Sligo Rovers will go into this Saturday’s Women’s Premier Division (WPD) game against bottom-of-the-table Cork City aiming for a third successive victory, writes Conall Collier.

Kick-off is 5pm with tickets available at turnstiles.

Central to that level of expectation is recent form that has delivered a two-game unbeaten run following what was a nine-game sequence without a victory between the WPD and Avenir Sports Cup.

There will be huge determination amongst the Sligo Rovers players to extend that winning form this Saturday at the Showgrounds in order to boost confidence for the following weekend’s FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone Town.

Bit O’Red manager Steve Feeney has a couple of players on the doubtful list, but he is eagerly looking forward to another home game.

“We are monitoring Casey Howe and Sarah Kiernan and hopefully they will be available for selection, but we have a strong panel and everyone wants to get a run to show what they can do ahead of the FAI Cup game,” stated Steve.

“We have always tried to focus on the performance of the team in any game, we have always believed that if we get that right, then we will always have a chance in any game we play.

“We have had a tough season up until a few weeks ago so we know what it’s like for the Cork City players, they’re on a bad run, they haven’t won in the League, but they had some good results in the Avenir Sports Cup.

“They got to the semi-final after beating Treaty, DLR Waves and Crusaders in the Group and then they were edged out in the last four by Cliftonville.

“I have no doubt that Cork will take something out of the way that we have turned around our season and they will view this as an opportunity to get some points on the board. They will provide tough opposition for us.

“They didn’t have a game last weekend due to the weather, but that could work in their favour and it will leave them a bit fresher than us.

“It’s important for us to pick up another three points, we want to keep the momentum going and finish the season strong, our next test is on Saturday and that’s where our focus is at the moment,” he added.

Last week’s 4-1 victory for Sligo Rovers against Bohemian FC saw a brace of second-half goals from substitute Paula McGrory that effectively sealed the victory.

Her return along with Emma Hansberry and Lauren Boles has added some much-needed strength and stability to what is a young team.

Cork City will be looking to players of the calibre of Christina Dring, Eva Mangan and Ellie O’Brien for goals on Saturday ahead of the game at Turner’s Cross the following weekend against Treaty Utd.

Cork City manager Danny Murphy will set a target of two wins, starting on Saturday, that would move his team away from the foot of the table.

When the sides met at Turner’s Cross last May, two first half Casey Howe goals gave the Bit O’Red a 2-0 victory and a first win of the season.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is at 5pm and the game is available to view on LOITV.

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION REPORT

SLIGO ROVERS 4

BOHEMIAN FC 1

Sligo Rovers scored four goals for the first time in the Women’s Premier Division and that helped them to a first home win of the season with an impressive performance against Bohemian FC this evening, writes Conall Collier.

Two second-half goals from Paula McGrory and one each in the opening 45 minutes by Keri Loughrey and Sarah Kiernan paved the way to victory with Lynn Craven briefly giving the visitors a lifeline with a speculative 65th minute strike that made it 2-1.

This was the first of three successive home games for the Bit O’Red with bottom-of-the-table Cork City due to visit the Showgrounds next Saturday ahead of an eagerly-awaited FAI Cup semi-final against Athlone Town on Saturday 14th October.

While this was an encouraging performance this evening, manager Steve Feeney will now concentrate on keeping the players focused solely on the next game.

However, after going through a campaign that produced one WPD win out of the previous 15 outings, it certainly looks as if the lessons that were dispensed in some of those encounters have moulded the team into a more solid outfit.

The return of Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry and Paula McGrory is also a factor and two wins in-a-row will also boost the confidence of the players.

Sligo Rovers made the best possible start and had the ball in the back of the Bohemian FC net after only six minutes when Keri Loughrey finished well.

Emma Hansberry had a shot well saved by Rachael Kelly soon after and the hosts remained in the ascendancy without too much difficulty.

Jodi Loughrey was involved in many positive moves for the Bit O’Red, but there was a fortuitous second goal when Sarah Kiernan’s 30th minute corner looped into the net for a 2-0 advantage.

That prompted the Dublin women into action and they created three good chances late in the half through Katherine Malone with two efforts and Katie Lovely.

Both sides went in search of goals in the second-half and Sligo Rovers lost Leah Kelly when she was hit with the ball and had to be assisted from the pitch close to the hour mark with Paula McGrory deputising.

The Dublin women got back into the game briefly when Lynn Craven scored a delightful goal with a speculative effort from distance that looped over Bonnie McKiernan.

Sligo Rovers weathered the storm and more or less sealed the victory when McCrory found the net from a Katie Melly pass with 12 minutes remaining.

