One addition as Oxtoby names NI squad for Women's Nations League
The side take on Hungary in a double header next week
Tanya Oxtoby will have one new face in her panel for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League double header against Hungary.
The Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager has added Cliftonville Ladies defender Kelsie Burrows to her squad, but the rest of the group remains unchanged from last month.
Burrows’ inclusion means Oxtoby now has a 24-strong panel to choose from as she aims to put more points on the board in the Nations League.
The first of the two games against Hungary in League B Group 1 is due to be staged next Friday October 27 at Gyirmoti Stadion in Gyor, the main city of north-west Hungary. The game will have a 5.15pm kick-off UK time.
And the following Tuesday, October 31st, the two sides meet again at Seaview in Belfast, with a 7pm start.
Last month Northern Ireland lost their first ever match in the UEFA Women’s Nations League – 3-0 to Republic of Ireland in Dublin – before bouncing back to defeat Albania Women 1-0 at home.
Hungary drew with Albania away in their opening fixture in the inaugural Nations League and then lost 4-0 at home to the Republic in their second game.
Northern Ireland’s fixtures in League B Group 1 will conclude with an away game against Albania on Friday December 1st, followed by a home game against the Republic on December 5th. The Republic are top seeds in the group, with Northern Ireland the second seeds.
The senior women’s squad for the double header against Hungary is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Rachael Norney (Cliftonville), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lilie Woods (Mid Ulster Ladies)
Defenders: Abbie Magee and Kelsie Burrows (both Cliftonville), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Ellie Mason (Birmingham City), Sarah McFadden (Durham), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic), Laura Rafferty (Southampton), Demi Vance (Glentoran)
Midfielders: Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell and Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran), Megan Bell (Rangers), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville), Rachel Furness (Bristol City), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes)
Forwards: Caitlin McGuinness and Kirsty McGuinness (both Cliftonville), Kerry Beattie and Emily Wilson (both Glentoran), Simone Magill (Aston Villa), Lauren Wade (Reading)