McGrady’s up for the Cup

Though Cliftonville Ladies will begin their Avenir Sports All-Island Cup journey against familiar opposition this evening, boss John McGrady has welcomed the new avenues that are being opened by the competition.

The Reds’ Group C campaign kicks off when fellow Sports Direct Women’s Premiership side Sion Swifts Ladies visit Solitude (5.30pm) and, with encounters against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers to come, McGrady is looking forward to taking on new challenges.

“We think it’s a brilliant idea for the women’s game and would like to see it continue no matter the outcome,” he asserts.

“It’s another opportunity for the players to face players from around the country and experience different styles of play more often.

“We think our season has got off to a good start but we know that there is more to come and we want to be better with our overall game in certain areas. The players and staff both know and believe this.

“With regard to the rest of the League, all the teams around us have also gone to another level and it shows the League will grow year on year.”

Cliftonville have already locked horns with Sion on domestic duty this term and, far from reading nothing into last month’s 4-0 success, McGrady has warned his team to expect a reaction.

“We know how good Sion can be and how hurt they were from the last time they played us.

“We go into the game expecting a massive test for ourselves and know if we want to win, we will need to be at our very best.”