Reds midfielder Maxwell 'shocked' at winning award

Danielle Maxwell won the Women's Premiership Player of the Year award for 2023

Cliftonville midfielder Danielle Maxwell says she is delighted to win the Women’s Premiership Player of the Month award for September.

The Northern Ireland international has played a major role in helping the Reds continue their challenge for the league and Irish Cup double, scoring seven times as they won six straight games in the month.

It included a victory over Glentoran in the Irish Cup semi-final.

The highlight was a hat-trick as Cliftonville hammered Lisburn Rangers 8-1 in a crucial game in hand that put them clear at the top with five games left.

“I was actually shocked to get the award, but obviously delighted,” said Maxwell.

“I think I’ve started to come back to myself, and I’ve been getting on the score-sheet nearly every week."

Maxwell’s award comes ahead of a huge top-of-the-table showdown between Cliftonville and the Glens.

“The results show that we are gelling well as a team. Training has been really good – the quality and the sharpness – and I think we have brought it into the games.

“It’s paying off in results and hopefully we can continue to be unbeaten in the league for the rest of the season.”

Linfield striker Cora Chambers was runner-up with Maxwell's Cliftonville team-mate Kirsty McGuinness third.