Northern Ireland v Lithuania (12/11/2021)

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Welcome to all of you as we look forward to another great night of football at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. I hope the weather for the game is better than a normal night in November but, despite what will no doubt be a cold evening, I offer a warm welcome to our visitors from Lithuania.

Away from this game the Lithuanian Football Federation is looking ahead to having a much- needed new national football stadium to host games. Recently Vilnius City Council approved an agreement as part of a multifunctional complex which includes the provision of a new stadium (planned for 2025) . I cannot help but think of the excitement that lies ahead for them as I recall the completion of the redevelopment of our own national stadium. Their international home will be slightly smaller than ours but if they can recreate in the future the kind of atmosphere that is generated at our games then they will be delighted. You will recall that Northern Ireland enjoyed their first victory in European Qualifying Group C for FIFA World Cup 2022 in the corresponding tie in Vilnius back in September (4-1 win) . Ian Baraclough is already on record as saying that the team will be looking to finish on a high so it should be a good game this evening. Shayne Lavery, a scorer in Vilnius, is one of several absentees tonight , however it is uplifting to see young players such as Conor Bradley making a big impact . It is great to see two new faces added to the squad in the form of Dale Taylor and Luke Southwood. Dale is only 17 years old - he turns 18 next month - but has the same maturity as Conor and will learn quickly from the senior

players. Luke increases the options for the goalkeeper’s jersey, and with Bailey Peacock- Farrell fresh from his seventh clean sheet for Sheffield Wednesday the competition can only be a good thing. The identification and development of emerging talent is an important element of building the Northern Ireland teams of the future. We must plan ahead. It was good to hear Andy Waterworth, head of the Irish FA JD Academy in collaboration with UEFA, outline the evolving JD-sponsored National Performance Programme last week. Through that work the association is aiming to establish and maintain clear pathways to professional football with the ultimate goal of producing international players for Northern Ireland. The travelling support for the senior women’s team at Wembley last month showed the English that a small number of the Green and White Army can hold their own. They sung their hearts out . It will be good to enjoy two home senior men’s games with our own fans in the stadium - and the noise that a much larger support will make will no doubt be impressive. CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

IRISHFA.COM

3