League representative Valerie Martin had already presented the Cup to the young captain following a 2-0 win over Limavady at the Showgrounds but there is nothing sweeter and reassuring than raising high a much sought-after piece of silverware that had come to mean so much over recent weeks, surrounded by cheering team-mates.
Chloe knew the gates had opened to the Premiership; success was bagged, pre-match tension and anxiety turning to relief and joy as the final hurdle was cleared. “It was touch and go for a time. We thought we had missed the boat a couple of weeks ago when we allowed Cliftonville to replace us at the top. They couldn’t hold on and we grabbed our chance to regain the lead and resolved not to mess up again,” thrilled the YMCA skipper. “There were nagging doubts over the final few games, at times we were nervy but played well. It’s great to be heading back to the Premiership. We are very excited about playing in the Cup final now and hopefully making it a double-winning season.”
YMCA were strong favourites to gain the point they needed to claim the title in the North west derby, but the Limavady blues, stranded at the other end of the division, seemed determined to complete their campaign in a resilient manner. They were hurtling to defeat though as the champions-elect shot into a 2-0 lead, thanks to first half goals from Avilla Bergin and Aine McKeever. The Roesiders staged a defiant fight-back, brilliant finishing by Amy Lee McAvor levelling the score at 2-2. A draw was good enough to secure the title for YMCA, but Bergin put it beyond all doubt when she swooped for her second goal to commence the celebrations. “I knew when I scored just before the end that it was all over, we were on the way up. It was a great feeling. We now face Cliftonville in the division cup and I’m looking forward to that.” enthused Avilla.
Cliftonville’s 12-2 demolition of Donegal Celtic saw them seize the opportunity to rehearse for bigger things to come and reveals a side totally focused on what lies ahead – the division cup final and promotion play-off. Their success though must have been laced with disappointment as news of YMCA’s triumph filtered through. Marissa Callaghan fired in a hat-trick to top the goal-scorers’ chart with 29 goals. Louise Irvine and Martine Power were other three-goal aces, with Nicola Carlin (2) and Kiera Ross completing the dozen.
Downpatrick’s summer has been one of toil and labour; loaded with weighty disillusionment. Their hopes of Championship survival following promotion now depends on their performances in their two play-off games with Division One runners-up Armagh. Coleraine inflicted a last-day 4-2 defeat on a Down side that has been dangling on the relegation rope for a long time. Lauren Wade finished her season as the division’s top scorer on 29 goals, with Kirsten Stevenson (2) and Alison Nicholl sealing a comfortable mid-table position for the Derry side. Meanwhile St. Matthew’s have been relegated.
PREMIERSHIP
Such has been Cheryl Lamont’s Glentoran Belfast United’s grip on the Premiership this season that the past couple of games were reduced to formality fixtures. Last year’s top scorer Cathy O’Hagan (12 goals) doubled her tally this time around, hitting four goals against Fermanagh Mallards in a 7-2 win to total 25 goals, well clear of her nearest rival, Linfield’s Kirsty McGuinness (14 goals). Demi Vance (10 goals), Lisa Downey and Cara Milligan added the rest.
Like any good manager Cheryl lavished praise on her entire squad, adding that whilst the goal-scorers are instantly applauded, success is built by every player who takes to the field over the season “From our young ‘keeper Alice Harkness to our captain Lyndsay Corry, to our highly experienced Kelly Baillie, throughout the team, all who played during the year, deserve credit. They can take a bow. It’s not over yet though,” she joked. “We are in the final of the Premiership Cup and the semi-final of the Coca Cola Women’s Irish Cup. There is a lot more football to be played.”
Linfield have been sparring with Newbridge Predators for the ‘honour’ of finishing third behind the big two. They achieved their goal, a 1-0 win over Mid Ulster sealing their place, Teri Moore the scorer. Meanwhile the club’s top scorer Kirsty McGuinness has been recognised for her performances, called into the Northern Ireland squad for a friendly with Wales on August 23. Meanwhile Mid Ulster meet the Championship’s Cliftonville in a promotion/relegation play-off.
The Predators finished on a high note, a 2-1 win over Ballymena All-Stars a pleasing way to sign off. Emma McPeake and Shelly Crawford wiped out Rebecca Boyce’s strike for the Co. Antrim ladies who had a good season.
