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Steven Crawford

Caitlin McGuinness on target to fire Cliftonville into All-Island Cup final

Cliftonville are through to the All-Island Cup final after Caitlin McGuinness' first half header was enough to see off Cork City at Solitude.

McGuinness headed home Danielle Maxwell's corner with 12 minutes gone to set up a final showdown with Galway, who overcame Wexford Youths 4-3 on penalties on Saturday.

Cliftonville had progressed to the knockout stages after topping their group with two wins and a draw.

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The Reds started brightly and edged in front early on as McGuinness got in front of Cork goalkeeper Abbie McCarthy to nod home.

After setting up McGuinness, Maxwell went close to doubling the hosts' lead four minutes later, but the Northern Ireland international blazed over after a mazy run.

The visitors almost responded on 20 minutes, but Chloe Atkinson's long-range effort flew wide before Katie Markey narrowly missed the target with a curling effort at the other end.

Vicky Carleton spurned a great opportunity to make it 2-0 as we approached half time, but she headed over after Hannah Doherty had picked out her run into the box.

Cliftonville continued to push for the crucial second goal after the break with McCarthy denying Marissa Callaghan with a great block.

Markey went even closer as her shot came back off the inside of the post as John McGrady's side looked to kill off the tie.

Fi Morgan and McGuinness were denied by McCarthy in the closing stages but it did not matter in the end as the home side progressed to the final.

There was one down side for the Reds though as Abbie Magee was forced off with an injury.

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