Whatever happens after kick off on Thursday each and every player of Northern Ireland Women’s team can stand tall and proudly call themselves history makers.
They have dug deep and battled against all the odds to deservedly take to the pitch at their first major tournament.
We hope, that once again, they can prove that despite being billed as the ‘underdogs’ that they have bite and to underestimate them is a huge mistake.
Come on! #ANewDream
Jackie Burns, Goalkeeper, age 25, caps 40, goals 0, club unattached
Burns is Shiels first-choice goalkeeper and has the ability to start moves from the back. Her skill as a natural shot stopper will be needed as the team go up against higher ranked rivals.
Becky Flaherty, Goalkeeper, age 24, caps 7, goals 0, club Brighouse Town
Flaherty made her NI debut in 2019 after switching to Northern Ireland from her native Scotland where she was a former underage goalkeeper. She’s proven her worth in two crucial Euro qualifying games.
Shannon Turner, Goalkeeper, age 24, caps 0, goals, 0, club Wolves
The former underage international makes her debut at the Euros as the only uncapped player on the squad. With a strong season at Wolves behind her she’s well prepared for the big occasion.
Defenders
Rebecca McKenna, age 21, caps 20, goals 1, club Lewes
The former teammates of the Bangor Ladies FC player will be cheering on gutsy McKenna who came up through their ranks before moving to Linfield and then on to Championship side Lewes. The Lewes right back’s determination is a hallmark of her performances and Shiels knows she’ll leave everything on the pitch.
Demi Vance, age 31, caps 75, goals 4, club Rangers
Having debuted for Northern Ireland back in 2008 Vance has experience in spades as a veteran campaigner already. Between her dangerous left foot and ability to excel from play or set pieces Vance is vital if Northern Ireland is to cause an upset.
Sarah McFadden, age 35, caps 87, goals 6, club Durham
Warrior McFadden has seen it all! She’s been instrumental to the team’s turnaround and become the heart of NI’s defence. On the Euros she said: “I don’t want it to just be over in a flash. I have waited all my life for this and even the younger girls may never get another opportunity and I just want it to last as long as possible and be able to continue that journey that we are on.
“I just don’t want it to come to an end.” We’re with you on that score Sarah!
Julie Nelson, age 37, caps 126, goals 9, club Crusaders Strikers
Nelson is the record caps holder for the women’s side and she’s synonymous with the NI Women’s team that she has stood by thick and thin. Time and again she’s shown her guts and now it’s time for her to enjoy the glory.
Ashley Hutton, age 34, caps, 114, goals 9, club Linfield
Hutton has been steadfast throughout Northern Ireland’s Euros campaign. She kept her nerve to deliver an equalizer in Wales which ultimately lead to a play-off spot. She’s managed to make her Euros dream a reality after battling back to fitness from a knee injury.
Kelsie Burrows, age 21, caps 9 and goals 0, club Cliftonville
Marked out as one of Northern Ireland’s young talented players coming through the ranks, she’s already proving on the pitch that she won’t be cowed by the sense of occasion after starting at Wembley in October, holding her own against the world’s best.
Laura Rafferty, age 26, caps 32, goals 0, club Southampton
The defender helped the Saints to promotion and Shiels is rewarding her good form with a coveted spot. No doubt the Southampton native will soak up the opportunity to step out at St Mary’s at such a major tournament.
Abbie Magee, age 21, caps 7, goals 0, club Cliftonville
Magee has overcome injury to become integral to play down the right-hand side. She is proving herself to be strong going forward and solid defensively.
Midfielders
Chloe McCarron, age 24, caps 24, goals 1, club Glentoran
McCarron joins two other Glentoran midfielder teammates to make the squad. She’s credited with keeping the flow of the game going. If she scores fans will be in for a treat as her goals are usually something to talk about.
Marissa Callaghan, age 36, caps 73, goals 9, club Cliftonville
Callaghan makes no apologies for living and breathing football. A natural leader on and off the pitch she has been responsible for key moments that have made her team’s Euros dream a reality. She may be carrying a toe injury into the competition but with Shiels depending on her she’ll be sure to rise to the challenge.
Rachel Furness, age 34, caps 86, goals 38, club Liverpool
As Northern Ireland’s record goal scorer Furness has earned her right to be called NI’s danger woman. She’s a top player who has grafted for the team she loves. Having been there from the seeds of NI’s rebirth she truly deserves to reap the rewards of the team’s amazing journey.
Rebecca Holloway, age 26, caps 10, goals 3, club Racing Louisville
Holloway stands out for her versatility on the pitch. She can comfortably play across the defensive line, in midfield and even as a winger. The former Birmingham City player demonstrated in qualifying that she has an eye for goal – we hope she finds that form again in Southampton. No pressure!
Nadene Caldwell, age 31, caps 68, goals 2, club Glentoran
Caldwell secured her place in the Northern Ireland history books with her goal that sealed their Euros qualification. This unassuming sporting hero will be hoping history will repeat itself this tournament.
Louise McDaniel, age 22, caps 8, goals 1, club Cliftonville
Known for her positivity and energy McDaniel is your ‘cup half full’ type of person who will keep team spirits up if times get tough. She’s back on home turf after stints at Blackburn Rovers and Hearts. McDaniel has the ability to step it up at crucial moments, which always comes in handy when you’re up against it.
Joely Andrew, age 20, caps 7, goals 1, club Glentoran
Marked as ‘one to watch’ this competition Andrews has star potential. She made her first start against England at Windsor Park in April, looking at ease despite the sense of occasion. It came days after netting her first international goal against Austria, showing the calibre of the Glentoran player.
Simone Magill, age 27, caps 71 and goals 21, club Aston Villa
Hopes for glory weigh on Magill’s shoulders. All eyes will be on the former Everton striker’s form as she is a key lynchpin for the team performing well. An outstanding talent who will be realising her dream by heading to Southampton.
Kirsty McGuiness, age 27, caps 58, goals 14, club Cliftonville
She is the spark that Shiels will be hoping dazzles their opponents. McGuiness is a serial goal scorer who is known for bringing quality and leadership to the pitch in a domestic setting – qualities that will be needed for such a major occasion.
Lauren Wade, age 28, caps 42, goals 7, club Glentoran
If Wade’s previous form is anything to go by, she’ll cause defenders problems. She relishes the big games as shown by her famous goal for Glasgow City in the Champions League and her mighty effort against Belgium before the Euros. Her left foot is her weapon of choice on her opponents.
Emily Wilson, age 20, caps 12, goals 1, club Crusaders Strikers
Wilson is the star player for her team Crusaders Strikers and has proven she has a keen eye for goal. Has the skill to be deployed out wide but her pace means that she’s most at home in the box where she’ll be hoping to do some damage.
Caitlin McGuinness, age 19, caps 12, goals, 1, club Cliftonville
Football is most certainly in the blood of the McGuinness women and as younger sister to Kirsty this young player will be wanting to make her mark on the big stage. McGuinness is a striker with the record to match her passion on the pitch as she holds the title of top scorer in the Women’s Premiership with nine goals from seven games.