Both teams involved in this evening’s inspiresport Women’s Challenge Cup Final will be aiming to secure doubles – but only one can prevail.
Cup holders Cliftonville Ladies are going for a league and cup double, while Glentoran Women will be keen to add to the League Cup trophy.
Having secured the 2026 NIFL Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title, and recorded three league victories over the Glens this season, Cliftonville go in to the game at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park as clear favourites.
But the Glens are hungry to show what they can do on the pitch after being awarded the League Cup due to Cliftonville being stripped of the trophy for fielding two ineligible players in the final, a game in which the Reds defeated their cross-city rivals by four goals to nil.
And Cliftonville Ladies boss Brendan Lynch, recently named NIFL Women’s Manager of the Year, is expecting the Glens to push his team all the way at the National Stadium (7.45 kick-off).
In the matchday programme he says: “To be here for a fourth consecutive year is a reflection of the hard work, commitment and standards that this group of players and staff continue to set.
“This has been another hugely rewarding season for us: one that everyone connected with the club should be incredibly proud of. It takes consistency, resilience and a collective belief in what we are trying to build, and the players have demonstrated those qualities throughout this season.
“I would also like to congratulate Glentoran on their season and on reaching this showpiece final alongside us. I am sure both teams will be determined to make the most of the occasion.”
He urges his players to embrace the occasion as they go in search of a league and cup double.
Lynch says: “For our players, my message is simple: embrace the occasion, trust yourselves and everything you have worked towards, and enjoy the opportunity to represent yourselves, your families and the club on such a stage.
“We know what is required, and we will give everything we can to bring the cup back to Solitude.”
Glentoran Women head coach Kim Turner is in bullish mood ahead of tonight’s encounter.
In the matchday programme she says: “There is a lot we cannot change about this season, but we have earned the chance to finish it by bringing the Irish Cup back to Glentoran. That is an opportunity we have to take.
“We set out to defend our league title and we fell short. As manager I take my share of responsibility for that.
“We have good players who expect more of themselves, and we know there have been games when we have not shown enough of what we can do. Today is the time to put that right.”
She points out that her team “kept going” during difficult moments on the way to the final and she says such resilience will be essential again today.
Turner insists: “I want every player to take responsibility. Show for the ball, trust your ability and help the teammate beside you. If something goes wrong, respond to it. There will be difficult moments in any final, and how we handle them can decide the game.
“We know Cliftonville well. Our focus is on ourselves and making sure we produce our best performance when it matters… we have one game left together this season and a trophy to play for. I expect us to give everything to bring it home.”
The game was originally scheduled to have been played on Saturday (24 October), however following a storm warning it was postponed until tonight in the interests of the safety of everyone involved in the staging of the match.
Image: Cliftonville Ladies’ Caitlin McGuinness and Glentoran Women’s Jess Foy will cross swords in tonight’s cup final.