Sion’s young guns crowned league champions

SION Swifts Ladies under-19s were crowned 2021 Electric Ireland Women’s Academy League champions following a dramatic final day victory over Cliftonville Corinthians.

The Tyrone club went into the final game of the season needing just a point against second placed Reds for their first league title under the NI Football League umbrella.

Erin Montgomery and Cliftonville refused to read the script and it was her stunning long range strike in the first half which nudged Reds in front, but Sion responded in the second period with comeback goals from Ellie Long and Caoirse Doherty to secure the prized silverware.

Following the celebrations Sion captain Aoibhe O’Neill spoke of the importance of the league for her and her team-mates.

“The Academy League is really good for developing us younger players into the senior teams and I think it’s really grew us as a team this year, and really made us progress as players,” she said.

Coach Shearnan McCay added “It’s been a long season, it’s great to come down the road with a trophy.”

Caoirse Doherty finished at the league’s top goalscorer with 19 goals.

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY’S ULSTER HERALD