Goals were in plentiful supply as the 2026 Women's Challenge Cup kicked off, with comfortable wins for Maiden City Ladies and Craigavon City Ladies alongside a dramatic extra-time victory for Ballymena United Women.
The designated 'tie of the round' at the Limavady Showgrounds saw Maiden City comfortably defeat Limavady United Ladies, with the NIWFA Division 1 side proving too strong for the NIWFA Pathway West League outfit.
Player of the match Toni McCool (pictured receiving her award from IFA Women’s Challenge Cup Committee member Trevor Hogg) opened the scoring after just three minutes before Caitlin McMahon doubled the lead. McCool struck twice more before half-time, alongside a goal from Emma Johnston, to hand the visitors a commanding advantage at the break.
McCool completed her four-goal haul in the second half, while Emily Ogg, Johnston and Caoili Bradley added further goals to seal an emphatic victory.
An all-NIWFA Championship meeting at Dixon Park saw Ballymena United edge past Ballyclare Comrades Ladies after a five-goal thriller.
Lauren Hill opened the scoring on 34 minutes with a powerful long-range strike and nearly added another soon after when a free-kick hit the crossbar. Molly Weir equalised from the penalty spot for Ballyclare a few minutes before half-time.
Hill restored Ballymena’s lead with a second-half penalty after a foul on Zoe McDowell, but Tazmin Watson levelled late for Ballyclare to force extra time.
The winner arrived in the 100th minute when Orla Lemon reacted quickest to a rebound after Hannah Firth’s initial effort had been saved, sending Ballymena through.
Bangor Ladies also secured their place in the next round after edging another entertaining all-Championship tie away to Strabane Athletic Ladies.
Bronagh McKinley gave Strabane an early lead with a strike from outside the box before Olivia Marshall equalised just before the break after running through to chip the home keeper one-on-one.
An own goal from Stacey Johnston briefly put the Seasiders in front, but Shantell Temple responded immediately for Strabane from around 25 yards out.
However, Marshall’s second goal on 78 minutes after beating the offside trap ultimately tipped the balance in Bangor’s favour.
Craigavon City recorded the biggest win of the round with a commanding away victory over Omagh Town Ladies.
Sophie Graham handed Craigavon an early lead before Sophia Moore equalised for Omagh. However, the visitors quickly regained control, with Kayla Campbell scoring four goals and Eira Awada adding two.
Graham also netted four times, including two late strikes, while Megan Weatherall and Saoirse Crossey completed the scoring in a dominant performance.
(Picture gallery by Paul Harvey)
Ballyclare Comrades Ladies v Ballymena United Women
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