Cliftonville defeat Linfield to retain Women's Challenge Cup

Cliftonville retained the Women's Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory over Linfield in the final at Windsor Park.

First-half goals from Caitlin McGuinness and Fi Morgan were enough to see the Reds past the Blues.

Although they lost the Women's Premiership title to Glentoran, Cliftonville have won a cup double this season following their League Cup triumph in June.

Linfield's wait for a first piece of silverware since 2019 continues and they have now lost their last two finals in this competition.

It was a tentative start from both sides with Naomi McLaughlin's long-range strike whistling wide and Jodie Loughrey volleying over from a promising position at the other end, the only real chances in a tame first 25 minutes.

The deadlock was eventually broken with a moment of quality by Caitlin McGuinness just shy of the half hour mark as she latched onto Abbie Magee's through ball and thumped a shot past Lauren Currie.

Morgan then doubled Cliftonville's advantage on 38 minutes as she rose highest to guide Kirsty McGuinness' deep free-kick into the top corner.

Kirsty McGuinness blazed over from a narrow angle early in the second half before there was a lengthily stoppage in play as Jodie Loughrey was stretchered off the pitch following an accidental clash of heads.

Cora Chambers almost pulled a goal back for the Blues on 79 minutes, but her low shot crept just past the post while Megan Bell had an effort cleared off the line by Vicky Carleton.

With 16 minutes of injury-time added on following Jodie Loughrey's injury, Cliftonville looked to wrap up victory with a third goal, but squandered multiple chances.

Substitute Carla Devine's flicked header hit the outside of the post and Kirsty McGuinness then fired an effort over the crossbar.

At the other end, Eva Myles met Bell's wicked cross from the right ahead of goalkeeper Rachel Norney, but she couldn't direct her header on target.

Analysis - Ruthless Reds bounce back

Cliftonville's victory in the Challenge Cup helped them complete a domestic cup double this season

Cliftonville responded well to losing their league title to Glentoran last week as they bounced back with a professional performance to retain the Challenge Cup and end the season on a high with their second trophy.

Caitlin McGuinness had a disappointing return in the league by her standards as she scored only nine goals, but she has delivered in both of Cliftonville's cup success this year following a hat-trick in the final of this competition last year.

The striker netted twice as the Reds fought from two goals down to beat Glentoran 4-2 in the summer and she showed a ruthless streak against Linfield at Windsor Park, smashing home with the first chance presented to her.

The Reds capitalised when they were on top and added a second through the towering Fi Morgan and they used all their big-game experience to see out the victory.

With Marissa Callaghan suspended, the Reds opted for a change of shape to a five at the back and it paid off. The three centre-backs in Morgan, Kelsie Burrows and Orleigha McGuinness were able to stand firm and quieten the influence of Linfield duo Eve Reilly and Chambers.

It has been a year of transition for the Reds after losing key players Danielle Maxwell, Louise McDaniel and Toni-Leigh Finnegan to clubs across the water and while they just fell short in the league, two trophies out of four still represents a good return.

More change will be in the offing next season as the influential Marissa Callaghan has decided to hang up her boots, but with a few more recruits to add depth to the squad, they should continue to challenge for trophies.

Analysis: Blues fall short

The cup final defeat represents a disappointing end to the campaign for Linfield, whose trophy drought stretches on for another year.

Heading into the game there was optimism the Blues could push Cliftonville, having drawn 1-1 with the north Belfast side the start of the league campaign and suffering two narrow 2-1 losses against the Reds in their other league meetings.

Blues boss Ryan McConville said in the build-up to the decider that his side would have to be at their "ultimate best" to win, but they fell far below that standard.

They were poor in possession and struggled to test Reds' stopper Norney, who did not have a save to make.

The threats of Women's Premiership top goal scorer Eve Reilly and fellow clinical forward Chambers were nullified by the Reds' three centre back and Northern Ireland midfielder Bell was unable to have an influence.

The Blues finished third in the league for a second successive season but a distant 17 points behind champions Glentoran and based on the evidence tonight, they still have catching up to do on the Reds too.

Closing the gap on the top two will be priority next season alongside ending what will be a six-year wait for a trophy.