Cliftonville start title defence with Linfield draw
The Reds went behind through Cora Chambers' effort in the 55th minute after the forward was picked out by Zoe McGlynn.
But former Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan equalised with just under 15 minutes to play to ensure the points were shared at Solitude.
The north Belfast side's nearest challengers last season, Glentoran, opened their campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win over Lisburn Ladies at Bluebell Stadium.
Kascie Weir and Aimee Kerr both scored twice in the victory, with Jess Foy and substitute Rachel Rogan also on target for the Glens while Morgan Shannon netted a late consolation for the hosts.
Lisburn Rangers started their season with a big win too as they beat Larne 5-0 at Crewe Park.
Gracie Conway opened the scoring after just nine minutes before Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw put them in a commanding position before half-time.
Conway added her second and her side's fourth before Anastasija Stanyte rounded out the scoring before the hour-mark.
Rebecca Mann also began the season with a double as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women 4-2 at Seaview.
Jessica Rea and Sophie Gargan were the others to find the net for the Crues who led 4-0 before Tara O'Connor-Farren and Cache Crumlish-Hawes scored for the Candystripes.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Paris FC sign Germany goalkeeper Trapp
German international goalkeeper Kevin Trapp returned to France for a second spell on Wednesday, signing for newly-promoted Paris FC from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt. The 35-year-old, capped nine times, has signed a three-year contract with Paris FC, who are backed by the Arnaults, one of the world's wealthiest families. They opened their campaign -- their first in France's top flight in 46 years -- in disappointing fashion with a 1-0 defeat away at Angers on Sunday. "Paris FC is proud to welcome Kevin," the club said in a statement. Trapp previously played for their city rivals Paris Saint-Germain from 2015 to 2018, and was a regular in the side that won the Ligue 1 title in 2016 before gradually falling out of favour. He returned to Eintracht -- for whom he had played from 2012 to 2015 -- on loan in 2018 before signing permanently. Trapp played in the side that won the Europa League in 2022, and was man of the match in the final against Rangers. He then helped Eintracht finish third in the Bundesliga last term, the first time they had made the top three since 1993. He will bring the experience at the top level that for the moment is lacking in 22-year-old Obed Nkambadio, who was first choice last season and played in the Angers game. Paris FC's next challenge is away in the febrile atmosphere of the Stade Velodrome at Marseille, who also lost their opener 1-0 to Rennes. gk/si/pi/as
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Agent Of Marseille & France Midfielder Comments On His Future Amid Inter Milan Links: 'We Will Evaluate Offers From Serie A'
Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot could return to Serie A after his representatives offered him to Inter Milan. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, Rabiot's mother-agent Veronique delivered a verdict on her son's future. Despite joining Marseille only last summer, Adrien Rabiot could already be on his way back to Italy. Indeed, the former Juventus star has grown frustrated with life at Stade Velodrome. Following a heated discussion with his teammate, Jonathan Rowe, Rabiot has expressed his desire to leave. Although Roberto De Zerbi sidelined Rowe, the 30-year-old remains keen on severing ties with Marseille. Meanwhile, his entourage has offered his services to Inter. The Nerazzurri refused to sign the Frenchman last summer when his contract at Juventus expired. As it stands, Inter's stance has not changed as they seem unwilling to seize this opportunity. On the other hand, his mother confirms his decision to find a new club. Adrien Rabiot Agent Fuels Exit Speculation Amid Inter Milan Links SALERNO, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Adrien Rabiot of Juventus during the Serie A TIM match between US Salernitana and Juventus at Stadio Arechi on January 07, 2024 in Salerno, Italy. (Photo by) Veronique admitted they will entertain offers from Serie A. However, she left the door open to a potential switch to the Premier League and La Liga. 'From now on, we will only consider serious projects coming from Italy, Spain, and England,' she said. Furthermore, she also dismissed De Zerbi's recent claim that Rabiot had shown unprofessional behavior. 'It came as a shock, because disagreements between players do happen. 'In any case, Italy shouldn't be ruled out, alongside the projects of top clubs in Spain and England,' said the mother-agent. Rabiot has emerged as one of the potential midfield targets for Inter. However, the Italian giants prefer a younger alternative, with Rennes starlet Djaoui Cisse ranking high on their list.


