Sligo Rovers lose to Shamrock Rovers and slip to seventh ahead of final game of season

Sligo Rovers slipped down to seventh place in the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division table after a heavy defeat to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers had aspirations of competing for a fourth place finish, but two draws and a defeat in their last three games mean Gavin Hughes’ side are now six points behind Shamrock Rovers in fourth, with one game remaining.

Anna Butler scored a brace, while Sadhbh Doyle and Katie O’Reilly also got on the scoresheet as James O’Callaghan’s side won for a third consecutive game.

Cara Jordan scored Rovers’ only goal of the outing early in the second-half, but the Hoops went on to win this game comfortably in the end.

Butler had an early shot saved after 18 minutes at Tallaght Stadium, before Bonnie McKiernan had to push away another effort from Doyle from close range.

Erika Turner blocked Jordan’s shot from point-blank range and Olivia Rush pulled an effort wide as Rovers enjoyed a spell of pressure.

The deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when Ella Kelly’s ball into the box caused Rovers a world of problems, Doyle’s shot coming off the post before Butler bundled it over the line.

Another dangerous ball from Kelly picked out the run of Doyle, who finished brilliantly past McKiernan just before half-time.

Cara Jordan had her side back in the game on 52 minutes after a nice bit of play involving Dionicio and Ava Hallinan, but the hosts pushed on in the latter stages to put the game to bed.

Butler dinked the ball over McKiernan after a nice pass from Kelly to make it 3-1, and they got a fouth on 75 minutes when Ellen Molloy’s free was fired in by O’Reilly.

Rovers finish their season this Saturday with a home game against Peamount at the Showgrounds.

Shamrock Rovers: E Turner, L O’Callaghan (T White, 80), R McGovern, T Kinnevey, A Spillane, H Twomey, K O’Reilly (B Silickaite, 90), E Molloy (K McLoughlin, 80), E Kelly, S Doyle, A Butler (E Corbet, 80).

Sligo Rovers: B McKiernan, A Lillie, S Hillyer (L Kelly, 80), E Karolak, A Doherty, E Duffy (E Hansberry, 73), S McCaffrey (P McGrory, 73), G Dunaway (A Hallinan, 35), O Rush, G Dionicio (M McIntyre, 80), C Jordan.

© Sligo Champion