Slow start for Rovers women
LOOKING at Rovers Women’s 7th place ranking in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division League Table, it is hard to give credence to statistician Mark Twain’s hypothesis that “the numbers never lie.”
Having dominated in spells in both Belfield and Tallaght, The Hoops tally of two points from a possible six does not accurately reflect the women from Dublin 24’s tireless work rate, nor their teeth shown in attack.
On the eve of St Patrick’s Day, families strolling lazily in Sean Walsh Park will have caught the hopeful cry of 90s Cranberries hit Dreams, the open North Stand dotted with flecks of purple, the supporters from the South East interspersed with a smattering of green.
A head shorter than the SSE Airtricity Men’s League of Ireland trophy that shone proudly in the heart of The Hoops’ new Megastore, the club’s mascots stole hopeful glances toward their local heroines.
There were no changes to the Rovers starting eleven, however several current Academy players and Graduates secured their place on the bench, a nod to the pipeline forged by those who work tirelessly behind the scenes at The Roadstone.
In the opening minutes a battle for possession played out in the centre of the park, Monaghan native Scarlett Herron displaying all the characteristics of a future skipper, clapping animatedly with each header won, her perfectly timed execution of the slide tackle reminiscent of Paul Scholes circa 1999.
In what was always expected to be a close tie, Rovers shaded The Town in possession and pressed the women in lilac and yellow, Player of The Match Lia O’Leary mastering the left wing, while Jessica Hennessy clocked an impressive shift.
Former Hoop Abby Tuthill battled with Jaime Thompson and the lively Joy Ralph inpockets on the left, every ball a 50/50 toss up.
The threat of Ellen Molloy and Ciara Rossiter was nullified by Fox, O’Kane, Herron and Hennessy, much to incoming manager Hugh Strong ‘s displeasure.
Bellowing for the women from the South-East to get “up high”, his vociferous calls to arms could not drown out those of injured keeper Amanda Budden, who instructed and encouraged audibly from the West Stand.
Strong’s heavy hand kick-started the visitors, a set piece resulting in a Kylie Murphy header that bounced off the crossbar and behind the white line in the 33rd minute.
After the restart, Rovers looked a different side and raised the tempo, the visitors hitting the deck often in an attempt to disrupt their fluid rhythm as the rain and wind began to swirl.
Rovers equaliser came in the 64th minute, Herron muscling past the Wexford bodies in front of goal and heading O’Gormans sweeping delivery into the back of the net. 1-1.
The Hoops skipper came close to securing three points in style for the women in green and white on a number of occasions, but was denied by the on form Merren with the help of her right hand post.
Desperate not to leave Tallaght empty handed, the Youths threw bodies at the ball, Della Doherty making a crucial block against an O’Leary smash in the dying embers of the match.
The contest was to end in a share of the spoils for both sides, The Hoops likely to be the most disappointed of the two, given the number of chances created.
O’Neills squad will look to kick-off their opening fixture in Group C of the All Island Cup with a convincing victory over Treaty United in Markets Field next Saturday, before inviting Dominic Foley’s side to Tallaght for their first League face off of the new campaign.
All still to play for in 2024.
