The group can achieve says leader Hansberry

SLIGO Rovers will be looking to put their ‘new’ team status into the rear view mirror as they look to move up the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division table as an established side.

Emma Hansberry – Rovers’ captain and heading into a third season with her local side – said the team is raring to go for Saturday’s big kickoff away to Shelbourne.

The midfielder stated: “We are all looking forward to it. A lot of work has been put in over the last few weeks in pre-season and everyone is just ready to go at this stage.”

Hansberry has had to deal with injury setbacks since signing for Rovers but enjoyed her best run of games in the second-half of last year which also coincided with improved results.

Her personal goal for the year is to be fit and available as often as possible and serve as captain on the pitch – although she states that Rovers needs to be a team of leaders.

“For myself, just staying injury-free is my main priority, especially as captain. I do enjoy the responsibility of being captain of my local team, but when it comes to the team we have to have an attitude where there’s always 11 leaders out of the pitch.

“This is a great group to work with and I think we all learn from each other and it makes my job a lot easier when you are leading a group of players out onto the pitch you trust each other.”

Rovers have retained much of the core of their squad, with Lauren Boles and Casey Howe the notable losses from last year’s team.

Hansberry said that the senior women’s panel, which includes five new players, is quickly building a good understanding and stressed the importance of being a team on and off the pitch. “The new players are settling in well and we have also retained a lot of quality from last year. We have been getting to know each other since the start of pre-season on and off the