The exodus from the Donegal Women’s League to Danske Bank Northern Irelan Women’s Premiership side Sion Swifts has continued of late.
Letterkenny native Julianna Herrity has returned from a successful two-year stint in America and has put pen to paper with the County Tyrone club, while Nadine Crawford and Niamh Mailey have become the latest Lagan Harps players to sign with the Swifts.
Sion had already added Amy Boyle-Carr, Lauren Harper and Ciana Brogan to their ranks, but have flexed their muscle again in the last ten days.
Herrity will go down as a big coup by Sion and had been in line to move to Donegal Women’s League outfit Bonagee United.
The 27-year-old starred for Carson-Newman Eagles during a spell at the Tennessee college in 2015 and 2016, when she was Player of the Year in 2015 and again made the Team of the Year in 2016.
Herrity won the WFAI Intermediate Cup with Kilmacrennan Celtic in 2009 and has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels.
Crawford has ended what had been a lifelong association with her home club, Lagan. Comfortable in defence or midfield, Crawford has also played for Ireland at underage level and was Lagan’s Senior Player of the Year in 2014.
Goalkeeper Mailey won the Boh Docherty Tourmament with the Republic of Ireland Schools team, while she has also gained international experience at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels.
She has played for Raphoe Town and Lagan Harps in her career, last year winning the Donegal Women’s League title with Lagan having won a WFAI Junior Cup with the Manor club in 2015.
Sion begin their new season on March 22 with an away tie at the defending champions Linfield before they play host to Crusaders a week later on March 29.
Meanwhile, Illies Celtic duo Ella McLaughlin and Shania McGonigle have signed for Derry City Ladies, it has been confirmed.
Daniel Nolan, who has been at Finn Harps and Cockhill Celtic in his time, will be a
coach to the Candystripes Ladies in 2017.
Attacker McGonigle and winger McLaughlin should prove good additions for Derry, who include several other Donegal natives within their ranks.
Tags: