve goal difference.

Sligo Rovers will host Treaty Utd next Sunday at the Showgrounds with a 2pm kick-off.

Athlone Town – Katie Keane; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynn Rossman, Rosin Molloy, Emily Burke, Laurie Ryan, Kerry-Anne Brown, Casey Howe, Madison Gibson.

Subs – Brenda Ebika Tebe for Howe one minute, Taylor Anderson for Burke and Hazel Donegan for Brown both 62m, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor for Molloy and Isabel Ryan for Gibson both 81m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Keeva Flynn, Yvonne Hedigan, Kelsey Munroe, Alice Lillie, Muireann Devaney, Keri Loughrey, Paula McGrory, Jodie Loughrey, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre.

Subs – Amber Hardy for McGrory one minute, Leah Kelly for McIntyre and Kate Nugent for Hedigan both half-time, Sarah Kiernan for Munroe 59m, Anna McDaniel for McGoldrick and Jessica Casey for Lillie both 68m.

Referee – Glen Geraghty.

Assistant-referees – Dylan Redmond, John Hanney.

Fourth Official – Oliver Moran.

ATHLONE TOWN v SLIGO ROVERS

BY CONALL COLLIER

Seven days on from a first win of the season, Sligo Rovers will travel to tackle joint-top of the Women’s Premier Division (WPD) Athlone Town on Saturday evening, 7.30pm.

For Bit O’Red manager Tommy Hewitt it will almost feel like a home game as he returns to the venue where he patrolled the side-lines for the Westmeath club as he guided the fortunes of Athlone Town and also scooped the 2022 manager-of-the-year accolade.

Now, more than halfway through his initial season in the Sligo Rovers hot seat, Hewitt’s belief in his players was vindicated last Saturday at the Showgrounds when a well-regarded Terenure Rangers side was confidently negotiated in the first round of the Women’s FAI Cup.

Not that Sligo Rovers can expect to glean much praise for the 5-0 victory, but it was, nevertheless, an important step in the development process of what is, essentially, a very young team.

Hewitt was full of praise for his players in the previous WPD game despite a one-goal defeat at Dalymount Park against Bohemian FC a fortnight ago and will be looking for that type of character and commitment again.

Saturday’s encounter against Athlone Town will be a third successive outing for the Bit O’Red following what has been a somewhat fragmented fixture list this season and consistent competitive action will surely prove beneficial.

Last weekend Athlone Town, as holders, had a bye in the first round of the Women’s FAI Cup and will host the Bit O’Red on the back of a 2-1 reversal against Peamount Utd in front of the TG4 cameras a fortnight ago.

This will be a second visit of the  season to Athlone Town following a 2-1 April reversal in the Avenir Sports Cup where, despite trailing by two goals at the interval, a 75^th minute Muireann Devaney goal saw Sligo Rovers finish on the front foot, but unable to get an equaliser.

Sligo Rovers lost (2-0) in a WPD game during May at the Showgrounds where a goal in each half from former player Casey Howe proved crucial for Athlone.

However, Bit O’Red claims for a penalty in that game were waved away by the referee after Keri Loughrey was impeded as she raced towards the Athlone penalty area and got a touch on the ball ahead of ‘keeper Katie Keane’s lunge, but the chance was gone.

Athlone will target a return to winning ways while the Bit O’Red will be aiming to add to last weekend’s victory and take something home from the game.

Kick-off at Athlone Town Stadium is at 7.30pm and the action will be live on LOITV.

MATCH REPORT WFAI CUP

BY CONALL COLLIER

SLIGO ROVERS 5-0 TERENURE RANGERS

Sligo Rovers negotiated the challenge of Terenure Rangers in the first round of the Women’s FAI Cup at the Showgrounds on Saturday with a five-goal salvo that gave Tommy Hewitt’s side a first competitive win of the season.

First-half goals from Paula McGrory (two) were augmented by further strikes from Jodie and Keri Loughrey and Rebecca Doddy after the break to seal a comprehensive win.

The formbook indicated that this was the best team outside the League of Ireland against the bottom side in the Women’s Premier Division (WPD).

Terenure Rangers came into the game on the back of an impressive 2-1 victory six days earlier in the final of the FAI Amateur Cup against Whitehall Rangers as they retained the trophy won 12 months earlier.

Sligo Rovers kicked-off without a competitive win in either the WPD this season or the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup.

Last season the Dublin women faced Cork City in the competition, but lost out in that encounter at Richmond Park while Sligo Rovers made it to the last four where they exited against eventual winners, Athlone Town.

Sligo Rovers dominated the opening half, but squandered a number of early chances before Paula McGrory broke the deadlock with a fine finish on 20 minutes.

Soon after McGrory was narrowly wide following a good cross from Leah Kelly, but then the Bit O’Red displayed some complacency for a brief spell and were fortunate to keep the lead intact when Yvonne Hedigan had to scramble the ball off the line.

