Northern Ireland v Switzerland 08SEPT

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. In particular I welcome our visitors Switzerland - the Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) - and their players, management and officials to Northern Ireland for their first visit since 2017.

I cannot describe the honour that I feel to have been elected as President of the Irish Football Association and to attend a Northern Ireland home game for the first time in that role. Whether it has been officially opening Ballyvea FC’s new facilities in the Mournes or helping to highlight what our wee country has to offer as part of the UEFA Super Cup, I have loved every minute so far. Football just isn’t the same without fans. There is a mutual connection between players and fans – they feed off each other. Therefore I am delighted that we have an 85% capacity at our stadium for this World Cup qualifier to lend their support . It comes after a two-year period in which we have had little or no fans at our games. The team’s journey to Vilnius last week was rewarded with a healthy return of goals against Lithuania. It was the first time Northern Ireland have scored four away from home since 2007 against Liechtenstein. It was, of course, also our first victory in the European Group C qualifiers for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It was particularly pleasing to see Shayne Lavery and Daniel Ballard score their first senior goals.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s penalty save was a turning point against the Lithuanians. However, Ian Baraclough’s calm head in the lead-up to the game, despite several absentees, showed that he had prepared for any eventuality. The win in Tallinn on Sunday against Estonia demonstrated his squad’s togetherness with changes to the line-up and formation. It was the rule of three for Shane Ferguson: earning his 50th cap, wearing the captain’s armband and scoring a memorable winner. It was a fitting reward for one of the squad’s most modest men. I am excited at the return of GAWA in numbers to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast . I am sure that you will get behind the team as only you can. I am even more sure that you will be in fine singing voice as you establish beyond any doubt where “Sweet Caroline” belongs! Given the absence of fans for such a long period, I hope it will be a great night for the team and the management but most of all that it will be a great experience for each and every one of you. CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

IRISHFA.COM

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