CHAMPIONS Cliftonville Ladies kicked off their title defence with a draw at home to Linfield Women in front of the DAZN cameras.
The Blues created the better opportunities in the first half, with Hannah Doherty coming close on 12 minutes with a left foot strike just behind while, after half-an-hour at the other end, Marissa Callaghan fired wide from 20 yards.
Linfield came closest to breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes when another Doherty effort just curled the wrong side of the post.
But the visitors did move in front on 55 minutes when Zoe McGlynn won possession before crossing for Cora Chambers to send her finish beyond the reach of keeper Erin McAllister.
The Reds might have hit back on 69 minutes when Carla Devine hooked the ball over from close range from Caitlin McGuinness’ cross.
However, the defending champions did get back on level terms with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining courtesy of a stylish Callaghan finish from outside the area over the head of Caoimhe Magee into the net.
Glentoran Women hit Lisburn Ladies for six at the Bluebell Stadium.
Kascie Weir opened the scoring for the Glens on 36 minutes with a finish from the edge of the box after receiving a low cross from the left.
Weir then doubled up a couple of minutes later with a clinical finish inside the right post after being played through from outside the area before, in first half stoppage time, Jess Foy added a third at the left post from a right-sided corner.
Rachel Rogan, barely on the pitch a matter of moments, made it 4-0 on 56 minutes with a header after a corner into the box had been flicked on.
Aimee Kerr continued the scoring midway through the second half after keeper Zara Maguire had initially pushed the ball up only for it to drop behind her into the net. Kerr bagged her second of the evening with 10 minutes remaining, with Morgan Shannon knocking home a late consolation for Lisburn.
Lisburn Rangers kicked their campaign off in style with a five-goal defeat of Larne Women at Crewe Park.
Gracie Conway opened the scoring with the first goal of the new season after just nine minutes, with Tierna Bell providing the assist. Helen Parker doubled up midway through the first half after receiving the ball from Elle-Mae Dickson, with Sophie Megaw adding a third on the stroke of half-time.
Conway doubled her tally for the evening early in the second half before Anastasija Stanyte completed the scoring just short of the hour after being found by Megaw.
Rebecca Mann twice found the net as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women at Seaview to kick off the new season on a winning note.
Mann opened the scoring after 11 minutes, followed swiftly by a Jessica Rea strike to put the Crues into a commanding position with around a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock.
Mann then doubled her tally for the evening on 34 minutes before Sophie Gargan added to the home advantage just a couple of minutes after that.
Tara O’Connor-Farren pulled one back for the Candystripes on the stroke of half-time, and that was how it stayed until Cache Crumlish-Hawes bagged a second consolation for the visitors deep into stoppage time.