New York Times
4 minutes ago
- New York Times
Why Nottingham Forest are considering a transfer return for Matty Cash from Aston Villa
Matty Cash's future at Aston Villa has been the subject of debate in successive summers. There was interest from AC Milan in 2024 and now, as The Athletic reported on Wednesday morning, admiration from his former club, Nottingham Forest, who are exploring a potential deal. He is among the options to strengthen the right side of Nuno Espirito Santo's defence. Our writers Jacob Tanswell and Daniel Taylor explain Cash's situation and why Forest would be interested in a reunion… It's a priority for Forest to strengthen their full-back positions and they already know about Cash's attributes. Cash won Forest's player-of-the-year award in 2019-20, his final season with the club, and it was during that time that the Poland football federation started giving serious thought to putting him on the international stage. Advertisement He is 28 now, with a World Cup behind him, and is still well regarded not just by the Forest supporters but the club's hierarchy. Cash's transfer to Villa in September 2020 made Forest an initial £14m — then a record transfer for a Championship full-back — and there would obviously be an emotional pull to bring him back to the City Ground. More than anything, however, he is on Forest's list of targets for one simple reason: they think he is an experienced, talented player who would provide strong competition for Ola Aina and Neco Williams, the regular full-backs. Forest need more squad depth to cope with playing in Europe. And don't forget that Aina could be away for a month later in the season because of the Africa Cup of Nations. Cash would qualify as a homegrown player too, and that would be more than helpful in fulfilling that requirement at the City Ground. Daniel Taylor He remains a key player for Unai Emery and a regular starter in his first-choice XI. Given how Emery wants to build from the back — in an asymmetrical shape, with the left back high and the right-back, usually Cash, tucking in to be a third centre-back — he has grown accustomed to the particular remit. Emery's preference for a defensively minded right-back is restrictive on how often Cash can go forward, instead holding his position — therein using his pace against an opponent's transitions — while staying safe and secure in possession. This, in part, led to a solitary league assist last season and caused some consternation from supporters, who believe they could upgrade in the position with extra productivity from the right side. But, quite frankly, Cash is carrying out the role Emery asks of him. With his contract expiring in 2027, naturally discussions have taken place over an extension between the club and his representatives. Villa, however, have prioritised other, more complex deals first, such as Boubacar Kamara's. Should the full-back stay at the club past the window, those talks are likely to reignite. Advertisement Jacob Tanswell Saying that, though, Villa would have liked to strengthen at right-back in many recent windows and have. Last summer, Villa were keen on Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida, but were tight on profit and sustainability Rules (PSR). Geertruida ended up joining RB Leipzig, while January signing Andres Garcia is still only 22 and has significant scope for improvement. Due to financial restrictions and a competitive right-back market, finding a cost-effective upgrade on Cash is difficult. Villa's transfer activity this summer has been stifled by various financial sanctions, such as the UEFA Squad Cost Rule (SCR), which explains that a club can only spend up to 71 per cent of overall revenue on player salaries. Villa have had to be mindful of this, having had a wage-to-turnover ratio of 91 per cent. Villa's need to sell was underlined by the departure of homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who joined Newcastle. Villa have to comply with UEFA's Football Earnings Rule as this season will be their third successive campaign in European competition and thereby need to adhere to the rule that states they cannot lose over €60million across that period. This is tighter than PSR in the Premier League, which permits losses of up to £105million over three years. Ramsey's departure has been followed by other players, including Leander Dendoncker to Real Oviedo and Leon Bailey, who has joined Roma on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent. Even against the backdrop of financial limits, Villa hope to add players once they are compliant. If Cash were to leave, it would mean they would have to find a right-back on top of targeting another defender and an attacker. Reports of Villa's interest in Barcelona right-back Hector Fort have not gone away, or a similar loan for an experienced defender who can cover centre-back and right-back, as they did for Chelsea's Axel Disasi in January. Advertisement Jacob Tanswell Let's not get carried away just yet. Forest are working through a list of targets and, as reported, Rico Lewis of Manchester City is among them (and this is still being explored despite the player stating publicly at the weekend he wanted to stay at City). Pablo Maffeo, of Mallorca, featured prominently on this summer's list. And there will be others, too, because that is the way Forest work: they send out feelers for lots of players. With Cash, however, there are people behind the scenes at the City Ground who are keen to make it happen. Nor is this something new: The Athletic has established that Forest's interest, though unreported until now, goes back to the latter stages of last season when they were competing to qualify for the Champions League. Plainly, a deal would have been easier if Forest had made it into Europe's premier club competition. As it was, Nuno's team came up just short, finishing in seventh position, but Forest's belief has always been that Villa would always be open to sales this summer (they tried for Ramsey before his move to Newcastle). And that's probably the key issue here: we know Forest like Cash, but what would it need to persuade Villa to make a deal? Danny Taylor Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle