The first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs on Sunday as Cliftonville Ladies and Lisburn Rangers meet in the final of the VBET Women's League Cup at the Blanchflower Stadium, kick-off 3pm.
The Reds will be making a record setting fourth appearance in the decider, looking to defend the trophy they lifted for the first time last season, while Rangers have made the final for the first time in what is their maiden season in top flight football.
Caitlin McGuinness was the star of the show with a superb hat-trick in last seasons victory over Sion Swifts Ladies, and she carried on where she left off by claiming the match ball again as the Reds kicked off their defence with a six-goal thumping of Lisburn Ladies in the quarter-finals back in April.
Sister Kirsty had opened the scoring for the Reds on 19 minutes, followed by a Fionnula Morgan strike a few minutes after that.
Caitlin bagged her first after half-an-hour, doubled up early in the second half and knocked home her third with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining while Carla Devine also got on the scoresheet for the holders.
The last four brought a mighty clash with great rivals Glentoran Women, with the Reds eventually winning through by the odd goal in five at Solitude.
Cliftonville moved in front on six minutes when Caitlin McGuinness once again found the net, but Emily Wilson levelled for the Glens just eight minutes after that.
The visitors then moved in front just after the half-hour mark through Demi Vance's right foot finish but Cliftonville got back on level terms just before the break when Abbie Magee's shot was turned into her own net by Emma McMaster.
And Cliftonville's winner arrived on 59 minutes after Louise McDaniel got her head to the ball to beat Ashleigh McKinnon.
Rangers accounted for Mid Ulster Ladies in the last eight, banging home nine goals without reply at Stangmore Park.
Gracie Conway got the visitors off to a blistering start with three goals in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, while Molly Loughran, Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw also registered in a stunning first half performance.
Cara Tumelty added another on the hour, before Ellie-Mae Dickson hit a double in the closing minutes.
Like Cliftonville, Rangers reached the final thanks to a 3-2 semi-final victory at home as Crusaders Strikers visited Crewe Park.
Darcy Boyle opened the scoring for the Crues with a superb finish after seven minutes, but Conway and Loughran struck for Rangers later in the half to give them the advantage at the break.
And that was how it stayed until the 90th minute when Amy McGivern looked to have forced extra-time only for Tumelty to unleash a wonder strike moments later to secure victory for Rangers!
The sides have yet to meet this season, but they did lock horns twice last term in both the semi-finals of the Irish Cup and Co. Antrim Cup with the Reds coming out top on both occasions.
So far this season Cliftonville are in possession of a 100% record across all competitions, while Rangers were in a similar position until they lost their first game of the campaign just last week in the league to Glentoran.
Stuart McClelland will take charge of Sunday's final, assisted by Rachel Greer and Matthew English while Bridin McDermott has been named as the fourth official.
2024 VBET Women’s League Cup Final match arrangements
Cliftonville Ladies v Lisburn Rangers
Date: Sunday 30 June 2024 – kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast
Tickets: Adults: £5, Under-16’s: £1
Watch Live on the DAZN network.
