The trajectory of the Derry City women’s team is ‘brilliant’ according to defender Cate Toland

Derry City’s Cate Toland believes the trajectory of the women’s team is ‘brilliant’.

The defender was at the Derry City store in the Foyleside to greet fans with teammate and club captain Shannon Dunne ahead of Christmas.

Toland said: “It is brilliant; good to see the young girls visit. Derry is a family place, and it is great to chat with everybody.”

The Saint Johnston native joined Derry City two seasons ago and has witnessed the club go from strength to strength as it has improved its position in the Northern Ireland Women's Premiership each season.

As this improvement has occurred, the women's game across the world of football has seen a rise in attendance and popularity, with Derry being no different.

Toland said: “It was brilliant. Even at one of our games, there were 300 people at which is great for a women's team in Northern Ireland, and it is only going up, so hopefully we can have more next season at the Brandywell.

“It is brilliant; even at the end of our games, the girls come down at the end to get their jersey signed. It is brilliant to see whenever they come to watch us; it is a really family club.”

“We play against girls that play for the Northern Ireland team and have the experience of that and going to the Aviva to watch my sister (Tyler Toland) and seeing how many are in attendance, so it is brilliant to see how much it is growing as they are almost selling out the Aviva every time.”

As the attendances continue to grow for Derry and across the sport in Northern Ireland, the game will continue to grow.

Tyler believes that the product will also continue to grow, particularly when clubs like Derry invest in the women’s team through the likes of facilities, as the club looks to develop academy structures.

She said: “It is brilliant to see those facilities being built. We train at the Brandywell at the minute, which is a brilliant privilege to have, and having that training development proposed will be great for all levels from the academy right the way up.”