Sligo Rovers F.C. (women)
| Full name | Sligo Rovers Football Club Women | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Bit O'Red | ||
| Founded | 2022 | ||
| Ground | The Showgrounds | ||
| Capacity | 5,500 (4,000 seated) | ||
| Owner | Supporter Owned | ||
| Chairman | Tommy Higgins | ||
| Manager | Gavin Hughes | ||
| League | League of Ireland Women's Premier Division | ||
| 2025 | 10th | ||
| Website | sligorovers | ||
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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 2022 Women's National League season. The Team competes in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division.
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]
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.[8] The FAI later awarded Sligo Rovers a 3–0 walkover win, when Peamount reported themselves for fielding an ineligible player in the match.[9] Seven days later the first home match at The Showgrounds was lost 3–0 to DLR Waves before an encouraging crowd of 945.[10] 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, Emma Doherty scored Sligo's other goal.[11]
Emma Hansberry scored the club's first goal at home in a 3-1 defeat to Bohemians. The clubs first win at the Showgrounds was a 3-1 triumph over Treaty United the goals coming from Emma Doherty and two from Mayo woman Aoife Brennan, Brennan's second goal a freekick on the cusp of half time went onto win the WNL Goal of the Season.[12]
Sligo won against 4 time champions Wexford in the Showgrounds Emma Doherty scored the only goal in the game. Sligo's home fixture against reigning champions Shelbourne was broadcast on TG4 the visitors went 2-0 up after 20 minutes thanks to goals from Pearl Slattery and Alex Kavanagh, Sligo's Gemma McGuiness scored just before half-time Emma Doherty scored in the 53rd and 60th minute to put Sligo in the lead, It ended 3-2 in a hugely impressive win for Sligo against a Shelbourne team with the likes of Amanda Budden, Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham, Keeva Keenan,Jessie Stapleton, Noelle Murray, Abbie Larkin and 2015 American World Cup winner and 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist Heather O'Reilly.
Sligo finished the season in 8th place with 6 wins and 20 points, Aoife Brennan won the League goal of the season for her Freekick against Treaty United at the Showgrounds, Emma Doherty was in the Team of the Year and was nominated for young player of the season which was won by Shelbourne's Jessie Stapleton and manager Steve Feeney was nominated for manager of the year which was won by Athlone Town manager Tommy Hewitt and in the FAI Cup they made in to the Quarterfinals losing out to Bohemians.
Northern Irish international Casey Howe and Emma Doherty were the key finishers in front of goal in the 2023 season with both of them scoring 10 goals in all competitions.
The club recorded two consecutive impressive cup runs in 2023 their first round game against amateur side Bonagee United seen Sligo record a hugely impressive 11-0 win Casey Howe and Emma Doherty both netted 5 goals each and substitute Amy Hyndman scored the other goal, in their quarterfinal against Bohemians captain Emma Hansberry scored the only goal in a 1-0 in Dalymount Park their cup run came to an end against eventual winners Athlone Town in a 4-0 loss at the Showgrounds with goals from Madison Gibson (2), Jesi Rossman and Roisin Molloy. The 2024 cup run under Tommy Hewitt started with a 5-0 win over Terenure Rangers with goals from Paula McGrory (2), Jodie Loughery, Keri Loughery and Rebecca Doddy, then a quarterfinal win against DLR Waves goals from Anna McDaniel, Kelsey Munroe and Paula McGrory seen them reach a second consecutive semi-final they would face Athlone in a repeat of their 2023 semi-final with Shauna Brennan scoring the sole goal to help Athlone reach the final were they eventually lost to Shelbourne.
Steve Feeney returned as manager of Sligo for 2025 with them opening the season with a goalless draw at home to Bohemians they achieved their first win at home to Peamount United in the Showgrounds a week later they drew with Shamrock Rovers 0-0 in Dublin, American Defender Annie McKinley signed in July ahead of their game away to Connacht rivals Galway, McKinley scored two goals to put Sligo 2-0 up before eventually losing 4-2, August's opening two games against Munster oppositions Waterford and Cork City winning both games 2-0, Sligo suffered a tough 8-0 defeat to Shelbourne in Tolka Park, they finished the season finishing in 10th ahead of Waterford and Cork, Paula McGrory finished as top scorer, Steve Feeney stepped down at the end of the season
The club announced manager Gavin Hughes will take over the club for the 2026 Season. He had previously been managing Bohemians u19 squad.[13] The appointment gave the club a fresh revamp with many signings including Bohs duo Abby Rooney and Kelsey McQuillan, Former academy player Emma Duffy from Galway United and six overseas player Americans Cara Jordan, Ella Karolak, Sydney Stephens, Sabrina Hillyer, Portuguese midfielder Manu Baptista Filipe and American born Korean forward Natalie Yoo. The club opened their season with a draw at home to champions Athlone Town, with an equalizer coming from club captain Emma Hansberry.
