Glentoran Women lifted the Irish FA Women’s Challenge Cup tonight after defeating Cliftonville Ladies on penalties in the final.
The two Belfast teams could not be separated after regulation time and extra time, but the Glens prevailed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
It was Glentoran’s second cup success of the season. They were awarded the NIFL League Cup after Cliftonville fielded ineligible players in that decider.
And it also meant Cliftonville missed out on a league and cup double after they secured the 2026 NIFL Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title earlier this month.
Veteran Glentoran midfielder Kelly Bailie came off the subs bench to fittingly slot home the winning penalty in front of 1250 fans at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park. It was her final game of a glittering playing career with the Glens.
The Reds had the bulk of the possession in what turned out to be a cagey first half. Glentoran deployed a blanket defence which proved difficult to penetrate, with Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, captain Jess Foy and Faye Loughran imperious.
The first chance of the game fell to the Glens. Demi Vance’s attempt from a free-kick was easily collected by Reds keeper Maddy Harvey Clifford.
A deflected Kirsty McGuinness shot drifted wide as the league champions pushed forward. And then the Cliftonville winger delivered a couple of corners which were cleared by the Glentoran defence.
On 22 minutes Reds midfielder Charlotte Havern clipped the ball to Kirsty McGuinness and she raced forward before lobbing the advancing keeper, however her shot dropped just wide of the post.
A Havern corner was met by Caitlin McGuinness and her header struck team-mate Vicky Carleton before the ball was cleared by the Glens’ Gracie Conway close to the goal-line.
Cliftonville defender Hannah Doherty’s long pass found Louise McDaniel inside the area but the midfielder’s header went over the bar.
The first opportunity of the second half saw McDaniel shrug off her marker and fire in a low shot which was saved by Glentoran keeper Ellie Scott low to her right.
Down the other end Naomi McLaughlin blasted a shot just wide of the post before repeating the feat just minutes later following some fancy footwork on the edge of the area.
A Vance free-kick was cleared as far as Kelly Crompton and her weak shot was comfortably collected by Harvey Clifford.
On 63 minutes Cliftonville striker Caitlin McGuinness, who had been kept relatively quiet by the well marshalled Glens defence up to that point, spun away from her marker and fired in a low shot which went wide of the post.
Minutes later, as the Reds pushed forward, Carleton dragged a low shot wide of the upright.
Scott dived bravely to grab the ball at Caitlin McGuinness’ feet as the striker threatened once again.
McLaughlin played in Glentoran substitute Mia Moore with a clever flick and the attacker scooped a shot inches past the post, while Reds sub Danielle Maxwell blasted an effort over the top.
On 90 minutes Maxwell just failed to connect with a dangerous cross from Kirsty McGuinness.
Moore’s clever effort from distance dropped wide of the post as the game ebbed and flowed.
At the start of extra time Kirsty McGuinness unleashed a curler which flew past the upright. And Havern scooped a shot on to the top of the net as the Reds pressed.
Glens sub Kascie Weir slammed the ball into the net in the second period of extra time, however her effort was ruled out as she was adjudged to have been in an offside position when receiving a neat pass from McLaughlin. It was a close call.
Right at the death Scott dived full length to push away a fine volley from Toni-Leigh Finnegan after she got on the end of a McDaniel long ball.
The game ended goalless, so it was on to penalties.
In the shootout, for the Glens, Foy scored despite Harvey Clifford getting a hand to the ball, Vance hit the crossbar, the all-action Aimee Kerr scored, Loughran stroked the ball into the net and the winning penalty was scored by 46-year-old Bailie, who collected her 12th Women’s Irish Cup winner’s medal.
For the Reds Caitlin McGuinness put her spot kick over the bar, Carleton’s penalty was saved by Scott, Finnegan scored and substitute Anna Rose Robinson also scored.
Glentoran Women: Ellie Scott, Faye Loughran, Jessica Foy (captain), Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, Aimee Kerr, Demi Vance, Kelly Crompton, Gracie Conway, Chloe McCarron, Naomi McLaughlin.
Substitutes: (used) Mia Moore, Kascie Weir, Kelly Bailie; (unused) Ashleigh McKinnon (GK), Rachel Rogan, Daisy Conway, Clodagh Maguire.
Cliftonville Ladies: Maddy Harvey Clifford, Orleigha McGuinness, Aoibhe O’Neill, Hannah Doherty, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Teegan Lynch, Victoria Carleton, Louise McDaniel, Caitlin McGuinness (captain), Charlotte Havern, Kirsty McGuinness.
Substitutes: (used) Danielle Maxwell, Abbie Magee, Abigail Curley, Anna Rose Robinson; (unused) Beth Peoples (GK), Lydia Thompson, Lucy Kelly.
Action from the final
