McGuinness treble seals League Cup glory for Cliftonville Ladies

Caitlin McGuinness was the star of the show for Cliftonville as they banished memories of last season’s final defeat by exacting revenge on a hard-working Sion Swifts side to lift the Women’s Premiership League Cup.

McGuinness helped herself to a hat-trick the Reds – playing in their green away kit – got something of their own back after Sion had beaten them in extra-time of last year’s decider.

While they were the better team for large parts, Cliftonville were given plenty to think about by a busy Swifts outfit throughout.

It was Cliftonville who took the lead before a quarter of an hour had elapsed at Stangmore Park.

It was a well-worked team goal as Abbie Magee cleverly played the ball down the right for Vicky Carleton and her low centre was poked home by McGuinness on 12 minutes.

The second arrived just five minutes later. This time it was much more direct.

Hannah Doherty's throw-in from the left was hooked across by Captain Marissa Callaghan and McGuinness looped her header over Sion keeper Jenny Currie.

Currie then made a stunning stop to dent Vicky Carleton a wonder goal and what would have been Cliftonville’s third of the match.

The attacker let fly from 25 yards, but Currie was at full stretch to tip it onto the crossbar, before gathering the bouncing ball.

Sion’s best – and only – chance of the opening 45 minutes arrived shortly after the half hour mark. Caoirse Doherty went through one-on-one with Norney, but the keeper was equal to it, diving to her right to push the shot away.

McGuinness could – and probably should – have sealed her hat-trick before the interval.

Doherty’s low ball in from the left found McGuinness in space, but the Northern Ireland international striker could only guide her first-time shot wide of the right-hand post.

Currie had to be alert les than four minutes into the second half to get down and hold a low drive from Marissa Callaghan from 18 yards.

Seconds late, Kirsty McGuinness pounced on a loose clearance at the back to bear down o goal, and while her shot beat Currie, out came back off the base of the post.

However, Sion gradually began to get a foothold in the game and halved the deficit on the hour.

Kerryanne Brown’s free-kick from 25 yards was a decent effort, but should have been bread and butter for Norney. The keeper spilled it and the ball dropped into the net to give Tony McGinley’s side a lifeline and still plenty of time to grab a second.

But, it was the reigning Premiership champions who showed their mettle to take control once again.

After Callaghan had smashed a fine half-volley off the bar from 18 yards, McGuinness secured her hat-trick with 15 minutes to go.

Currie’s goal-kick fell to Toni-Leigh Finnegan and she lofted it forward into the path of McGuinness. Spotting that Currie hadn’t made her way back into position, the striker took the shot early, finding the bottom left corner from the edge of the box to make it 3-1.

That sealed the win for John McGrady’s side, who deservedly lifted the trophy, but will know they were pushed all the way.

MATCH STATS

Sion Swifts: Currie, Neal, McCarter, Crompton (Sheerin 90+9), McGlynn, Brown, McLaughlin, Haynes, Lynch, McGlade, Doherty

Subs not used: Tebbett, Canning, McFarland, Long, Walsh, O’Neill

Cliftonville: Norney, Burrows, Doherty (White 87), Morgan, Finnegan, McDaniel (Maxwell 67), C McGuinness (Irvine 90+5), Carleton, K McGuinness (Reilly (90+5), Callaghan, Magee (O McGuinness 67)

Subs not used: Markey, Shaw

Referee: Arleen Campbell