Sligo's 2026 season got of to a strong start in their first 10 league games they registered 3 wins and 4 draw including a 5-1 win over Bohemians with a hat-trick from Sydney Stephens, a draw on the opening day at home to champions Athlone Town, a draw with Shelbourne after a penalty saved by Rovers keeper Bonnie McKiernan, as well as wins to Waterford and Cork City, their 2026 All-Island Cup campaign started of with a 2-0 win over Wexford with a brace from Cara Jordan before a 2-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium and a loss of 5-0 against Linfield in Belfast. Four players departed ahead of the second half of the season with all four had signed at the start of the season those being, Manu Baptista Filipe, Natalie Yoo, Abby Rooney and Kelsey McQuillan.
Top Scorer Sydney Stephens departed the club ahead of the second half of the season, the American-Born striker departed Sligo for Mexican club Atlas signing a contract worth upwards of €42,000 per year the Illinois native scored a total of 11 goals in 15 appearances for the Bit O'Red, Stephens was named Women’s Premier Division Player of the Month for May.[14]
Players
Current squad
- As of 1 July 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Internationals
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Overseas Players
Kristen Sample (2022)- Morgan Burnap (2025)
- Annie McKinley (2025)
- Sydney Stephens (2026)
- Cara Jordan (2026–)
- Sabrina Hillyer (2026–)
- Ella Karolak (2026–)
- Emma Malone (2026–)
- Olivia Rush (2026–)
- Gracie Dunaway (2026–)
- Haylee Mersereau (2026–)
Natalie Yoo (2026).svg.png)
Manu Baptista Filipe (2026)
Giovanna Dionicio (2026–)
Coaching Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
 Gavin Hughes |
Head Coach |
| Ciarán Fadden |
Assistant Manager |
| Tom Donovan |
Coach |
 Richard Brush |
Goalkeeping Coach |
| Ben Houston |
Strength and Conditioning Coach |
League and cup record
| League | Coach | FAI Women's Cup | All-Island Cup | Top Goalscorer
(League and Cup) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Pos. | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||||
| 2022 | 8th | 27 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 32 | 66 | -34 | 20 | Steve Feeney | Quarterfinal | – | Emma Doherty 12 |
| 2023 | 9th | 20 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 22 | 54 | -32 | 11 | Steve Feeney | Semi Final | Group Stage | Emma Doherty 12
|
| 2024 | 11th | 20 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 41 | -28 | 9 | Tommy Hewitt | Semi Final | Group Stage | Muireann Devaney 4 |
| 2025 | 10th | 22 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 18 | 60 | -42 | 12 | Steve Feeney | Round of 16 | Group Stage | Paula McGrory 5 |
| 2026 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 17 | +4 | 22 | Gavin Hughes | Quarterfinal | Group Stage | Sydney Stephens 11 | |
References
- ↑ "Teams confirmed for Continental Tyres Women's U17 League". 20 February 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin (18 May 2021). "Sligo Rovers planning 'ambitious' €17.3m redevelopment for Showgrounds". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Back home! Steve Feeney appointed manager of first ever Sligo Rovers WNL senior team". The Sligo Champion. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ↑ "Twice-capped Ireland international Emma Hansberry becomes Sligo Rovers' first signing". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ↑ Farry, Jessica (20 January 2022). "Katie Melly and Amy Hyndman join Sligo Rovers". The Sligo Champion. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ↑ Farry, Jessica (5 March 2022). "Peamount give Sligo Rovers an unforgiving introduction to the Women's National League". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ↑ Donnelly, David (3 April 2022). "Peamount United accept award of walkover to Sligo Rovers for fielding ineligible player". Dublin Live. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ↑ "Sligo Rovers beaten 3-0 in landmark home league fixture". Ocean FM (Ireland). 12 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ↑ "WNL round-up: Sligo Rovers earn historic victory". RTÉ Sport. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ↑ FAI TV (25 November 2022). Aoife Brennan stunner wins 2022 Buy4Pets WNL Goal of the Season. Retrieved 2 July 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Sligo Rovers Football Club Appoints Gavin Hughes as New Women's Senior Team Manager – Sligo Rovers". 21 December 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- ↑ Duffy, Emma (16 July 2026). "Sligo Rovers' American star Stephens set for Mexico move after lighting up LOIW". The 42. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
