Cliftonville FC’s women’s side lifted the League Cup for a fourth successive year on Sunday, crushing Glentoran 4-0 at Seaview. Caitlin McGuinness opened the scoring in the first half and added a second before half‑time, while her sister Kirsty and substitute Danielle Maxwell completed the rout.

How did the match unfold?

The Reds started brightly, with Caitlin McGuinness firing a low drive past Glentoran keeper Harvey‑Clifford after 20 minutes. Six minutes later she doubled the lead, slipping past defender Jess Foy to slot Hannah Doherty’s pass into the far corner. The first half ended 2-0, and the crowd sensed a repeat of last season’s dominance.

Who made the difference?

The McGuinness sisters stole the spotlight. Caitlin’s clinical finishing set the tone, while Kirsty’s composed finish from a Danielle Maxwell cross in the 66th minute made it 3-0. Maxwell, who came on at halftime, capped the victory with an unstoppable strike on 82 minutes after a quick exchange with Louise McDaniel. Goalkeeper McKinnon kept Glentoran at bay, blocking several attempts throughout.

What does this mean for Cliftonville?

The win adds to Cliftonville’s growing trophy cabinet and reinforces the club’s reputation for nurturing talent on both sides of the pitch. While the women celebrate, the men sit 5th in the Premiership with 47 points after a 1-2 loss to Dungannon Swifts on 2026‑05‑09. Their recent form reads LWWLL, leaving them 26 points behind leaders Larre.

Any drama off the field?

Yes. Cliftonville manager Brendan Lynch was sent off in the 55th minute after receiving two quick yellow cards following a heated exchange with referee Brendan Lynch. Despite the dismissal, the team maintained composure and saw the game through to a comfortable victory.

The triumph marks the fifth consecutive League Cup final appearance for Cliftonville’s women, underlining a period of sustained success. With the cup staying in north Belfast, fans will be hoping the momentum spills over to the men’s side as they chase a higher league finish.