Page 10 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.12 2020/21

Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels has named a 23-strong squad for
this month’s Women’s Euro 2022 play-off matches against Ukraine. Although some regulars are
unavailable due to work commitments or missing through injury, the manager has chosen a panel
packed full of experienced players for the games in Ukraine on Friday 9th April and Belfast on
Tuesday 13th April.
Shiels also welcomes back two players who have been out of contention for a considerable
period of time due to injury – defender Laura Rafferty and defender/midfielder Emma McMaster.
Rafferty, who will be 25 later this month, already has 27 caps for her country. She won the last of
them against Republic of Ireland Women in a World Cup qualifier in August 2018. Since then she
has been hampered by injuries – she ruptured a knee ligament in August 2019 – but is now fully fit.
Glentoran defender/midfielder Emma McMaster, who has six senior caps and was a star
for Northern Ireland at underage level, sat out the bulk of the 2020 season after suffering a knee
ligament injury but has now fully recovered following surgery last September. McMaster (22), who
made her senior debut in 2016, won the last of her senior caps at the Pinatar Cup tournament in
Spain in March 2020.
Prolific striker Kirsty McGuinness (Sion Swifts Ladies) and Glentoran Women forwards
Kerry Beattie and Danielle Maxwell also return to the panel after missing the February friendly
defeat against England at St George’s Park. Retaining her place in the squad is Birmingham City
defender Rebecca Holloway, who made her debut against England. Holloway is a regular for
Birmingham in FA WSL 1.
Missing from the panel is Glentoran striker Lauren Wade, who earlier this week picked
up an ankle injury in training that could keep her sidelined for a couple of months, while Rangers
pair Demi Vance and Megan Bell, plus Glentoran forward Caragh Milligan, have long term injuries.
Linfield defender Abbie Magee, who put in a fine display against England, is not available for the
double header, nor is Kirsty McGuinness’ younger sister Caitlin.
Also missing out this time are three young players who travelled to St George’s Park -
goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), defender Ella Haughey (Lisburn Rangers)
and striker Casey Howe, who has just moved to Glentoran from Linfield.
NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD v. UKRAINE
NAME CLUB CAPS GOALS
Jackie BURNS Glentoran 17 0
Becky FLAHERTY Sheffield Utd 6 0
Ashley HUTTON Linfield 109 9
Kelsie BURROWS Linfield 2 0
Toni-Leigh FINNEGAN Cliftonville 5 0
Julie NELSON Crusaders Strikers 115 8
Rebecca HOLLOWAY Birmingham City 1 0
Laura RAFFERTY Bristol City * 27 0
Emma McMASTER Glentoran 3 0
Nadene CALDWELL Glentoran 61 1
Samantha KELLY Glentoran 11 0
Marissa CALLAGHAN Cliftonville 62 5
Rachel FURNESS Liverpool 76 30
Chloe McCARRON Birmingham City 14 1
Sarah McFADDEN Durham Women 75 6
Ciara WATLING Charlton Athletic 22 0
Rebecca McKENNA Linfield 11 0
Louise McDANIEL Unattached 3 0
Kerry BEATTIE Glentoran 0 0
Danielle MAXWELL Glentoran 3 0
Simone MAGILL Everton 62 15
Emily WILSON Crusaders Strikers 5 0
Kirsty McGUINNESS Sion Swifts 45 7
Issue no. 12 - 8 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk