Teegan Lynch named 'Player of the Year'

TEEGAN Lynch has been named 'Player of the Year' at the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) Women’s Football Awards.

The ceremony in Belfast’s Hilton Hotel celebrated the incredible achievements of women’s football in the 2025 season with Cliftonville Ladies midfielder Lynch - who previously played for her home club Sion Swifts - picking up the top honour little more than 24 hours on from helping the Reds complete a trophy double with victory in the Women’s Irish Cup final.

Cliftonville retained the cup with a stylish victory over Linfield Women at the Clearer Twist Stadium winning 2-0.

Lynch joined the Solitude side in April following a spell with SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division outfit Wexford, for whom she made 22 appearances.

Speaking of the accolade, she said: "I'm delighted. It's an honour to pick up such a good award, especially being my first season back after being away for so long.

"Ultimately it comes down to the girls as well and it's not just something you can do on your own.

"I'm very grateful to have a supportive team around me, both on the pitch and off the pitch.

"I'm definitely delighted but it's not just me who got me here."

Earlier this month, she also picked up the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership Player of the Month for September.

The 22-year-old scored four goals during the period to help the Reds set up up winner-takes-all title showdown with Glentoran Women at Blanchflower Stadium, with the Glens ultimately prevailing to lift the title.

Teammate Marissa Callaghan toasted a double of her own with her strike against Linfield Women back in May being named Goal of the Season at Sunday's awards night before she picked up the inaugural Special Recognition Award in appreciation of her outstanding service to not only Cliftonville, but to the game as a whole.

There was further cause for celebration in the Reds’ camp when defender Orleigha McGuinness collected the PFA’s Young Player of the Year accolade.

"All at the club pass on our commendation to all of the night’s very worthy winners," a Cliftonville spokesperson said.