REDS GET DEFENCE OFF TO WINNING START
Cliftonville Ladies kicked off their title defence with a three-goal defeat of Linfield Women at Solitude.
The Reds moved in front midway through the first half after Kirsty McGuinness had been upended by Linfield keeper Lauren Currie inside the area with Marissa Callaghan slotting home the subsequent spot-kick.
Cliftonville doubled their advantage early in the second half when McGuinness sent a half volley past Currie after a Louise McDaniel pass had been deflected into her path.
Then, with ten minutes remaining, Callaghan bagged her second penalty of the afternoon to complete the scoring, awarded after Megan Weatherall had brought down Abbie Magee.
Cliftonville Ladies: Norney, White, Burrows, Morgan, Finnegan, McDaniel, C. McGuinness, Carleton, K. McGuinness, Callaghan, Magee subs Doherty, Maxwell, Reilly, Markey, O. McGuinness, Irvine, Ferreira
Linfield Women: Currie, McMaster, Sweetlove, Hutton, Fitzsimmons, Bassett, E. Leckey, S. Leckey, Marks, Devine, Keenan subs McAllister, McConnell, Kerr, Ward, Weatherall, Moore, Reid