Cliftonville's pursuit of a domestic treble in women's football has been derailed after the Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] stripped them of their 2026 Women's League Cup title. The decision came after the club fielded two players who were not correctly registered in accordance with competition rules during the final.
The match, held on July at Seaview, saw Cliftonville defeat Glentoran 4-0. However, following a complaint lodged by the beaten finalists, the NIFL Competitions Committee investigated the matter and determined that the two players involved had breached eligibility requirements. As a result, Glentoran has now been awarded a 3-0 victory, and Cliftonville has been fined £500.
"The NIFL Competitions Committee found that the two players had not been correctly registered in accordance with the competition regulations," stated an official statement. "The Competitions Committee acknowledges and thanks Cliftonville Ladies for its openness, integrity and full co-operation throughout the investigation."
The reversal represents a significant setback for Cliftonville, who had believed they had secured their fourth consecutive League Cup title. During the original match, striker Caitlin McGuinness netted twice, while her sister Kirsty and Danielle Maxwell also scored to complete what appeared to be a commanding performance.
Despite this setback, Cliftonville remains in a strong position domestically. The north Belfast side has already secured the league title, finishing nine points clear of Glentoran. The two clubs are scheduled to meet again in the Women's Irish Cup final at Windsor Park on 24 October, providing another opportunity for Cliftonville to claim silverware this season.
