Latest news with #KateSmith
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI Women's boss has full faith teen shot-stoppers will come good: ‘If they are called upon, I know they are ready to go'
Instead, the manager has backed uncapped namesake teenagers Abbie and Kate Smith to rise to the challenge if she has to throw either in at the deep end. Jackie Burns' status as Northern Ireland's No.1 is in no doubt and backed up by the fact that she has played every minute of the 15 matches since she returned from injury against Malta in April 2024. Behind her, however, there is no experienced or obvious backup. Sixteen-year-old Abbie Smith played just once in the Women's Premiership for Crusaders Strikers before moving to Manchester City's Academy in 2025. Kate Smith, who was called into the squad to face Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina after Maddy Harvey-Clifford was ruled out, does have more club game-time behind her with both Larne Women and Lisburn Rangers and was part of the Northern Ireland Under-19 squad that played in the recent European qualifiers. 'From my point of view, both Abbie and Kate deserve to be here,' said Oxtoby. 'If they are called upon, I know they are ready to go. 'If it goes really well, I take all the credit, and if it goes really poorly, then I'll take the flak for that. 'It's no different to outfield players, they have to be given the opportunity. They came into the environment last time around as training players, they did really, really well and they deserve to be here.' Four goalkeepers were used in the 12 games that Burns missed during a year out with an Achilles tendon injury. Shannon Turner played six times but hasn't been in a squad since Burns returned, while Harvey-Clifford started four times and Lilie Woods and Rachael Norney shared a clean sheet when both made what is their only senior appearance so far in a friendly away to the Czech Republic in July 2023. Lauren Perry had returned to the squads at the start of 2024 but her chances of challenging for a starting place were wrecked by a third cruciate ligament injury, and Becky Flaherty, who kept two crucial clean sheets on the way to the Women's Euro 2022 Finals, hasn't been in a single squad since the tournament. The selection of the two Smiths may be with the future in mind, but the present also has to be taken into account with a Nations League Promotion Play-Off still to be played for in Bosnia. 'I know they are prepared really well if needed,' said Oxtoby ahead of Tuesday's encounter in Zenica. 'If the time comes and they go into the game, I've got no doubt that they'll do the job that is asked of them. 'If they make a mistake, that's on me, not on them.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Northern Ireland 'need to be more confident' against Poland
Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty says her side should take belief into Friday's crucial Nations League game against Poland at Seaview. Tanya Oxtoby's side lost 2-0 away to the Euro 2025-bound Poles in February and go into the final two matches of their Group B1 campaign trailing the leaders by three points thanks to subsequent home wins over Bosnia-Herzogovina and Romania, plus an away draw with the Romanians. A win over Poland would put Northern Ireland in control of their own destiny in terms of potentially winning the group going into Tuesday's trip to Zenica to play Bosnia-Herzegovina. "We spoke about our aims from the start and coming into the last two games we're completely on target and we know what we have to do," said Rafferty. "Going into this game I think we need to be more confident [than in the defeat by Poland]. It's a massive game for us and the only thing we want from it is a win. "We're looking forward to it and we're just dissecting their [Poland's] games. Teams have strengths, but they have weaknesses too and it's what you do to exploit them." Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Kate Smith became the latest young player to be drafted into the NI squad on Monday, joining the likes of fellow stopper Abbie Smith, Aimee Kerr, Abi Sweetlove, Keri Halliday and Kascie Weir. As one of the more experienced players in the squad, Rafferty says the mood in the camp in advance of the double-header is "upbeat" and the youthful players are blending in well. "We've got so many young players who come in without fear, a lot of younger additions who are coming in and thoroughly enjoying it. "The experiences and the learning that they'll get from this camp alone will be amazing for their journeys." The former Chelsea, Brighton and Southampton player, who also had a loan spell with Bristol City, has just completed her first season as part of the Rangers squad. Her club agonisingly lost out to Hibernian on the final day of the Scottish Women's Premier League season but seven days later defeated Glasgow City 3-0 to win the Women's Scottish Cup final on Sunday, adding that trophy to the Women's Premier League Cup they collected in March. "I've absolutely loved every minute at Rangers, there have been a lot of fantastic moments during the year and some harder moments recently with the league. "When you play for a club like Rangers you want to take all three [trophies], that's the mentality that you have to show. "It hurt that Sunday, what happened [losing out on the league], massive congratulations to Hibs, but we then had the chance to end the season on a high going into the Glasgow City game and we wanted to leave no regrets. "At the end of the day the trophy was ours and we wanted to keep our name on it. We're glad to get the job done." The 29-year-old centre-back hopes to make further progress in her second season in Scotland. "I've experienced a lot - new league, new players and a new environment, that will be massive to help me progress even more next year."