The opening night of the new Women's Premiership season delivered a thrilling showcase of attacking football, with defending champions Glentoran, Cliftonville, and Linfield all making emphatic statements with 5-0 victories.

At The Oval, the Glens kicked off their title defence in style, racing to a 3-0 halftime lead against Lisburn Rangers. Kelly Crompton, Mia Moore, and Gracie Conway found the net before the break, with Moore adding her second and Aimee Kerr also getting on the scoresheet in the second half to complete the comprehensive win.

Across Belfast, Linfield matched their rivals' firepower with an equally impressive 5-0 triumph over Derry City. The Blues were devastating in the first half, with Cora Chambers opening the scoring before Eve Reilly struck twice and Megan Bell added a stoppage-time fourth. Stacey Murdough completed the scoring after the interval to ensure a perfect start for the Blues.

The drama wasn't confined to the big winners, however. Crusaders Strikers looked in control after Emily Reid's brace gave them a 2-0 halftime lead, but Larne showed tremendous character in the second half. Chloe Tully and Shannon Dunne struck back to earn a hard-fought point in an entertaining comeback.

Cliftonville rounded off the evening's action with a dominant display against Lisburn Ladies. The Reds established a 3-0 lead by halftime through goals from Hannah Doherty, Caitlin McGuinness, and Teegan Lynch. Kirsty McGuinness added two more in the second half to seal an emphatic 5-0 victory that signals their intent for the season ahead.

With three teams already showing championship credentials and Larne demonstrating the league's competitive depth, the new Women's Premiership season is shaping up to be an unmissable campaign.