The 2022 edition of the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup is set to kick off with a preliminary round early next month.
The draw for the preliminary round and the first round has just been made, with games to be played on 3 June and 17 June respectively.
Teams from the various NIWFA divisions, including a handful from the top flight (Championship), have entered this season’s competition and they are set to compete in the early rounds.
Camlough Rovers will face 1st Bangor Ladies at home in the solitary preliminary round tie on Friday 3 June (7.30pm kick-off).
Fifteen other NIWFA teams received byes and they all take their place in the first round, with the eight games kicking off at 7.30pm on Friday 17 June.
Eight teams making it through from round one will then be joined by NIFL Danske Bank Women’s Premiership sides in the second round in early August.
Reigning NIFL Women’s Premiership champions Glentoran Women are the hot favourites to lift the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup once again.
The Glens have won the past three Women’s Irish Cup finals – Covid meant the 2020 decider was not played – and they will no doubt be going all out for four in a row in 2022.
The Electric Ireland-sponsored Challenge Cup produced some excellent games in 2021 and the organisers are hoping for similar exciting encounters this time around.
Today’s draw was conducted by Elaine Junk, chair of the Irish FA Women’s Challenge Cup Committee, and Electric Ireland’s Anne Smyth.
The fixtures are:
Preliminary Round – 3 June
Camlough Rovers v 1st Bangor Ladies
Round One – 17 June
Larne Ladies v Comber Rec Ladies
Strabane Athletic Ladies v Winner of Preliminary Round
Antrim Rovers Ladies v Bangor Ladies
Lisburn Distillery Ladies v Ballymena United Women
Lisburn Rangers Ladies v Maiden City Ladies
Belfast Celtic Ladies v Ballyclare Comrades Ladies
Portadown Ladies v Craigavon City Ladies
Kilmore Rec Ladies v St James’ Swifts Ladies
