Season’s greetings

The new Danske Bank Women’s Premiership season was officially launched at Windsor Park last night.

The eagerly-anticipated 2022 campaign kicks off next Wednesday when Cliftonville Ladies travel to Sion Swifts; Glentoran Women and Linfield Ladies host newly-promoted duo Lisburn Ladies and Mid Ulster Ladies respectively, while Derry City Women face Crusaders Strikers at Seaview in a newly expanded top-flight.

The Reds’ first home game sees them tackle Derry on April 27 and, after taking on Linfield in the County Antrim Cup two days later, John McGrady’s side contest the first North Belfast Derby of the campaign when they welcome the Crues on May 4.

A trip to Lisburn Ladies follows seven days later ahead of a May 18 encounter with Mid Ulster Ladies and, after hosting Glentoran Women, the Reds complete the first phase of fixtures with a June 1 clash with Linfield Ladies ahead of the Premiership undertaking a two-month break to avoid a clash with Euro 2022.

The League returns on August 1 with a further seven rounds of games before each team contests three post-split fixtures in October and early November.

Check out Cliftonville Ladies’ Premiership schedule in full here.