CLIFTONVILLE LADIES 5 LISBURN RANGERS LADIES 0
CLIFTONVILLE Ladies secured an historic treble in style as they defeated Lisburn Rangers Ladies in the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup final at Windsor Park.
Striker Caitlin McGuinness scored a hat-trick as the ‘Invincibles’, who won this season’s NIFL Women’s Premiership with a 100 per cent record, defeated Rangers 5-0.
Only two goals separated the sides when they met in the NIFL Women’s League Cup decider back in June.
However, this time the Reds were ruthless in front of 1654 spectators at the National Football Stadium.
Cliftonville secured the league and Irish Cup double for the first time in their history thanks to the hat-trick from player of the match Caitlin McGuinness and goals from Louise McDaniel and Victoria Carleton. It’s also the first time they have won the treble of league, Irish Cup and League Cup.
Lisburn Rangers Ladies worked tirelessly throughout the 90-plus minutes, but the more experienced Cliftonville side were just that bit stronger and had more know-how as they claimed the trophy for the first time since 2015.
The league champions from north Belfast were on the front foot from the start against the Lisburn Blues. Midfielder Marissa Callaghan scooped a shot over the bar and then Reds attacker Kirsty McGuinness did likewise.
They opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Caitlin McGuinness fed midfielder McDaniel inside the area and she took a touch before smashing the ball into the top corner from 10 yards.
Rangers attacker Sophie Megaw tested the Reds keeper, Erin McAllister, shortly after that.
Caitlin McGuinness put an effort wide and then shot straight at Rangers goalkeeper Emma Higgins as the Reds continued to press.
However, McGuinness scored with her next opportunity. She raced away from her marker, latching on to a pass from Danielle Maxwell, and fired a low drive into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 on 15 minutes. It was a fine finish.
The Reds kept up the intensity. Callaghan’s well-struck low shot was saved by Higgins.
Down the other end Ellie-Mae Dickson battled for the ball and eventually teed up Gracie Conway, but her shot was pushed out by McAllister.
Caitlin McGuinness steered a shot off target as the game ebbed and flowed, while Maxwell guided a shot over the top from close range and Higgins saved well from Callaghan.
The Reds continued to dominate possession and Maxwell fired a shot from distance straight at Higgins before captain Kelsie Burrows struck the woodwork from close range after Higgins had pushed out a Finnegan delivery from a corner.
After the break the Reds continued to push forward. Higgins punched out a Callaghan cross before she gathered a looping Kirsty McGuinness cross as Caitlin McGuinness threatened to pounce.
Hannah Doherty made ground down the left flank and slipped the ball to Callaghan but the midfielder shot straight at the Rangers keeper.
On 57 minutes Callaghan struck the post with a fine strike from distance – Higgins got her fingertips to it – and then Doherty hit the bar with another well-struck effort.
Rangers’ Cara Tumelty was off target with a long range strike before Kirsty McGuinness drilled a shot into the side netting and Callaghan’s effort sailed over the top.
Caitlin McGuinness made it 3-0 in the 68th minute. Callaghan played a perfectly weighted pass to the striker and she clipped the ball past Higgins from eight yards.
Substitute Victoria Carleton scored the Reds’ fourth. Callaghan found Caitlin McGuinness inside the area and she flicked the ball to Carleton whose half-volley from 10 yards nestled in the back of the net.
Caitlin McGuinness put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute as she completed her hat-trick. She latched on to a pass from McDaniel and expertly slotted the ball home from 12 yards.
Cliftonville Ladies: Erin McAllister, Abbie Magee, Hannah Doherty, Kelsie Burrows (captain), Fi Morgan, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Danielle Maxwell, Louise McDaniel, Caitlin McGuinness, Marissa Callaghan, Kirsty McGuinness. Substitutes: (used) Orleigha McGuinness, Victoria Carleton, Carla Devine, Aoibhe O’Neill, Katie Markey; (unused) Tasmin Carter, Aisling Anderson.
Lisburn Rangers Ladies: Emma Higgins, Kathryn McConnell, Faye Loughran, Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland, Erin McGreevy, Helen Parker (captain), Ellie-Mae Dickson, Cara Tumelty, Gracie Conway, Molly Loughran, Sophie Megaw. Substitutes: (used) Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Daisy Conway, Naomi Donnan, Natalia Keenan;(unused) Tierna Bell, Amy Burden, Anna Wilson.
Runners-up Lisburn Rangers
Winners Cliftonville
Caitlin McGuinness on the goal trail
