Northern Ireland Women v England (12/04/2021)

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Offical Match Day Programme, Northern Ireland Women v England. Women's World Cup Qatar 2023 Qualifer at National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast 12/04/2021

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 QUALIFIER NORTHERN IRELAND V ENGLAND

NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | 12/04/2022

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHI TE

ENGLAND WHI TE & BLUE

MANAGER K. SHIELS

HEAD COACH S. WIEGMAN

J. BURNS (BK HACKEN (SWE)) B. FLAHERTY (BRIGHOUSE TOWN) J. NELSON (CRUSADERS STRIKERS) R. HOLLOWAY (RACING LOUISVILLE (USA)) R. McKENNA (LEWES WOMEN) K. BURROWS (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) A. MAGEE (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) D. VANCE (RANGERS WOMEN) S. McFADDEN (DURHAM WOMEN) TL. FINNEGAN (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) N. CALDWELL (GLENTORAN WOMEN) R. FURNESS (LIVERPOOL WOMEN) M. CALLAGHAN (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) C. McCARRON (GLENTORAN WOMEN) C. HAMILTON (GLENTORAN WOMEN) J. ANDREWS (GLENTORAN WOMEN)

M. EARPS (MANCHESTER UNI TED WOMEN) H. HAMPTON (ASTON VILLA WOMEN) E. ROEBUCK (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) M. BRIGHT (CHELSEA WOMEN) L. BRONZE (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) J. CARTER (CHELSEA WOMEN) N. CHARLES (CHELSEA WOMEN) R. DALY (HOUSTON DASH (USA)) A. GREENWOOD (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) D. STOKES (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) L. WILLIAMSON (ARSENAL WOMEN) L. WUBBEN-MOY (ARSENAL WOMEN) J. NOBBS (ARSENAL WOMEN) J. SCOTT (ASTON VILLA WOMEN)* G. STANWAY (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) K. WALSH (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN) K. ZELEM (MANCHESTER UNI TED WOMEN) B. ENGLAND (CHELSEA WOMEN) L. HEMP (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN)

M. BELL (RANGERS WOMEN) S. MAGILL (EVERTON WOMEN) L. WADE (GLENTORAN WOMEN) K. BEATTIE (GLASGOW CI T Y)

B. MEAD (ARSENAL WOMEN) N. PARRIS (ARSENAL WOMEN)

K. McGUINNESS (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) C. McGUINNESS (CLIF TONVILLE LADIES) E. WILSON (CRUSADERS STRIKERS)

A. RUSSO (MANCHESTER UNI TED WOMEN) E. TOONE (MANCHESTER UNI TED WOMEN) E. WHITE (MANCHESTER CI T Y WOMEN)

*ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER CI T Y

MATCH DAY OFFICIALS REFEREE : RIEM HUSSEIN (GER)

ASSISTANT REFEREE : KATRIN RAFALSKI (GER) ASSISTANT REFEREE : CHRIST INA BIEHL (GER) FOURTH OFFICIAL : FABIENNE MICHEL (GER) OBSERVER : ANDREAS SCHLUCHTER (SUI)

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

I could not be more pleased to welcome you all to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2023 Group D qualifier. It is an historic occasion.

Firstly, I welcome England, who are ranked eighth in the world and who come here on the back of a resounding 10-0 win away to North Macedonia. There has been a strong start to the Sarina Wiegman era - no losses in qualifying and only two losses in friendlies in 11 games. Could we ever have dreamt of a sell-out and that the team would capture the interest of the fans to that extent? It is a testament to their performances on the pitch and their ambassadorial endeavours off the pitch – this team truly are an inspiration! My thanks goes to all of our fans who are attending and especially to the many boys and girls who will be taking in the atmosphere for the first time. I hope you will forgive me for stating how proud I am that my own club, Abbey Villa, have 200 supporters here tonight. Mia Hamm - a legend of the women’s game who played for the USA – once said: “I am building a fire, and every day I train I add more fuel. At the right moment I light the match.” Our own side have benefitted from a full-time training regime and additional

