'Pre-match nerves light spark for goalscorer Weir'

BBC News

09-04-2025

With three caps and a first international goal at the age of 18, it seems that Kascie Weir's transition to international football has been seamless.The Glentoran striker came off the bench against Poland in Gdansk to make her senior debut and then was handed first start for her country against Bosnia-Herzegovina last month.After a lively cameo in the 1-1 draw with Romania in Bucharest, she returned to the starting line-up for Tuesday's meeting between the two sides at Windsor Park and showed a striker's instinct to convert Keri Halliday's cross from close range.It all looked effortless for the teenager as she produced a really promising display, linking up well with Simone Magill and Halliday to form a dangerous attacking trio that Romania struggled to contain.No one would have expected the heightened pre-match nerves Weir felt on her way to Windsor, wondering if she could score if a chance fell to her, something she was unable to do despite a good showing against the Bosnians."I was really nervous for tonight, a lot more nervous [than previous caps], I was sitting on the bus with Aimee [Kerr] and I said to her 'my heart is going', I don't know why I was so nervous, I think there was more pressure to perform but we came out and played well," she explained."I would say [the nerves disappeared] in the warm-up, I had a good warm-up and from there I was calm, composed and just went out to play."
Teenager shines in 'fluid' system
Weir showed that calmness and composure in abundance with her goal, arriving in the right place at the right time to sweep home a fine low cross from Halliday.Those traits were not as evident in the celebration, but that can be excused on such a momentous occasion. "I thought maybe this could be my night, I took the first chance I had so I was buzzing," Weir continued."To get my first goal at the National Stadium is unreal. I didn't know what to do [after scoring] I just let everyone run to me, I just thought 'there's no way' but it feels great."The young forward seems to have already formed a good understanding with fellow striker and Northern Ireland captain Magill, someone she looked up to when breaking through."She's an inspiration playing in the nine and me being a striker as well she is a really good mentor on and off the pitch and playing alongside her is amazing."We had two strikers, so we were rotating, it felt fluid, and it felt good to have runners in behind and others dropping deep to play the set and go [passes]."The ambitious teenager believes Northern Ireland should now be hunting down group leaders Poland, who drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.Tanya Oxtoby's side are three points behind Poland, who they face next at Windsor Park on 30 May before finishing their campaign against the Bosnians on 3 June."I feel the squad is strong and everyone knows we're capable of it. I feel as long as we go out and perform in the next two games, we are more than ready to top the group."