Emma Doherty then brought a good save out of Rachael Kelly, but the Bohs ‘keeper had to pick the ball out of the net again in the 86th minute when McGrory claimed her second goal of the evening to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Alice Lillie, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Eimear Lafferty, Jodie Loughrey, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Keri Loughrey, Emma Doherty, Casey Howe.

Subs – Keeva Flynn for Kiernan 52 mins, Paula McGrory for Kelly 56m, Katie Melly for Howe 62m, Ciara Henry for Hansberry and Jessica Casey for J Loughrey both 88m.

Bohemian FC – Rachael Kelly; Lynn Craven, Katie Burdis, Lisa Murphy, Ciara Maher, Fiona Donnelly, Kira Bates-Crosbie, Mia Dodd, Katie Lovely, Katherine Malone, Rachel McGrath.

Subs – Niamh Prior for McGrath and Abbie O’Hara for Bates-Crosbie both 59 mins, Anna Hegarty for Dodd and Sadhbh Moran for Burdis both 88m.

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant-referees – Ciaran O’Reilly, Richard Storey.

Fourth Official – John McLoughlin.

By Conall Collier

The first of three big games over the next three weekends at the Showgrounds for Sligo Rovers starts with the visit of a Bohemian FC team on Saturday, kick-off 5pm.

Bohs currently sit in fifth position in the league, 16 points adrift of Women’s Premier Division (WPD) leaders Peamount United.

After Saturday’s encounter Bohemian FC will have three fixtures remaining against Wexford, Shelbourne and Treaty United and will be aiming to finish the season on a positive note, starting with this encounter in Sligo.

From that perspective, they will view this as a must-win game if a top four finish is to be achieved, but they will also want to make amends for the FAI Cup quarter-final reversal a fortnight ago.

Contrast that to the WPD form that Sligo Rovers take into this game – one victory and a draw from 15 outings has the Bit O’Red anchored in 10th place, two points ahead of Cork City and four points adrift of the Limerick side.

Similar statistics were applicable two weeks ago when Sligo Rovers travelled to Dalymount Park for that FAI Cup quarter-final against Bohemian FC and produced the shock-of-the-round with a sensational 1-0 victory to earn a place in the last four.

Buoyed by what was a thoroughly merited victory at the Phibsboro’ venue, Sligo Rovers will approach this encounter with an expectation that the team can put some much-needed points on the board.

Add into the mix that Cork City will visit the Showgrounds next weekend and then it will be the turn of Athlone Town for a FAI Cup semi-final showdown, plenty of reasons for the players to deliver a match-winning performance.

On that basis, Bohemian FC can expect another stern test as the Bit O’Red players will have set a goal of two wins ahead of that FAI Cup semi-final, but the attention for now will be focused solely on picking up three points.

On the last visit to the Showgrounds, Bohemian FC recorded a 3-1 Avenir Sports Cup victory in June, but it was a bizarre type of contest with a brace of first-half own goals boosting the Dublin women to a 2-0 interval lead.

Niamh Prior added a third goal early in the second-half to leave it comfortable for Bohemian FC, but the hosts were eventually rewarded on the scoreboard when Casey Howe converted a late penalty.

That victory made it six wins out of six for Bohemian FC against Sligo Rovers, but the Bit O’Red made a serious statement of intent with that 1-0 FAI Cup quarter-final success.

The sides went in scoreless at the interval at Dalymount after the Bit O’Red dominated the opening 45 minutes as Emma Doherty, Sarah Kiernan and Emma Hansberry all had chances, but it wasn’t all one-way traffic.

Sligo Rovers ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan produced a flying save that denied Rachel Doyle for the hosts.

Steve Feeney’s side started the second-half on the front foot with Hansberry, Boles and Doherty all going close before the hosts had a chance from Lynn Craven.

The all-important goal arrived 13 minutes from time when Jodie Loughrey’s shot deflected to the net off Emma Hansberry, but the Dublin women had a chance soon after that was narrowly wide.

Central to the victory for Sligo Rovers was a solid defensive performance with Lauren Boles dictating a lot of the play, but another tight encounter is anticipated.

Kick-off at the Showgrounds is at 5pm. Tickets are available at turnstiles and the game is also on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers women’s team are back in action in the Premier Division this Saturday in The Showgrounds against Bohemians.

Kick-off is 5pm

Match tickets are available here https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

IT Sligo sports scholar Lauren McLellan has signed for Sligo Rovers ahead of the new Women’s National League season.

The 20-year-old, who hails from Manulla in Mayo, plays as a centre forward or striker, but has previously played as a goalkeeper.

McLellan played in the first Sligo Rovers WU17 team.

