1 v 2 
Galway WFCDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 May 2022 | 2:00 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
WNL: Galway win in Connacht derby
A commanding Galway WFC came out on top against Sligo Rovers in the Connacht derby today, Alan Murphy’s side emerged 2-1 winners at The Showgrounds.
It was the home team who broke the deadlock in the opening exchanges thanks to a touch of class from youngster Emma Doherty, but a header from Becky Walsh on the stroke of half-time was supplemented by Shauna Brennan in the second half to fasten the triumph.
Steve Feeney would have been content with how his side opened the fixture, sustaining the pressure and forcing Galway to play deep into their own half.
A weighted pass from Leah Kelly was chased onto by Doherty who rounded keeper and former Sligo Rovers academy player Abbiegayle Ronayne to take the lead in the 16th minute.
As the game progressed so too did the visitors. They looked to utilise their height advantage over the Bit O’Red and often did so through Jenna Slattery and Chloe Singleton and the eventual goal-scorer Walsh. They hit the post on two occasions before that one surfaced, with Slattery in particular frustrated not to have capitalised on her chances.
After the pause the play was all Galway. In the 59th minute they went ahead for the first time when Shauna Brennan joined scoresheet, but worryingly for Sligo the proceeding also saw keeper Kristen Sample become injured.
She was replaced by Amy Mahon after a seven-minute break in play.
Sarah Kiernan looked to hit the ball into the back of her own net in the 64th minute but the two-goal cushion for Galway was short lived one of their players was deemed to be offside in the build up.
To shake things up Feeney put on Katie Melly and Helen Monaghan to replace Leah Kelly and Kerri O’Hara, while Galway brought on Lauryn Gamache, Aoife Thompson, Taylor Rutland and Nicole McNamara for Jenna Slattery, Lynsey McKey, Chloe Singleton and Kate Thompson.
Julie Ann Russell had two hazardous chances late on, with one opportunity drifting just over the bar and the other hitting the post.
Ultimately it finished 2-1 although it should have been a lot more for Galway who clash with Treaty United next week, meanwhile Sligo will have to lick their wounds before they battle it out against DLR Waves.
Timeline
| 9. Emma Doherty | 16' | |
| 46' | 2. Becky Walsh | |
| Aoife Brennan Fiona Doherty | 56' | |
| 59' | 4. Shauna Brennan | |
| Kristen Sample Amy Mahon | 60' | |
| Leah Kelly Katie Melly | 72' | |
| Kerri O'Hara Helen Monaghan | 72' | |
| 12. Amy Roddy | 73' | |
| 76' | Jenna Slattery Lauryn Gamache | |
| 82' | Lynsey McKey Aoife Thompson | |
| 82' | Chloe Singleton Taylor Rutland | |
| 90+7' | Kate Thompson Nicole McNamara |
Ground
| The Showgrounds |
|---|
| The Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers F.C., Magheraboy Road, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, Sligo Municipal Borough District, County Sligo, Connacht, F91 P523, Ireland |
Alanna Cunnane
Alanna is currently pursuing her studies in journalism at Dublin City University and writes regularly for her local media outlets in Sligo.
