LAST UPDATE | 28 Apr
IRISH TRIO HAYLEY Nolan, Izzy Atkinson and Abbie Larkin have helped Crystal Palace to 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Championship glory.
Palace were crowned English second-tier champions for the first time after a 0-0 draw with Sunderland at Selhurst Park this afternoon. A record crowd of 6,796 watched on.
Nolan played the full game, Atkinson featured for just under and hour and Larkin was an unused substitute as the Eagles secured promotion to the Women’s Super League.
All three Irish internationals joined the club this season: Nolan first arrived last summer after a successful spell at London City Lionesses, while Atkinson and Larkin signed from West Ham United and Glasgow City respectively in the mid-season break.
Champions.#CPFC | #BarclaysWC pic.twitter.com/O1D9jImDcN
— Crystal Palace F.C. Women (@cpfc_w) April 28, 2024
Crystal Palace had all but wrapped up the title last weekend after an enthralling race. They moved three points clear of Charlton Athletic ahead of the final round of matches, and 22 ahead on goal difference.
Charlton beat Southampton 2-0 today, but it was ultimately a case of job done for Palace.
Last weekend, Jessie Stapleton secured Reading’s safety with her first professional goal. They were beaten 3-2 by already-relegated Watford this afternoon.
Not a bad game to score your first goal 👀 The ding are staying up 💙 @ReadingFCWomen pic.twitter.com/tCDQmNZCz5
— Jessie Stapleton (@JessStapleton_) April 21, 2024
Tyler Toland produced three assists as Blackburn enjoyed a 3-1 victory at Sheffield United, while Durham beat Birmingham City 1-0 and London City were 3-2 winners over Lewes in other Championship games with Irish interest.
In the WSL this evening, Megan Connolly and Chloe Mustaki suffered relegation with Bristol City.
An immediate drop had long been on the cards, but it was confirmed after a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at Ashton Gate. A Mary Fowler brace, own goal and Alex Greenwood effort moved City six points clear of Chelsea, and condemned Bristol to a Championship return.
Captain Connolly played the full game for the Robins, while Mustaki is sidelined with injury.
Earlier, Everton rescued a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Arsenal. 16-year-old Issy Hobson cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opener in the 95th minute for a share of the spoils. Courtney Brosnan and Katie McCabe both played the full game.
The Gunners’ title hopes had been all but ended already, but this rung the death knell.
Elsewhere, Anna Patten and Jess Ziu both featured as Aston Villa and West Ham drew 1-1, while Aoife Mannion was an unused substitute in Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Leicester City.
Kate Mooney was on target and Ciara Grant featured as Hearts reached their first-ever Scottish Cup final after a 3-0 win against Spartans. Rangers booked the other decider spot after a 2-0 win over Caitlin Hayes’ Celtic.
And in the NWSL, Denise O’Sullivan helped North Carolina Courage to a 1-0 win over OL Reign, while Kyra Carusa featured as San Diego Wave beat Bay FC 2-1.
