The Republic of Ireland footballers Hayley Nolan, Izzy Atkinson, and Abbie Larkin, were elated on Sunday as they gained advancement to England’s premier league with Crystal Palace. However, the day wasn’t so joyful for Irish teammates Megan Connolly and Chloe Mustaki, as they experienced the bitter taste of relegation with Bristol City from the WSL.
A nil-all result in the match against Sunderland was sufficient to secure for Crystal Palace the Championship title and elevate them a mere point above Charlton. This win signifies their first-ever participation in the WSL, set to kick-off next season. Nolan came to Palace from London City Lionesses last summer, Atkinson transferred from West Ham in January and simultaneously, Larkin was signed from Glasgow City.
With a poor precedent of a single victory in their last 19 matches, Bristol’s plunge towards relegation was all but inevitable. Their 4-0 downfall to Manchester City on Sunday evening was the final blow, sending them back to the Championship, a league they had left only a year prior.
Despite her dedication, Mustaki participated in just six WSL games this season due to injury and was side-lined last month with a hip issue. Connolly, however, arriving from Brighton last summer, remained an unwavering mainstay.
In Scottish football news, a goal from Kate Mooney paved Hearts’ path to their inaugural Scottish Cup final. The ex-Peamount United forward initiated the scoring, leading to a 3-0 victory against Spartans. Irish international Ciara Grant was amongst those on the field for the Edinburgh side.
A showdown with Rangers awaits Hearts in the final, thanks to their 2-0 triumph over Caitlin Hayes’s Celtic on Saturday. Despite the defeat, Hayes was slightly consoled by being named in the Scottish Premier League’s team of the year last week.