Sligo Rovers F.C. (women)

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Sligo Rovers F.C.
Full nameSligo Rovers Football Club Women
Nickname(s)The Bit O'Red
Founded2022
Ground The Showgrounds
Capacity5,500 (4,000 seated)
OwnerSupporter Owned
ChairmanTommy Higgins
ManagerSteve Feeney
League Women's National League
2024 11th
Website sligorovers.com/womens
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Sligo Rovers Football Club Women 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 competes in the Women's National League, while the junior teams participate in the Women's Under 17 National League and Women's Under 19 National League level.

Contents

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]

The club got to two consecutive FAI Cup semi-finals under Steve Feeney in 2023 and Tommy Hewitt in 2024 they lost both games to Athlone Town with both games taking place at The Showgrounds. Hewitt's time at the club was short and unsuccessful after joining the club after Feeney stepped down only getting a total of 5 points out of the nine they got that season he stepped down before the two last games with Sligo getting their only win after he stepped down. Steve Feeney came back to the club for the 2025 after previously managing them for the 2022 and 2023 season

Players

Current squad

As of August 2025

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
2 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Leah Kelly
3 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Sarah Kiernan
4 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Keela Scanlon
5 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Keeva Flynn
6 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Emma Hansberry (captain)
8 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Muireann Devaney
9 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Louise Masterson
10 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Paula McGrory
15 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Katie Melly
16 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Kya McKenna
17 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Eimear Lafferty
18 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alana Doherty
21 FW Ulster Banner.svg  NIR Bernie Ferreira
23 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Ciara Henry
24 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Jessica Casey
No.Pos.NationPlayer
25 GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Bonnie McKiernan
26 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alice Lillie
33 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Kate Nugent
42 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Rachel McGoldrick
44 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Lauren Devaney
48 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Mairead McIntyre
53 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Natasha Kelly
60 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Rosie Burke
62 GK Flag of Poland.svg  POL Julia Gawalkiewicz
66 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Cara King
72 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Sarah McDaniel
88 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Anna McDaniel
99 GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Amber Hardy
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Laura McGuinn

League and cup record

LeagueFAI Women's CupAll-Island Cup
SeasonPos.PWDLFAGDPts
2022 8th2762193266-3420Quarter Final
2023 9th2032152254-3211Semi FinalGroup Stage
2024 11th2016131341-289Semi FinalGroup Stage
2025 TBD22Round of 16Group Stage
Most Appearances
PosNameAppsYearsPosition
1. Flag of Ireland.svg Leah Kelly812022–Defender
2. Flag of Ireland.svg Sarah Kiernan792022–Defender
3. Flag of Ireland.svg Katie Melly692022–Forward
4. Flag of Ireland.svg Emma Hansberry 642022–Midfielder
5. Flag of Ireland.svg Alice Lillie612022–Defender
Player Of the Season Awards
YearPlayer of the SeasonYoung Player of the Season
2022 Flag of Ireland.svg Lauren Boles Flag of Ireland.svg Emma Doherty
2023 Flag of Ireland.svg Emma Doherty Flag of Ireland.svg Keri Loughery
2024 Flag of Ireland.svg Eimear Lafferty Flag of Ireland.svg Anna McDaniel

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.