NI WOMEN FOOTBALL HEAD TO THE EUROS

Gerry Has His Say

Ulster Tatler chats to NI football legend Gerry Armstrong.

What are your thoughts on the Northern Ireland Women’s team qualifying for the Women’s Euro Championship?

It reminds me so much of the team back in 1980/1982. We were in a difficult group which we qualified from and they’re in a difficult group with England who are the favourites so they’re in a similar situation.

The girls have done fantastic and I’m looking forward to seeing their performances. I know they’ve been training hard, I was chatting to a couple of the girls a few weeks ago and they were all preparing the best they can.

What does this mean for Women’s Football in Northern Ireland?

It’s really taking off. I mean women’s football was going okay and then over the past 2 or 3 years it’s gone to another level. The girls have done such a good job in highlighting women’s football the fact

“They have taken it (women’s football) to another level. “

that they’ve qualified for the Euros and their performances against oppositions that they weren’t ‘supposed’ to beat, again, that’s why they remind me of ourselves and I want them to do really well. They have taken it (women’s football) to another level. There are so many young girls who want to play soccer and want to become like their hero’s, like Marissa Callaghan and the Demi Vance’s of the future so hopefully we will have a lot more stars coming through.

How do you think the team will do in the championship?

It’s going to be difficult for them but I still think it’s all about self-belief. I had a chat at the weekend with my colleagues who came over, Pat Jennings, Martin O’Neill, Jimmy Nicholl, Bobby Hamilton and John McClelland. We were all together and we went to the World Cup finals together against the host nation and we weren’t supposed to qualify out of the groups. Some said we wouldn’t score goals, some said we wouldn’t even score a point but we won the groups and beat the host nation. Anything is possible if you believe and Kenny will have the girls well prepared. The girls need to have determination and the right attitude which I know they’ve got and I just want to see them compete on a level playing field with everyone and I know England has got so many top professionals but every time I see the girls play they get better. They’re playing against better oppositions and they’re improving themselves so more credit to them.

Wishing Northern Ireland best of luck at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

We chat to local figures who are sending support to the Women’s NI football team.

Ulster Tatler work placement

students Daniel Carlin and Eve Jackson from Aquinas Grammar School with Linfi eld manager, David Healy. Northern Ireland women’s football striker, Kirsty McGuinness commented:

“The girls have worked hard and deserve to be there. We are up against world class teams, we are going to give it the best we’ve got and see how it goes.”

Linfi eld manager, David Healy is looking forward

to the Womens Euros and said: “ The team have made giant strides over the last 3-4 years. This is a great opportunity for the girls and the country to prove themselves.”

BBC Sport NI’s Nicola McCarthy

Former Northern Ireland international Nicola McCarthy will be fronting the Euro 2022 coverage for BBC Northern Ireland and will be speaking to the manager, players and fans as the green and white army descend on Southampton. BBC Radio Ulster’s programming will come live from the city in the build-up to Northern Ireland’s fi rst game. As well as all the build-up across TV and radio there will also be extensive coverage across the BBC Sport Northern Ireland website with our team of online reporters on the ground in Southampton. Every home nation game will be live on BBC One, starting with tournament hosts England against Austria at Old Trafford in the opening game live on Wednesday, July 6. The following day Northern Ireland kick off their campaign against Norway.

What are your thoughts on the Northern Ireland Women’s team qualifying for the Women’s Euro Championship?

I think what the women have achieved is nothing short of momentous - for the squad, the management and back room staff and for women’s football in Northern Ireland. There is thought that the squad has punched above their weight - and they have - but what they have achieved by reaching their first ever major tournament is equally so well deserved. I considered it a great privilege watching their qualifying campaign unfold, right up until the moment they sealed their spot in the Euros at Seaview back in April last year. In all my experiences in football, it is up there with the best I have had. This squad has a tenacity and a team spirit like no other and what they have achieved already, without kicking a ball at the tournament, will leave a mark on women’s football and football as a whole in Northern Ireland, for years to come. It is a very exciting time for the players and all involved with them.

What does this mean for Women’s Football in Northern Ireland?

What this squad has achieved has and will continue to change the face of women’s football in Northern Ireland. It has already had an incredible impact in putting the women’s game centre stage and providing a platform for the development and growth of the sport. The saying “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it,” has never been more apt when it comes to this squad and what they are doing. Added to that, we also have an incredible group of role models for our young girls and boys to look up to. The tournament itself will only add to that and the legacy it and the girls leave will only boost the game further in Northern Ireland. It provides an incredible opportunity to grow and develop the game and I have no doubt we will see the fruits of that in the next number of years in both participation in the game and engagement with the women’s game on a wider scale.

How do you think the team will do in the championship?

There is no doubt that it is going to be a difficult task and tough challenge for the girls in England this summer. But having spent a long time around this squad and their management team, there is no doubt that the feeling is that they are not going to make up the numbers - they are going to England to challenge and compete. It is really important for us to remember and put into context how far this team has come. They have only been in full-time training since January and before that, the majority of the squad were amateur players. What they have achieved is already remarkable and I have no doubt they will give their absolute best in this tournament. There is no doubt that this is a journey and what an exciting one it has been so far. I’m sure it will continue in England this summer and beyond!