The two teams involved in an intense battle for the NIFL Women’s Premiership title will face each other in the semi-finals of this season’s Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup.
Cup holders Glentoran Women, who are currently top of the league, and Cliftonville Ladies, just a point behind with two games in hand, are due to contest the last four tie on 27 August (venue TBC).
Above: Jess Foy (Glentoran Women) and Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies)
The other semi-final is also an all-Premiership clash on the same date (venue TBC). It will see Crusaders Strikers, who are sitting third in the league, take on Sion Swifts Ladies, currently fourth in the standings.
Above: Naomi Donnan (Sion Swift Ladies) and Danielle McDowell (Crusaders Strikers)
All four teams will be aiming to book a place in the final, which is set to be played on Friday 15 October at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
The quartet of Danske Bank Premiership sides negotiated tricky ties in the last eight to reach the semi-final stage of the cup competition sponsored by Electric Ireland.
The Glens defeated Carnmoney Ladies, while Cliftonville squeezed past Lisburn Rangers and St James’ Swifts and Mid Ulster Ladies had their cup dreams quashed by the Crues and Sion respectively.
The draw for the semi-finals was made by Elaine Junk, chair of the Irish Football Association’s Women’s Challenge Cup Committee, and Anne Smyth of Electric Ireland.
Electric Ireland’s Anne Smyth said: “There has been a real energy around the cup this year. It is plain to see all the teams have missed the competition and are keen to make their mark.
“The standard of play is increasing at every level locally and Electric Ireland are thrilled to continue to support all the Game Changers locally, from the grassroots up to the international set-up. We wish the four remaining teams all the best in the semi-finals.”
The Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup was not staged last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Glentoran won it for the second year in a row in 2019.
Main image: Danielle McDowell (Crusaders Strikers), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies), Naomi Donnan (Sion Swift Ladies) and Jess Foy (Glentoran Women) will all be aiming to book a place in the final of this season’s Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup.