At that stage, she was a goalkeeper and later realised she preferred to play outfield, scoring goals.

McLellan started playing football with Manulla, before moving onto Castlebar Celtic where she enjoyed a lot of success.

She then signed for Rovers’ u17 side, and later spent two years with Kiltimagh Knock United and then moved back to Manulla where she was part of the side that won the Mayo League for the third year in a row.

She plays with IT Sligo, where she is in her second year of a sports scholarship.

She said: “I got a call from Steve (Feeney) asking me to attend training, he had said my college gaffer Emma Hansberry had put forward my name.

“I have loved training so far, getting back into the intense football I loved growing up. 

“Steve makes the training tough, intense and fun, he is an excellent manager to work with.” 

McLellan believes playing against players of a high standard this season will be a valuable experience.

“I am buzzing to be part of Rovers’ first WNL side, I am excited for the season to begin, playing with rovers and against internationals and tough opponents it will be a great experience.”

Former Ballina Town and Conn Rangers defender Orna O’Dowd has joined the Bit O’Red for the new season.

O’Dowd, a native of West Sligo, joins the Bit O’Red from Mayo side Conn Rangers.

The 31-year-old began her football career as a youth with Kilglass Enniscrone United, before moving to Ballina Town at under 12, where she gradually made her way up to the senior squad.

She was with Ballina Town for 15 years before moving on to Conn Rangers in 2021.

“We had an amazing memorable few years from underage right up to senior with the town, winning Mayo Cup, Mary Walsh Cup, the league, Connacht Cup throughout the different years. 

“We won the WFAI intermediate cup in 2006 and again in 2014 when I was captain. After winning the WFAI cup in 2006 we got to go as a team over to Italy in 2007 to take part in an international soccer tournament.”

O’Dowd played her football in Mayo due to a lack of options locally, and GAA was a big focus of hers throughout the years.

She enjoyed success with her side Eoghan Rua who won the Sligo Intermediate Championship in Sligo in 2020, and were victorious in the Connacht Junior Championship. 

O’Dowd, who works in the hospitality industry, was contacted by Rovers coach Jacqui Mulligan to see if she would come to Sligo for training.

“I had seen the post up on Facebook about Rovers joining the Women’s National League and was absolutely delighted to hear that the first ever sligo team was being set up. A former ex team-mate from Ballina Town Jacqui Mulligan got in contact with me to see if I’d pop down.”

O’Dowd is excited at the prospect of playing elite football in her home county of Sligo.

“It’s such an achievement and memorable time, before this you’d be watching/following the games but to be given the opportunity to play locally at this level and to come up against international players too is exciting.”

With the season starting this Saturday with a trip to Dublin, O’Dowd is eager to get going.

“It’s been great. Training is so well organised and it’s at a very good standard.

“Steve and the coaches know their stuff and I’m really enjoying it. I cannot wait for the season to start.”

Ballybofey native Caoimhe Brennan is the latest player to join Sligo Rovers ahead of the club’s first ever season in the Women’s National League.

The 18-year-old joins the Bit O’Red having spent the last three years playing for the Donegal Women’s League in the underage national league.

Brennan says she is honoured to be part of Sligo Rovers history.

“It’s a big achievement. It’s an honour too because not a lot of people can say they’ve been part of the first ever Sligo Rovers Women’s National League team. It’s good that Steve had faith in me to let me express myself and play in the first team.”

The Donegal native played her underage club football with Finn Valley, from as early as she can remember.

She has won silverware at the Gaynor Cup in 2018 winning the plate and in the Donegal league in 2020.

Brennan has played Gaelic Games too over the years. She is currently in first year at Letterkenny IT, where she is studying Sports and Exercise.Brennan is thriving at Sligo Rovers, a move that felt right for her.

“One of the girls from Sligo said to me about coming down and it kind of sparked an interest for me. I’d always thought I’d like a different experience in a different environment so it just felt right for me.

“It’s been great. The environment there has been absolutely unreal, everybody gets on really well and there’s good team morale building.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of experienced goalkeeper Kristen Sample.

The 33-year-old, who hails from Baltimore in the United States, brings with her a wealth of experience.

Sample was player/coach with Cork City last season in the WNL, and has previously won silverware with Durham University in England, and played with the Durham Wildcats.

She also played for Raheny United in 2010, before the club became Shelbourne FC.Sample is a vastly experienced coach, and currently has a UEFA A goalkeeping licence and she will begin her UEFA A licence this summer in Ireland.

She was previously assistant manager and goalkeeping coach to Portuguese women’s side Boavista Futebal Club.

