VBET Women’s League Cup final
Cliftonville 2 Lisburn Rangers 0
CLIFTONVILLE secured back-to-back Women’s League Cup titles with a 2-0 victory over Lisburn Rangers in a thrilling final at Blanchflower Stadium.
It marks the first piece of silverware awarded in the 2024 domestic women’s season.
The Reds dominated the opening half, showcasing their attacking prowess, with Kirsty McGuinness opening the scoring on 11 minutes, and after withstanding Lisburn pressure late on, Victoria Carleton fired home a second in injury time to seal the win.
Holders Cliftonville were relentless in the opening 45-minute period, peppering ex-Northern Ireland keeper Emma Higgins’ goal.
Caitlin McGuinness almost broke the deadlock after only two minutes. The striker latched on to a pass from her sister Kirsty, but saw her low effort saved by Higgins.
Just a few minutes later the Reds did take the lead as Caitlin McGuinness burst down the right before turning provider to sister Kirsty, who tapped home from close range.
Kirsty McGuinness nearly doubled the lead with a long-range effort that dipped over the crossbar, while Caitlin McGuinness and Fi Morgan also came close.
The woodwork denied Cliftonville on two separate occasions within a three-minute span. Louise McDaniel’s thunderous volley rattled off the crossbar, followed by Toni-Leigh Finnegan’s low strike that cannoned off the far post.
Higgins proved instrumental in keeping Lisburn in the game, denying Finnegan and Kirsty McGuinness on multiple occasions before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Lisburn Rangers – taking part in their first ever senior cup final - emerged with renewed determination.
Higgins continued to be a wall in goal, making a spectacular reflex save to keep out a dangerous effort from Finnegan.
Substitute Marissa Callaghan and Carla Devine combined to create Cliftonville’s first real chance of the second half in the 75th minute, but the striker couldn’t convert.
Lisburn threatened an equaliser, Gracie Conway rattling the crossbar with a long-range effort that left Cliftonville keeper Rachael Norney scrambling.
However, Cliftonville capitalised on a late opportunity in injury time, substitute Victoria Carleton securing the victory with a well-placed first-time finish after being found by Callaghan in the box. The cup was on its way back to Solitude.