First half goals from Kate Thompson and Jenny Slattery helped Galway Utd to victory over neighbours Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The win moves Utd up to third in the table (for a few hours at least) and Sligo Rovers remain bottom of the table.

Sligo pulled a goal back in the 58th minute through Emma Doherty but were unable to get an equaliser. 

Less than four minutes had gone on the clock when the home side took the lead; Lynsey McKee’s corner was headed home by Thompson.

Two minutes later and Galway doubled their advantage when Abbie Callanan flicked the ball into the path of Slattery and she found the net with a fine strike. It was all Galway after that and in the 11th minute Gemma McGuinness dragged her effort wide and one minute later Sligo keeper Bonnie McKiernan pulled off a superb save to deny Slattery with a long range free-kick.

Sligo just couldn’t find a way of getting into the game as the home side completely dominated proceedings. In the 25th minute Eve Dossen fired over in a goalmouth scramble. McGuinness came close to grabbing Galway’s third goal in the 31st minute but she curled her effort wide.

In the 37th minute Slattery had another effort from a free but it went over the bar as the home side continued to press. Sligo tried to get Galway on the counter but couldn’t trouble them. Just before half-time Slattery’s strike was deflected out for a corner. 

Both sides had half chances at the start of the second half. The visitors were back in the game in the 58th minute when Emma Doherty pulled a goal back with a neat finish. It gave them a lift and minutes later substitute Fiona Doherty forced Galway keeper Abbiegayle Ronayne into making an excellent save.

Down the other end Sligo netminder McKiernan was called to action as Galway pushed to restore their two goal advantage. McGuinness’ effort from outside the box went wide in the 83rd minute. In stoppage time Slattery hit a fine free that just went wide.