Q Radio News
The success of the 2019 women’s football season here was celebrated with the inaugural NI Football League Women’s Awards on Friday night.
It provided recognition for the standout performers in both the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership and the first season of the Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League.
The Player of the Year awards for each of the two leagues operated by the NI Football League were voted for by the respective players of the competing clubs.
Beth Chalmers capped a superb breakthrough year as the Northern Ireland Under-19 defender picked up the Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League Player of the Year after captaining Crusaders Strikers to the league title.
🎥 Rising star: @ElecIrelandNI
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 22, 2019
Women's Academy League Player of the Year 2019 @CruesStrikers defender @BethChalmers5 Has already linked up with @NorthernIreland squad & tipped for the top, following in footsteps of Crues legend @JulesNelson5 ... #NIFL #GameChangersNI @NIWFA_ pic.twitter.com/i3OGAocvlR
The closely contested Danske Bank Women’s Premiership Player of the Year was won by Glentoran Women’s influential midfielder Demi Vance. The award was collected by teammate Nadene Caldwell in her absence – with a video message relayed to those in attendance from Demi who has been on trial with Rangers.
🎥 @DanskeBank_UK
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 22, 2019
Women's Premiership Player of the Year 2019 @GlentoranWomen @demi_ni - decided by opposition players & managers. 🎥 message to #NIFL awards at Windsor Park as she’s on trial @RangersFC @RangersWFC ! @NorthernIreland @Glentoran #DanskeWomensPrem #GameChangersNI pic.twitter.com/SfFhf1pa4L
The winners:
Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League Top Goalscorers: Leah McEvoy (Cliftonville Corinthians) & Ebony Lecky (Sion Swifts Ladies U19)
Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League Player of the Year: Beth Chalmers (Crusaders Strikers U19)
Danske Bank Women’s Premiership Top Goalscorer: Kirsty McGuinness (Linfield)
Danske Bank Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Demi Vance (Glentoran)
📸 And the winners are ... History made on a night to remember inaugural @OfficialNIFL Women’s Awards Evening at Windsor Park. The event celebrated 2019 @ElecIrelandNI Women’s Academy League & @DanskeBank_UK Women’s Premiership #NIFL #DanskeWomensPrem #GameChangersNI @NIWFA_ pic.twitter.com/2wvpvhVM1h
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 22, 2019
Also on Friday night, Linfield lost 1-0 at Glenavon in the Danske Bank Premiership.
Former Blues midfielder Robert Garrett claimed the only goal with a deflected shot in the first half.
There are five more matches on Saturday afternoon, all starting at 3pm.
The standout fixture is leaders Cliftonville away to Larne.
Danske Bank Premiership, Saturday 3pm -
Ballymena United vs Institute
Coleraine vs Carrick Rangers
Glentoran vs Dungannon Swifts
Larne vs Cliftonville
Warrenpoint Town vs Crusaders