Sligo Rovers F.C.
Full nameSligo Rovers Football Club Women
Nickname(s)The Bit O'Red
Founded2022
GroundThe Showgrounds
Capacity5,500 (4,000 seated)
OwnerSupporter Owned
ChairmanTommy Higgins
ManagerSteve Feeney
LeagueWomen's National League
20239th
WebsiteClub website

Sligo Rovers Football Club Women (Irish: Cumann Peile Ruagairí Shligigh na mBan) is an Irish association football club based in Sligo. In December 2021 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the formation of the club as an expansion team for the upcoming 2022 Women's National League season. It is the women's section of Sligo Rovers. The senior team plays in the Women's National League while junior teams compete at Women's Under 17 National League and Women's Under 19 National League level.

History

In July 2018 Sligo Rovers were among 11 founding clubs in a new Under-17 Women's National League.[1] Club chairman Tommy Higgins affirmed his commitment to women's football in May 2021, while announcing his ambition to rebuild The Showgrounds using "a huge element of public funding".[2] In September 2021 the club announced plans to collaborate with Institute of Technology, Sligo, in fielding a senior women's team in the Women's National League from 2022.[3] On 10 December 2021 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed the acceptance of the club as an expansion team for the upcoming 2022 Women's National League season.[4]

On 15 December 2021 former Rovers player Steve Feeney was appointed as the senior women's team's first manager, leaving his role at Ballinamallard United to take up the post.[5] Emma Hansberry became the club's first signed player on 11 January 2022.[6] Amy Hyndman and Katie Melly followed on 20 January.[7] The club played its first friendly match on 22 January 2022, beating Conn Rangers, a non-League team from neighbouring County Mayo, 6–3 at the "Sean Fallon Centre" all weather pitch at The Showgrounds before a crowd of about 300 people.[8]

On the opening day of the 2022 Women's National League, 5 March 2022, Sligo Rovers lost their first competitive match 6–0 at Peamount United.[9] The FAI later awarded Sligo Rovers a 3–0 walkover win, when Peamount reported themselves for fielding an ineligible player in the match.[10] Seven days later the first home match at The Showgrounds was lost 3–0 to DLR Waves before an encouraging crowd of 945.[11] On 19 March 2022 the club secured its first ever competitive win, 2–1 over Cork City at Turners Cross. Gemma McGuinness scored the club's first official goal in the match.[12]

Players

Current squad

As of 16 June 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Amy Mahon
2 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Leah Kelly
3 DF Northern Ireland NIR Amy Hyndman
4 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Ruth Monaghan
5 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Orna O'Dowd
6 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Emma Hansberry (captain)
7 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Fiona Doherty
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Lauren Boles
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Emma Doherty
10 FW Northern Ireland NIR Casey Howe
11 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Aoife Brennan
12 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Amy Roddy
14 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Kerri O'Hara
15 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Katie Melly
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Keri Loughery
17 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Lauren McLellan
18 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Aife Haran
19 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jodie Loughery
20 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Keela Scanlon
21 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sarah Kiernan
22 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Helen Monaghan
23 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Ciara Henry
24 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jessica Casey
25 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Bonnie McKiernan
26 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alice Lillie
27 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Seren Ward
30 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Anais Coyne
33 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Kate Nugent

References

  1. ↑ "Teams confirmed for Continental Tyres Women's U17 League". 20 February 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  2. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin (18 May 2021). "Sligo Rovers planning 'ambitious' €17.3m redevelopment for Showgrounds". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Cunnane, Alanna (8 September 2021). "Sligo Rovers Collaborate With Local IT In A Bid To Establish A Senior WNL Outfit By Next Season". Her Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  4. ↑ McDonnell, Daniel (10 December 2021). "Sligo Rovers to make step up to Women's National League for 2022 season". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Back home! Steve Feeney appointed manager of first ever Sligo Rovers WNL senior team". The Sligo Champion. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Twice-capped Ireland international Emma Hansberry becomes Sligo Rovers' first signing". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Farry, Jessica (20 January 2022). "Katie Melly and Amy Hyndman join Sligo Rovers". The Sligo Champion. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. ↑ @SligoRvsWomen (22 January 2022). "A satisfying first game for the girls as we run out 6-3 winners. Goals from Pixie O' Hara, Ciara Henry and four goals between two trialists. Safe journey home to our visitors Conn Rangers. Red circle White circle" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Farry, Jessica (5 March 2022). "Peamount give Sligo Rovers an unforgiving introduction to the Women's National League". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  10. ↑ Donnelly, David (3 April 2022). "Peamount United accept award of walkover to Sligo Rovers for fielding ineligible player". Dublin Live. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "Sligo Rovers beaten 3-0 in landmark home league fixture". Ocean FM (Ireland). 12 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "WNL round-up: Sligo Rovers earn historic victory". RTÉ Sport. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
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