CLIFTONVILLE Ladies went down fighting as their historic European journey came to an end in Kosovo this evening.
Three days on from becoming the first ever Irish League side to win through a round in the Women’s Champions League when they overcame host team Mitrovica, the Reds did battle with Georgian representatives Lanchkhuti in the first qualifying round Group 6 Final at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.
Following a tight first-half during which Cliftonville bossed possession, John McGrady’s side shipped two quickfire goals that suddenly left them with a mountain to climb; Anano Tsikaridze and Eter Sulashvili netting within a minute of one another.
Try as they might, the Reds were unable to fashion a route back into the contest until injury-time when Abbie Magee struck to provide some late hope but the Georgians held on to book their place in the second qualifying round Group 5 semi-final later this month.
