Galway hosted Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park in a WNL encounter that produced seven goals in a game in which Julie Ann Russell was the stand-out player.

The opening half saw Sligo Rovers lead twice, but they were pegged back to parity at the interval, the tempo slackened slightly after the break and Galway dictated.

Sligo Rovers started on the front foot and had a goal inside our minutes when Gemma McGuinness raced on to a through ball after good build up play by Kerri O’Hara.

Galway reacted positively and were back on terms in the eighth minute when Bryce Reynolds finished to the net from a corner.

Galway looked more likely to add a second goal, but it was Gemma McGuinness who got in again for another Sligo chance in the 17th minute, but Abbiegayle Ronayne saved to avert the danger.

Again, Galway reacted positively and forced a series of corners, but they were unable to capitalise on any of the chances.

The hosts maintained a high-tempo and were looking for a penalty in the 27th minute, but referee Mark Houlihan wasn’t impressed and waved play on.

After absorbing a lot of pressure Sligo Rovers won a corner that Gemme McGuinness picked out Emma Doherty at the far post for an accurate finish and the lead again in the 33rd minute.

Once more Galway found a response and were back on terms in the 38th minute when Ellie O’Flaherty got on the end of a cross Julie Ann Russel to find the net from close range.

The teams were tied a 2-2 at the interval after Sligo ‘keeper Amy Mahon produced a finger-tip save to deny McKee a certain goal close to the interval.

Galway made the best possible start to the second-half whan Shauna Brennan grabbed a 51st goal to give the hosts the lead for the first time and midway through half Jamie Erickson headed a fourth for the hosts following a good free by Shauna Brennan.

Galway bossed the remainder and added goal number five when Becky Walsh finished well nine minutes from the end.

TEAMS

Galway – Abbiegayle Ronayne; Becky Walsh, Lucia Lobato, Nicole McNamara, Shaune Brennan, Julie Ann Russell, Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKee, Elle O’Flaherty, Bryce Reynolds, Jamie Erickson.
Subs – Rola Olusola for O’Flaherty 77 mins, Saoirse Healy for McKee 82m, Peggy Ford for Roynane, Eve Dobben for Erickson and Abbie Callaghan for Russell all 87m

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Ruth Monaghan, Orna O’Dowd, Gemma McGuinness, Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Alanna Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Helen Monaghan.
Subs – Jessica Casey for H Monaghan and Sarah Kiernan A O’Doherty both 77 mins; Ciara Henry for R Monaghan and Aoife Brennan for McGrory both 83m, Lauren McLellan for E Doherty 87m

REFEREE
Mark Houlihan