By Conall Collier

Emma Doherty’s early strike was crucial as Galway Utd took the Women’s Premier Division points at the expense of Sligo Rovers in a fiercely contested Easter Saturday Connacht derby at the Showgrounds.

Separate second-half injuries to Katie Melly and Jessica Casey held up the game as Galway added two late goals, but a battling Sligo Rovers side was rewarded with a fine 95th-minute strike from substitute Rachel McGoldrick.

Steve Feeney made three changes from the previous week, with Paula McGrory (injured), Alice Lillie and Kate Nugent making way in favour of Sarah Kiernan, Katie Melly and Mairead McIntyre.

Galway boss Phil Trill made five changes from seven days earlier, with Jayne Merren starting between the posts in place of Nicole Nix, while the quartet of Kate Thompson, Rola Olusola, Ava Mullins and Emily Fitzgerald also came into the side in place of Therese Kinevey, Abbie Callanan, Amanda Smith and Ceola Bergin.

However, this was a costly outing for the Bit O’Red, as both Melly and Casey sustained injuries that saw them carried from the pitch a couple of minutes either side of the hour mark.

Those enforced changes didn’t help the fluency of the side, and Galway capitalised to add those late goals from a Doherty header on 80 minutes and Emily Fitzgerald soon after.

Former Rovers striker Doherty had her side in front after only two minutes, but the hosts responded positively and settled into the game.

Solid defending was required to repel wave after wave of Galway pressure, with Katie Melly particularly effective in closing down the opposition.

Doherty was a constant threat, but she was well marshalled by Keeva Flynn, and on two occasions she was also denied by Bonnie McKiernan.

Rovers worked hard for limited chances but kept the Galway rearguard on its toes, with Cara King forcing a save from Jayne Merren in the 40th minute as the visitors enjoyed a 1-0 interval lead.

The early part of the second half was held up for the injuries to Melly and Casey, and the delay resulted in an extra 11 minutes of added time.

Doherty headed Galway’s second goal on 80 minutes, and Emily Fitzgerald rifled to the net in a crowded penalty area soon after while Rovers defender Keeva Flynn was down and waiting for attention.

Undaunted, the hosts continued to press forward, and Leah Kelly forced Merren into a fingertip save; from the resultant corner, Kate Nugent’s effort flashed past the post.

Determination played a big part in the Sligo Rovers goal, with McGoldrick racing down the wing and gaining possession before firing to the net from an acute angle.

While the quest continues for that elusive first win of the season, Steve Feeney will switch his attention to the All-Island Cup next weekend with the visit of Bohemian FC to the Showgrounds on Sunday (27th April).

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Jessica Casey, Emma Hansberry, Muireann Devaney, Cara King, Katie Melly, Eimear Lafferty, Mairead McIntyre, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Kate Nugent for Melly 57 mins, Leah Kelly for Casey 65 mins, Kya McKenna for McIntyre and Rachel McGoldrick for King, both 85 mins.

Galway Utd – Jayne Merren; Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isobel Beletic, Kate Thompson, Jodie Griffin, Ava Mullins, Eve Dossen, Emily Fitzgerald, Rola Olusola, Emma Doherty.

Subs – Rachel Kearns for Griffin (75 mins), Abbie Callanan for Fitzgerald and Emma Duffy for Beletic (both 90 mins), and Therese Kinevey for Mullins and Heather Loomes for Olusola (both 94 mins).

Referee – Michael Connolly.

Assistant referees: Ciaran O’Reilly, Keenan Deering.

Fourth official – Arnold Hunter.