supports to help prepare them as fully as possible – they are adding more fuel. Our fans will surely provide more fuel to spur our team on further. While England are a top side, I hope that it is our team who will light up the night. Perhaps we might even be treated to a performance emulating the memorable Northern Ireland v England game in 2005 in which David Healy’s goal made the difference? That goal left a legacy and an indelible memory. Tonight’s squad have already written their names large into the history of women’s football but they have a real chance to add to it further. Finally, I must also thank the Department for Communities, which has provided funding to help support the legacy from the Euro finals in the summer. This will be so important to build on the momentum and to increase participation in girls’ and women’s football further. I hope you all enjoy the game. CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: CONRAD KIRKWOOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE: PATRICK NELSON ADVERTISING: IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL PUBL ICATION BY IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAT IONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM, DONEGALL AVE , BELFAST BT12 5LW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS: DANNY LYNCH EDITOR: NIGEL T ILSON DESIGN: L ANDMARK PRINT: MADCOLOUR.COM

THIS MATCHDAY PROGRAMME HAS BEEN PRODUCED WI TH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNI T IES.

PICTURES: PRESS EYE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIEWS IN THIS PROGRAMME DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION.

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It is wonderful that the ‘sold out’ signs have gone up for this match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park tonight.

As a collective we have come so far over the past few years – and the team’s rise in both popularity and confidence is ref lected in the record numbers attending what will be a fantastic occasion. We come in to this World Cup qualifier on the back of a disappointing defeat to Austria on Friday night . It was one of those games where we just did not get the rub of the green. I thought we more than matched the Austrians for long spells. Mistakes cost us in the end, and I don’t mind players making mistakes as long as they learn from them. Realistically we now only have an extremely slim chance of claiming a play-off spot for next year’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, however we will continue to battle right to the end. England have strolled through European Qualifying Group D to date, scoring for fun. But I am confident we can give them a game tonight , roared on by a full house at the National Stadium. We have to put the disappointment of the result in Wiener Neustadt behind us and go again. And I believe we can do that . I thought we looked nervous in the early part of the match in Austria before settling down and matching the Austrians. Unfortunately we were undone

by nine minutes of madness in which mistakes were ruthlessly punished. I was pleased with how the players responded to conceding three goals in relatively quick succession. They did not let their heads drop and kept pushing forward, creating plenty of chances. I was delighted for Joely Andrews that she got her first senior international goal . She has worked hard in the full- time training programme and is a real livewire. She can be a big player for us going forward. We showed in the final quarter of the game in Austria that we have the ability to create chances, but we must improve when it comes to taking those chances. Moving back to tonight’s game, we know it is going to be very tough against an England team who are firing on all cylinders just now. However, we repelled them at Wembley back in the autumn for more than 60 minutes and if we show as much grit , spirit and determination, along with more purpose going forward, I think we will give a good account of ourselves. Thanks for your wonderful support and let’s hope we give you something to cheer about . KENNY SHIELS NORTHERN IRELAND WOMEN MANAGER

IRISHFA.COM

The game is changing. Every step of the way. We’re proud to power women’s football here in Northern Ireland.

GOOD EVENING Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for this historic occasion: a completely sold out stadium to see our senior women’s squad take on England in a FIFA

Women’s World Cup qualifier. Of course, this isn’t the only time we will face England this year - we will meet again in our final group game of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in Southampton on 15 July. It is fantastic that we have managed to fill the National Football Stadium for this match and I know that many of you may well be here for the first time to sample and enjoy the atmosphere in the Fan Zone and the stadium itself. We certainly hope you will be enthused to come back again. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on how far we have journeyed in recent times as far as the women’s game is concerned. Back in 2017 we hosted the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Euro finals in Northern Ireland and this helped to ignite the passion we see today. Fifteen games played over 12 days across Belfast, Lurgan and Portadown between the elite women’s youth teams of Europe showed us that we could achieve more in women’s football and we have made huge strides since then. In tonight’s squad we have Megan Bell, Abbie Magee and Emily Wilson present from our 2017 squad, while Louise McDaniel is also part of our full time training programme. The highlight, of course, has been our qualification for this year’s UEFA Women’s Euro in England in July. Having beaten

