By Conall Collier

The countdown continues for Sligo Rovers to the 2025 League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division, with Bohemian FC set to visit the Showgrounds for the opening game of the season on Saturday, 8th March.

Steve Feeney will return to the sideline in the role of manager after taking
a year out in 2024 following the first two seasons at the helm in 2022 and 2023.

Tommy Hewitt took the reins for 2024, and the former Athlone Town manager
endured a challenging season as the Bit O’Red saw a number of experienced players depart.

However, that gave a number of players who came through the Sligo Rovers Academy an opportunity to gain regular first-team experience, none more so than Keeva Flynn, who scooped the club’s young player of the year award for 2024 and was also recognised with an FAI accolade.

Another player, Lauren Devaney, was the club’s under-19 player of the year, and along with Alice Lillie, Rachel McGoldrick, Mairead McIntyre, and Jessica Casey, they will all be eager to make an impact in 2025.

Looking forward to resuming his place in the dugout, where he will have Enda Scanlon as assistant manager, Steve Feeney said that he was pleased with preparations so far.

“We have had three friendlies against Treaty Utd, Athlone Town, and Bohemians, and a good run out last week against an Academy selection,” he
commented.

“The friendlies gave us a chance to give everyone some game time, and that was important, as was the opportunity for some of the younger players.

“We have made good progress on finalising a squad for the new season, and we have a few new players and some returning players.

“We will have another game this weekend, then we will start to concentrate on
preparations for the opening game against Bohemians.

“Hopefully, the supporters will turn up in big numbers for the first game on
Saturday week, and that will help us to make home advantage count before the trip to Cork the following week,” he added.