Q Radio Sport
Reigning Danske Bank Women's Premiership champions Linfield Ladies got their campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Sion Swifts Ladies on Wednesday evening.
Abbie Magee’s early strike decided the match at Midgely Park, with Jamaica’s World Cup goalkeeper Nicole McClure making a string of fine saves for the visitors.
The native New Yorker qualifies for the Caribbean nation as her parents are originally from the island. 29-year-old Nicole has arrived in Strabane thanks to Sion coach Tommy Canning having a connection with her goalkeeping gloves sponsor.
🎥 Star of the show @SionSwiftsLFC new keeper Nicole McClure, New York-born but World Cup-bound with parents’ home nation Jamaica. Showed her class in narrow defeat @LinfieldLadies Wasn’t happy though, says only way is up & hard work starts here! @Nickle165 #DanskeWomensPrem pic.twitter.com/4vz98VOvpV
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 17, 2019
🎥 Meet the new star of #DanskeWomensPrem @Nickle165 Jamaica World Cup keeper a native New Yorker who's having a ball at new club @SionSwiftsLFC loving life in sunny Strabane “Great people - and it's warmer than last season in Sweden!” More on air & https://t.co/boX2EdCtC7 pic.twitter.com/2dWtCtSu5w
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 18, 2019
of two - international - keepers. Jamaica’s @Nickle165 @SionSwiftsLFC end & homegrown @NorthernIreland star @laurenperry5401 drafted in to return for @LinfieldLadies after 7 months on sidelines. Looked like she’d never been away. Clean sheet. Top class #DanskeWomensPrem pic.twitter.com/ck5A9Mu9hq
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 17, 2019
Kelly Bailie’s hat-trick helped propel last season’s runners-up Glentoran Women to a convincing six-goal victory over newly-promoted Comber Rec Ladies at The Oval.
A quickfire first-half double from Bailie put Diarmuid O’Carroll’s side in control before Rachel Rogan also netted a brace ahead of the break.
Demi Vance made it five after half-time and there was still time for Bailie to complete her hat-trick to give the east Belfast side a perfect start.
Crusaders Strikers made it a hat-trick of opening day victories for Belfast teams, with Northern Ireland legends Julie Nelson and Danielle McDowell both on target against Derry City Ladies.
Captain Nelson opened the scoring early on for Spike Hill’s side, then McDowell doubled the lead before the break – enough for the Shore Road outfit to run out winners.
Cliftonville Ladies were not in action this week; they will start their league campaign at home to Comber next Wednesday night.
.@DanskeBank_UK Women’s Premiership opening night wins for @LinfieldLadies @GlentoranWomen & @CruesStrikers #DanskeWomensPrem reports & reaction on air am pic.twitter.com/VvWYt3tGJM
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 17, 2019
-