By Conall Collier

Battling Sligo Rovers earned a precious Women’s Premier Division (WPD) point at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening with an 86^th minute Keri Loughrey equaliser against Shamrock Rovers.

What was admirable about the result, from a Sligo Rovers perspective, was that the hosts hit the front in the fifth minute from an opportunist Aine O’Gorman effort that could certainly be classified as of the ‘soft’ variety, but the players displayed true grit and determination to stay in the game.

It was no more than the performance over 90 minutes merited as the players earned a tangible reward that will certainly boost confidence ahead of next Sunday’s FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone Town at the Showgrounds.

The opening goal was a setback as the Bit O’Red conceded a couple of early corners. From the second one O’Gorman made the most of some space in the penalty area and lobbed her effort past Bonnie McKiernan.

Sligo Rovers almost grabbed an equaliser inside 60 seconds, but Paul McGrory’s effort flashed past the outside of Amanda Budden’s post.

Nevertheless, the Bit O’Red belied a bottom-of-the-table position and dominated for large parts of the opening half with Anna McDaniel a constant threat with her tireless running.

She went close in the 20^th minute when her centre was fumbled by Budden and a minute later Muireann Devaney tested the home ‘keeper who saved well.

At the other end, Joy Ralph brought a good save out of Bonnie McKiernan as the hosts enjoyed a 1-0 interval lead.

Tommy Hewitt brought Katie Melly and Alice Lillie on for Paula McGrory and Kelsey Munroe at half-time and the Bit O’Red coped well with the swirling wind. A high-tempo performance coupled with some fine saves by Bonnie McKiernan kept the outcome in the balance.

On 65 minutes Katie Melly laid the ball off to Keri Loughrey and her effort was saved by Budden while at the other end Joy Ralph was narrowly off target for the hosts.

Most notable about the Bit O’Red was the way the players demonstrated an ability to match the opposition in terms of physicality and that, along with a willingness to work hard on and off the ball, ultimately contributed to a positive result.

Eimear Lafferty and Jessica Casey brought fresh legs for the final 25 minutes in place of Emma Hansberry and Rachel McGoldrick and Roise Burke also made another appearance for Anna McDaniel in the closing stages.

With four minutes remaining Joy Ralph was yellow-carded for an infringement around the halfway line. Bonnie McKiernan took the resultant free and lofted the ball into the penalty area where Keri Loughrey stood strong and finished to the net under pressure.

Loughrey almost grabbed a winner in added time, but a first point on the road since a scoreless draw with Treaty Utd last April certainly made the journey home much more enjoyable.

Shamrock Rovers – Amanda Budden; Fiona Owens, Savannah McCarthy, Maria Reynolds, Aoife Kelly, Stephanie Zambra, Lia O’Leary, Aine O’Gorman, Joy Ralph, Scarlett Herron, Ella Kelly.

Subs – Melissa O’Kane for Zambra and Katie O’Reilly for A Kelly both 70 mins, Jamie Thompson for E Kelly 81m.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Kelsey Munroe, Keeva Flynn, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Katie Melly for McGrory and Alice Lillie for Munroe both half-time, Eimear Lafferty for Handberry and Jessica Casey for McGoldrick both 65 mins, Roise Burke for McDaniel 83m.

Referee – Kate O’Brien.

Assistant-referees – Keenan Deering, Sean Stephens.

BY Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will feature twice in the space of 20 hours at Tallaght Stadium with a Women’s Premier Division (WPD) clash against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday following on from the men’s encounter on Friday evening.

The hosts will go into the game on the back of two WPD victories in contrast to the Bit O’Red who have lost the last two outings. Both teams also lost against Shelbourne.

The Dublin side exited the FAI Cup against Shelbourne on the same weekend that Sligo Rovers advanced to the last four with an excellent away win against DLR Waves,

However, this will be a third game in seven days for the Bit O’Red and that’s likely to produce a much-changed starting 11 for manager Tommy Hewitt following Wednesday night’s outing against Shelbourne.

With an FAI Cup semi-final on the horizon the following weekend, the Bit O’Red boss will likely use this game to make a final assessment for his best 11 for that Showgrounds tie on Sunday 22^nd September.

Despite the reversal against Shelbourne two days ago, there was a positive for the manager in the return to action of Emma Hansberry as an interval substitute following a lengthy spell on the sideline due to injury.

There was also a start for Katie Melly who made a valuable contribution for an hour with a more physical presence while Muireann Devaney and Paula McGrory were introduced in the second-half.

