Monday, December 16, 2024

Women’s Irish Cup final – all you need to know

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Lisburn Rangers striker Amy Burden makes a pass against Cliftonville in the League Cup final [PACEMAKER]

Lisburn Rangers stand in the way of Cliftonville completing a league and cup treble for the first time.

The Reds bagged the League Cup in July and won all 16 league games to regain the Women’s Premiership title.

The north Belfast side now have their sights on capturing the Women’s Challenge Cup in Saturday’s decider at Windsor Park.

Cliftonville will start firm favourites but an improving Rangers side will be no pushovers as they chase a fairytale success.

The underdogs have risen through the divisions and have finished fourth in their first top-flight campaign.

You can watch the match live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website but before the game here’s what you need to know.

Where can I watch the final?

We’ll bring you every minute of the final on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website on Saturday.

Coverage starts at 18:45 BST with kick-off at Windsor Park at 19:00.

The programme will be presented by Nicola McCarthy with Michael Clarke joined on commentary by Northern Ireland and Nottingham Forest winger Caragh Hamilton.

The BBC Sport website will also have live text commentary with in-play clips so you can catch up if you miss any of the goals.

How did the teams get to Windsor?

Cliftonville are out to banish the memories of last year’s final when they went down to a 3-0 defeat by Glentoran.

The Reds are attempting to win the competition for the second time after their first success in 2015 with a 4-1 win over Crusaders.

Cliftonville started this season’s quest with a 5-0 victory over Lisburn Ladies before thumping north Belfast rivals Crusaders 7-0 in the quarter-finals.

Goals from Danielle Maxwell, Kirsty McGuinness and Marissa Callaghan saw them avenge their 2023 heartbreak by beating Glentoran 3-1 in the semi-finals.

It will be a new experience for Lisburn Rangers on Saturday as they make their first appearance in the final.

Rangers hammered Mid Ulster Ladies 7-0 before edging Derry City 2-1 in the Mill Meadow semi-final.

A late winner from Striker Gracie Conway clinched a spot in the showpiece game.

What’s the recent history between the sides?

Kirsty McGuinness celebrates scoring Cliftonville's opener against Lisburn Rangers Kirsty McGuinness celebrates scoring Cliftonville's opener against Lisburn Rangers

Kirsty McGuinness celebrates scoring Cliftonville’s first goal against Rangers in the League Cup decider [PACEMAKER]

Cliftonville, not surprisingly with their 100% league record, hold the upper hand in meetings between the teams this season.

The two sides have already contested a final this season with the Reds prevailing 2-0 in the League Cup decider in July.

Kirsty McGuinness opened the scoring at Blanchflower Stadium against a Rangers team playing in their first senior final.

Victoria Carleton struck late to seal victory as Cliftonville retained the trophy.

Callaghan and Maxwell hit hat-tricks as the Reds thumped Lisburn 8-1 at Crewe Park in the Premiership last month.

It was a much closer affair at Solitude a fornight later with Cliftonville winning 3-2 thanks to a last-minute winner from Caitlin McGuinness.

Maxwell and Caitlin McGuinness gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland and Gracie Conway netting to level before McGuinness won it.

What do the players say?

Cliftonville skipper Kelsie Burrows is determined to make it a special day for the Reds at Windsor Park.

“Going for the treble is really important for us,” said the defender.

“We’ve got the two trophies so far – this game at the weekend is our next focus and we want to come home with another trophy.

“We wanted to win everything this year. We fell a bit short in the County Antrim Cup but we’re pushing on ahead to get this trophy.”

Lisburn Rangers centre-back Erin McGreevy concedes her team are “coming in as underdogs” but “will give it everything they’ve got”.

“We’re all super-excited. It’ll be the first time playing here [at Windsor Park] for every single player in our squad. It’s surreal,” said Erin.

“It’s going to be a special night, it’s going to mean a lot for us all.

“We know we can go out and perform against these big teams but it’s up to us.

“They are a decorated squad, they have international players everywhere you look, but we know if we look after our individual performances and our collective performance we can cause an upset.”

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