Two teams with identical Women’s Premier Division records will face-off at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening when Sligo Rovers host Limerick side Treaty United with victory very much on the radar of both managers, Steve Feeney and Alban Hysa.

Three defeats in three outings for each side so far and no points on the board, but it’s still early days in the 2023 campaign and both teams will find some improvement on last weekend’s performances.
 
For almost an hour, Sligo Rovers went toe-to-toe with high-flying Peamount at The Showgrounds last weekend before the Dublin side forged ahead with a two-goal salvo in as many minutes on the way to victory.

Treaty United also lost at home last weekend when they slumped to a heavy defeat against equally high-flying Athlone Town at Market’s Field.

Consequently, both teams will be on recovery missions on Saturday evening.

The form book will suggest that, with the benefit of home advantage, the Bit O’Red can take the points.

However, the football form book can be unpredictable and that won’t be lost on Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney who will, no doubt, remind his players that on the last occasion that Treaty visited, his side had to work hard to earn a draw.

Sligo Rovers also had a scoreless draw last May at Market’s Field and those two results will give Treaty reason for optimism. Alannah Mitchell, Cara Griffin and Emma Costelloe all featured last weekend for Treaty and also last season against the Bit O’Red.

The Limerick side now has Alban Hysa in charge and while he will be disappointed with results in the opening three games, he will be taking a positive approach on his first visit to the Showgrounds in his capacity as manager.

On the plus side for Treaty is the fact that all the pressure will be on the hosts who will be expected to record a victory and that statistic in itself can be hugely motivational for the Munster side.

TEAMS LAST WEEKEND

Sligo Rovers – Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Keela Scanlon, Orna O’Dowd, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. Subs – Keri Loughrey for Kelly, Kerri O’Hara for O’Dowd, Aoife Brennan for Doherty, Katie Melly for Howe, Aife Haran for Scanlon.

Treaty Utd – Anne-Marie Ulliac; Grace McInerney, Alannah Mitchell, Jacqueline Reynaud, Kelsey Wing, Ruth McDonnell, Emma Costelloe, Claire Winter, Cooper Lee-Lane, Crara Griffin, Kiara Kilbey. Subs – Kate Lawlee for McDonnell, Hayley Walsh for Costelloe.