Soccer

Glentoran Women aiming to complete two trebles in Challenge Cup Final

Crusaders Strikers captain Danielle McDowell (left) faces off against Glentoran striker Kerry Beattie ahead of the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Final at Windsor Park tomorrow night (7.45pm). Tickets can be purchased at www.irishfa.com/tickets
Crusaders Strikers captain Danielle McDowell (left) faces off against Glentoran striker Kerry Beattie ahead of the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Final at Windsor Park tomorrow night (7.45pm). Tickets can be purchased at www.irishfa.com/tickets Crusaders Strikers captain Danielle McDowell (left) faces off against Glentoran striker Kerry Beattie ahead of the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Final at Windsor Park tomorrow night (7.45pm). Tickets can be purchased at www.irishfa.com/tickets

Glentoran Women are on target to complete two trebles on Friday evening (7.45pm) in the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Final at Windsor Park, but they know Crusaders Strikers will provide tough opposition.

After taking home the Danske Bank Premiership title Glentoran added the Toal's County Antrim Cup, but only via a penalty shoot-out success against the Crues ladies.

The Glens had the better of that match but looked like Crusaders goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford was going to deny them with a series of saves until substitute Casey Howe made it 2-2 in injury time. After extra time could not separate the sides the Glens won 4-3 on penalties, the decisive kick converted by the prolific Kerry Beattie.

Glentoran are trying to win this Challenge Cup for the third time in a row, having beaten Linfield in both the 2018 and 2019 deciders before Covid put paid to last year's competition.

Crusaders haven't triumphed in this competition for a decade, when they saw off the then Glentoran Belfast United outfit, although the Seaview side did reach the finals in 2012, 2013, and 2015.

Tickets for the match can be purchased at www.irishfa.com/tickets