Sligo Rovers lose to high-flying Shelbourne as league struggles continue
Shels, managed by former Rovers player Eoin Wearen, were leading 2-1 at half-time after Anna McDaniel pulled one back for the Bit O'Red, and Rovers started the second-half brightly although ultimately Shels' experience and quality shone through.
The defending FAI Cup champions were well on top early on, with Rovers stuck in their own half with a lot of defending to do.
A Keeva Flynn block on six minutes denied Kate Mooney, before Roma McLaughlin's volley was saved by Bonnie McKiernan in the Rovers goals after good work from Mooney to set it up.
Referee Kate O'Brien pointed to the spot on 19 minutes when Roma McLaughlin was body checked by Cara King on the goal-line, and Mooney's penalty just about crept in under McKiernan.
A minute later, McKiernan did well to block Mooney's effort from close range, but there was little the Rovers goalkeeper could do to avoid the second Shels goal.
In what was a lovely passing move, Rebecca Devereux burst down the right before crossing for Mooney.
Mooney's touch allowed her to shake off Keeva Flynn, and the 26-year-old slotted past McKiernan to double Shels' advantage.
It was the Bit O'Red who were celebrating on 32 minutes when they reduced the deficit.
There was confusion over whether or not there should have been a throw, with Rovers capitalising on a quick switch-off from Shels, with Muireann Devaney's ball finding the run of Anna McDaniel.
McDaniel used her pace to beat Pearl Slattery and Nia Hannon, somehow getting her shot in past Amanda McQuillan despite the angle.
Rovers started the second-half brightly, with McDaniel dragging her effort wide after Slattery used all of her experience to close down the angle.
It should have been 3-1 to Shels on 50 minutes when Mackenzie Anthony just had McKiernan to beat, but the Rovers keeper was well placed to make the save.
Shels were appealing for a penalty on the hour mark, when Mooney went down after contact from McKiernan, but referee Kate O'Brien felt the incident didn't warrant a penalty.
Mooney got her hat-trick, and Shels' third on 65 minutes when Keeva Keenan's ball into the box was cleared as far as Devereux, and the youngster's cross fell to Mooney who found the net for a third time.
Shels ran out 3-1 winners in the end, but there were positive signs for Steve Feeney as his side prepare for next week's Sports Direct FAI Cup tie with DLR Waves at The Showgrounds.
The Bit O'Red were beaten 1-0 by DLR Waves in the league last weekend, meaning the Waves are just one point behind Rovers in the league table now.
Sligo Rovers: Bonnie McKiernan, Leah Kelly (Roise Burke, 81), Keeva Flynn (Lauren Devaney, 81), Eimear Lafferty, Cara King (Kya McKenna, 68), Sarah Kiernan, Emma Hansberry, Alana Doherty (Mairead McIntyre, 56), Muireann Devaney, Katie Melly (Morgan Burnap, 81), Anna McDaniel.
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan, Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Nia Hannon, Leah Doyle (Jemma Quinn, 74), Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham (Aoibheann Clancy, 66), Roma McLaughlin (Gabby Del Pico, 70), Rebecca Devereux (Rebecca Cooke, 66), Mackenzie Anthony, Kate Mooney (Maeve Wollmer, 74).
Referee: Kate O'Brien.
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