Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs

All you runners out there…

Ready, set, go to this link today: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HT6LPxzYi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Coast is Calling The Antrim Coast Half Marathon, held annually in Larne, Northern Ireland, is a world-class running event open to participants aged 17 and over. 

Sports Direct Women's Premiership Player of the Month for July

Linfield Women winger Sophie McKnight has been named the Sports Direct Women's Premiership Player of the Month for July by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

The Blues had a strong month with wins over Lisburn Rangers and Larne Women, as well as a 2-2 draw with Belfast neighbours and title rivals Glentoran Women.

Teenager McKnight scored her fourth league goal of the season in the draw with Glentoran and impressed throughout the month as Ryan McConville's side also reached the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup and progressed to the final of the Couty Antrim Cup, where they will play holders Lisburn Rangers.
"I'm delighted to win the Player of the Month award at such a young age. Hopefully it's just the beginning for me," McKnight said.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Linfield and I'm really grateful to Ryan [McConville, Linfield manager] for bringing me in and I'm looking to kick on.
"I think we've had a really strong season so far, we want to keep kicking on and keep going right through to the end of the season."

It is consecutive monthly award wins for Linfield, after Northern Ireland midfielder Megan Bell won June's prize.

https://www.facebook.com/share/17dEF8bHx4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✍️ | 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 members will undertake an historic vote this evening on whether to accept a takeover proposal from the 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽. 🔴

💰 The Canadian consortium has outlined a minimum initial commitment of £3million - double its original offer - with the investment set to support an ambitious long-term vision for the Reds.

🏟️ A major redevelopment of Solitude is proposed, with plans for a 5,000-6,000 capacity all-seater stadium, including a replacement main stand and new Waterworks Stand. The group also wants to restore the historic Whitehouse building, potentially as a club museum.

⚽️ TIG has also pledged to support a full-time first team and academy, while outlining ambitions to strengthen the women’s team and invest further in the North Belfast community.

🗣️ The consortium’s representatives - including former Cliftonville midfielder Conor Devine, Canadian Elite Basketball League co-owner Drew Green, John Muffolini and Bangor-born Ron Davidson - presented their vision directly to members at a meeting a few weeks ago.

👀 Members now face a landmark decision that could shape the future of Cliftonville for years to come.

#️⃣ |

HEINEKEN 0.0 ADDS FLAVOUR TO NI’S ‘NO ALCOHOL’ BEER MARKET

HEINEKEN 0.0 is bringing a fresh twist to Northern Ireland’s alcohol-free beer market this summer with the launch of two brand new flavours - Lemon & Elderflower and Nectarine & Juniper.

As NI drinkers make the most of the summer heatwave, the launch of the new flavours is perfect timing for consumers looking for added refreshment and more choice and when choosing their alcohol-free drinks.

Heineken 0.0 is the biggest alcohol-free lager in the UK, worth £68.7m (total trade), and one of the most recognised and trusted names in the rapidly expanding no- and low-alcohol market.

Now the brand is set to build on this success with two exciting new flavours which will be available at off licenses and retailers across Northern Ireland.

Combining Heineken 0.0’s signature crisp, refreshing character with subtle fruit and botanical notes, Lemon & Elderflower and Nectarine & Juniper are designed to attract both existing beer drinkers and new consumers to the ‘no alcohol’ category.

Heineken 0.0 distributor Craigavon-based United Wines has seen its ‘no alcohol’ portfolio grow to more than 20 products in the past five years and the company’s Senior Brand Manager David Greenlees believes that innovation is key to this growth.

"The no- and low-alcohol category has experienced remarkable growth in recent years,” said David, “and Heineken 0.0 has played a leading role in that success thanks to its quality, taste and strong consumer trust.

"Innovation remains essential to keeping the category moving forward and, with the launch of Lemon & Elderflower and Nectarine & Juniper, Heineken 0.0 is tapping into two key trends - moderation and flavoured beer – and widening the occasions in which drinkers can enjoy alcohol-free beer.

“With Nectarine & Juniper and Lemon & Elderflower, we're introducing two exciting new flavours that offer consumers something different while staying true to the crisp, refreshing character that people expect from Heineken 0.0."

Heineken 0.0 with a twist of Lemon & Elderflower and Nectarine & Juniper is now available in 4 x 330ml packs at retailers across Northern Ireland.

The off-trade launch follows the recent expansion in the on-trade of Heineken 0.0 on draught, further reinforcing the brand's commitment to broadening alcohol-free choices and creating new opportunities for retailers and hospitality operators alike.

Since its launch in the Netherlands and Germany in 2017, the brand has led the way in quality, taste and innovation and is now sold in more than 110 markets across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Heineken also manufactures Birra Moretto Zero – the non-alcoholic variant of the UK’s biggest selling Italian beer brand.

United Wines, a subsidiary of Heineken Ireland, is now one of the biggest drinks distributors on the island of Ireland. Operating from an 80,000 square foot warehouse in Craigavon, with 55 staff on its books, United Wines distributes an extensive portfolio of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks to more than 1,000 bars, restaurants, hotels, off licenses, cash & carries, regional wholesalers and national multiples throughout the country.

NIFWA June Monthly Award

Sports Direct Women’s Player of the Month

Linfield midfielder Megan Bell has been named the Sports Direct Women's Premiership for June by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.
Bell scored a hat-trick as the Blues beat Crusaders Strikers 9-1 in the month, while she also netted in the 8-1 win over Lisburn Ladies.

The 25-year-old also scored her fourth international goal in the away World Cup qualifying defeat in Turkey at the start of the June.