Wales to second spot in our group behind Norway, we then beat Ukraine home and away to take our place in what will be a huge tournament this summer. Although we are the smallest nation to qualify, we are leaving nothing to chance in our preparation for these matches. Since January we have been operating a full-time training regime for a squad of 22 players here in Belfast and we will do our country proud when we step on to the pitch this summer to play Norway, Austria and England. identified the growth of women’s football in Northern Ireland as a specific pillar to build upon over the coming five years. That focus has included recruiting Angela Platt to our senior leadership team as our first ever Director of Women’s Football and Angela has a wide remit covering not just international football but the domestic game as well, and the player pathway. I hope that you enjoy tonight’s game as a member of the Green and White Army and that you will be back again soon! We’ve also refreshed our corporate strategy in recent times and have

PATRICK NELSON CHIEF EXECUT IVE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHITE

POSITION: GOALKEEPER CLUB: HACKEN (SWE) AGE JACKIE BURNS

POSITION: GOALKEEPER CLUB: BRIGHOUSE TOWN AGE BECKY FLAHERT Y

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CRUSADERS STRIKERS AGE CAPS GOALS 36 123 8 JUL IE NELSON

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: RACING LOUISVILLE (USA) AGE CAPS GOALS 26 8 3 REBECCA HOLLOWAY

CAPS GOALS

REBECCA McKENNA

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 21 6 0 KELSIE BURROWS

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 21 4 0 ABBIE MAGEE

POSITION: DEFENDER /MIDF IELDER CLUB: RANGERS WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 30 73 4 DEMI VANCE

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: LEWES WOMEN AGE

CAPS GOALS

POSITION: DEFENDER /MIDF IELDER CLUB: DURHAM WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 34 84 6 SARAH McFADDEN

POSITION: DEFENDER /MIDF IELDER CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 19 7 0 TONI-LEIGH FINNEGAN

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: GLENTORAN WOMEN AGE NADENE CALDWELL

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: L IVERPOOL WOMEN AGE RACHEL FURNESS

CAPS GOALS

NIR V ENG

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 36 71 9 MARISSA CALLAGHAN

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: GLENTORAN WOMEN AGE CHLOE McCARRON

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: GLENTORAN WOMEN AGE CARAGH HAMILTON

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: GLENTORAN WOMEN AGE JOELY ANDREWS

CAPS GOALS

MEGAN BELL

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: EVERTON WOMEN AGE SIMONE MAGILL

LAUREN WADE

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 27 55 14 KIRST Y McGUINNESS

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: RANGERS WOMEN AGE

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: GLENTORAN WOMEN AGE

CAPS GOALS

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: CL IF TONVILLE L ADIES AGE CAPS GOALS 19 11 1 CAITL IN McGUINNESS

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: CRUSADERS STRIKERS AGE CAPS GOALS 20 10 1 EMILY WILSON

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: GL ASGOW CI T Y AGE KERRY BEAT TIE

CAPS GOALS

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Pictured: Northern Ireland Senior Women’s Team Manager, Kenny Shiels, Staffline CEO, Tina McKenzie & Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan.

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MARISSA CALLAGHAN ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY…

Since making her debut for Northern Ireland in a friendly against Scotland in 2010 the midfielder has experienced many more lows than highs. But now that the form book has been well and truly ripped to shreds, and reaching their first major tournament (UEFA Women’s Euro 2022) is a reality, she could not be happier. The Northern Ireland captain said: “Being part of a team who have created history and made it to the Euros makes me immensely proud. “Every single player and member of staff have worked so hard to get to where we are now. The journey has been amazing. We have changed the face of women’s football in Northern Ireland and, for me, that is something to be so proud of.” But before the Euros kick off in England this summer – when Northern Ireland will face Norway (7 July), Austria (11 July) and England (15 July) in the group stages – there is a huge game against England in Belfast tonight. Like a lot of the more experienced players in Kenny Shiels’ squad, Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan thought the chances of the senior women’s team ever getting to a major tournament were, to say the least , slim.

