Donegal duo Emma Doherty and Gemma McGuinness scored as Sligo Rovers completed a brilliant comeback to salvage a historical 3-2 over league leaders Shelbourne in the Women’s National League.
The visitors, who are five points clear at the top of the table, took what many thought was an unsurprising lead and were 2-0 ahead after 18 minutes at The Showgrounds.
But Greencastle native McGuinness got one back for the Bit O’Red just before half-time, capitalising on a mistake at the back, before flicking the ball past Amanda Budden.
46 nóim #WNL @sligorovers 1 @shelsfc 2
Ó bhó go deo! 😲
Cúl ag Sligeach díreach roimh leath-ama.
Gemma McGuinness scores for Sligo Rovers just ahead of the half time whistle@LoiWomen
Beo / Live ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/0vO6OUKiIP
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 30, 2022
Doherty’s first goal was a brilliant solo goal, sending the defender the wrong way before smashing the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box.
52 nóim #WNL @sligorovers 2@shelsfc 2
Tá seastáin ardaithe i Sligeach!
Cúl den chéad scoth ag Emma Doherty ⚽
Sligo Rovers putting on some show for the crowd in the Showgrounds @LoiWomen
Beo / Live ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/N6DVKcdEZj
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 30, 2022
And seven minutes later, just after the hour mark the Buncrana woman got on the end of a long ball and poked the ball past the Shels goalkeeper inside the box.
59 nóim #WNL @sligorovers 3@shelsfc 2
Cúl EILE ag Emma Doherty ⚽
A second goal from Emma Doherty puts the home side Sligo Rovers ahead of Shels @LoiWomen
Beo / Live ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/cEswrmiJBm
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 30, 2022
Emma Doherty, who was awarded the TG4 Player of the Match, said: “I’m over the moon, it’s an amazing feeling I can’t even describe it. I think that puts out a massive statement to the whole league now that we’re well able to compete in it.
“We always knew we could get back in it, they’re not much better than us. We battled the whole way through the first half and I think we really deserved that win today.
“I’m getting a lot of praise and I’m loving every minute of it so it’s been great so far.”
Doherty is now on 9 goals for the season, leaving her 6th top scorer in the league, a remarkable achievement in her Women’s National League debut season.
Glenties woman Amy Boyle Carr made her Sligo Rovers debut in the win, while Buncrana’s Paula McGrory also featured.
Meanwhile, Erin McLaughlin scored for the second successive weekend as her Peamount side defeated Galway 2-1.
The result leaves Peamount fourth but they are now three points clear of today’s opponents.
McLaughlin equalised for her side in the 58th minute before Dora Gorman scored the winner on 74 minutes.
