Ladies’ Final push

Sunday’s Boyle Sports Women’s Cup Final represents Cliftonville Ladies’ fifth consecutive appearance in the League Cup decider.

Indeed, since the competition was introduced to the NI Football League schedule in 2018, the Reds have only ever failed to reach the Final on one occasion – so it’s an event that Brendan Lynch and his players are well versed in as they count down to this weekend’s Seaview showdown with Glentoran Women.

After losing 4-1 to Linfield in the inaugural League Cup Final in 2019, Cliftonville suffered similar disappointment when Sion Swifts inflicted defeat in the 2022 showpiece.

Since then, however, the trophy has taken up residence at Solitude thanks to the Reds emerging on top three seasons in a row.

The run of success started when revenge was exacted on Sion in 2023 courtesy of a Caitlin McGuinness hat-trick at Stangmore Park (above).

Twelve months later, Kirsty McGuinness and Vicky Carleton bagged the goals that saw off Lisburn Rangers at Blanchflower Stadium (above) before Cliftonville’s grip on the silverware looked to be slipping when Glentoran raced into a 2-0 lead at Seaview last year.

Caitlin McGuinness’ double early in the second-half swung the momentum back in the Reds’ direction and, when Marissa Callaghan made it 3-2, another trophy celebration was on the cards even prior to Naomi McLaughlin wrapping things up in injury-time.

The Glens provide the opposition once again this weekend and, with tickets priced at just £5 for Adults and £2 for Concessions, we’d love to have as many members of the Red Army there as possible as Lynch’s charges go in search of a fourth straight League Cup triumph.