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Teenage goalkeeper called into Northern Ireland squad for Nations League double-header

Teenage goalkeeper called into Northern Ireland squad for Nations League double-header

Teenage goalkeeper Kate Smith has been called in to the Northern Ireland squad by manager Tanya Oxtoby's for the upcoming Women's Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Lisburn Rangers shot stopper will replace Maddy Harvey-Clifford who has withdrawn from the squad through injury.
Oxtoby said: 'Kate is a young player we've been monitoring for some time. She equipped herself well when she joined the squad as a training player during our last camp and deserves her place for these two games.'
Kate Smith is one of two teenage goalkeepers in the squad, with Manchester City youngster Abbie Smith named in the original panel.
The two youngster will likely play back-up to experience first-choice goalkeeper Jackie Burns.
The clash with Poland will be played at Seaview on Friday night, with kick-off at 7pm, before the team travel to Zenica's for Tuesday clash.
Oxtoby added: 'It's great to get the players together again. There is an optimistic mood about the place.
"We know we need to put the work in here over the next few days to prepare ourselves for the games against two quality teams in Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
'The players are all eager to play in front of the Green and White Army and we know how important they can be in helping us deliver a positive performance.'

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