NIR V ENG

WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

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The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier against the Lionesses is massive for several reasons. England are one of the best teams in the world. The game has attracted a record crowd for a home senior women’s international in Northern Ireland. It’s a chance for Northern Ireland to see how far they have come since their 4-0 defeat at Wembley back in the autumn. And, of course, it’s also an opportunity for Shiels’ side to show their mettle before the two nations meet again at the St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton in July. “I think it’s incredible that we have a sell out crowd coming here to our National Stadium tonight. It’s another pivotal moment in women’s football here,” she said. “We can’t wait to hear the noise from the GAWA. It will be an emotional night and we hope that we can put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.” Callaghan is part of the intensive training programme which got under way in January to prepare the Northern Ireland team for the Women’s Euros this summer. But before the Euros kick off in England this summer – when Northern Ireland will face Norway (7 July), Austria (11 July) and England (15 July) in the group stages – there is a huge game against England in Belfast tonight. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier against the Lionesses is massive for several reasons. England are one of the best teams in the world. The game has attracted a record crowd for a home senior women’s international in Northern Ireland. It’s a chance for Northern Ireland to see how far they have come since their 4-0 defeat at Wembley back in the autumn. And, of course, it’s also an opportunity for Shiels’ side to show their mettle before the two nations meet again at the St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton in July. “I think it’s incredible that we have a sell out crowd coming here to our National Stadium tonight. It’s another pivotal moment in women’s football here,” she said. “We can’t wait to hear the noise from the GAWA. It will be an emotional night and we hope that we can put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.”

Callaghan is part of the intensive training programme which got under way in January to prepare the Northern Ireland team for the Women’s Euros this summer. The creation of the camp by the Irish Football Association means players in Kenny Shiels’ squad who do not play the game professionally in England, Scotland or foreign climes are now full-time players in the run-up to the tournament. A total of 22 Northern Ireland-based players are training under the non-residential programme based at Newforge Sports Complex in south Belfast. “I never thought I would get the opportunity to be a full-time footballer. I am really enjoying it and I know everyone else is, too,” said the Northern Ireland captain, who is usually employed by the Irish FA as a Girls’ Participation Officer. Callaghan, who is originally from west Belfast, started playing football at the age of five. As a youth she played for Newington Girls, a team which evolved into Cliftonville Ladies. She has been with the Reds since 2002, winning a Women’s Irish Cup with the north Belfast club in 2015, and now coaches as well as plays. Capped more than 70 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals, she represented her country at Under-15, U17 and U19 level before making the step up to the seniors just over a decade ago. She loves to watch the game as well as play it. “I don’t have a favourite team. I just love watching football. I love watching Leeds United, Manchester City and Manchester United Women because of their style of play,” she revealed. Her favourite player is Manchester City’s attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, while her favourite manager and coach are Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels and his son Dean respectively, whom she says deserve great credit for getting the girls in green and white to believe in themselves and to perform at a higher level.

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SHOOTING STARS IS HELPING GIRLS TO LOVE FOOTBALL The Electric Ireland Shooting Stars programme

WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

in partnership with the Irish FA Foundation has just kicked off again. The eight-week programme, which looks to create opportunities for girls aged four to 11 to fall in love with football , is currently being staged at 16 venues across Northern Ireland. Sessions are running in all 11 of the country’s council areas. Lauren Moore, a Girls’ Participation Officer with the Irish FA Foundation, emphasised that the Electric Ireland- sponsored programme is delivered by qualified coaches in a fun, safe and friendly environment . She said: “Most importantly the sessions are focused on learning through play, making new friends and developing the fundamentals for football . “This is the second edition of the programme this year. The first tranche of Shooting Stars in 2022 attracted good numbers across 16 venues and the second programme is even more popular.” Lauren also revealed some special guests will be popping in to the sessions over the next couple of months to encourage the girls. She explained: “The success of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team has helped to generate a greater interest in football among young girls here. I am

delighted to reveal that in the build-up to the UEFA Women’s Euros in England this summer we will have guest appearances from members of the squad at each centre.” Shooting Stars is also benefitting local clubs through coach mentoring/ volunteering opportunities. The programme is currently being rolled out in the following areas/venues: Antrim and Newtownabbey - Antrim Forum; Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon – South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon; Belfast (North) – Girdwood Community Hub; Belfast – Shankill Leisure Centre; Belfast (East) – Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre; Belfast (West) – Brooke Activity Centre. Also: Causeway Coast and Glens – Joey and Strabane - Foyle Arena; Fermanagh and Omagh – Bawnacre Leisure Centre, Irvinestown; Lisburn and Castlereagh – Moneyreagh Community Centre. And: Mid and East Antrim – The Cliff, Larne; Mid Ulster – Backrow Sports Hall , Draperstown; Newry, Mourne and Down - Down Leisure Centre and Newry Leisure Centre; North Down and Ards - Bangor Aurora. Dunlop Centre in Ballymoney and Ballysally Community Centre; Derry