DIVISION 1
Armagh City’s dreams of playing Championship football next season could turn to reality. A heroic performance against champions Derry City earned maximum points and a play-off duel with Downpatrick. Claire Taylor’s superb goal proved to the winner in a 2-1 triumph. “We knew we faced heavy odds at the Brandywell and it really was a must-win situation for us,” said Claire. “We knew if Larne beat Blackieville, which they did, and we lost or drew, they would pip us for the runners-up spot. It was a bit precarious for a time when Derry took the lead, but when Megan brought us level, we were back in the race. We are not up yet, but we’re still in there and hopefully we can do it.”
Armagh’s defence was tested to the limit as Derry piled on the pressure and it was no surprise that they jumped into the lead. Megan Cinnamond and Lynsay Henning though were majestic in Armagh’s rearguard and their courage injected fresh hope in their side’s ranks. Siobhan Mackle outwitted the home back line to square for Bothwell to make it 1-1 with a smooth shot to the net. Thanks to some poor finishing by Derry and some good fortune Armagh clung on before Taylor sparked ecstatic celebrations by her teammates and officials with her unerring finish.
Armagh’s stunning win over the Candystripes condemned Larne to another season in Division One. Despite their 4-2 victory over Blackieville, pipped to the post by their rivals. It was fitting that prolific ace Gill Small ended her season on a scoring note, a fine goal that lifted her to 19 goals. Christine Waide, Laura Noble and Shezzell Horner were other Larne scorers in match in which they shone, but with celebrations muted.
And there was Alexandra Hurst. The young Northern Ireland international ran amok pulverising Portaferry, scoring all ten goals for Banbridge in a 10-0 destruction to leap to the fore in the top-scorer chart with 25 goals.
If Tollymore are to remain in the division they will have to beat Division 2 runners-up 1st Bangor in the play-offs. Knockbreda, a team that has swayed and teetered on a relegation cliff, spending most of their time above relegated Portaferry. Hat-tricks apiece from Jenny Thompson and Tanya Bruce saw the Belfast side ease to a 7-2 victory to preserve their place in the Division as they leapfrogged the disheartened Seasiders at the foot of the table.
DIVISION 2
The big news from this division is that 1st Bangor and not as expected Portadown Integrated will be contesting the play-off with Division One’s Tollymore Athletic, the timing of the Ards side’s 5-2 win over Cappagh Spurs as sweet as a Rolex. Two goals from the mercurial Hannah Sheffield prised open the promotion door for the unpredictable North Down side and at the same time sentenced the unlucky Ports, who beat Ballymoney 5-2, to another summer in Division 2. Top scorer Jenna McDonnell (18 goals) tried her best to help the Ports cause with two goals, Laura Forker, also with a double and Niamh Larkin securing success, but which has came too late to clinch second place.
Meanwhile Moyola Park have temporarily escaped the noose despite losing 5-1 to Bangor Ladies. Wellington Rec have been automatically relegated, Moyola set to take on Division Three’s Lisburn in the play-off. It was a good finish for Andy Craig’s Seasiders who made it three wins on the trot to finish well within divisional security. Two goals from Sophie Ferris, and one each from Natasha Lee (20 goals), Christine Duncan and Jessica Beers wrapped up their victory.
DIVISION 3
Lisburn, already assured of a play-off place with Moyola Park, eased to a smooth 4-1 win over PSNI, their goals coming from Jenny Brady (2), Nadine Stewart and Sophie Falloon.
DIVISION 4
Champions Newry completed their programme in dominating fashion, destroying runners-up Moneyslane 11-0, Moya Feehan notching another hat-trick to become the League’s top scorer on 42 goals. Amy Mackin though went one better with four goals, while Aoife Lennon also scored three goals to end with 31 goals. Eireann McLaughlin completed the rout. Earlier in the week the Slane crushed Banbridge Rangers 8-1, Ashleigh Dinsmore’s six-hit rising her total to a splendid 33 goals. Wendy Moorhead was also on target.
Craigavon squeezed to a 2-1 win at Dromara, Tina Matier and Julie Robins eclipsing Lucy Donaldson’s strike for the home club. Meanwhile it ended all square as Banbridge Rangers shared a 1-1 draw with visiting Ballyvange, Emma McMinn and Laura Geddis scoring for their respective sides.
RESERVE DIVISION
If ever a captain led her side by example it was Maggie O’Hanlon. The Glentoran Reserve leader ended the season at the head of the goal-scoring table with ten goals as her side retained the division title for the fourth year in succession. An Ashleigh Murray hat-trick and one from Caragh Milligan clinched victory in their latest outing, a 5-2 win over Ballymena, whose two goals came from Rebecca Boyce.
By Sammy Martin
