Naomi McLaughlin's Double Sends Glentoran to Women's Irish Cup Semis
Naomi McLaughlin fired Glentoran into the Women's Irish Cup semi-finals with a ruthless double as they edged out fierce rivals Linfield 2-1 at the Blanchflower Stadium.
The forward broke the deadlock nine minutes before the break, striking first in a tense, scrappy contest that badly needed a moment of composure. Linfield hit back through Cora Chambers, who levelled to breathe life into the Blues’ challenge and tilt the tie into a proper cup fight.
The game tightened. Nerves crept in. One mistake, one flash of quality was always going to decide it.
It came from McLaughlin again.
With eight minutes left, she struck her second of the night to silence the home support and send Kim Turner’s side into the last four, sealing a statement win over their biggest rivals and keeping Glentoran’s cup ambitions very much alive.
Holders march on
Cliftonville, the defending champions, moved through with far less drama.
They brushed aside Derry City 3-0, helped on their way by an early own goal that settled any hint of anxiety. From there, the Reds controlled the tie with authority.
Teegan Lynch added a second before the interval, and after the restart Louise McDaniel finished the job, her goal underlining Cliftonville’s dominance and their intent to keep hold of the trophy.
Crusaders dig deep against champions
At Seaview, Crusaders Strikers were forced to grind.
They faced a Sion Swifts side already crowned Championship winners and full of confidence, but it was the Premiership outfit who struck first. Ali Nelson gave Crusaders the lead, and when Rebecca Bassett doubled the advantage, the Strikers looked to be cruising.
Sion refused to fold. Substitute Caoimhe Heron pulled one back to set up a tense finish, the momentum suddenly shifting and the pressure cranking up on the Crusaders back line.
They held firm. A 2-1 win, and a hard-earned place in the semi-finals.
Lisburn complete the last four
Lisburn claimed the final semi-final spot with a tight 1-0 victory over Ballymena United, edging a cagey tie to join Glentoran, Cliftonville and Crusaders in a compelling last-four lineup.
Four sides left. One trophy. The Women’s Irish Cup is heading for a ferocious finish.