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ENGLAND WHITE & BLUE

POSITION: GOALKEEPER CLUB: MANCHESTER UTD WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 29 15 0 MARY EARPS

POSITION: GOALKEEPER CLUB: ASTON VILL A WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 21 2 0 HANNAH HAMPTON

POSITION: GOALKEEPER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 22 8 0 ELL IE ROEBUCK

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CHELSEA WOMEN AGE MILL IE BRIGHT

CAPS GOALS

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 30 87 9 LUCY BRONZE

JESS CARTER

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CHELSEA WOMEN AGE NIAMH CHARLES

RACHEL DALY

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: CHELSEA WOMEN AGE

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: HOUSTON DASH (USA) AGE CAPS GOALS 30 47 7

CAPS GOALS

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 28 57 5 ALEX GREENWOOD

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 30 66 1 DEMI STOKES

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: ARSENAL WOMEN AGE LEAH WILL IAMSON

LOT TE WUBBEN-MOY

POSITION: DEFENDER CLUB: ARSENAL WOMEN AGE

CAPS GOALS

NIR V ENG

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: ARSENAL WOMEN AGE JORDAN NOBBS

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: ASTON VILL A WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 35 156 25 JILL SCOT T

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 23 30 6 GEORGIA STANWAY

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 25 38 0 KEIRA WALSH

CAPS GOALS

ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER CI T Y

POSITION: MIDF IELDER CLUB: MANCHESTER UTD WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 26 2 0 KATIE ZELEM

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: CHELSEA WOMEN AGE BETHANY ENGLAND

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 21 18 4 LAUREN HEMP

BETH MEAD

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: ARSENAL WOMEN AGE

CAPS GOALS

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: ARSENAL WOMEN AGE NIKITA PARRIS

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: MANCHESTER UTD WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 23 5 3 ALESSIA RUSSO

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: MANCHESTER UTD WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 22 12 9 ELLA TOONE

POSITION: FORWARD CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN AGE CAPS GOALS 32 105 50 ELLEN WHITE

CAPS GOALS

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SARAH McFADDEN PROUD AND PASSIONATE

Sarah Robson (nee McFadden) is one of the most experienced, and most versatile, players in Kenny Shiels’ squad – and Northern Ireland will need to lean on all her nous and know-how when they face England at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park tonight. The 34-year-old largely operates as a central midfielder or a centre back these days but has also been known to play up front. She simply loves playing for her country. She played for Northern Ireland at Under-14, U15, U17 and U19 levels before turning out for the senior international team, for whom she has earned 84 caps and scored six times. She made her senior debut in 2005.

“I am proud of every cap I have received for Northern Ireland and proud that I am still involved in the set-up after all these years,” she said. “I am also proud that I have been part of a campaign that exceeded all expectations (reaching UEFA Women’s Euro 2022) and can hopefully help inspire the next generation of girls coming through.” Sarah is well aware that tonight’s dress rehearsal for the Euros group game against England in Southampton on 15 July will be a real David v Goliath affair. “We are all really looking forward to this game against England. It will be a great occasion playing at Windsor in front of a record crowd,” she said.

NIR V ENG

WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

“We hope the Green and White Army can drive us on to a positive result and performance. These are the teams and players we love to play against and hopefully we will rise to the challenge.” Originally from Bellaghy in Co Londonderry, Sarah currently lives in the North-East of England where she plays for Durham Women in the FA Women’s Championship. She started her career with Moyola Park Ladies in Castledawson before moving to Ballymena United Allstars. Stints with Icelandic teams Fylkir, Grindavik and FH followed – just after she spent three years in the United States playing varsity football after winning a scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi. After her Icelandic adventure she joined Sunderland Women for five years. She switched to Durham in 2017. Sarah does not have a favourite team or favourite player, however she loves watching Premier League football. Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes along with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp are her favourite managers/coaches. France are still the best team she has ever played against. That was back in 2010, where she came up against Camile Abily, one of her toughest opponents to date. Sarah quipped: “We couldn’t get close to them.” More recently the best players she has faced are Arsenal Women and Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema and Barcelona Women and Norway player Caroline Graham Hansen. “Abily, Miedema and Hansen are all outstanding footballers,” she said.

