The Ghirls didn’t waste any time picking up where they left off.
The scoring opened in the 25th minute when a well-placed corner was dinked to the edge of the box. Lucy Ashford-Clifford pounced on the chance, sending the ball into the net with precision. The assist came from Signe Carstens, who demonstrated her playmaking abilities early on.
Just four minutes later, Celtic doubled their lead. A perfectly chipped ball into the box met the head of Saoirse Noonan, who directed it with ease into the left side of the net. Colette Cavanagh provided the assist.
As the first half drew to a close, Jennifer Smith added a third. Her strike from just inside the box had the goalkeeper scrambling, with only a fingertip touch failing to keep it out. Caitlin Hayes was credited with the assist, helping to solidify Celtic’s lead heading into the break.
The second half started with a bang, as Bruna Lourenco struck from outside the box in the 50th minute. Her shot rocketed into the top right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. Colette Cavanagh picked up her second assist of the day with this one, demonstrating her consistent influence on the game.
Just a minute later, Amy Gallacher got in on the action, finishing low into the box after a neat setup by Jennifer Smith. The relentless pace continued, with Celtic scoring their fifth goal.
Saoirse Noonan grabbed her second of the match in the 55th minute, volleying home off the bar following a well-delivered corner by Lucy Ashworth-Clifford. This made it 6-0 and showed no signs of slowing down.
Celtic’s seventh came in the 64th minute, courtesy of a thunderous strike from Signe Carstens, who was assisted by Bruna Lourenco. The ball smashed into the back of the net from outside the box, giving the keeper no chance.
Substitutions were made in the 65th minute with Lucy Ashworth-Clifford and Saoirse Noonan making way for Hana Kerner and Murphy Agnew, allowing fresh legs to come on and keep up the pressure.
More changes were made in the 72nd minute, with Amy Gallacher and Signe Carstens being replaced by Shannon and Maria McAneny. The latter quickly made her presence felt, heading in an easy goal to the left side of the net in the 84th minute to make it 8-0.
With the game all but over, McAneny rounded off the scoring with another simple finish in the 88th minute, sealing a dominant 9-0 victory for the Hoops.
Saoirse Noonan was named Player of the Match, a well-deserved accolade after her two goals and influential performance throughout the game. It was a perfect start to the season for Celtic Women, who will