St James Swifts and Ballymena Utd reach NIWFA Championship Cup Final | OneFootball

Ballyclare Comrades beat Belfast Celtic in the NIWFA Division 1 League Cup semi-finals. (Bob Hall Sports Photography)

After the break for the European Championships, NIWFA action returned with a bang this week as  the League Cup semi-finals took place.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

St James Swifts had a superb 4-1 victory on the road at Foyle Belles, despite trailing 1-0 at half time to a effort from Abby Alexander. A second-half fight back featured a hat-trick from Amber Dempster and a goal from captain Siobhan Bell.

The Swifts opponents in the final will be Ballymena United, who had an equally fine victory defeating Larne 4-2. United stamped their authority on this one in the first half, leading 2-0 at half time thanks to goals from Chelsea Millar and Hannah Firth. Although Larne pulled one back through Georgia Crawford early in the second half, two further strikes from United’s Megan Henry meant that a late strike from Leola McEralane was only to be a  consolation for Larne.

DIVISION ONE LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

This season’s final will be between Lisburn Rangers and Ballyclare Comrades, after both sides comfortably defeated Bangor and Belfast Celtic respectively. Rangers’ Eve Reilly was the star of the show this week, notching up seven goals for her side.

Ballyclare Comrades v Belfast Celtic. (Bob Hall Sports Photography)

DIVISION TWO LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Camlough Rovers will feature in the final, following a highly entertaining game which saw them defeat Ballynahinch. Their opposition will be St Oliver Plunkett, who caused something of an upset as they defeated league leaders Kilmore Rec 3-2, thanks mainly to a double from Chelsey Edwards.

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DIVISION THREE LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Greenisland recovered from a recent downturn of form to produce a great 2-1 win over Rosario, to reach the final. However, they will need to keep that form going as they will now meet league leaders Ballymoney United, who overcame dogged opposition from Shamrock for a 4-2 victory.

DIVISION FOUR LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

The semi-finals produced two cracking games, with Lisburn Swifts having to wait until the last minute of normal play before overcoming a stubborn 22nd Ladies 4-3, while Craigavon City edged home 3-2 over Strabane Athletic. Summing up then the NIWFA League cup finals this year will feature:

Dates and venues for all finals are to be confirmed shortly.

Meanwhile, there was only one NIWFA Electric Ireland League game played this week, which saw Armagh City and Portadown draw 0-0 in Division One.

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