Cliftonville’s bid for a domestic treble collapsed when the league stripped them of the Women’s League Cup for using two ineligible players.
Glentoran, the runners‑up, appealed to the NIFL after their 4‑0 defeat at Seaview in July and have now been awarded a 3‑0 win.
The club also faces a £500 fine. For my money, the fine underscores the league’s zero‑tolerance stance.
“The NIFL competitions committee said the pair weren’t properly registered under competition rules.”
“It added that the committee appreciates Cliftonville Ladies’ openness, integrity and full cooperation during the probe.”
Red striker Caitlin McGuinness netted a brace, while sister Kirsty and Danielle Maxwell also scored, believing they’d clinched a fourth straight Cup.
Cliftonville and Glentoran meet in the Women’s Irish Cup final at Windsor Park on 24 October, the north Belfast side having already topped the league by nine points over their rivals. Will Glentoran overturn the setback in the Cup final?