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Northern Ireland 'need to be more confident' against Poland
Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty says her side should take belief into Friday's crucial Nations League game against Poland at Oxtoby's side lost 2-0 away to the Euro 2025-bound Poles in February and go into the final two matches of their Group B1 campaign trailing the leaders by three points thanks to subsequent home wins over Bosnia-Herzogovina and Romania, plus an away draw with the Romanians.A win over Poland would put Northern Ireland in control of their own destiny in terms of potentially winning the group going into Tuesday's trip to Zenica to play Bosnia-Herzegovina."We spoke about our aims from the start and coming into the last two games we're completely on target and we know what we have to do," said Rafferty."Going into this game I think we need to be more confident [than in the defeat by Poland]. It's a massive game for us and the only thing we want from it is a win."We're looking forward to it and we're just dissecting their [Poland's] games. Teams have strengths, but they have weaknesses too and it's what you do to exploit them."Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Kate Smith became the latest young player to be drafted into the NI squad on Monday, joining the likes of fellow stopper Abbie Smith, Aimee Kerr, Abi Sweetlove, Keri Halliday and Kascie one of the more experienced players in the squad, Rafferty says the mood in the camp in advance of the double-header is "upbeat" and the youthful players are blending in well."We've got so many young players who come in without fear, a lot of younger additions who are coming in and thoroughly enjoying it."The experiences and the learning that they'll get from this camp alone will be amazing for their journeys." 'Loving every minute at Rangers' The former Chelsea, Brighton and Southampton player, who also had a loan spell with Bristol City, has just completed he first season as part of the Rangers club agonisingly lost out to Hibernian on the final day of the Scottish Women's Premier League season but seven days later defeated Glasgow City 3-0 to win the Women's Scottish Cup final on Sunday, adding that trophy to the Women's Premier League Cup they collected in March."I've absolutely loved every minute at Rangers, there have been a lot of fantastic moments during the year and some harder moments recently with the league."When you play for a club like Rangers you want to take all three [trophies], that's the mentality that you have to show."It hurt that Sunday, what happened [losing out on the league], massive congratulations to Hibs, but we then had the chance to end the season on a high so going into the Glasgow City game and we wanted to leave no regrets. "At the end of the day the trophy was ours and we wanted to keep our name on it. We're glad to get the job done."The 29-year-old centre-back hopes to make further progress in her second season in Scotland."I've experienced a lot - new league, new players and a new environment, that will be massive to help me progress even more next year."
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
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.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Smith replaces injured Harvey-Clifford in NI squad
Teenage Lisburn Rangers goalkeeper Kate Smith has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming Women's Nations League matches against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is a first senior international call-up for Smith, 18, who replaces Crusaders stopper Maddy Harvey-Clifford, who has withdrawn through injury. Northern Ireland will host unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview on Friday (19:00 BST), followed by a trip to Zenica to face third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later (18:00 BST). "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," said Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby. The Northern Ireland squad gathered at their training base in Leicester on Monday, where they will train before final preparations take place in Belfast for the League B Group 1 encounter. 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." Northern Ireland trail the Poles by three points in their group with two matches remaining. Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Calgary Wild), Kate Smith (Lisburn Rangers), 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).
