Ignore the early Sions

Cliftonville Ladies would be wrong to read anything into their early-season victory over Sion Swifts Ladies as the teams prepare to lock horns again this week – so says skipper Megan Moran.

The Reds enjoyed a 4-0 win over the Strabane outfit on the opening night of the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership season but, ahead of tomorrow night’s clash in the Jordan’s Gift Women’s Premiership League Cup Final, Moran insists there’s been plenty of water under the bridge since then.

“Since the first game, I think both teams have settled more into their season, so it’s important to approach the game with no assumptions or predetermined ideas of how Sion will play,” she says.

“It’s important we focus on our game plan and do our utmost to perform to meet our own expectations of how Cliftonville should play.”

The Reds booked their place in tomorrow’s showdown with a penalty shootout victory over Lisburn Ladies a fortnight ago and, having been expected by most observers to win that game comfortably, Moran says the experience can only help sharpen minds with a trophy on the line.

“The semi-final was a difficult game but we were able to persevere and come out on top,” she adds.

“Like they say, anything can happen on a Cup day, so on Wednesday we must be prepared both physically and mentally for whatever comes our way.

“It’s obviously a goal of ours to end this season with some silverware and, having come so close last season, it only fuelled our determination to play to the highest level and hopefully, deservedly so, have some silverware to show for all our hard work.”

Jordan’s Gift Women’s Premiership League Cup Final
Cliftonville Ladies v Sion Swifts Ladies
Wednesday, June 29 (Blanchflower Stadium, 7.45pm)
Fans aged 16+: £5
Under-16s: Free