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Contract thriller for McGrady

John McGrady is looking forward to ushering in a new era of professionalism when his Cliftonville Ladies side begin their title defence this weekend.

The new Sports Direct Women’s Premiership season kicks off with the Reds hosting Linfield Women at Solitude on Sunday (4pm) and, with his options now bolstered by the first ever female players to have penned professional contracts with the Club, McGrady has welcomed an historic development that he believes will help the game grow.

“It’s amazing for the girls and women’s football,” he says.

“It’s a massive step forward, nothing less than they deserve and we hope it will help propel the game forward. It also means they can’t be late for training!”

The Cliftonville boss is well aware of the higher expectations that come with being Champions and, asked what it feels like to be the team that everyone will be out to bear, explains: “I suppose it’s a compliment as we have done so well but we feel that it has been like that from the start.

“When you’re at a Club like Cliftonville, it’s a normal feeling and one that we have to enjoy and embrace when you pull on Red shirt.

“We know Glentoran will be hurting, we know they have added quality and we know they will be out to prove a point.

“We also know that all the teams have improved. Crusaders have had time to work with players they recruited, Linfield have had time for their talented young players to mature, even Lisburn Ladies haves added and Sion always have a good side.”


Cliftonville Ladies v Linfield Women
Sunday, April 23
Adults:
£4
Concessions: £1
Cash turnstiles