Cliftonville, Glentoran and Crusaders all recorded victories in Matchweek 2 of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership.
Here is some of the post-match reaction from some of the individuals who made this week’s headlines.
Glentoran hat-trick hero Kerry Beattie
“This is my first hat-trick at senior level.
“I was away with the Northern Ireland squad but since coming back we have all been training really hard.
“I love scoring goals and obviously I didn’t score one in the first game so I was bursting to get on the scoresheet, so I’m happy!
“It’s always a tough game playing away at Sion Swifts because it is such a long trip, and we were told ahead of the game that they have not actually lost a league game since starting to play at Melvin.
“We showed great character and we dug deep - once we scored the first goal we knew we would be able to get another.
“The league is really competitive this year - Linfield have a strong team and Cliftonville have obviously strengthened, so it’s good.
“Nobody wants an easy league and you want it to be entertaining - our game tonight was entertaining and so will every other game.”
Crusaders boss Spike Hill
“We had a really good start to the game and enjoyed a strong first half to the first half.
“We really took it to Derry - fair play to their goalkeeper because she made some wonderful saves, as she did last week (against Cliftonville).
“Fair play to (Derry boss) Kevin (McLaughlin) the way he has got them organised - but once we got the breakthrough we knew we could push on.
“Derry didn’t lie down - they came back into the game and kept fighting, but we had a little bit too much for them and the stats will show we could have won by more.”
Emily Wilson, Crusaders goalscorer
“We were good in spells - there was a period in the first half where we could have played a lot better but there were a lot of positives.
“In the second half, we picked up the intensity and especially in the final third.”
Grace Donaghey, Derry City’s goalscorer
“I saw a couple of people in the box but I thought I would go for goal and thankfully it went in - I wasn’t too sure it went in until I saw the girls running!
“It was great for us to get a goal to kickstart our season and for people to take us seriously this season.
“It was a great feeling because I’m only 17 and it is great to get this sort of experience - hopefully it won’t be my last this season.”
