Sligo Rovers caused a major shock at The Showgrounds today when they recorded a sensational 1-0 victory over high-flying Wexford Youths in the Women’s National League with Amy Mahon saving a 93rd minute penalty from Kylie Murphy, writes Conall Collier.

Second-placed Wexford made the journey to Sligo on Friday night for the crucial game against Sligo Rovers at a sun-drenched Showgrounds.

However, that was as good as it got for Wexford as they were undone in the 67th minute when Emma Doherty gave the Bit O’Red the lead in the 67th minute.

Wexford had a 93rd minute Kylie Murphy penalty saved by Sligo keeper Amy Mahon to keep the lead intact.

The opening exchanges were fast with chances at each end as Amy Mahon saved from Wexford’s Kylie Murphy and her opposite number, Maeve Williams denied Gemma McGuinness.

Wexford looked the more likely to score and continued to press.

Orlaith Conlon had a good chance in the 15th minute, but Mahon was well-placed to make the save while Sligo’s McGuinness threatened on the counter-attack.

Midway through the half some enterprising play from Lauren Boles earned a corner that the Wexford rearguard cleared and as the pace picked up again Wexford had a great chance when Ciara Rossiter broke through.

However, Rossiter’s  effort was capably dealt with by Amy Mahon as the hosts displayed tremendous determination to stay in the game.

Then, close to the interval, the Bit O’Red squandered an excellent chance when Lauren Boles blazed over from inside the six-yard box and that meant the teams went in scoreless at the interval.

Wexford dominated the early second-half exchanges and Edel Kennedy had a 51st minute header narrowly off target, a feat that was repeated by Emma Doherty at the other end when she directed a Paul McGrory cross the wrong side of the post.

Wexford continued to ask questions of the Sligo rearguard, but Orna O’Dowd and Amy Roddy stood strong and the hosts hit the front in the 67th minute.

Sligo substitute Kerri O’Hara chased a long clearance, but Wexford ‘keeper Mave Williams raced out of the area to clear. Emma Doherty pounced on the loose ball and from about 30 metres floated the ball into the Wexford net.

Wexford upped the tempo in an effort to find an equaliser and while they created lots of chances they were frustrated as efforts from Ellen Molloy and Ciara Rossiter were cleared.

Then, Wxford got that break in the 93rd minute, but Mahon denied Murphy with an excellent save.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Hyndman, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Amy Roddy, Fiona Doherty, Paula McGrory, Jessica Casey. Subs – Kerri O’Hara for Casey 59 mins; Ruth Monaghan for O’Dowd and Katie Melly for F Doherty both 74 mins, Lauren McLellan for McGuinness and Aoife Brennan for McGrory both 85 mins.

Wexford Youths – Maeve Williams; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Kylie Murphy, Edel Kennedy, Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter, Maebh Russell, Nicola Sinnott, Siun Murdiff. Subs – Emma Donohoe for Dwyer 25 mins, Teegan Lynch for Murdiff 88 mins

Referee – Michael Connolly.
Assistant Referees – Richard Storey, Keenan Deering.
Fourth Official – Marc Lynch.