Since 2010, she has felt an affinity with Sligo Rovers. It all started on that fateful day in November 2010 at the Aviva Stadium, when we beat Shamrock Rovers in a final that will go down in history.

Sample was there that day, and Ciaran Kelly’s penalty saving heroics have been in her mind ever since.

“I knew Sligo Rovers were planning on starting a women’s team. In 2010 I was living in Dublin when Sligo Rovers men made the cup final. My housemate got me tickets and I went. 

“It was such an exciting match and the goalkeeper saved several penalties, it was huge. It’s always stuck in my mind. I loosely followed the club for a while, and my family heritage would be Mayo so I would be keen on the west of Ireland. 

“Mayo doesn’t have a club so Sligo does. I loosely followed the team, so when I heard there was going to be a WNL team I got onto a friend who was coaching at Sligo and I asked who I’d talk to, and he said to reach out to Conor O’Grady. 

“I did, and he was nice enough to listen to me. I came up and ran a session and he was like ‘we’re happy to have you in’. Since then it’s been trying to make it work with the visa.”

Kristen will be coaching alongside playing, and has enjoyed working with the other coaches and players so far.

“Everyone has been really good. I’d be a little bit closer to the WNL than they would be having played in it last year so I’ve kind of thrown some ideas their way and they’ve been really receptive to it.” 

Sample’s coaching and playing has taken her around the world. It has introduced her to many people, one of those being former Bit O’Red goalkeeper Ryan Coulter who she met while completing her A Licence.

“I just saw him two weeks ago, we were at a convention in Kansas City. I’ve also been really lucky in a few ways. I’ve been able to take my dog everywhere with me too. She’s coming out here to Sligo in another month or two. She was with me in Portugal and she was with me in Cork too.

“She’s not been here long, but Sample is settling well into life here in Sligo.”It’s cold! And very windy! But I really like it. It’s a lovely town. I came up to Sligo last October and did a bit of hiking and saw all the beaches. I’m really enjoying it. 

“The people are super friendly. Some of the best food I’ve had has been in Sligo.”

The 2022 Women’s National League season kicks off on Saturday, March 5th.

The Bit O’Red’s opening game is an away trip to Peamount United.

Buncrana’s Emma Doherty is the latest player to commit to Sligo Rovers’ Senior Women’s National League team for 2022.

The 17-year-old has impressed since joining Donegal Women’s League at under 17 level.

The striker has even scored against the Bit O’Red when playing at under 17 level, scoring five in one game in 2021.

Last October, Doherty was announced as the EA Sports Under 17 National League player of the month.

She once netted eight goals in one game in the Under 17 National League last season.

Doherty’s performances earned her plenty of plaudits, and she is an underage international.

She has been called up to the Irish Under 19 squad, and travelled to Portugal last season with the squad.

Having enjoyed a superb season in 2021, Doherty decided she wanted to push herself even further this year.”I just wanted to challenge myself this year. I went to the IT Sligo open day event and then went to training and I really liked the training and I just thought that was the place for me.”

Doherty is a Leaving Certificate student at Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana, and although there will be some travelling involved in her new venture with Rovers, she is more than willing to take on this challenge.

Her move to Rovers has been made easier by the fact that there are so many other players from Donegal there who she can travel with.

And, there are plenty of familiar faces too which helps.”I knew a couple from emerging talent and a couple from Ireland trials as well,” she said.

Now that Doherty has settled in, she can’t wait for the season to start.

“I love training so far. I’m really loving it. It’s at a very good standard. Steve knows his stuff and I’m really enjoying  it so far. I’m really excited for the season to start. I can’t wait now to get going.”

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Ruth Monaghan. 

Monaghan grew up close to the Showgrounds and is now thrilled to get the opportunity to represent the club in the WNL.

Monaghan is currently a scholarship student at IT Sligo where she is studying Health Science and Physical Activity.

The 20-year-old has played for local clubs Calry Bohs (2015-2016) and Yeats United (2016-2019).

The centre-back also played for the Sligo/Leitrim representative side, and plays for the IT Sligo women’s side.

Monaghan was captain of The Ursuline College Senior football team that won the Connacht final in 2019.  

Monaghan said: “I’m delighted to be signing  for Rovers’ first ever senior WNL team, it’s great that I have been given the opportunity to play locally at this level.”

Lauren Boles, Leah Kelly, Erin Coyle and Monaghan join Emma Hansberry, Katie Melly and Amy Hyndman as confirmed signings for the season ahead.

Rovers will take on Galway WFC in a friendly on Saturday at IT Sligo in preparation for the season ahead.

The season gets underway on Saturday 5 March with an away trip to Peamount United.