While the points are irrelevant in terms of silverware, both teams will be looking for victory and for Sligo Rovers a positive result would be a major boost as they seek a first WPD win of the season.

Twelve months ago Sligo Rovers lost at the Dublin venue a week before they caused a major shock in the FAI Cup. The players will be determined to produce a better result at Tallaght Stadium this time and then follow up in the FAI Cup the following weekend.

The game will be live on LOITV, kick-off at Tallaght Stadium is at 4pm.

By Conall Collier

Shelbourne eased to three valuable Women’s Premier Division points at the Showgrounds on Wednesday evening with four goals to spare against Sligo Rovers.

First-half goals from Kate Mooney (two) and Leah Doyle gave the Dublin side a 3-0 interval advantage and while they created plenty of second-half chances and tested the woodwork they could only muster one more goal that arrived from substitute Jemma Quinn in the 85^th minute.

Going into tonight’s game Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt made a number of changes as he welcomed back Bonnie McKiernan between the posts after she had been sidelined through injury and suspension.

Katie Melly also started and made a useful contribution in the opening 45 minutes with a number of efforts on target and there was also a return at the interval for Emma Hansberry who had also been sidelined through injury.

Kate Mooney had Shelbourne in front in the ninth minute and she added a second in the 33^rd minute following a quick counter attack as Sligo Rovers unsuccessfully appealed for a free and then lost possession.

Leah Doyle made it 3-0 soon after before Rachel McGoldrick had a chance for the hosts close to the interval.

The introduction of Emma Hansberry and Muireann Devaney for the second-half saw a more composed Bit O’Red performance while another substitute, Paul McGrory, had the ball in the Shelbourne net soon after she was brought on, but she was penalised for impeding ‘keeper Amanda McQuillan.

McQuillan was later yellow-carded after she raced out of her penalty area, but failed to get to the ball ahead of McGrory

Sligo Rovers go to Tallaght Stadium on Saturday for another WPD encounter and will then have a week to prepare for the FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone at the Showgrounds on Sunday 22^nd September.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Cara King, Kelsey Munroe, Jessica Casey, Katie Melly, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Kate Nugent, Rachel McGoldrick.

Subs – Emma Hansberry for McGoldrick and Lauren Devaney for Casey both half-time, Paula McGrory for Melly and Roise Burke for Kelly both 60 mins, Lauren Devaney for Lafferty and Lesley Ann Sweeney for Munroe both 75m

Shelbourne – Amanda McQuillan; Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle, Rachel Graham, Noelle Murray, Roma McLaoghlin, Jess Gargan, Magaret Pierce, Christie Gray, Kate Mooney.

Subs – Megan Smith-Lynch for Gary, Lucy O’Rourke for Graham and Nia Hannon for Slattery all 55 mins, Hannah Healy for Pierce and Jemma Quinn for Mooney both 67m, Aoife Sheridan for Keena 82m

Referee – David Dunne.

Assistant-referees – Aaron Pisarnik and Niall McLoughlin.

Fourth Official – Darren Corcoran.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers Tommy Hewitt admitted that his team produced a tired looking performance against DLR Waves at the Showgrounds as they slumped to a 12^th Women’s Premier Division (WPD) defeat of the season on Saturday.

The game marked his return to the sideline, following suspension, and for five of the players who finished the game it was a second outing in as many days and a third in a week following the previous Saturday’s battling display against title-chasing Galway Utd at Eamonn Deacy Park.

However, the Bit O’Red boss also accepted that a young team that features many players who are coming through the academy, that performances can vary in terms of consistency from game-to-game.

There won’t be too much time to dwell on the result against DLR as the focus will now turn to the arrival Shelbourne at the Showgrounds on Wednesday evening and that will be followed by a trip to Tallaght next Saturday.

The schedule of fixtures means that a majority of players will have lined out in five games in the space of 14 days including two midweek.

Last Tuesday night the Sligo Rovers u-19 team made the long journey to the Oscar Traynor Centre in Dublin for an Academy Cup quarter-final against Bohemian FC – Alice Lillie, Cara King, Anna McDaniel, Jessica Casey and Roise Burke all featured then and on Saturday against DLR Waves.

“I was very disappointed with the result against DLR Waves and I have to assess my own contribution to this, it looked like a very tired performance and I can understand that to a certain extent,” explained the 2022 WPD manager-of-the-year.

“And it won’t get any easier as we have three more games in the space of the next 10 days and we just have to find something a little bit extra, both from my own perspective and from the players.

“We were expected to win against DLR Waves and that’s not something that we are used to this season and we just didn’t cope well enough, that expectation won’t be there on Wednesday night against Shelbourne.