"It means a lot. We had a good month as a team and I was happy to contribute," said Bell on her award.

"We've had a good start but it is still very early on in the season.

"We don't want to get too carried away. We go into every game wanting to win and we'll see where it takes us at the end of the season."

Bell is in her second spell with Linfield in the Women's Premiership after stints with Durham, Hearts, Rangers and Nottingham Forest.

She says she is enjoying her time back at Linfield and hopes to keep playing her part for the Blues, who are firmly in the title picture.

At the start of July she helped Ryan McConville's side beat Lisburn Rangers and she scored in a 2-2 draw with title rivals Glentoran.

"It took me a while to find my feet but I'm feeling more like myself every week.
"I'm very happy and I think playing every week helps with that."

MAY SPORTS DIRECT WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE MONTH

An early-season goal rush has earned Caitlin McGuinness the first Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Sports Direct Women's Player of the Month of the 2026 campaign.

The Cliftonville Ladies striker, who finished 2025 with a goal to help the Reds secure back-to-back Irish Cup successes, picked up where she left off by finding the net eight times across three competitions in May.

The most significant of those goal was her double in a thrilling comeback against Linfield Women, when Cliftonville responded to falling 2-0 after just 20 minutes to earn a thrilling 3-2 victory, thanks to McGuinness' winning strike.
She has already matched last season's total of seven goals in the Women's Premiership, which for the 23-year-old marked a drop off after firing the Reds to the title in 2024.

“I'm delighted to pick up this award," said McGuinness.

"Personally I didn't think I had a great year last season, I could have probably scored more goals and done better, so to get off till a good start this season has given me a bit of confidence for the rest of the year."

FROM THE ORCHARD TO THE ‘BIG APPLE’
Orchard Thieves gives NI drinkers the chance to win a trip to New York City

WITH Independence Day in the USA just around the corner (July 4th), Northern Ireland drinkers are being given a chance to win the trip of a lifetime to New York City, thanks to a new summer promotion from leading cider brand Orchard Thieves.

Running exclusively in Northern Ireland across the hot summer months, the ‘Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple’ campaign invites customers to cool down with a refreshing pint of Orchard Thieves and scan the in-bar QR code for their chance to win a trip to NYC.

The promotion will run in participating pubs and bars across NI until September, with venues also competing for a trip to ‘The Big Apple’ as part of a trade incentive rewarding top performance, growth in cider sales, and social media engagement.

“With the World Cup taking place in America, and Independence Day coming up this Saturday (July 4), there are a lot of eyes on the USA this summer,” said Olivia McAleenan, Brand Manager for United Wines, the company that distributes Orchard Thieves in Northern Ireland.

“With this in mind, we’re thrilled to launch this amazing campaign in Northern Ireland and give our customers AND trade partners something really exciting to get behind this summer. There are few destinations in the world as iconic as New York City so we’re sure that the chance to win a trip there will create a real buzz in bars across the province.

“Cider is the perfect summer drink and we’ve already seen a spike in sales on the back of the recent heatwave we’ve all been enjoying. So we’re now urging all those cider fans out there to ‘Take A Bite Out Of The Big Apple’ and enjoy a refreshing pint of Orchard Thieves – it might be their ticket to visit the city that never sleeps!,” she added.

Participating venues will feature eye-catching point-of-sale materials designed to bring the New York theme to life and encourage customers to get involved.

A list of participating venues can be found at https://unitedwines.co.uk/take-a-bite-out-of-the-big-apple-with-orchard-thieves/

Cider is now worth £2 billion annually in UK on-trade, with sales increasing by 3.5% year-on-year, making it the second fastest-growing drinks category in the on-trade. Cider drinkers are also becoming more loyal, with serves per occasion increasing by 19% year-on-year.

A recent report in Drinks Industry Ireland magazine reveals that Orchard Thieves is the biggest draught cider in Ireland, with almost one in two young adults listing it as their cider of choice.

United Wines, a subsidiary of Heineken Ireland, is now one of the biggest drinks distributors on the island of Ireland. Operating from an 80,000 square foot warehouse in Craigavon, with 55 staff on its books, United Wines distributes an extensive portfolio of beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks to more than 1,000 bars, restaurants, hotels, off licenses, cash & carries, regional wholesalers, and national multiples throughout the country.

📘 **Club Review – Issue 3, 2026 Out Now**

The latest edition of *Club Review* is now available to read online.

👉 https://heyzine.com/flip-book/0114a808d4.html

This month's edition is packed with important news, practical advice, and updates from across the Northern Ireland clubs network.

Inside, our Chairman and Secretary reflect on the challenges facing clubs, the importance of representation through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Registered Clubs, and the resilience that continues to define the registered club movement.

Also in this issue:

✅ Minutes from the latest Federation Executive Meeting
✅ Lawrence Shearer merges with M.B. McGrady & Co.
✅ Expert advice from Rollins Insurance
✅ Employment guidance from RKM Business Solutions
✅ A legal Q&A on club membership applications
✅ Energy-saving advice from MJ Utilities
✅ The latest innovations from P&F Amusements
✅ Summer sporting highlights from Sky Sports
✅ News from leading industry suppliers and partners
✅ A preview of Belfast's hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

**Printed copies will be arriving with clubs next week**, so keep an eye out for your copy.

As always, *Club Review* is here to inform, support and represent clubs throughout Northern Ireland.

Please feel free to share this post with fellow committee members and club officials.

Club Review Issue 3 2026 Welcome to Club Review Issue 3 2026, the official voice of the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs.