Yesterday’s Sports Direct Women’s Premiership deadline saw the Inver Reds bolster their squad with a further three new signings in Sophie O’Rawe, Rhianna Brady and Chelsea Irvine.
O’Rawe joins the clubs from Lisburn Rangers, where she has gained experience in the top-flight during the first half of the domestic season which included a runner-up spot in the VBET Women’s Premiership League Cup final against Cliftonville.
Having played for Lisburn Rangers from a young age, the 20-year-old forward offers junior international experience having represented Northern Ireland U15s in the Bob Docherty Tournament.
Discussing the move, O’Rawe said:
“I am looking forward to this new opportunity to grow and hopefully gain more game time. This is a great team and I’m really excited to be part of it and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve.”
Rhianna Brady also makes the move to Inver, having joined from Glentoran where she made her senior debut in May in the County Antrim Cup win against Comber Rec Ladies. The young player is part of the club’s desire to build for the future and build on the excellent young players already at our disposal.
Brady was awarded Glentoran’s U19s Player of the Year last year after making a significant impact in the squad with her skills and her commitment to showing her ability. Upon making the move, she said:
“I’m really happy about the move. I am familiar with playing in the Premiership however I hope I can prove myself and get as much game time as possible, playing in the senior squad. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be here and I plan on showing everyone what I can do.”
Chelsea Irvine is the final signing of the transfer window, joining from Cliftonville. The 19-year-old can operate in either a midfield position or in defence and her versatility has enabled the young player to make her mark, going from strength to strength rising from the Cliftonville Ladies Academy to then making her senior debut in 2022.
Irvine knows how it feels to win trophies, winning the VBET Women’s Premiership League Cup both this season and last year. Furthering experiencing big occasions, the defender was also part of last season’s squad which finished second in the Women’s Premiership and came runner-up in the IFA Women’s Challenge Cup.
Irvine commented on the move:
“I’m really pleased to be here and I am ready for this new challenge. The staff have been really great and I am really grateful for the support so far.
“I want to bring my skills to this team and play as much as I can. I’m hoping to help the team finish as best we can this season and use my experience within the Premiership to do this.”
General Manager William Noble added:
“It’s great to have these signings across the line before the deadline. They are important signings for the club and I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on. I am sure the fans will get behind them and show them support.
“Each player will be an asset on and off the pitch and that’s exactly the type of player that we need here.
“We have been monitoring the girls’ progress for a while so I’m delighted to have them with us and I would like to wish them all the success during their time here at Larne.”
Yesterday’s three deadline day signings add to the seven overall recruits for the Inver Women during the July transfer window which includes Kirsty Cameron, Olivia Canavan, Meghan Ingram and Holly Otter.
