Glentoran manager Kim Turner said her side “carried out the game plan perfectly” during their 1-0 victory over Cliftonville, which sealed the Women’s Premiership trophy.
The Glens only needed a point to secure their first league title since 2023, but Nadene Caldwell’s header meant that they finished the campaign five points ahead of Cliftonville in second.
This is the second league title the east Belfast side have won since Turner has been at the helm.
“We knew what Cliftonville were going to do, that they had to come at us, and the more they come at us, the more the gaps open for us,” Turner told BBC Sport NI.
“We just had to be really patient and I think we deserved to win. I thought we carried out the game plan perfectly.”
The experienced Caldwell scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute when she nodded Demi Vance’s corner past Rachael Norney.
Manager Turner said she was delighted the former Northern Ireland international scored during “one of the best days in women’s football in the league” to seal the win.
“It was a fantastic moment for Nadene,” Turner continued.
“I think she’s been absolutely amazing this year and a real advocate of women’s football in Northern Ireland.
“To do it in front of a crowd at Blanchflower, I honestly think it’s one of the best days in women’s football in the league.”
‘Everyone maybe doubted us this year’ – Foy
Last season the Glens finished in second behind Cliftonville, who were unbeaten in the league campaign.
Despite signing strongly during off-season when they brought in Faye Loughran, Chloe McGlade and Mia Moore, Glentoran captain Jess Foy said that they her side were underdogs going into the 2025 campaign.
“Cliftonville had the title to retain and I think everyone maybe doubted us this year,” Foy told BBC Sport NI.
“This club is a phenomenal club for winning titles and for us, that is what we do, we win and we had to make sure we were able to do enough.”
Not only does top spot mean that the Premiership trophy is heading back to east Belfast, but Turner’s side have also booked a European football spot for next year.
No club from Northern Ireland has ever progressed out of the group stages in a European competition with Foy adding that their first game will be “key” when they compete next season.
“We say each year that we want to win our first game in Europe,” Foy continued.
“This time, with the change in format, it will be key for us.
“We will enjoy this now, but we will definitely be setting new goals for next year.”
