Sunday 30 Aug 2015

Ladies Final Is An All Belfast Affair

The two North Belfast giants collide in the Women's Challenge Cup Final at Seaview on Monday evening, both sides reached the final in vastly differing semi finals, Crusaders Strikers put Coleraine Ladies to the sword convincingly whilst Cliftonville had a real tough task just edging out Sion Swifts in their contest.

Both squads are peppered with Northern Ireland Internationals which will add to the spice of the occasion in this local derby, which see's only two miles separating them geographically. It was the Shore Road girls who came out of the draw first and gained home advantage for the final.

Jo Smith, Cliftonville Ladies Manager says;
 “I am delighted for the girls to have reached the Irish Cup Final for the 1st time in the clubs history. Our early league form wasn't great so to have turned a corner in early July and progressed through the cups has been a deserved reward for the hard work put in all year by coaching and playing staff."

Stephen Calvert – Manager Crusaders Strikers told Irishfa.com;
“We are excited at the prospect of taking part in this years IFA Women’s Cup Final, On the way we have put in three solid performances against Lisburn, Mid-Ulster and Coleraine Ladies. Some might say we are the underdogs as our last two encounters against Cliftonville haven't went well losing both fixtures. However the Strikers team spirit and never die attitude will give us the determinantion to win this years IrishFA Challenge Cup."

You can watch Action from the Cliftonville Ladies Semi Final here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hai_E_Mp_A

You can watch Action from the Crusaders Strikers Semi Final here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCzPJ1DiyJk

Monday nights game at Seaview kicks off at 7:30pm and will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if required. Admission is £4 for Adults and £2 concessions. If you can't attend you can follow the game live on Twitter @OfficialIrishFA