Q Radio Sport
A wet Wednesday at the start of September could turn out to be a significant day for Glentoran - men and women.
It kicked off with the announcement that Mick McDermott's men had secured the signature of Dale Gorman, son of Linfield legend Tony Gorman.
A 24-year-old midfielder, Dale moves to The Oval after leaving League Two side Leyton Orient.
The Northern Ireland under-21 international from Donegal has been speaking to Glens TV/DigiVibe Media:
"We are absolutely delighted to add Dale to our team. He meets the criteria of what we are looking for at Glentoran FC - he is full-time, fit, young and possesses great football ability"
— Glentoran FC (@Glentoran) September 2, 2020
Head Coach Mick McDermott on new signing Dale Gorman 👉 https://t.co/uH6GOVGbtF #COYG 💚🐓 pic.twitter.com/B5m5GcsIJT
Wednesday night saw a huge boost for Glentoran Women in their bid to take the league title from Linfield, winners for the past four seasons.
It was an eventful evening as the Glens and Crusaders registered wins over the Blues and Sion Swifts respectively.
Glentoran had a two-goal win over their fierce rivals at The Oval and were in the ascendancy throughout with summer signing Caragh Hamilton opening the scoring in the fourth minute.
Striker Rachel Rogan had the ball in the net again for the east Belfast side, but this was disallowed for offside, although Kerry Beattie’s second goal on the hour mark did stand.
The Glens - who finished third in last season’s standings - are viewed by many as title favourites this year and this result will go a long way to justifying such claims.
A highlight for Linfield was striker Alison Smyth making her comeback from a career-threatening injury as a sub. on the hour mark.
Glentoran Women - early league leaders. Pic: GFC.
The night got even better for Billy Clarke’s Glens with the news that Sion Swifts - who missed out on last season’s title to the Blues on the final day - fell to a 2-1 defeat against Crusaders.
Just as at The Oval, there was an early strike at Seaview with Amy McGivern giving the hosts - who had lost 2-0 at Linfield on the opening day after a battling performance - an early lead.
Emily Wilson doubled the lead for Spike Hill’s side ten minutes after the break with a delightful chipped finish and despite Northern Ireland international Caitlin McGuinness netting brilliantly into the top corner for Sion in injury time, the Crues held off a late fightback.
@CruesStrikers @SionSwiftsLFC#RememberMyNoah #Respect #United https://t.co/FQW5w0g9Pb
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 2, 2020
Cliftonville secured their first points of the campaign as they ran out 2-0 victors at home to Derry City, who remain at the foot of the table and are yet to register any points.
Michelle McDaid opened the scoring for the Reds just before the break before Northern Ireland international captain Marissa Callaghan - who was also celebrating her birthday - doubled the lead just after the hour mark.
FT: #DanskeWomensPrem @GlentoranWomen 2@LinfieldLadies 0@CruesStrikers 2@SionSwiftsLFC 1@CVilleLadiesFC 2@derrycityfcw 0
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 2, 2020
Big win for Glens in Big Two clash at Oval esp. as Sion are sunk at Seaview
Also, great goal for birthday girl NI capt. @marissac_17 at Solitude! pic.twitter.com/3YDXrtQz9T
With two rounds of action now completed, Glentoran are the only side on maximum points with Derry City now the only side yet to pick up any points.
In what looks set to be a hotly contested season with just eight more rounds of action remaining, Linfield, Crusaders, Sion and Cliftonville are all now on three points:
