Cliftonville’s McGuinness sisters
CLIFTONVILLE Ladies have been officially crowned Sports Direct Women’s Premiership 2024 Champions after a narrow defeat of neighbours Crusaders Strikers at Seaview.
John McGrady’s Invincibles edged past their north Belfast rivals to finish the season with a perfect record, winning all 16 league games and lifting the title with eight points to spare.
Danielle Maxwell grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game seven minutes into the second half after her cross bypassed Maddy Harvey-Clifford at the far post.
Across the city runners-up Glentoran Women played out a 1-1 draw with Linfield Women at the Blanchflower Stadium. Rhyleigh Marks opened the scoring for the Blues on 39 minutes when she slotted past keeper Ashleigh McKinnon following a break down the right, but it proved to be a short-lived lead after Emily Wilson blasted home the equaliser from distance just five minutes after that.
At Stangmore Park, Irish Cup finalists Lisburn Rangers ran out three goal victors over Mid Ulster Ladies.
Scoreless at the break, Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland broke the deadlock on 66 minutes, with Ellie-Mae Dickson following up three minutes after that before an own goal from Niamh O’Donnell completed the scoring with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.
The season concludes on Sunday afternoon when Derry City Women welcome Lisburn Ladies to the Brandywell, kick-off 3pm.
