Rovers compete well but lose to Peamount

SSE Airtricity WNL Series 23 Peamount United Sligo Rovers

SLIGO Rovers failed to get out of their recent slump in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League when they lost 2-0 to Peamount United last Saturday in Greenogue.

Aine O’Gorman and Sadhbh Doyle scored a goal in either half for the title challengers against a Rovers team who held their own in the opening 45 minutes but struggled to compete after the break.

Rovers boss Steve Feeney made two changes to the starting line-up from the previous week’s 5-2 defeat to Galway WFC – Emma Hansberry and Aife Haran came in for Amy Boyle Carr and Orna O’Dowd.

Emma Doherty was also available to start having just returned from Portugal where she represented the Republic of Ireland women’s U-19 in two friendlies.

Peamount started on the front foot with Erin McLoughlin forcing a fantastic early save from goalkeeper Amy Mahon who turned her long-range strike over the bar.

Moments later Stephanie Roche – who scored a hat-trick when the sides met at The Showgrounds in June – saw a deep cross from the left flank strike the foot of the far post. Fortunately for Rovers, Sarah Kiernan was in the right place at the right time to clear the danger.

After surviving those early scares, the visitors settled into the game and enjoyed their best spell of play for the following 20 minutes.

Left-back Sarah Kiernan was involved in everything good about the Bit O’Red during this time in defence and attack, while Gemma McGuinness and Paula McGrory applied their usual work rate to pressure the Peamount defence at every opportunity.

Emma Hansberry, whose has had a

stop-start campaign due to injury, also looked to be relishing her return to action as she looked to get some control on the game in midfield.

The closest Rovers came to scoring was during this period when a clearance from a corner fell to Sarah Kiernan. She took on the shot from the edge of the box but it lacked conviction as it trickled wide.

Peamount seemed to be lacking their ruthless streak, but in an instant they almost scored through Sadhbh Doyle who forced a fine diving save from Amy Mahon.

Both teams struggled to create chances beyond this point but Rovers would have been content with the performance which appeared to be taking them into half-time all square. Peamount would strike just before the break, however, when Stepheanie Roche fed the ball to Aine O’Gorman who did well to hold the ball up, turn and get a shot away which found the back of the net. Peamount took their momentum into the second-half and looked to double their lead as soon as possible. Sadhbh Doyle was denied again by Amy Mahon and from the resulting corner Chloe Moloney saw a headed effort hit the crossbar. Peamount extended their lead just after the hour mark as Sadhbh Doyle finally found a way past Amy Mahon.

Stephenaie Roche fed Doyle the ball and she proceeded to run at the Rovers defence who backed off for too long, allowing her time to pick her spot and duly finish into the top right corner. Neither team conjured up another chance of note for the remainder. Rovers could not get a foothold once Peamount had a lead to defend as their quality on the ball shone through. The game finished on a worrying note as goalkeeper Amy Mahon was forced off the pitch after a collision in the box. Farrah McDonagh, who plays more frequently with the club’s U-19s, stepped in for the last 10 minutes in what was her second senior appearance.

Rovers are already down a senior goalkeeper in Kristen Sample who suffered a season-ending injury earlier this year. Rovers return to action on Sunday, October 2, when they host bottom of the table Treaty United at The Showgrounds (2pm).

Best for Rovers: Sarah Kiernan

Sligo Rovers (v Peamount United): Amy Mahon (Farrah McDonagh 83), Leah Kelly, Amy Roddy, Aife Haran, Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry (Katie Melly 70), Lauren Boles, Fiona Doherty (Helen Monaghan 60), Gemma McGuinness, Paula McGrory (Orna O’Dowd 70), Emma Doherty

Subs not used: Ruth Monaghan, Amy Hyndman, Jessica Casey, Aoife Brennan, Lauren McLellan