By Lewis Bennett
BANGOR Ladies will hope for a repeat of three years ago as they aim to beat Ballyclare Comrades Ladies and book their place in the NIWFA Super Cup final.
The Seasiders, who have already consolidated second place in the NIWFA Championship, are aiming to secure their spot in the decider on Monday night, when Ballyclare are once again the visitors for an 8pm kick-off.
It is the third time in four seasons that Bangor have reached the Super Cup semi-finals, and that stunning win over Ballyclare in August 2023 remains one of their most famous nights.
With Ethan Boylan in charge, goals from Amber Dempster (2) and Lydia Clarke saw the Yellows overcame a formidable Comrades side, which included now-Northern Ireland international Aimee Kerr, to secure a meeting with Lisburn Rangers at Blanchflower Park.
Although a Women’s Premiership-bound Rangers showed their class to prevail, the sense of occasion was not lost on Boylan’s side, in what was the club’s first-ever women’s Final.
The importance of reaching this year’s final is clear in the mind of incumbent boss Rory Hamill too, as he looks to cap off an impressive first season in charge in style.
The former Northern Ireland frontman was a three-time Irish Cup winner in his playing days, lifting it twice with Glentoran and once at home town club Coleraine, and he is drawing on his own experience as he prepares to lead Bangor into battle.
“I think we just have to treat this game on its own merit,” he said.
“It’s a cup match, it’s a knockout and we just treat it as a cup final – I’ve said to the girls before, this is a cup final now.
“I’ve played in lots of finals. I’ve plenty of experience playing in senior cup finals over the years, I know what it takes and I know how different they are to league matches.”
Monday’s encounter will mark the second time in five days Bangor will take on Ballyclare, with the sides meeting last night in their penultimate NIWFA Championship match of the season at Dixon Park.
Unlike in 2023, the Seasiders go in as favourites on paper, but they will be wary of underestimating Ballyclare, who are fifth in the league standings, having won five of their last six matches prior to yesterday’s encounter.
Bangor will then welcome Ballymoney United Ladies to Clandeboye Park two days later, in their last league match of 2026, and they will hope there is a big occasion beyond that to play for.
