Q Radio Sport
Glentoran Women have won the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership after a five-goal thriller against Cliftonville Ladies at The BetMcLean Oval on Wednesday night.
The 3-2 result means that the Glens have moved three points clear at the top of the standings with just one round of action remaining, but their superior head-to-head record over the Reds means they can't be caught.
Goals from Caragh Hamilton and Kelly Bailie gave the Glens a commanding two-goal advantage at half-time, but the visitors fought back in the second half.
NI team-mates Marissa Callaghan and Caragh Hamilton battle it out. Pic: CSX Sports/Chris Scott
Louise McDaniel pulled a goal back nine minutes after the break before Cliftonville captain Megan Moran headed home a leveller with 19 minutes remaining to set up a tense finale.
Northern Ireland striker Kerry Beattie restored the Glens' lead three minutes later and they secured the result they needed and the title, their second in a row.
CONGRATULATIONS GLENS@DanskeBank_UK Women's Premiership CHAMPIONS 2021
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 29, 2021
Back-to-back titles for @GlentoranWomen
This stunning new trophy is heading to east Belfast @Glentoran #DanskeWomensPrem #Champions pic.twitter.com/u2rzKyUYYF
Elsewhere, Linfield ran out 4-1 victors over Derry City at New Midgley Park as the Blues chalked up a convincing home victory.
Katie Dickson, Ebony Leckey, Rebecca Bassett and Amy Trueik were all on target for the home side, with Tara O’Connor on the scoresheet for the Candystripes.
At Seaview, Crusaders Strikers edged out Sion Swifts Ladies 2-1.
Cora Chambers gave Sion the lead in the 12th minute but the home side responded midway through the first half when Northern Ireland international striker Emily Wilson hit the equaliser, before Aimee Neal’s late own goal sealed the points for the Crues.
Glentoran 3-2 Cliftonville (Hamilton ’12, Bailie ’33, Beattie ‘74; McDaniel ’55, Moran ‘71)
Linfield 4-1 Derry City (Dickson ’17, E Leckey ’42, Bassett ’47, Trueik; O’Connor ‘43)
Crusaders 2-1 Sion Swifts (Wilson ’24, Neal og ‘83; Chambers ’12)
Northern Ireland striker Kerry Beattie celebrates title-winning goal for the Glens. Pic: CSX Sports/Chris Scott