Details

Date Time League Season
10 June 2023 5:00 pm LOI Women's Premier Division 2023

Match Report

Galway Vanquish Losing Streak In Western Derby

Galway arrested their three game losing streak with a fine 2-0 victory collecting all three points against Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds in the Women’s Premier Division of the League of Ireland this evening.

Galway didn’t have it all their own way though and while always looking like the stronger side they took over an hour to be in complete control of the game as Sligo proved difficult to shake off and while the Bit O’Red rode their luck in stages they managed to stay within touching distance of the visitors until the second goal.

Former Rovers attacker Gemma McGuinness made her first competitive return to the Showground but it was Emma Doherty who displayed her threat first up almost getting on the end of a chipped through ball but keeper Jessica Berlin was out early to stifle the attack.

Galway dominated the early exchanges and it was from a set piece where they made the breakthrough after 12 minutes. Captain Lynsey McKey sent in a corner which Sligo just couldn’t clear and the ball found it’s way back to Therese Kinnevey who kept her effort low and the heavy deflection ensured that no one on the defending side could keep it out of the net.

McGuinness would leave the game moments later when she we replaced by Rola Olusola after just 24 minutes. The other major incident in the first period was an opportunity for Olusola who capitalised on a bit of indecision from Leah Kelly. A gifted goalscoring opportunity was cut out by an amazing recovery from Kelly who got a foot out to block the effort and clear the danger for her side as Galway held a cagey single goal lead into the break.

Sligo came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half with Emma Doherty and Casey Howe applying all sorts of pressure in the opening minutes but they just couldn’t force the ball home.

An injury to Casey Howe threatened to derail their efforts but the Northern Ireland international was deemed fit to continue but just after the hour mark a steep challenge turned into scaling a mountain as a long ball from Jamie Erikson was allowed bounce in the Sligo box and ended up at the feet of Jenna Slattery who hit the top corner past the stranded Bonnie McKiernan.

Casey Howe would be helped off the field within a few minutes and with her Sligo’s hopes of capturing a result seemed to be ended. Galway controlled much of the closing half hour of the game.

The visitors almost made it three in the closing stages but a brave intervention from keeper Bonnie McKiernan thwarted Rola Olusola and after receiving some attention she picked herself up to finish the game but despite a late flurry of action from Rovers they didn’t find a route to goal as Galway picked up a much needed win to turn their focus back up the table.

Sligo Rovers

25Bonnie McKiernan Goalkeeper
2Leah Kelly Defender
6Emma Hansberry 24 Midfielder
8Lauren Boles Midfielder
9Emma Doherty Forward
10Casey Howe 23 Forward
16Keri Loughrey 11 Midfielder
19Jodie Loughrey 15 Midfielder
20Keela Scanlon Defender
26Alice Lillie 27 Defender
33Kate Nugent Defender
1Amy Mahon Goalkeeper
5Orna O’Dowd Defender
11Aoife Brennan 16 Forward
12Amy Roddy Defender
15Katie Melly 19 Midfielder
18Aife Haran Midfielder
23Ciara Henry 10 Midfielder
24Jessica Casey 6 Midfielder
27Seren Ward 26 Defender

Galway Utd

20Jessica Berlin Goalkeeper
4Isabella Beletic Midfielder
5Jamie Erickson Defender
6Jenna Slattery Midfielder 63'
8Kate Thompson 24 Midfielder
10Lynsey McKey Forward
11Gemma McGuinness 13 Forward
14Therese Kinnevey Defender 12'
18Roisin Jacob Forward 50'
19Aoife Thompson Forward
21Siobhan Doolan 16 Forward
1Abbiegayle Ronayne Goalkeeper
13Rola Olusola 11 Forward
15Amy Madden Midfielder
16Abbie Callanan 21 Forward
24Emma Duffy 8 Midfielder
  • 95'

    The referee has blown the final whistle and it's game over here in The Showgrounds. Sligo Rovers 0-2 Galway United

  • 95'

    Another injury for Sligo Rovers as Ciara Henry gets attention but it's winding down the minutes at this stage as Galway look to have all three points in the bag.

  • 90'

    Five minutes added here after a number of injuries in this half.

  • 87'

    McKiernan stays on the field as Galway make another chance. Sligo have found a second gear but it might be too little, too late to rescue a positive result here ahead of the mid season break.

  • 85'

    Big collision between McKiernan and Olusola as the young Sligo keeper came out bravely to challenge. Her input coupled with a scrambled defence was enough to ensure the ball stayed out of the net, but she may not continue for the last five minutes.

  • 82'

    Aoife Brennan has looked lively since her introduction. She's just won a free kick about 30 yards out from goal. She likes this kind of range.

  • 80'

    Sligo appear to have decided themselves that this game is over as a contest. Three changes from the home side as they ring the changes from the bench with a triple subsititution.

  • 76'

    Howe has been replaced and now Emma Hansberry is struggling and receiving attention. She's been hugely influential for Sligo this evening. Sligo appear to be making some changes.

  • 63'

    Jenna Slattery takes advantage of another Sligo slip up at the back as Jenna Slattery pounces on the long ball from Canadian Jamie Erikson to find the top corner from close range.

  • 51'

    Concern for Sligo as Casey Howe is upended in a challenge by Berlin who smothers the Sligo forward's scoring opportunity. Genuine concern as she takes a while to get back to her feet.

  • 47'

    Sligo Rovers are applying serious pressure in the opening exchanges here but Galway are soaking up the pressure well.

  • 45'

    What a tackle from Leah Kelly. having misread the original ball which bounced over her head, Kelly recovered to deny Rola Olusola a certain goal as the referee blows the half time whistle.

  • 35'

    Emma Hansberry leaves a free kick for Casey Howe but the Northern Ireland international can not find the target from 25 yards.

  • 32'

    The Sligo faithful are up in arms as Emma Doherty is upended in the box but the referee gives a free out to Galway and draws the ire of the crowd and the Sligo bench.

  • 24'

    Very early subsitution for Galway with Gemma McGuinness being replaced by Rola Olusola

  • 15'

    Big opportunity for the home side to strike back but Casey Howe just can't get the ball under control from an awkward cross in the middle of the box.

  • 12'

    Galway have taken the lead. They had been threatening for a while but Therese Kinnevey applies the finish but a deflection gives McKiernan no chance in the Sligo goal.

  • 7'

    Galway United are beginning to dictate the pace of this game. They look comfortably the stronger of the two sides in the early exchanges.

  • 3'

    Bright start from the home side but Leah Kelly's ball can't find the feet of Emma Doherty as Jessica Berlin commands her area well.

  • 1'

    Galway have gotten the game underway in the Showgrounds. Gemma McGuinness returns to the Showgrounds for the first time since joining the Tribeswomen during the close season.

Past Meetings

(Round 7)
2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC 2-1 Sligo Rovers FC

3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Galway United FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Galway United FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Galway United FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Galway United FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

Ground

The Showgrounds
The Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers F.C., Magheraboy Road, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, Sligo Municipal Borough District, County Sligo, Connacht, F91 P523, Ireland

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