“Over the last few weeks there has been steady improvement, but we probably need to add a little bit of experience to the starting 11.

“We have also lost some very experienced players during the mid-season break and when you put all that together it leaves it a bit more difficult to find a bit of consistency on the pitch.

“I have no doubt that there will be a marked improvement against Shelbourne on Wednesday evening, I know the players will react positively and I’ll also have to try to freshen things up a little for the next two games,” he concluded.

Match Report

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers are still looking for a first Women’s Premier Division (WPD) win of the season following Saturday’s reversal against Dublin side DLR Waves.

An early goal from a penalty gave DLR Waves the platform for victory and they added further goals each side of the interval an close to the end for a comfortable victory.

Five of the Sligo Rovers players, Alice Lillie, Cara King, Anna McDaniel, Jessica Casey and Rose Burke featured in last Tuesday night’s u-19 Academy Cup quarter-final away to Bohemian FC  

Rebecca Doddy came in for Rachel McGoldrick in the only change from the previous week’s outing against Galway Utd

DLR Waves took the lead from that eighth minute penalty converted by Amber Cosgrove.

The Dublin women added a second goal in the 20^th minute when Keelin Dodd found some space on the edge of the Sligo Rovers penalty area with her shot going in off the bottom of the crossbar.

DLR could have added a couple of more goals before the break as Abigail Brophy hit the post, Amber Hardy saved from Aisling Meehan and Leah Kelly cleared off the line with the half-time whistle a relief for the Bit O’Red.

Sligo Rovers made a positive start to the second-half and created a couple of chances, but all that was undone in the 52^nd minute when a quick DLR break gave Aisling Meehan an opening for her second goal.

Sligo Rovers pushed and probed for the remainder, but were unable to make any impact on the scoreboard as Shannon Hanlon Coady added a fourth goal and were denied a fifth when Amber Hardy saved an 89^th minute DLR penalty.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Keeva Flynn, Sarah Kiernan, Alice Lillie,  Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Rebecca Doddy, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Kelsey Munroe for Kelly, Jessica Casey for Kiernan and Cara King for Doddy all half-time, Katie Melly for McGrory 57 mins, Roise Burke for Devaney 70m.

DLR Waves – Rugile Auskainyte; Jessica Gleeson, Isobel Finnegan, Rachel Doyle, Rebecca McMahon, Nadine Seward, Abigail Brophy, Taylor White, Amber Cosgrove, Leah Donnelly, Keelin Dodd. Subs – Shannon Hanlon-Coady for Meehan and Robyn Bolger for Doyle both 57 mins, Eve Conheady for Cosgrove 72m, Nadine Raymond for White and Chloe McCarthy for McMahon both 77m.

Referee – Declan Toland.

Assistant referees – Conor Harkin, Endrit Malaveci.

Fourth Official – Richard Storey

Ray Gallagher was appointed Sligo Rovers Club President, and Seamus Cummins as Vice President, at a ceremony in the Showgrounds on Saturday. Along with Ray and Seamus’ family and friends, the attendance included former players Tony Fagan, Chris Rutherford, Johnny Kenny, Martin McDonnell, and Nicky Broujos. Other guests included Frank Feighan TD, FAI match delegate Jim O’Connell, Ray’s former work colleague Carmel Feeney, members of the Management Committee, the Showgrounds Trustee Board, members of the Rovers Heritage Group, and Club volunteers.

Chair of the Showgrounds Trustee Board, Albert Higgins, recalled Ray’s first involvement with Rovers in the mid-60s when he invited him to the Showgrounds in his capacity as Agricultural Advisor to advise on the maintenance of the pitch. He outlined Ray’s pivotal role in securing the ground for Rovers in the late 60s and paid tribute to both Ray and Seamus for their outstanding contribution to the ground and the club over their lifetime of service.

Sligo Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins said, “Today Sligo Rovers take the opportunity to honour two exemplary servants of the Club, Ray Gallagher and Seamus Cummins. In paying tribute to Ray and Seamus, I also want to acknowledge the special place held in this club for our former President, the late Paddy Gilmartin. Ray and Seamus are in the same tradition of dedicated volunteers. Ray served in a number of capacities since he first became involved in the 1960s, including Club Chairman and Chairman of our Development Committee. Arguably, his greatest legacy is in securing the Showgrounds for this club and this community.”

BY CONALL COLLIER

Sligo Rovers will welcome DLR Waves to the Showgrounds on Saturday for a Women’s Premier Division basement battle between the bottom two teams, kick-off 2pm.

