Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.28 2021-22 (2)

Northern Ireland make changes

Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels has made a handful of changes
to his squad for next month’s crunch FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers against Austria
and England. His 23-strong panel shows five changes from the squad chosen for the World Cup
qualifiers against North Macedonia back in November.
The Northern Ireland senior women’s team boss has gone with his usual blend of youth
and experience for the game against the Austrians in Wiener Neustadt on 8 April and the match
against England at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on 12 April. Returning to
the fold for next month’s matches is Rangers Women midfielder Megan Bell, who had a torrid
time with injuries last year. Also back are Glentoran Women midfielder Sam Kelly and
Crusaders Strikers forward Emily Wilson, who were both injured for the qualifiers against the
Macedonians.
Returning after a long term injury is defender Abbie Magee, who recently moved from
Linfield Ladies to Cliftonville Ladies. Her new club mate Toni-Leigh Finnegan is back as well
after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Bell, Kelly, Wilson and Magee all took part in a squad training camp in Spain last month
which involved friendlies against Faroe Islands (3-1 win), Switzerland (2-2 draw) and Romania
(1-0 defeat).
Veteran Crusaders Strikers defender Julie Nelson and Glentoran Women midfielder
Caragh Hamilton both missed the trip to Spain but return for the upcoming competitive games.
Glasgow City striker Kerry Beattie and Glentoran Women forward Danielle Maxwell are
not included this time due to squad rotation, while veteran Linfield Ladies defender Ashley
Hutton is still recovering from a long term injury, although she is well on the way to full fitness,
according to her manager.
NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD v. AUSTRIA & ENGLAND
NAME CLUB CAPS GOALS
Jackie BURNS BK Hacken 36 0
Becky FLAHERTY Brighouse Town 6 0
Julie NELSON Crusaders Strikers 122 8
Rebecca McKENNA Lewes 19 1
Rebecca HOLLOWAY Birmingham City 7 3
Sarah McFADDEN Durham Women 83 6
Kelsie BURROWS Cliftonville 6 0
Demi VANCE Rangers 72 4
Abbie MAGEE Cliftonville 3 0
Nadene CALDWELL Glentoran 65 2
Chloe McCARRON Glentoran 20 1
Caragh HAMILTON Glentoran 26 5
Samantha KELLY Glentoran 13 0
Joely ANDREWS Glentoran 5 0
Marissa CALLAGHAN Cliftonville 70 9
Toni-Leigh FINNEGAN Cliftonville 5 0
Rachel FURNESS Liverpool 82 38
Megan BELL Rangers 16 1
Lauren WADE Glentoran 38 6
Simone MAGILL Everton 67 21
Kirsty McGUINNESS Cliftonville 54 14
Caitlin McGUINNESS Cliftonville 10 1
Emily WILSON Crusaders Strikers 9 1
Issue no. 28 - 31 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk