Glentoran Women set off for Romania this morning to play their opening tie in the UEFA Champions League.
The match is against Romanian Champions Olimpia Cluj in the Cluj Arena. Kick-off is at 4pm UK time on Thursday 18th August. We defeated these opponents 2-0 in the tournament last season with goal from two of our international stars, Chloe McCarron and Joely Andrews, both of whom travelled with their teammates this morning.
As with last season, we are competing in a tournament format with two semi-final games. If we are victorious on Thursday afternoon, the team will meet the winners of the clash between Maltese champions Birkirkara FC and Bosnian league winners SFK Sarajevo on 21 August, with a third-placed playoff on the same date for the other two sides in the group.
The only player missing from last year’s victorious starting line up is Lauren Wade, following her post Euros move to Reading, but the club was quick to resign Annie Timoney from Celtic and Glasgow City respectively in time for the tournament. Sam Kelly misses out to the same long-term injury that kept here out of the Euros, but better news is that Caragh Hamilton – who also missed the Euros through injury – is fit to travel after a very successful return to action in last week’s 4-0 away win over Linfield.
The squad named by Manager Billy Clarke and his coaching team is:
2. Annie Timoney
3, Jess Foy (captain)
4. Emma McMaster
6. Nadene Caldwell
7. Makyla Mullholland
9. Rachel Rogan
12. Ashleigh McKinnon
14. Caragh Hamilton
16. Jennifer McDaid
17. Joely Andrews
18. Michelle McDaid
19. Kerry Beattie
20. Casey Howe
21. Kelly Bailie
22. Cara Mervyn
26. Jenna McKearney
27. Shannon Dunne
28. Sarah Tweedie
97. Chloe McCarron
Cara Mervyn was unfortunately unable to travel.
Good luck girls. You are all a credit to Glentoran.