One of the best grounds she has played at is the Philips Stadium, home to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. When Northern Ireland Women played Netherlands there in 2018 around 35,000 spectators were in attendance. And world famous Wembley, where she faced England back in the autumn in front of more than 23,000 spectators, is another place where she loved playing. Sarah remembers first kicking a ball around the age of eight when at primary school, and she revealed: “I didn’t have the chance to play for a team until I was 13 as there were no pathways back then.” Although no single person has inspired her during her career, she says playing for her country has always driven her on. “Throughout my career I only did things and went to specific clubs so that I was in the best position to be chosen for Northern Ireland. Playing international football has always inspired me to continue playing and improving as there is nothing better than pulling on the green shirt,” she pointed out. And her advice to someone starting out? “Always stay positive and enjoy playing the game because one day you won’t be able to play anymore. Also take every opportunity that comes along as you might not get another one.” And Sarah is not just an international footballer. She revealed: “I played for Northern Ireland Netball right up to senior level. It came to a point though where I was struggling as I was never in school, so I had to pick one sport, so I chose football.”

IRISHFA.COM

WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

The Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football , Angela Platt, believes stready progress is being made in developing women’s football in Northern Ireland – and the only way is up.

PLATT APPLAUDS PROGRESS WITHIN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Platt , an experienced sports administrator over a 20-year period spanning local government , sporting governing bodies and the voluntary sector, took up her role at the Irish FA back in October. “So far in the role it has been great to see so much fantastic work being done at all levels of football for girls and women. It is inspiring to see the momentum women’s and girls’ football now has and building on the previous success to continue to grow the game and maximise impact ,” she said. A former elite athlete, Platt played for the Ireland senior international hockey team as goalkeeper from 2000 to 2006,

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amassing 75 caps in the process, after playing hockey, football , athletics and badminton at youth international level . She further pointed out : “I have been blessed and am privileged to have enjoyed a career in sport , both as a player and as an administrator. I have had the pleasure of meeting and being inspired by so many great people doing amazing work and using the power of sport to provide a better future for people in Northern Ireland. “It is an honour to be the first Director of Women’s Football with the Irish FA. I am enjoying the role and being inspired by the many people playing their part at all levels of the game - in schools, clubs and communities - to create greater opportunities for girls and women in football .” The Director of Women’s Football also welcomed the full-time training programme which has been established by the Irish FA for 22 members of the Northern Ireland senior women’s squad ahead of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England this summer. She said: “The investment in the full- time programme is already making a big difference in the preparation of the squad ahead of this summer’s Euros. “The players and staff have settled in well to the daily training and recovery schedule. The programme is enabling players to focus on football without having to juggle commitments of work or studying. “Newforge (in south Belfast) has been an excellent venue for the squad to be based and everything they need is at one facility.” Platt believes tonight’s game against England is another milestone in the journey for women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland.

“It’s a moment of history for our gamechangers playing in our National Stadium in front of the biggest crowd we will have at a women’s international match in the modern era,” she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the players to continue to inspire our fans and an opportunity for us to also recognise the great work so many people are doing throughout Northern Ireland to grow our game.” While there is naturally a focus on the Women’s Euros just now, the Director of Women’s Football is also looking to the future. She pointed out : “Our pathway programmes continue to support the development of our young players to be future senior internationals. They are inspired by the role models we have in our senior women’s squad and are working towards their own dream of playing for Northern Ireland in the future.” The Director of Women’s Football insists it is an exciting time for Northern Ireland women’s football and the talent involved in the association’s pathway programmes is inspiring and the future is bright . She further said: “We are grateful for the support from our partners in the Department for Communities to enable us to do greater outreach work with new communities throughout Northern Ireland to increase the profile of women’s and girls’ football as well as provide a legacy for future generations to get involved and stay involved in football . “DfC’s support has also enabled us to recognise the trailblazers who have paved the way and have played a huge part in where women’s and girls’ football is today. We have so much to look forward to in the future.”

IRISHFA.COM

WORDS : HELENA BYRNE

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN… Women’s football on the island of Ireland has a long history. The first report of a women’s match was in 1895 when the British Ladies, who were on tour at the time, played a match in Belfast.

