With mixed feelings of pride and sadness we announce that Glentoran Women players Joely Andrews and Kerry Beattie have signed for Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.
Joely (22) and Kerry (21) are both graduates of the Glentoran Girls Academy and despite their youth have been key players in the Glens’ outstanding run of trophy winning success in the past 5 years. Both have been automatic choices for the Notrthern Ireland senior squad and competed for their country at the last Euros. Both players have been voted Northern Ireland Player of the Year and in the 2023 double winning campaign Kerry topped the league scoring chart with 36 goals while Joely scored 20 from her deeper lying role. This season to date Kerry has scored 15 and Joely 6. Clearly they will be hard to replace but there are plenty of young players in the squad reader to seize their opportunity.
Glentoran Women Head Coach Kim Turner spoke to www.glentoran.com about two players she has known and worked with for many years: “Joely and Kerry are great players and this is an opportunity they both deserve. Having come through our academy (Joely aged 9 & Kerry aged 14 ) it’s a great achievement for both players and club. They have been loyal and believed in the club values and processes to make it to the very top, which should really Inspire the younger generation in our academy.
I personally will be sad to see them both go, but myself and the club fully support the move and I am beyond proud to have played a small part in their footballing journey.
We wish both players all the best on their new opportunity, and like any Glentoran player who has gone across the water, they will always be welcome back to wear the green, red and black.”
Best of luck girls from everyone at Glentoran.
Joely (left) and Kerry