Two weeks ago the Bit O’Red travelled to the Belfield Bowl for a FAI Cup quarter-final tie and knocked the Dublin side out of the competition with a 3-1 victory.

Goals from Anna McDaniel, Kelsey Munroe and Paula McGrory sealed the victory as Sligo Rovers stood strong against a serious second-half test from DLR Waves.

That type of performance will be required again on Saturday and Pauls McGrory will be eager to add to her goal tally as manager Tommy Hewitt returns to the sideline after serving a three-match suspension.

“i had to watch the last three games from the stand and I could see things that I wouldn’t normally see from the sideline, as a team, as a unit, we have improved, but the bottom line is we have to win this game to back up that claim,” stated the manager.

“There isn’t too much between the teams, but we need to get a win on Saturday, I can’t put it in any more simple terms.

“It’s not that the points are of any significance to either team, but the result will be significant on a number of fronts.

“As I said, we need to get a win and our supporters will be expecting us to win on the evidence from the victory a fortnight ago.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us and DLR Waves will want to make amends, but we have made tremendous strides since the start of the season and hopefully we can demonstrate that on Saturday,” he added.

Saturday’s encounter will be the first of three games in seven days and that will test the strength and depth of the squad with title-chasing Shelbourne due to visit the Showgrounds on Wednesday followed by a visit to Tallaght on Saturday, 14^th September.

“It will be a hectic week, we will have Shelbourne next Wednesday and then we have to go to Tallaght Stadium on the Saturday, all that before the Cup semi-final against Athlone Town the following weekend,” stated the manager.

“When you look at that schedule, they are all big games and we have to try to win them all, but my focus, and the focus of the players will be solely on DLR Waves this weekend.

“We have a relatively small squad and we will be without Jodie Loughrey for Saturday due to injury, she missed the Galway game last weekend and she will be a big loss,

“We were excellent against Galway in the first half last Saturday, but we dropped off a bit in the second half, that’s something we need to address and the next opportunity will be against DLR Waves.

“The players are learning and gaining experience in every game and we will be ready for a battle against DLR Waves, if we can produce a consistent performance over the 90 minutes that will be crucial.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday, not just because I’ll be back on the sideline, but we will be going into the game knowing that we have a realistic chance of getting that first win.

“All I can say is that it was very frustrating for the last three games, having to watch from a distance and no involvement with the team beforehand, hopefully we’ll get the win to make it a good weekend,” he concluded.

The game will be live on LOITV and kick-off at the Showgrounds is 2pm.

By Conall Collier

Former Sligo Rovers striker Emma Doherty scored a 53^rd minute Women’s Premier Division winner for Galway Utd against the Bit O’Red in a tight encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening.

Two and a half seasons at the Showgrounds ended surprisingly with a move to Galway during the transfer window.

The Buncrana woman’s second-half strike was all that separated the sides after 90 minutes as Amanda Smith’s lead goal for Galway was cancelled by Paula McGrory’s penalty close to the interval

Sligo Rovers made two changes from the team that defeated DLR Waves a week earlier with Rachael McGoldrick and Sarah Kiernan coming in for Kelsey Munroe and Jodie Loughrey.

Galway also made two changes from the team that negotiated Peamount Utd last time out with Amanda Smith and Therese Kinnevey replacing Aoibheann Costello and Kate Thompson

Galway dictated most of the first-half exchanges, but found the going tough against a resilient and uncompromising Sligo Rovers side that had a Rachael McGoldrick shot on target in the 11^th minute and then there was an audacious lob from Paula McGrory a minute later that was narrowly wide.

At the other end it was all about the contribution of Julie Ann Russell who was a constant threat and she forced the error from the Bit O’Red rearguard in the 17^th minute that created the opportunity for Amanda Smith to rifle to the net.

Despite conceding the goal, Sligo Rovers continued to push forward and were rewarded for pressure in the 34^th minute when Keri Loughrey was impeded in the Galway penalty area and McGrory confidently converted the resultant spot kick to leave it 1-1 at the interval.

The Galway girls were quick out of the traps for the second-half and had two early chances before Doherty’s goal gave them the lead again.

It was generally a Galway dominated second-half and Amber Hardy produced her usual number of top class saves that denied both Doherty on 66 minutes and Russell soon after.

The Bit O’Red carved out an opening near the end, but Galway ‘keeper Jessica Berlin tipped the effort away for a corner.

Manager Tommy Hewitt had to watch again from the stand, but has now served a three-game suspension and will be back on sideline duty for next Saturday’s home game against DLR Waves, kick-off 2pm.

