Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2022-23

Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels has named a 23-strong squad for
next week’s friendly international against Italy in Belfast.
Shiels has gone with his usual blend of youth and experience as he prepares to take on the
Italians at Seaview on Tuesday (15 November, 7pm start). His squad shows three changes from the
one that competed against Luxembourg and Latvia in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers
back in September.
Coming in to the panel are three Cliftonville Ladies players. Midfielder/defender Fi Morgan
has stepped up to the seniors after being a stalwart for the Under-19s in recent years, while forward
Danielle Maxwell is back after missing out on the Euros in the summer through injury. Defender
Kelsie Burrows, who had to withdraw from the last squad due to work commitments, returns as
well.
Cliftonville, fresh from their maiden NIFL Danske Bank Women’s Premiership title success,
have no less than nine representatives in the squad and there are five players in the group from
league runners-up Glentoran Women, who defeated Sion Swifts in the Electric Ireland Women’s
Challenge Cup decider at the weekend.
Missing out this time are Mid Ulster Ladies goalkeeper Lilie Woods, Lewes Women
midfielder Ellie Mason and Cliftonville Ladies defender Grace McKimm. Laura Rafferty
(Southampton), who was named in the last squad but did not travel to Luxembourg/Latvia, is not
included either.
Like Northern Ireland, Italy competed at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in July. They finished
bottom of a group that also included France, Belgium and Iceland. However, in the qualifiers for
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 they topped their group to book a place in the final tournament
in Australia and New Zealand.
The Italians, who are ranked 14th in the world compared to Northern Ireland in 49th, won
nine and lost one in a group that also featured Switzerland, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania and
Moldova.
NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD v. ITALY
NAME CLUB CAPS GOALS
Jackie BURNS Reading FC Women 43 0
Shannon TURNER Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 0
Kelsie BURROWS Cliftonville 10 0
Rebecca HOLLOWAY Racing Louisville 14 3
Abbie MAGEE Cliftonville 11 0
Sarah McFADDEN Durham Women 94 7
Rebecca McKENNA Lewes 24 2
Julie NELSON Crusaders Strikers 129 9
Demi VANCE Leicester City 80 4
Toni-Leigh FINNEGAN Cliftonville 7 0
Nadene CALDWELL Glentoran 71 2
Joely ANDREWS Glentoran 9 1
Chloe McCARRON Glentoran 27 1
Marissa CALLAGHAN Cliftonville 77 9
Louise McDANIEL Cliftonville 10 1
Fi MORGAN Cliftonville 0 0
Caragh HAMILTON Glentoran 29 5
Caitlin McGUINNESS Cliftonville 15 1
Kirsty McGUINNESS Cliftonville 62 14
Lauren WADE Reading FC Women 44 7
Emily WILSON Crusaders Strikers 15 1
Kerry BEATTIE Glentoran 7 1
Danielle MAXWELL Cliftonville 4 0
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