THIS year’s Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup competition has thrown up a heavyweight semi-final.
Holders Glentoran Women will be taking on Cliftonville Ladies in the last four tonight, Friday, September 19 – in a repeat of last year’s final.
In the other semi-final Lisburn Rangers Ladies, who currently sit third in the NIFL Women’s Premiership behind the Glens and Reds, will face Derry City Women, who are fifth in the top flight just now.
Glentoran and Cliftonville are neck and neck at the top of the NIFL Women’s Premiership.
Cliftonville have a 100 per cent record in the league so far – registering 10 wins out of 10 games – but the Glens also have 30 points and are ahead of them on goal difference.
Glentoran have played one more game, however. Their only league defeat came against the Reds, who won a top of the table clash back in July by two goals to one.
Last year the Glens completed the league and cup double when they defeated the Reds in the Women’s Challenge Cup decider.
The Reds, who have already won the League Cup this season, will no doubt be determined to upset the applecart as the Glens seek their sixth consecutive Challenge Cup.
In the quarter-finals Cliftonville strolled past neighbours Crusaders Strikers by seven goals to nil, while Glentoran eased past Larne Women, winning 3-0.
Ahead of the game, Ellie Butler from Glentoran Women revealed the Glens players are in a good place after defeating Armenian side Pyunik in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League to finish third in their group.
She said: “We’ve come back home feeling really good. We’re just buzzing to get back playing and hopefully get into the final.”
And Carla Devine from Cliftonville Ladies revealed the Reds have prepared well for the match, adding that there is “a good buzz” about their squad ahead of the big game.
“Hopefully we can make the final and get to play at the National Stadium,” she added.
The Reds v Glens clash is due to be staged at Dixon Park in Ballyclare (7.30 start).
Mill Meadow in Castledawson is the venue for the semi-final tie between Lisburn Rangers Ladies and Derry City Women (7.30 kick-off).
Neither side has appeared in the final of the competition before, and they are both keen to make it this time.
In the last eight Lisburn Rangers Ladies enjoyed an emphatic 7-0 win against fellow Premiership side Mid Ulster Ladies, while Derry eased past Bangor Ladies on a 3-0 scoreline.
Lisburn Rangers Ladies, who have had an excellent start to life in the Women’s Premiership in their debut season in the top flight, will be hoping to go one better after bowing out at this stage of the cup competition last year.
Ahead of the last four tie, Shannon Dunne from Derry City Women said: “We’re all looking forward to it. There’s a real positive buzz in the squad, a really good energy. We haven’t been this far in the competition before. It would be great to reach the final.”
And Sophie Kelly-Bradley from Lisburn
All four teams will be vying for a place in the 2024 Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup final, which will be played on Saturday, October 19 at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
Admission price for both semi-finals is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. Fans can pay at the gate (cash only).
Looking forward to the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals are Sophie Kelly-Bradley (Lisburn Rangers Ladies), Carla Devine (Cliftonville Ladies), Shannon Dunne (Derry City Women) and Ellie Butler (Glentoran Women).
