Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.14 2020-21

Cliftonville Ladies have sent out a statement of intent to the rest of the Danske Bank Women’s
Premiership, snapping up three of Northern Ireland’s hottest talents ahead of the new campaign.
Sisters Caitlin and Kirsty McGuinness arrive from Sion Swifts, whilst Louise McDaniel
joins from Hearts, having previously had spells with Linfield and Blackburn Rovers.
Kirsty McGuinness comes with the most pedigree given her goalscoring exploits at club
and international level. She has nine goals for her country in 47 appearances, including three in
the final four games during their qualifying campaign as Northern Ireland reached the Euros for
the first time in their history.
She was named the NI Football Awards Women’s Personality of the Year in 2020 after
captaining former club Linfield to their fourth consecutive league title in 2019, scoring 32 goals
in the process.
She made the switch to Sion in the summer along with Caitlin, and both again featured
high on the scoring charts as the Swifts finished in third place.
Eighteen year old Caitlin is also a prolific forward, who made her senior bow for Northern
Ireland in November 2019.
She scored her first goal for her country in the December qualifier against Faroe Islands,
a game in which her and her sister made their own bit of history, becoming the first sisters to
share a pitch for Northern Ireland’s Women’s team.
They are joined at Solitude by former Linfield team mate McDaniel. The winger had a
spell in the FA Women’s Championship with Blackburn after starring for the Blues, who she made
her debut for aged just 14.
McDaniel then moved to Scottish outfit Hearts last February ahead of the SWPL season
and was also part of the Northern Ireland squad for the play off games with Ukraine.
She once netted six goals in one game against Derry City in 2018, and will be keen to
repeat that feat for her new club next week as they travel to the Brandywell next Wednesday night.
All three signings will significantly bolster the Reds’ ranks, as they aim to improve upon
last year’s fifth place finish. Their manager John McGrady told the club’s website, “We are
delighted with all three signings. All three have played a big part in Northern Ireland getting to
the European Championships. They will add quality and depth to the current squad.”
(by Lauren McCann, for the Irish Football Blog)

Following the live transmission of the Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League match between
Cardiff Met Women and Swansea City on various websites this week, the league has announced
there is further coverage of matches on the way.
This Saturday (24th April), the game between Cyncoed Ladies and Swansea City will be
broadcast live on BBC Wales/BBC Cymru. This is the first time ever that radio has sent a reporter
to a WPWL match, following on from the first live game on TV at the start of the season. There
were plans for a match last season, however this was cancelled due to COVID.
Then on Sunday 9th May, Cardiff City Women’s home game with Briton Ferry Llansawel
will be shown live from the Cardiff City Stadium and on Cardiff City TV (it will be free to watch
for all) – a fantastic occasion for the club to both be in the club’s main ground again, but also for
the backing of the club’s TV channel. (More information is available on their website
https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/cardiff-city-fc-
women-face-briton-ferry-ccs-live-cardiff-city-tv).
The league’s General Manager, Ianthe
Mumford, said: “As a League we’re delighted with the
growing interest in our matches. With the restructure
and rebrand coming, we believe that we’re on the cusp
of a really exciting time for women’s football in Wales
and as ever we’d like to thank you all for your
continuing support.”
Issue no. 14 - 22 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk