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Monday 21 Jul 2025
Women's Challenge Cup recap and quarter-finals draw

Holders Cliftonville Ladies kicked off their defence of the Irish FA Women's Challenge Cup with victory over Lisburn Rangers at Crewe Park, in what was a repeat of last season's final.

The second round 'tie of the round' was a lot closer this time, however, as the Reds had to fight to remain in the competition.

Cliftonville moved in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after a Naomi McLaughlin corner was headed home from the edge of the area by Fionnuala Morgan.

But Rangers hit back on 32 minutes after an initial 25-yard free-kick was pushed out by keeper Rachael Norney only for Faye Loughran to react quickest and turn home the equaliser.

And Loughran struck again eight minutes later with a headed finish after another set piece, delivered by Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland, was crossed into the six yard box to hand Rangers the lead at the break.

Indeed, it was an advantage they held for the majority of the second half before, on 87 minutes, Caitlin McGuinness levelled for the holders with a low finish squeezed below Madison Bell from Carla Devine's flick.

Then, remarkably, just two minutes after that Morgan bagged her second of the evening - and the winner - with a back post header after connecting with Marissa Callaghan's corner.

There were no such issues for Glentoran Women as they swept past Greenisland Women at the Blanchflower Stadium.

Mia Moore fired the Glens in front as early as the second minute, with Sophie McKnight doubling up a quarter-of-an-hour later.

Moore added to her tally after half-an-hour as the Glens went in at the break three goals to the good.

Caitlin Carlisle bagged number four on 53 minutes but two goals apiece from Rachel Rogan and Aimee Kerr in a blistering nine minute spell midway through the second half helped the Glens to an ultimately comprehensive victory.

Meanwhile, at The Knowe in Larne, Ballyclare Comrades Ladies hit three goals without reply in the East Antrim derby with Carrick Rangers Falcons.

Cerys Madden kicked the scoring off on 16 minutes, but that was how it stayed until Zoe Tisdale added to Ballyclare's advantage on 77 minutes with Chloe Verner wrapping it all up with a third just a short time later.

Lisburn Ladies are also through to the last eight after a narrow defeat of Mid Ulster Ladies, with Sidra Younes Alsaidi grabbing the only goal of the game with a header from a well executed header just before the half-hour mark in what was a tightly fought contest at the Bluebell Stadium.

The second round concludes on Monday evening as Larne Women take on Bangor Ladies at Inver Park (7:45pm).

The winner of that tie will then travel to face Ballyclare Comrades Ladies in the quarter-finals.

The other last eight ties see Crusaders Strikers host Cliftonville Ladies in a big North Belfast derby, Lisburn Ladies welcoming Derry City Women and the undoubted 'tie of the round' when Linfield Women lock horns with Glentoran Women at Midgley Park.

The full draw reads:-

Ballyclare Comrades Ladies v Larne Women or Bangor Ladies
Crusaders Strikers v Cliftonville Ladies
Linfield Women v Glentoran Women *TIE OF THE ROUND*
Lisburn Ladies v Derry City Women

All ties scheduled for Friday 22 August 2025 (kick-off 7:45pm).

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