Looking at Sligo Rovers ahead of the new season
The good work that Steve Feeney did with Sligo Rovers over the last few seasons means that new boss Tommy Hewitt is taking over a squad that doesn't need a lot of repair work.
Still, Hewitt will have his own plans and the former Athlone Town boss has recruited well with midfielder Muireann Devaney being the stand-out addition. He worked with the Leitrim native before and knows just how good she can be.
Certainly if Devaney can form an understanding with captain Emma Hansberry in the middle of the pitch, The Bit O’Red could have the perfect axis of players who compliment each other.
Sligo’s biggest concern will be the amount of goals they conceded last term (54). If they are to improve on their ninth-place finish then they must become harder to break down.
If Yvonne Hedigan can get back to full fitness following a long spell out injured, the former Bohemians ace will be a big asset in that defensive effort. So too will Leah Kelly and Sarah Kiernan who emerged as leading figures last season.
There is a worry that the goals and link-up play previously provided by Casey Howe leaves them short after she left for Athlone. But they will have to react to that and hope that new arrival Kelly Crompton gets off to a fast start.
Another priority needs to be getting service into striker Emma Doherty. She is amongst the best finishers in the League and ended up with seven League goals in 2023. She can definitely improve on that total.
Finish Last Season – 9th
Manager - Tommy Hewitt
Key Player - Emma Doherty
