IT Sligo Women’s Soccer team won the Premier League last night for the sixth time in the Institute’s history, with an emphatic 4-1 victory over University College Dublin in the Eamonn Deacy Stadium, Galway.
Only University of Limerick – with seven titles – have now won more Premier Leagues than IT Sligo.
The IT Sligo team came out with all guns blazing and took the lead after only 3 minutes. The goal came courtesy of a left footed shot to the top corner from Deirdre Doherty from the edge of the box.
Aileen Gilroy almost added a second 10 minutes later but her shot came back off the post. On the 15 minute mark Deirdre Doherty went on a run from just outside the IT Sligo penalty area. She passed to Emma Hansberry who in turn hit a great pass for Deirdre Doherty to run on to. This time Deirdre Doherty finished with a right footed shot to the net.
Three minutes later Geraldine McLoughlin dribbled past three players on the edge of the box and side footed the ball home. On the 43rd minute mark Aileen Gilroy side footed the ball past the UCD keeper to give IT Sligo a 4-0 half-time lead.
Deirdre Doherty came close to adding another goal with two fine strikes early in the second-half. The first was well saved by the UCD keeper and the second was just over the crossbar. UCD began to threaten the IT Sligo goal as the second-half wore on.
Roisin McCafferty made an excellent save but UCD finally scored after 63 minutes. The goal scorer was Sophie Pratt. Both teams had further chances with Deirdre Doherty and Geraldine McLoughin having goal attempts for IT Sligo.
On the 78th minute Aileen Gilroy again hit the woodwork. This time her shot came back off the crossbar. A minute later Geraldine McLoughlin made a superb mazy run past 4 players but her shot went just wide.
IT Sligo ran out 4-1 winners in the end to win back to back Premier League titles and their 6th Premier League title overall. Read the FAI Report here.
IT Sligo Team: Roisin McCafferty (Captain); Kathryn Sullivan, Nicole Fowley, Maria Harrington, Amy Roddy; Geraldine McLoughlin, Deirdre Doherty, Emma Hansberry, Colleen Cavanagh; Aileen Gilroy, Aoife Brennan. Subs Used: Enya Clarke, Ina Butler, Colleen Kearney. Subs Unused: Louise O’ Connor, Edel Corrigan, Giulia Leggio
Kim Flood and Caoimhe Barrett – who were ever present starting 11 players for IT Sligo this season – both missed the final through injury.