Glens can do the business at Windsor, insists Bailie
GLENTORAN Women’s stalwart Kelly Bailie believes the Windsor Park factor will make tonight’s Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup final against Linfield Ladies extra special.
Bailie has been playing for the club for 22 years but remarkably this evening will see her feature in a domestic fixture for the first time at the most famous football stadium in Northern Ireland.
Linfield Ladies defender Jennifer McDade agrees that the venue will add to what promises to be a quite an occasion when the Belfast clubs go head to head.
They are the top two teams in the league and each possess a host of matchwinners.
Linfield are on the verge of retaining the title and have already won the League Cup so a treble is in their sights. For Glentoran, once the dominant force in the women’s game here, it is an opportunity to reassert some authority.
“Most people will see Linfield as favourites but I feel this final will be very close. It will be a real battle because both clubs will want it so much,” says 38-yearold Bailie, Glentoran Women’s greatest ever servant.
“Linfield have been up there for a few years now while we have gone through a period of transition but there is great desire in our team to win the cup.
“Years ago we had a big rivalry with Crusaders because Linfield didn’t have a ladies team. Then they developed and games between Glentoran and Linfield have been very competitive since. That rivalry has become stronger as the years have passed.”
Bailie started out as a 16-yearold with Belfast United who then became Glentoran Women. Over two decades she has been there and done it but tonight will be a new experience for the Northern Ireland international.
“The fact that we are playing in the national stadium is new to me,” said Bailie, who has won the trophy six times.
“I played once for Northern Ireland versus France at the ground but never in a domestic game.
“It’s great that we are getting that opportunity. There will be some young girls in our team playing their first cup final and it is at Windsor Park which is amazing.”
Linfield’s McDade, another multiple cup winner, said: “We are very excited especially with the game being at the national stadium and the Linfield men’s team’s home ground. What more could you want?
“We were beaten by Sion in the early rounds last year so there is real determination to win the competition this year.
“They are second in the league to us at the moment and for years Glentoran dominated and won leagues and cups. Now we want to be the team who do that.
“We could win the treble this season but we are only focusing on the cup final because we can’t be complacent.”
Linfield have been a free scoring outfit this term — their style is unlikely to change tonight.
McDade said: “If you asked an- yone in our league we would be up there in terms of who plays the best football. We like to play from the back and let our attackers do what they can do.”
One of those is gifted youngster Megan Bell.
“Megan can become even better. If she gets her head down and works hard she can go places. She is a very important player and is maturing well,” adds McDade.
Another big game Linfield player to look out for is Kirsty McGuinness while the Glens will hope Caragh Milligan and Demi Vance are on top form in what should be a fascinating final.