O'Gorman the hero as Hoops mark return with win in Sligo

Aine O'Gorman struck a dramatic 93rd minute winner at the Showgrounds as Shamrock Rovers got their return to the League of Ireland off to a winning start against a battling Sligo Rovers.

Competing in their first Women’s Premier Division game in nine years since their return to the top table, the Hoops hit the lead early on through Shauna Fox. The Bit O’Red looked like they would pick up a well-earned point when captain Emma Hansberry struck from a set-piece just short of the hour.

But O’Gorman’s late goal in front of a crowd of over 750, saw the Dublin Rovers across the line when she nodded home Lia O’Leary’s cross at the back post.

Although their first appearance in senior football since 2014, the Tallaght side are expected to be one of the main rivals for Shelbourne's crown following a winter which saw them hand pick a number of household names from their league rivals.

Irish internationals O’Gorman, Stephanie Zambra, Alannah McEvoy and Abbie Larkin have all been added to a strong Hoops squad, each making their debuts in the north west.

Sligo go into their second season in League of Ireland football looking to push on from last year’s eighth placed finish. Key to this will be the form of marquee signing and Northern Irish international Casey Howe, who manager Steve Feeney gave a first appearance to.

While there were first starts for prospects Alice Lille and Keela Scanlon, who were both given their first starts.

As would be expected of a side with such experience, the Hoops controlled the majority of this first half, although the host would have been encouraged by a resolute first-half showing.

Zambra, ever available at the edge of the Sligo area, dragged an early effort wide five minutes in. Three minutes later, the visitors