The chance for Terenure was created more by poor defensive play by the hosts who were extremely relieved not to concede an equaliser although Sarah Ryan and Caroline Thorpe were a constant threat for the Dublin women.

However, that reprieve appeared to spark the hosts into action and following a sustained period of pressure a claim for a penalty was waved away by the referee.

The official stopped play to allow Leah Kelly receive some attention in the Terenure penalty area and the hosts then finished the half on a high when McGrory made space and finished to the net for a 2-0 interval advantage.

Terenure resumed smartly for the second-half and Sarah Ryan had an excellent chance to reduce the deficit in the 47^th minute, but was wide of the target. The same player had a couple of other chances for Terenure, but despite her best efforts was unable to find the net.

The Bit O’Red remained in the ascendancy and added a third goal with a superb Jodie Loughrey effort after Paula McGrory’s persistence to keep the ball in play was rewarded and Keri Loughrey made it 4-0 with a lob from about 30 metres following a quick counter attack.

Substitute Katie Melly was denied by the post on 72 minutes soon after Rebecca Doddy and Mairead McIntyre combined to create an opening.

Terenure substitute goalkeeper Liv Torfeldt had a hectic final seven minutes during which she made some spectacular saves, but she was beaten in the 90^th minute when Doddy finished from close range to make it 5-0 for the hosts.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Yvonne Hedigan, Keeva Flynn, Kelsey Munroe, Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie, Keri Loughrey, Leah Kelly, Jodie Loughrey, Paula McGrory, Mairead McIntyre. 

Subs – Kate Nugent for Hedigan and Rachel McGOldrick for Kiernan both half-time, Rebecca Doddy for Kelly and Cara King for Munroe both 60 mins, Katie Melly for McGrory 72m

Terenure Rangers – Niamh Geraghty; Leanne Dicker, Niamh O’Donoghue, Jessica Hunt, Kerri Duffy, Caroline Thorpe, Linda Douglas, Niamh Carroll, Sarah Ryan, Caroline Healy, Melissa Haughton. 

Subs – Lydia Kavanagh for Carroll 64 mins, Louise Gleeson for Healy 72m, Anna McGilacuddy for O’Donoghue and Liv Torfeldt for Geraghty both 83m

Referee – Robert Dowling

Assistant-referees – Darren Corcoran, Keenan Deering.

Fourth Official – Richard Storey.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will seek a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FAI Cup this Saturday as they host Dublin’s Terenure Rangers at the Showgrounds, with kick-off at 3pm.

Terenure Rangers arrive with strong confidence following their 2-1 victory in the Women’s FAI Amateur Cup final last Sunday, where they defeated Whitehall Rangers at the Belfield Bowl. This win secured back-to-back cup triumphs for Terenure, making them the first team to retain the trophy.

Sligo Rovers made a solid start at this stage of the competition last season with a comfortable win over Donegal’s Bonagee Utd at the Showgrounds. Conversely, Terenure’s 5-0 defeat to Cork City in the same round last year at Richmond Park was somewhat misleading, as Cork City scored the final three goals late in the game.

Terenure enters this match in excellent form, having secured victories over Home Farm (4-0), Marks Celtic (11-1), Killester/Donnycarney (4-2), and Douglas Hall (6-2) leading up to their recent cup win.

Terenure manager Caroline Kelly and her team—Paula Hamilton, Robert Fitzgerald, Alan Moore, and Ciara Smith—have carefully reviewed Sligo Rovers’ recent performances against Peamount Utd and Bohemian FC. Despite making five enforced changes in their last match, Sligo Rovers will benefit from the return of key players like Yvonne Hedigan and Keeva Flynn, which could strengthen their defence.

Although Sligo Rovers have struggled with scoring this season, they have consistently created chances. Facing a team from outside the Women’s Premier Division might be the catalyst they need for their first win of the season.

With Terenure Rangers in impressive form and aiming for victory, an exciting and closely contested 90 minutes is expected at the Showgrounds.

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New signings Jack Henry-Francis and Luke Pearce are available for selection as Sligo Rovers take on Cobh Wanderers in Sunday’s Sports Direct FAI Cup second round clash at the Showgrounds, kick-off 6pm.

Rovers will look to progress against the Munster Senior League side on the 30th anniversary year of the club’s second FAI Cup win, back in 1994. 

The Bit O’Red will be without the suspended JR Wilson who serves the second of a three match ban following his red card against Derry City. While John Mahon continues his recovery from a long-term achilles injury. Kailin Barlow will miss out following a knock he picked up in Friday’s friendly draw with Everton in Sligo. 

Stephen Mallon is available despite being sent off during last week’s win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park. He will serve his suspension in an upcoming Premier Division game. 

While Henry-Francis and Pearce will be in the match day squad, after recently agreeing to join on loan from Arsenal and Cardiff City respectively. 