Galway Utd – Jessica Berlin; Lucy Jane Grant, Isabella Beletic, Jamie Erickson, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKey, Julie Ann Russell, Therese Kinnevey, Amy Madden, Amanda Smith, Emma Doherty. Subs – Aisling Meaney for McKey half-time, Rolake Olasula for Doherty 90 mins.

Sligo Rovers – Amber Hardy; Leah Kelly, Alice Lillie, Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Muireann Devaney, Paula McGrory, Keri Loughrey, Eimear Lafferty, Rachael McGoldrick, Anna McDaniel. Subs – Jessica Casey for McGoldrick 76 mins, Cara King for McDaniel and Rebecca Doddy for McGrory both 83m.

By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers will travel to tackle hosts Galway Utd in a crucial Women’s Premier Division (WPD) game on Saturday, 5pm.

The two-time Avenir Sports All-Island Cup champions will go into this game on a high following last Saturday’s impressive victory against defending WPD champions Peamount Utd where a brace of Julie Ann Russell goals and one from former Sligo Rovers striker Emma Doherty sealed the win.

“No one gave us a chance last week in the FAI Cup away to DLR Waves, but we had nothing to lose and we are certainly not a bad team. We just haven’t got results in some games where we were worth a draw or even a win,” stated Sligo Rovers manager Tommy Hewitt.

“It will be the same against Galway, no one will give us a chance and they won’t be holding anything in reserve, but I’m in a good position now with players coming back into contention for selection and we have that FAI Cup semi-final on the horizon as well.

“However, I’m not under any illusions, that’s a good Galway team and it will be vital that we produce a performance and then see where that will take us over the 90 minutes.

“I’m still suspended, I will have to watch from the stand in Galway, but the team will be well prepared, both Conor (O’Grady) and Jay (McCartney) are doing a good job and I will be on the sideline for the next home game, the following week against DLR Waves,” he added.

Galway defeated Sligo Rovers twice this season, last March, first in the Avenir Sports Cup by 2-0 and then a week later in the WPD at the Showgrounds where an 88^th minute penalty gave them a hard-earned 3-2 victory.

Twice Galway were in front in that game, a 19^th minute Jenna Slattrey goal was cancelled by Emma Doherty early in the second-half. Jamie Erickson restored Galway’s lead with 20 minutes remaining and Jodie Loughrey levelled in the 82^nd minute.

A draw looked likely until referee Glen Geraghty pointed to the spot on the stroke of full-time and Slattery converted.

Unusually, both teams featured seven players from that encounter in last weekend’s starting line-ups and both go into Saturday’s showdown buoyed by 3-1 victories, Galway defeated Peamount at home while Sligo Rovers travelled to Dublin and negotiated DLR Waves.

The formbook suggests a home victory, but an improving Sligo Rovers side will be eager to sustain some momentum in an effort to pick up points and get off the bottom of the table with only seven games remaining.

The action will be on LOITV and kick-off is at 5pm

The 500 Club members draw for July and August was made recently by the 500 Club Committee.

These monthly draws see ten members drawn each month for cash prizes, with the top prize being €500.

The 500 Club continues to be one of the club’s most important Fundraisers and we wish to thank all members, and the 500 Club committee for their continued hard work.

July 2024

• €500 Donal Egan – Carney, Co. Sligo 
• €100 Ian McLoughlin – Calry, Co. Sligo
• €100 Enda Molloy – Ballinteer, Co. Dublin
• €100 Brendan Crowne – Oakfield, Co. Sligo
• €100 David McGoldrick – Slane, Co. Meath
• €100 Justin Greene – Ely, England
• €100 Eddie Sheahan – Rathcormac, Co. Sligo
• €100 Brian Bourke – Belfast, UK
• €100 Ronald Dunne – Heather View, Co. Sligo
• €100 Jim Gallagher – Kintogher, Co. Sligo

August 2024

• €500 Pat Togher – Shannon Eighter, Sligo
• €100 Clive Hynes – Oakfield Park, Sligo
• €100 Kevin/Rosaleen O’Grady – Kevinsfort, Sligo
• €100 Fergal Burke – Ballincar, Sligo
• €100 Phillip Lynott – Cleveragh Rd, Sligo
• €100 Kieran McDermott – Knocknahur, Sligo
• €100 Edel Hackett – Calry, Co. Sligo
• €100 Elizabeth Feeney – Rathbraughan Park, Sligo
• €100 J.P. McDonagh – Chapel St, Sligo
• €100 Shane Martin – Rosehill, Sligo