Ladies’ hunger gains

John McGrady has praised Cliftonville Ladies’ hunger in the countdown to this evening’s Danske Bank Women’s Premiership encounter with Lisburn Ladies.

The Reds have won all 11 of their League games so far this season and, with just three fixtures to come until the Premiership’s two-way split, hold an eight-point lead over Champions Glentoran Women at the summit.

McGrady, however, insists that nobody in the camp is looking any further ahead than tonight’s Solitude showdown.

“Every game is important,” he says.

“Yes, we know there are only three games to the split but the focus of the players is only on the next game, the players can not be complacent. They know that, they are probably sick of being told it. The most important game is the next game, it always is. The minute you take your eye off the ball, you’re in trouble because of complacency. So all the focus is on Lisburn, after that we can worry about whatever game we face after that.”

While Cliftonville have been in fine form since the start of the season, recent weeks have seen the team demonstrate a particular relentlessness in front of goal with a host of high-scoring victories recorded against various opponents.

As encouraged as he has been by that, McGrady is keen to guard against taking anything for granted this evening.

“The players have shown a real thirst to always get the next goal,” he explains.

“We have always tried to tell them they have to keep going, not stop, keep wanting to score another, but we don’t need to talk about this too much – it’s very instinctive, they have that drive by themselves personally and as a team.

“Lisburn Ladies are newly promoted and they maybe will feel hard done by in certain games this season because they work so hard. They are a well run and well organised team and it makes them extremely hard to play against, they work so hard for each other and fight for every ball.

“We know we have to go into the game with the right attitude and can’t afford to be complacent. Nobody lets you win a game of football, you have to earn it.”

Cliftonville Ladies v Lisburn Ladies
Solitude, 7.45pm
Adults: £2
Concessions: £1