NI Womens v Luxembourg

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

MANAGER’S VIEW

We are delighted to welcome Luxembourg to Inver Park in Larne for this FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier. I know Luxembourg are new to the qualifying stages for a major tournament, however I have no doubt they will provide us with a stiff challenge. They only lost narrowly to Belgium in a friendly back in June, so we will not be taking them lightly. We are aware that emerging nations like Luxembourg have some good players – and I am sure they will surprise a few of the more prominent nations in the years to come. I have no doubt we will have to maintain our focus and concentration if we are to get a positive result as our European Qualifying Group D campaign gets under way this evening. The Northern Ireland senior women’s team have made little impact in Women’s World Cup qualifiers in the past and we would love to change that. Ahead of this encounter the players have been thinking about our game model and how we can use our preparation to give us the best chance of getting a suitable outcome. It is going to be tough, although I have got great belief in these players and they reciprocate that belief by working hard to achieve results. It’s great to see Rachel Furness, Demi Vance and Caragh Hamilton back in the squad after overcoming long-term injuries. Rachel is, of course, the record goalscorer for the Northern Ireland senior women’s team and a talismanic figure for the squad. Looking back, I am still amazed that she tried to play on when she broke her leg in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 play-off match away to Ukraine back in April. She is, quite simply, a real warrior. Like Rachel, Demi played a crucial role in our Women’s Euro 2022 qualification campaign. She is an excellent footballer and fully deserves her tilt at full-time professional football with Rangers Women in Scotland. Caragh is a player that excites me. She has not been in many of my squads to date, due to a mixture of injuries and playing other sports, however I feel she has the potential to be a top player for us. The return of those more senior players has meant some of our younger squad members making way for them. However, those younger players know that I firmly believe in them as well – and they will get their chance again. While the senior women’s team are looking forward to playing at the redeveloped National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for the first time next week, the players are also hoping to be inspired by the noise and atmosphere that will be generated at the new-look Inver Park. Having seen how much the Green and White Army helped the men’s team against Switzerland last week they will be hoping for more of the same in Larne. And hopefully we will be able to give the fans who have made their way to Inver Park, as well those watching the match at home online, something to

I would like to extend a warm welcome to each of you, and I am delighted to welcome Luxembourg in their first ever fixture in a full qualifying stage for a major tournament. This will be a huge occasion for our visitors and I congratulate them on the achievement . This week football as a whole, and women’s football in Northern Ireland in particular, mourns the loss of the trailblazing Maura Muldoon who did so much to improve the women’s game. As I reflect on her contribution I realise how much the game has moved on but also that it is in good hands. I have been struck by the fact that the Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels, his backroom staff and the current players are also blazing a trail for women’s football . The coverage and the interest in the team has never been so widespread. Their success has sparked imagination and is inspiring young girls to play football . It has been quite some time since the squad’s success in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 play-off against Ukraine. The team last played in June, losing out 1-0 to Scotland in a friendly at Seaview. In recent months, however, role models from the squad have been visiting summer football camps and schools to encourage kids to take their first steps – their first kicks – in the beautiful game. In 2019 the Irish Football Association launched a strateg y aimed at boosting the development of girls’ and women’s football in Northern Ireland. ‘Growing the Game - Maximising Impact’ set ambitious targets to increase women’s participation levels. One of the key aims was to double the number of registered female players from 1600 to 3200. The current interest created by the Northern Ireland senior women’s team will surely help us reach that target . Thanks to Larne FC for placing their Inver Park facilities at the disposal of the association. This is greatly appreciated. I wish Kenny and the team every success tonight . CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

cheer about. KENNY SHIELS NORTHERN IRELAND WOMEN MANAGER

SENIOR WOMEN NARROWLY BEATEN BY SCOTLAND The Northern Ireland senior women’s team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland Women back in June. A second half penalty from substitute Caroline Weir was enough to give the visitors the victory. The FIFA Women’s A international friendly was played in front of around 400 spectators at the Seaview stadium in Belfast .