The following year the British Ladies undertook a more extensive tour of Ireland – and it is only a few years after these tours that we start to see match reports featuring local teams appearing in daily and weekly newspapers. Clubs in Northern Ireland have always had close relationships with teams in Britain and further afield. In 1920 GB-based Dick Kerr Ladies visited Belfast and in 1925 they returned to play a match against Fémina Sport from France. In 1960 the Manchester Corinthians stopped off in Northern Ireland to play a few matches on their way home from a tour of South America. The Women’s Football Association (WFA) was formed in 1969 to govern women’s football . Individual clubs from the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and even a club from Nigeria affiliated to the WFA - because this was the only governing body in the region. And from 1972 clubs affiliated to the WFA began to establish governing bodies for their own jurisdictions.

In late 1972 the Northern Ireland Ladies Football Association (NILFA) submitted their terms of reference to the WFA and became an affiliated member. Initially NILFA, which evolved into the NIWFA (Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association) , would have looked after the Northern Ireland women’s international team but then the Irish Football Association took over responsibility for the team. To date Northern Ireland have played against England approximately nine times. Unfortunately they have lost every game so far. The first match between the two sides took place on 7 September 1973 at Twerton Park, the home of Bath City FC. It was Northern Ireland’s second official international game (the first was against Republic of Ireland away) following the formation of NILFA.

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The match was organised as part of the Monarchy 1000 festival which saw a series of cultural and sporting events held in Bath to mark 1000 years since Edgar, the first king of England, was crowned in Bath in 973. At this point England already had three internationals under their belts against Scotland and France, winning all three games. But this match was only the second one hosted by the WFA in England (the first was against Scotland) . With a kick-off of 7.30pm the match was played under floodlights. It was the first time that either team had played under floodlights, which added extra excitement to the occasion. The Northern Ireland panel was made up of 15 players, seven of whom came from the Mayfair clothing factory team in Portadown. The Belfast Telegraph nicknamed the first Northern Ireland team that played against the Republic the ‘Petticoat International Panel’ due to the presence of the Mayfair players.

The rest of the team were made up of players from Albion (Ballymena) , Comber, Glenavon and Minerva. It meant that five out of the eight teams from the domestic league were represented in the national side. The team was managed by Carson Reid and his assistant , Chris Crouch. England won the match by five goals to one. The goalscorers for England were Jeannie Allott , Lynda Hale (2) , Pat Firth and Sue Lopez. The WFA match report described the Northern Ireland team as “plucky” and noted “their never-say-die tactics brought them their just reward when they scored midway through the second half”. The report went on to say “their sportsmanship, both on and off the pitch, won them a host of new friends”. The Northern Ireland goal was scored by Sharon Gillespie, who played for Mayfair. Although they lost the match it was only the third goal conceded by England, who had held a clean sheet in their previous two games.

- N O R T H E R N I R E L A N D ’ S F I R S T L I N E - U P -

1. Hilary Brady - Minerva -

2. Elizabeth Gadsby - Mayfair - 7. Alison Bennington - Glenavon -

3. Edith James - Mayfair -

4. Madeline Wright - Albion -

5. Jennifer Whiteside - Glenavon - 8. Stephanie McNally - Mayfair -

11. Hazel McQuiston - Albion -

6. Isabel Robson - Comber -

9. Louise Fleming - Mayfair -

10. Sharon Gillespie - Mayfair -

Helena Byrne researches the history of women’s football on the island of Ireland.

IRISHFA.COM

3-1 F IFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIF IER 08-04-2022 STADION WIENER NEUSTADT, AUSTRIA POSSESSION % SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS 48 52 14 08 05 03 06 09 04 10

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SENIOR WOMEN’S TEAM LOSE TO AUSTRIA IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Northern Ireland’s senior women’s team suffered a disappointing defeat to Austria Women in a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier on Friday night. WORDS : NIGEL T ILSON

Kenny Shiels’ side never really got going against the Austrians, who won 3-1 to move three points ahead of them in European Qualifying Group D with three games in the qualifying series to go. Goals from Austria captain Carina Wenninger, Nicole Billa and Barbara Dunst put the home side well on top before substitute Joely Andrews fired home a consolation for the visitors in front of 1,200 fans in Wiener Neustadt. Northern Ireland, showing four changes from the team that started in the 2-2 draw against Austria back in the autumn, started brightly. Demi Vance fired in a couple of corners that tested the home defence before Austria midfielder Dunst fired a shot wide. In the 12th minute Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns was called into action to claw the ball away from the feet of striker Billa, who scooped a shot over the top minutes later. At this stage Austria, showing just two changes from the starting eleven in Belfast back in October, were on the front foot in Stadion Wiener Neustadt and probing down the flanks with some neat interplay. On 27 minutes Burns punched a delivery from a corner clear. The ball fell to Billa on the edge of the area and she blasted a shot inches over the bar.

