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.