'Not a script that I imagined' - Kelly Bailie wins Women's Challenge Cup with final kick of Glentoran career
Kelly Bailie’s final kick of her career to seal Women’s Challenge Cup glory for Glentoran “not a script that I imagined was going to happen”.
The 46-year-old substitute stepped off the sidelines to secure silverware success as the perfect sign-off after three decades with the Glens.
Scoreless after normal and extra-time, Bailie, Jessica Foy, Aimee Kerr and Naomi Loughran were the Glens scorers from the spot for 4-2 - with Caitlin McGuinness, Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Anna Rose Robinson on target for Cliftonville.
“Not a script that I imagined was going to happen,” said Bailie on the Irish Football Association social media platforms to cap a career featuring 38 trophies in total over 30 years. “It was kind of a last-minute thing that happened. I came on the pitch...I was taking the fifth penalty and everything was happening so fast.
"But, again, just like the girls have worked so hard this year and, to their credit, all I needed to do was stand up and take a penalty at the end of the day, even though my nerves were wrecked.
"Irish Cup final, final game of the season, final game of my career...it would have been a downer if we had lost it but, again, I've spent 30 wonderful years at the club. I've won plenty of trophies and I'm just so glad for the players and the coaching staff tonight because it's absolutely what the club deserves.”
Glentoran goalkeeper Ellie Scott, who has overcome two ACL injuries across her career, produced a key shoot-out stop.
"I mean, to be honest, after the final whistle I just started crying, I couldn't hold back the tears,” Scott told the Irish FA. “I was just so proud of myself really and how far I've come and winning a cup like this.
"It's been a tough season and finishing on a high like this is incredible.
"I feel like the doubt is what fuels us...we knew that we'd probably come into this as the underdogs, people were sort of expecting them to win after their results this season (and) winning the league.
"We’d fire in our bellies.”
Glentoran manager Kim Turner dedicated the trophy glory to her family.
"My family have been there for me throughout my whole career as a player and now as a manager,” said Turner on Irish FA social media platforms. “They come to every single game and they do the turnstiles at our home games and volunteer.
"Without them and my partner as well, I couldn't really do what I'm doing...they let me go and do what I want and let me not be there a lot of the time.
"But, hopefully, nights like this...it makes it all worthwhile.”
GLENTORAN WOMEN: Ellie Scott, Faye Loughran, Jessica Foy, Emma McMaster, Annie Timoney, Aimee Kerr, Demi Vance, Kelly Crompton, Gracie Conway, Chloe McCarron, Naomi McLaughlin. Subs: Mia Moore, Kascie Weir, Kelly Bailie, Ashleigh McKinnon, Rachel Rogan, Daisy Conway, Clodagh Maguire.
CLIFTONVILLE LADIES: Maddy Harvey Clifford, Orleigha McGuinness, Aoibhe O’Neill, Hannah Doherty, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Teegan Lynch, Victoria Carleton, Louise McDaniel, Caitlin McGuinness, Charlotte Havern, Kirsty McGuinness. Subs: Danielle Maxwell, Abbie Magee, Abigail Curley, Anna Rose Robinson, Beth Peoples, Lydia Thompson, Lucy Kelly.