The rain poured down and the wind began to swirl close to the half-hour mark and both sides struggled to get hold of the ball. The next chance fell to Austrian midfielder Katharina Naschenweng who pounced on a loose pass and let fly from just inside the area, however her effort was smothered by Burns. A Rachel Furness header from a Vance corner was cleared by the Austria defence and then Dunst’s drive flew wide of the post down the other end. Just after the restart Austria took the lead through Wenninger. She lost her marker as a corner was delivered by Dunst and the skipper’s clever back-heel volley flew past Burns into the bottom corner. Then Austria keeper Manuela Zinsberger fumbled a free-kick from Vance and Simone Magill’s close range effort was blocked. Zinsberger stopped a goal-bound shot from Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan before Austria doubled their lead in the 55th minute. Billa robbed the ball off Burns as she attempted to deal with a loose Julie Nelson back pass and the striker stroked the ball home from distance. Two minutes later it was 3-0 to the Austrians. Laura Feiersinger fed the ball through to Dunst and she coolly slotted it past Burns.

IRISHFA.COM

On 66 minutes Callaghan slipped in Abbie Magee down the right, however her cross was cleared by the home defence. The resulting corner saw Vance skim the top of the bar with her delivery. Substitute Kirsty McGuinness stretched the Austrian defence with a run down the flank, but her cross-cum-shot was easily gathered by Zinsberger. Sarah McFadden scooped a shot wide as Northern Ireland showed some attacking verve in the final quarter of the match. A Vance delivery from a free-kick found Furness inside the area, however she directed her shot well wide of the target. Austria substitute Lisa Kolb showed the Northern Ireland defence a clean pair of heels shortly after coming on, although Burns held on to her rising shot. Furness had a back post header plucked out of the air by Zinsberger as the girls in green and white showed more purpose. Callaghan, who continued to press and probe, was unlucky to see her cross blocked after some neat footwork inside the area, and a Magill header was pushed away by Zinsberger. Northern Ireland pulled one back through Andrews on 85 minutes. The substitute picked up a clearance from a corner and drilled it low from long range through a sea of bodies into the bottom corner. It was her first international goal at senior level. Austria sub Stefanie Enzinger hit the woodwork before another Northern Ireland sub, Megan Bell, tested the Austrian keeper with an angled drive. Northern Ireland had chances in the game, however it was a night when the ball would not quite drop for them.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Jackie Burns, Abbie Magee, Demi Vance, Sarah McFadden, Julie Nelson, Rebecca Holloway, Chloe McCarron, Marissa Callaghan (captain), Rachel Furness, Simone Magill, Lauren Wade. Substitutes: (used) Kirsty McGuinness, Joely Andrews, Megan Bell, Emily Wilson, Caitlin McGuinness; (unused) Becky Flaherty (GK), Rebecca McKenna, Kelsie Burrows, Caragh Hamilton, Nadene Caldwell, Toni Leigh Finnegan. AUSTRIA: Manuela Zinsberger, Verena Hanshaw, Laura Wienroither, Marina Georgieva, Carina Wenninger (captain), Sarah Puntigam, Katharina Naschenweng, Sarah Zadrazil, Nicole Billa, Laura Feiersinger, Barbara Dunst. Substitutes: Isabella Kresche (GK), Mariella El Sherif (GK), Celina Degen, Maria Plattner, Katharina Schiechtl, Sophie Hillebrand, Lainie Fuchs, Marie Therese Hobinger, Jasmin Eder, Lisa Kolb, Lisa Makas, Stefanie Enzinger.

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IRISHFA.COM

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The McDonald’s Fun Football Programme is for boys and girls of all abilities aged 5 – 11. Fun Football Centres are free to attend, delivered by qualified coaches, for kids to try football for the first time and build their confidence.

To find your local Fun Football Centre and register your child’s place visit mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball

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