Q Radio Sport
Glentoran Women are the champions of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership for the first time in six years after winning 2-0 at Crusaders Strikers on Wednesday.
The Glens only needed a point to clinch the title but any early nerves were settled in the ninth minute when Sam Kelly broke the deadlock.
Kerry Beattie won the ball inside the box and found space for Kelly who finished with aplomb.
Sarah Connolly completed the scoring in stoppage time with another great strike to put the icing on the cake for Billy Clarke’s side.
NI star Sam Kelly celebrates breaking deadlock for Glens. Pic: CSX Sports/Chris Scott.
It was an emphatic campaign from the East Belfast side, who have won eight of their nine league matches - dropping points only at Sion Swifts in a 4-3 defeat, while they still have to host the Strabane side at The Oval in an outstanding fixture.
The Glens won the three cup competitions last season, but missed out on the league to Linfield.
🎥 Champions 2020 - @GlentoranWomen #DanskeWomensPrem #Glentoran pic.twitter.com/hysycNvQDo
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 9, 2020
🎥 Jessica Foy’s smile says it all at the end of this vid. We didn’t even know if we’d have a league this season but NIFL and the clubs made it happen. Goals from Sam Kelly and Sarah Connolly at Seaview made Glentoran #DanskeWomensPrem champions 2020. Here’s the skipper: pic.twitter.com/CMJAgpE7rl
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 9, 2020
After landing the NIFL #DanskeWomensPrem title last night @GlentoranWomen are already looking ahead to their @UWCL travels next year.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 10, 2020
Skipper @JessicaFoy7👇
More on air on the hour plus report 📸 and 🎥 - https://t.co/boX2EdCtC7 pic.twitter.com/6hELXrngXI
The Blues' hopes of a fifth successive title are officially over despite running out 4-0 winners at home to Derry City, who finish the campaign without a goal or a point.
Casey Howe, Abbie Magee, Alison Smyth and Rebecca Bassett were all on the scoresheet for the Blues, who finish their campaign in second spot having won 13 points from their final five games.
Sion Swifts will finish the campaign in third as they leapfrogged Crusaders following a final day 3-1 win at home to Cliftonville, who finish in fifth spot.
Teegan Lynch opened the scoring in the sixth minute from a Kirsty McGuinness assist, but Clare Carson soon cancelled it out with an equaliser.
However, McGuinness turned from provider with a goal in either half to complete a 3-1 victory for Tony McGinley’s side, who ended a three-game winless streak.
The fans love to see this in east Belfast - the Glens crowned champions. Here’s confirmation from #NIFL @GlentoranWomen @DanskeBank_UK Women's Premiership Champions 2020 #DanskeWomensPrem pic.twitter.com/4tQpNKnkHy
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 9, 2020
Glentoran Women celebrations in full swing. Pic: CSX Sports/Chris Scott.
Weekend fixtures in the men's Premiership kick off with a top two clash.
Up to 500 fans can be admitted to matches as Covid circuit-breaker restrictions are lifted:
