Linfield midfielder Mia Fitzsimmons said that winning the Women's Challenge Cup "would make it all worth it" ahead of the Blues first final since 2019.

Ryan McConville's side take on Cliftonville at Windsor Park on Saturday as they try to stop the Reds from becoming back-to-back Challenge Cup victors.

The Blues finished third this season and defeated Glentoran and Larne to get to the showpiece, with Cliftonville the victors against Crusaders and Derry City in their route to the final.

"In my only cup final, so far, we got beaten by the Glens 1-0," Fitzsimmons told BBC Sport NI.

"After that season, I was thrown in the deep end and played week in, week out as a 16-year-old and to win this, would make it all worth it.

"We've stayed, we've had some horrific results and we travel 30 miles up and 30 miles home and it would just mean everything."

McConville returned as manager of the Blues two years ago, six years after leaving the side.

Since then, Linfield have finished in third spot in the Premiership twice, on the same points tally both campaigns.

This season, Cliftonville and Linfield drew at the start of the season, a result which was damaging to the Reds' attempt to retain their league title.

"The last game in the league for us against Cliftonville was a narrow defeat and we had our chances and the games have been similar throughout the season," Fitzsimmons continued.

"It is going to be really tight on Saturday and no one is coming into it as a favourite or underdog, it's just a 'winner takes all' situation."

Meanwhile Cliftonville defender Kelsie Burrows said becoming back-to-back Challenge Cup victors "would mean even more" than last year's cup triumph.

After completing a domestic treble last season, Cliftonville lost out on the league title this campaign, finishing second to Glentoran, but can end the season on a high with success in this season's finale.

"Everyone is really excited, this is where you want to be," Burrows told BBC Sport NI.

"The girls have worked so hard this season and to have another chance to get the trophy is brilliant.

"Last season, winning the Challenge Cup was unbelievable and a lot of the girls had waited for that moment for a long time. To do it again this year would mean even more."

The north Belfast side already have silverware in the cabinet this year after dramatically coming from behind to beat Glentoran 4-2 in the Women's League Cup final to secure the trophy for a record-breaking third successive season.

Now Linfield stand in the way of the Reds making history again by becoming back-to-back winners in this competition for the first time.

"When it comes to a cup final, you never know what the other team are going to pull out," Burrows added.

"Linfield have added a lot of players to their squad, and they have a lot of depth and have added some experience."