THE month that she celebrated her 21st birthday has been made even more special for Linfield striker Eve Reilly after she was named Sports Direct Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association Women’s Player of the Month for August.
Reilly continued her season-long hot form in front of goal with a hugely impressive run seeing her net nine times in five games during August.
Her goals included two in Linfield’s 5-1 Irish Cup quarter-final success over Glentoran Women before a further brace in a crucial 3-2 comeback victory over Lisburn Rangers that kept the Blues in the Women’s Premiership title race.
Overall her record since joining Linfield is better than a goal a game, hitting the net 35 times in 31 league games, including 17 in 13 Women’s Premiership matches this season.
“This is my second season in the Premiership now. It was a big step up, but I think I have fitted in well and I’m absolutely delighted to get this award,” said Reilly, who joined the Blues after starring in LIsburn Rangers’ 2023 promotion success.
“It was a brilliant month.
“I also have to thank my team mates because they have been a big part in this.“I think we have a fantastic squad and I think we’ve proved this year that we can compete.
“If we just keep playing the way we’ve been playing and our forward keep coring like we are doing we can bring some silverware back to the club.”
Linfield are still in with a chance of a Women’s Premiership and Irish Cup double this season and it’s no surprise given not just Reilly’s form, but also the goalscoring threat that exists across Ryan McConville’s squad.
“It’s absolutely amazing. There’s just too much creativity,” said Reilly.
“You have to prove yourself every week in training that you want to be in the squad.
“There are players constantly fighting for your place, so it’s a really good environment to be in and you’re always pushing yourself on.
“It’s no surprise then that Reilly has the feeling that she is going to score every time that she steps onto the pitch – which has been the case in all but a small number of matches this season.
“My confidence is definitely up at the minute and with Cora Chambers, Rhianna Breen, Eva Myles, Rebecca Bassett and the new girl, Jodie Loughrey, who has just signed for us there’s a lot of creativity and there’s always goals to be had,” she said.
