Page 15 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No. 15 2020-21

WSS: Many people have said that your win in the first leg in Ukraine was
Northern Ireland's greatest ever win, would you go along with that?
SM: For sure, due to the nature of the game and the pressure that comes with a play-off, the
fact Ukraine are ranked 24th in the world and had been to three previous play-offs and we
won the game like seasoned pros. At international level we have never played a game at this
sort of level and pressure, most of our players are young and inexperienced, we had six squad
members injured, of which three of these would have started. With all these things to consider
it was by far Northern Ireland’s greatest win. It was for sure an underdog story.
WSS: The maturity and control the team showed in the second leg was
admirable, did you always feel that everything was under control during that
match?
SM: For the majority of the first half I was a little worried, I just felt that Ukraine came out
flying and were playing so much faster than the away leg. When we got to half time with 0-0
and rode the storm, that’s when I thought I don’t think they can play any faster than that so
now we can up our game and get a goal. Once Marissa scored I knew we were going to win
the tie. Ukraine’s heads went, confidence drained from them, even though nothing had really
changed we had something else to defend now and we were in control until the end. When you
have two experienced and outstanding CB’s like Julie Nelson and Ashley Hutton behind you it
gives you lots of confidence.
WSS: When considering you have also been missing several key players for most
of the group matches, let alone the play-offs, does that make it an even better
achievement?
SM: There has been such a strong emphasis on the squad from day one and now we know why
it has been so important. If you look at Rebecca McKenna she epitomises what our squad has
been about. Rebecca didn’t even get selected for some squads throughout the campaign. She
could have easily given up but she didn’t she waited for her chance and when it came in the
two biggest games of the campaign and our lives she stood up and was our best player over
the two play-off games. Before the last two games, if you had said to us we would have won
the play-offs without our best player in Rachel Furness I would have said no chance. Then
again our captain stands up, has the game of her life, plays in Rachel’s position in the last
game of the play-offs and scores the goal to help take us through. So although we had injuries
it was so nice to see people step up and do what they could for the team. Everyone was so tuned
in on their roles and responsibilities that all of us had every confidence. This is what we have
been all about all campaign and it’s the reason we have got to where we are everyone has the
same goals and willing to do what they can to win.
WSS: How confident are you that Northern Ireland can build on this and qualify
for more tournaments in the future, are there many good youngsters coming
through at youth levels?
SM: Now with Kenny in charge, the youngsters are improving so quickly and are in the best
position to develop and step up over the next 2-3 years. We are only going to improve and the
fact we are now in higher pots means we will hopefully have better chance in future
qualification. We don’t want to stop here, this is only the start, from the outside people
probably think we will be happy to make up the numbers next summer in England and happy
not to qualify again but while Kenny is in charge, that won’t be enough ever. We are all going
to work hard this year and continue to build on this. We want to create a legacy in the future
for all the boys and girls coming through in Northern Ireland that making up the numbers is
never enough.
Other than the five oldies in myself, Julie, Rachel, Ashley and Marissa, the rest of the
squad are young and have a great chance to build on this and continue to qualify. For the old
girls, there will come a day when we stop playing but while Kenny is in charge, I think most
of us will have to be forced out eventually rather than retiring voluntarily. We have learned
so much over the past few years and just want to keep playing and improving because playing
for Northern Ireland at the minute is the best experience of our lives and we don’t want to give
it up!
Our thanks to Sarah! Photo - Irish FA/PressEye
Issue no. 15 - 29 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk