Nations League: Furness retains place in Northern Ireland squad

Northern Ireland Women's Manager Tanya Oxtoby

Author: Gareth McCulloughPublished 19th May 2025

Rachel Furness has returned to the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Women's Nations League matches against Poland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The country's record goalscorer was drafted in by Manager Tanya Oxtoby for last month's 1-0 home win over Romania at Windsor Park after Megan Bell had to withdraw through illness.

The Newcastle United midfielder is now included - along with Bell - for the clash against group leaders Poland at Seaview on Friday May 30th and the trip to Zenica and Tuesday June 3rd.

Manchester City goalkeeper Abbie Smith is also included in place of Rachael Norney, havng been brought in as a training player in the last camp.

The matches will be the first without Stuart McLaren, sho stepped down from his role at Coach following that victory over the Romanians.

Poland currently top the group with 10 points from their four games, with Northern Ireland in second place, three points behind.

Glentoran midfielder Chloe McCarron and Nottingham Forest Women striker Casey Howe both remain unavailable as they continue their recovery from injuries.

Northern Ireland squad to play Poland (H) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (A) in the Women's Nations League

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Calgary Wild), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Abbie Smith (Manchester City Women).

Defenders: Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna and Ellie Mason (all Birmingham City Women), Laura Rafferty (Rangers Women), Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers Women), Abi Sweetlove (Linfield Women).

Midfielders: Louise McDaniel and Brenna McPartlan (both Burnley Women), Nadene Caldwell and Aimee Kerr (both Glentoran Women), Joely Andrews (Hearts Women), Megan Bell (Nottingham Forest Women), Connie Scofield (Sheffield United Women, on loan from London City Lionesses), Rachel Furness (Newcastle United Women).

Forwards: Emily Wilson and Kascie Weir (both Glentoran Women), Lauren Wade (Hearts Women), Simone Magill (Birmingham City Women), Keri Halliday (Linfield Women), Danielle Maxwell (Burnley Women), Caragh Hamilton (Nottingham Forest Women).