All over, Galway 2-1 winners
Nicole McNamara on for Kate Thompson
Off the post for Russell
Great chance for Russell but just over the bar
Freekick to Galway. Brennan to take
9 minutes added time. I had stopped my clock but that one was due to the stoppage at the Kristen Sample injury earlier in the game
Aoife Thompson on for Lyndsey McKey, Taylor Rutland on for Chloe Singleton
Singleton hits one over the crossbar! Gamache on for Galway, Slattery off
McKey fouled and there's a yellow card given to Amy Roddy
Helen Monaghan and Katie Melly on, Kerri O'Hara and Leah Kelly
Galway looked to have gone 3-1 up there through an own goal off Kiernan but its been ruled offside
Mahon on for Sample
Shauna Brenna goal. They've been well on top here in the second half. Sample is also down injured
Starr looked in there but there was some fantastic defending from McGuiness
Doherty on for Brennan
Chance for Slattery
Freekick for Shauna Brennan and this could be dangerous for SLigo
Halftime, 1-1 at the break
Becky Walsh with the equaliser
SLATTERY AGAIN! Sample saves
1 minute added time
Singleton with two shots in the box, both of which are blocked by Orna O'Dowd
SAMPLE SAVES! Close range save the end of a shot from Slattery keeps Sligo in the lead
Russell does well to hold onto the ball after some great pressure from Boles. She plays through to a free Slattery who then hits the post! That's twice Galway have hit the post here in this first half
Steve Feeney and Alan Murphy exchange words, two former teammates these managers
Galway corner and they get a head to it but no goal results.
O'Hara fouls Russell and Galway have another freekick opportunity
OFF THE POST! Becky Walsh gets a head on the end of that freekick as she's found completely free in the box
Slattery fouled and its a freekick to Galway. Brennan will take and try and put this one into the box
Kate Thompson down injured and receives some medical attention
Slattery with two shots between about 30 seconds of each other. She wasn't closed down but both shots were from distance and didn't really cause too much trouble
Singleton, Russell and Emma Starr with some nice close control play between each other there
Singleton and Slattery exchanging balls across the Sligo Rovers goal. They can't get someone's head to it in the middle
Jamie Erikson with a head on goal there but Sligo sustain the pressure
O'Hara being targeted at the minute but she's standing up to the pressure well
Kate Thompson with a threatening shot but it's just wide
Slattery and O'Hara have a battle here in The Showgrounds today
Lauren Boles down for treatment
1-0 Sligo! Roynayne comes out and Emma Doherty surpasses her for her third goal in the season. Great link up play from Leah Kelly!
Emma Starr with a big chance but she doesn't get enough power on the shot
Singleton has a pop at a volley but its out over the crossbar
Brennan free kick causes Sample some havoc but Sligo send it out for the corner
Some good play from McGuiness on the turn inside the box results in a corner for Sligo. Kiernan takes it but nothing comes of it
Galway playing very deep thus far and showing Sligo the home side the respect. The Bit O'Red are the ones pushing forward thus far
Underway at The Showgrounds!
Sunny day here in Sligo and the teams are just in! Check them out through the "line up" section
It’s live from 2pm on LOITV with updates here on FinalWhistle.ie throughout.
“Athlone punished some mistakes we made last week and showed why they are a team who can take points off every team in the division. It’s important we learn from the game and try not to make any similar mistakes going forward” he continued. “The players have turned up to training this week with a great attitude after that defeat and we have no doubt they are very keen to give a great performance in the showgrounds on Saturday.” ‘’This weekend we welcome Galway WFC to The Showgrounds. They are a side full of good players and with Alan Murphy as manager we know we will face a very tough test on Saturday.”
On the other hand Rovers suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Athlone Town, with strikes from Emily Corbet and Kellie Brennan proving too much for Steve Feeney’s squad. Ahead of the game though he’s remaining optimistic and is confident his team “are all very keen to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last week.”
The Tribeswomen are coming off the back of a 2-2 draw against Wexford Youths which they saw out at Eamonn Deacy Park last week. There Becky Watkins and captain Kylie Murphy were on target for them, while Becky Walsh and a late goal from Julie Ann Russell ensured the teams shared the spoils.
As it’s the Bit O’Red’s inaugural season in the league this will be the first time the two sides meet in the WNL.
Their table positioning at sixth and seventh respectively there’s a lot on the line out West. A win for Sligo would see them leapfrog Galway, while if the visitors were to triumph they could get as high as fourth.
There’s a Connacht derby in the Women’s National League this afternoon as Sligo Rovers play hosts to Galway WFC at The Showgrounds (2pm). My name is Alanna Cunnane and I'll be bringing you today's match commentary!