Cup double a 'good season' for Reds - McGuinness

Cliftonville striker Caitlin McGuinness said that Cliftonville winning two out of four trophies on offer this season represented a "good season" for the Reds.

After retaining the League Cup with a comeback victory over Glentoran in June, the Reds beat Linfield 2-0 in the Challenge Cup to ensure the trophy would head back to Solitude for a second year in a row.

McGuinness, who scored the opener in the Windsor Park decider, was delighted that her side could end the season on a high and bounce back from losing the league title against Glentoran on the final day of the season.

"We're delighted, the girls put in a big shift this week, we knew we needed to come back from last week's game and we did ourselves and everyone here proud tonight," she said.

"It was very tough trying to pick ourselves up but the intensity in training has been unreal and coming back from such a hard game, we put it right and it's a good way to end the season."

McGuinness has had a knack for scoring in cup finals for Cliftonville in recent seasons.

She netted a hat-trick in last year's decider against Lisburn Rangers, scored twice in the 4-2 comeback win over Glentoran and then smashed past Linfield goalkeeper Lauren Currie in the latest final triumph.

"It always seems to fall for me, and I'm delighted to get on the scoresheet again," she added.

"The goal settled us and helped us get into the game more. We knew when we got the first goal we would settle."

Despite disappointment at relinquishing their league title to Glentoran, McGuinness still believes the Reds have enjoyed a positive campaign.

"We've had a good season, we feel defeated after not winning the league, but two trophies out of four is not bad."

Before the final, Cliftonville stalwart Marissa Callaghan announced her decision to retire from football after a trophy-laden success with the Reds in recent years.

McGuinness paid tribute to the influence of the former Northern Ireland captain, who has been with Cliftonville throughout her career.

"Marissa has been our leader for years. She is a player everyone in the squad looks up to no matter what age they are. It will be hard to see her go."