Women’s revamp unveiled

Cliftonville Football Club are pleased to announce new appointments to the Women’s section at Solitude.

Martin Douglas has taken the role of Head of Women’s Football at the Club and will have overall responsibility for all aspects for its growth and development.

Clare Kirkwood, who has been the stalwart of Women’s football at Cliftonville, will remain closely involved and continues as the Club representative at the NI Football League.

The Cliftonville Ladies senior team will also see change, with John McGrady appointed as Head Coach, Clare Carson assuming a coaching role and Stuart Irvine coming in as Goalkeeping Coach.

Elite Player Coach Brendan Lynch will, in addition to his other roles at the Club, provide coaching and player development support to the Women’s section, while Amanda Irvine will continue in her position with the Cliftonville Girls Academy.

Commenting on the appointments, Club Chairman Gerard Lawlor stated: “Cliftonville Ladies and the entire Women’s section form an integral part of our Club. I am looking forward to seeing the continued growth of this area of the Club and working closely with the new appointees. Everyone at the Club wishes them well in their new positions.”

Amid current restrictions, no date has as yet been set for the commencement of the 2021 Danske Bank Women’s Premiership campaign, but Cliftonville Ladies – who had been due to face Linfield Ladies in the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup next week – are expected to begin pre-season training at the earliest opportunity.