Rovers have experience of coming up against the Cork side in recent FAI Cup history. A brace from Dinny Corcoran along with strikes from David Cawley and Raffaele Cretaro saw Sligo advance to the fourth round at the expense of Cobh at St Colman’s Park, back in 2015. 

Manager John Russell played the first half of that game and having won the cup with Rovers in both 2010 and 2011 as a player, he is aware of how much the tournament means to both the club and its supporters. Russell is also expecting Cobh to come to the Showgrounds looking to cause an upset. 

“There’s always a real excitement when it comes to the cup and the early rounds”, he says.

“I was there for two wins and was lucky to be involved. We all know how much the FAI Cup means to Rovers. We probably haven’t done ourselves much justice in the competition in the last few years but we’re going into this game in a really good place. 

“I would dearly love to bring this club to another cup final and win it but we can’t think about that at the moment. We have to win on Sunday.

“We have prepared in the same way as we would for any game. We know Cobh aren’t coming all the way to Sligo just to play a game of football. They have an experienced manager in Stephen Henderson who will know what it takes to get through and we have to be wary of them.

“We are in good form in the league the last few weeks but this stands for nothing when we kick-off. We know we have a real job on our hands on Sunday and that’s evident by the fact that we rested a lot of the lads for the Everton game.” 

David Goulden

Arsenal midfielder Jack Henry-Francis has joined Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of the 2024 season.

The Republic of Ireland underage international joins the Bit O’Red on a short-term loan deal subject to international transfer clearance.

The 20-year-old ‘box-to-box’ midfielder joined the Gunners in 2016 from Fulham when he was 13 and has regularly trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad. 

Henry-Francis, who qualifies for Ireland through his parents’ Mayo and Leitrim heritage, has played six times for the Irish under 19s and once for the U21s, against Kuwait last year. At the age of just 17, he featured as part of the Arsenal first-team squad which travelled to Scotland for a pre-season camp. A squad which featured a host of international stars.

Henry-Francis is the third new player to join Rovers this summer following Stephen Mallon’s move from Cliftonville, and Luke Pearce who joined on loan from Cardiff City. The London born starlet is hoping to make the most of his time at the Showgrounds, with senior football very much on the agenda.

“I’m looking to get some exposure to first-team football really and when I get the chance, I want to put in some really good performances”, he says.

“I think I can do that here. I’ve spoken a lot to John and about his plans for me and the squad for the rest of the year and it’s been very exciting. I know a fair bit about the league and have watched a fair bit of it since I knew I’d be moving over. There seems to be a lot of togetherness in the team and a lot of fight along with some really good technical players.”

Henry-Francis, who turns 21 in September, is already familiar with being around players at the very top of the game having been around the Arsenal first team. He feels this will only help him as he looks to settle in at the Showgrounds.    

“It’s always a great experience being with Arsenal’s first-team as it’s always intense as there are a lot of demands, but I feel that will stand to me at Rovers. The trip to Scotland was incredible as you were playing alongside players with lots of Premier League and international experience. The last few years, the level I’ve trained at has really made me play up a level as you’re training with players who are chasing Premier League titles.”

Speaking about the move, Rovers boss John Russell says he feels he has found a player who will easily fit into his plans for the team between now and the end of the year.

“I am delighted to bring Jack to the Showgrounds”, he says.

“He is a tenacious midfielder who plays the game with real energy and aggression. It’s important now that we continue to add real quality to the group and Jack fits that profile. We are all excited to get to work with him and I know he’s looking forward to making an impact between now and the end of the season.”

David Goulden

Sligo Rovers can confirm that striker Luke Pearce has joined the club on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the 2024 season. The 20-year-old joins the Bit O’Red subject to international transfer clearance.

Pearce began his career at Walsall before being picked up by Southampton where he spent three seasons as a regular in both the B and U21 teams. The young attacker also spent time on loan at Torquay and Eastbourne before joining Cardiff earlier this month. 

Pearce has been capped by both the Irish under 18s and 19s and qualifies for the Republic through his mother who hails from County Sligo. 

“I know quite a bit about Sligo and Rovers already through my mum’s family. It’s a really big deal for my family for me to be joining on loan for a while”. he says. “I cannot wait to get out there and play in front of the fans.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how I can do in the League of Ireland. I know it’s a very competitive league and Rovers are doing well at the moment based on recent results. I’ve only been here a short while but I can feel the positivity around the club, both on and off the field. I am really looking forward to picking up some first team experience here and helping Rovers kick on in the league and of course there’s the FAI Cup to come very soon so I’ll be looking to make an impact.”

Commenting on his latest acquisition, Rovers boss John Russell says Pearce is a player he has tracked for some time.

“Luke is a player I’ve been keeping an eye on for a while”, he said. 

“I feel he will bring energy and aggression to our front line. He has really good movement and has the ability to score different types of goals. It’s important we added to our squad in this window. There are a lot of important games coming up so securing Luke on loan is really good business for us.”

David Goulden