DEFENDING champions Cliftonville were the 2-0 victors at the Blanchflower Stadium to secure back-to-back trophies.
Kirsty McGuinness broke the deadlock after just eleven minutes when she coolly converted sister Caitlin McGuinness’ pass at the back post before Vicky Carleton doubled their lead with the final kick of the game.
The Reds dominated from the start with Caitlin nearly opening the scoring with Caitlin after a well timed run down the left but her effort was denied by stopper Emma Higgins.
After the goal Cliftonville piled on the pressure with Louise McDaniel’s effort crashing off the crossbar and Toni-Leigh Finnegan’s strike from range being denied by the post minutes later.
Finnegan was in action again shortly after, but this time her strike was denied by the impressive Higgins, who also palmed Kirsty McGuinness’ shot from the edge of the area over the crossbar.
The McGuinness sisters continued to cause the Lisburn Rangers defence problems with Caitlin McGuinness making Higgins produce a great reaction save just before the half-time whistle.
The second half proved to be not as action packed with few chances of note.
In the final ten minutes Lisburn Rangers started to push with Cliftonville keeper Rachel Norney managing to gain possession of a corner after she had misjudged the danger.
Then, top scorer Gracie Conway’s strike from outside the area crashed back off the crossbar before Sophie Megaw saw a follow up stopped down by Norney.
However, Cliftonville made sure it was red ribbon on the trophy deep into stoppage time when Marissa Callaghan cut the ball across for Carleton, whose low shot found the bottom corner.
