Latest news with #LeagueB1
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland know path to top flight after discovering Nations League Play-Off opponents
After finishing second in their group thanks to their final round draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland know only a two-legged tie stands between them and a place in League A. However, they have been handed a tough draw against Iceland, who are ranked 13th in the world and have qualified for the last four European Championships, with the upcoming Euro 2025 their fifth consecutive appearance. Boasting players such as West Ham's Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, Madrid's Hildur Antonsdóttir and Leicester City's Hlín Eiríksdóttir, Iceland will be formidable opponents for Northern Ireland. Oxtoby will be cursing her luck as they could have been drawn against Austria (18th) or Belgium (20th), who will face the Republic of Ireland, although they did avoid the best nation in the draw in 12th-ranked Denmark. However, there will be a glimmer of hope in that Þorsteinn Halldórsson's side haven't won a match since July 16, losing five of their last ten outings and drawing the remainder. Northern Ireland finished second in League B1 behind unbeaten Poland as home wins over Bosnia and Romania, coupled with a pair of 1-1 draws away against the same opponents, saw them secure a Play-Off spot. The two Play-Off games will both be played in October, with the exact dates and venues to be confirmed at a later date.
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hamilton returns to NI squad for Nations League
Nottingham Forest winger Caragh Hamilton has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for February's Nations League missed NI's Euro 2025 play-off defeat by Norway in November with a hamstring 28-year-old replaces Forest team-mate Casey Howe, who has been sidelined with an injury since the Oxtoby's side begin their Nations League campaign away to Poland on Friday, 21 February and at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later. Romania are the fourth side in League B1 and face NI in April's is a settled squad for Oxtoby, with Hamilton the sole addition for Northern Ireland's first fixtures of Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have both been included after moving from Cliftonville to Burnley in the January window. Ellie Mason is one of four Birmingham City players named after winning the Championship's player of the month and goal of the month for Holloway, Rebecca McKenna and captain Simone Magill are the other Blues players named by Connie Scofield and striker Kerry Beattie are also included in the 23-strong squad after loan moves to Sheffield United and Ireland open their campaign, which is linked to 2027 World Cup qualifying, in Gdansk on 21 February before facing Bosnia-Herzegovina, who NI defeated in Euro 2025 qualifying, at Inver Park in Larne on Tuesday, 25 February. Northern Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Rachael Norney (Liverpool Feds).Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Ellie Mason (Birmingham City), Laura Rafferty (Rangers), Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest).Midfielders: Joely Andrews (Hearts), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran), Louise McDaniel (Burnley), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Megan Bell (Nottingham Forest), Connie Scofield (Sheffield United - on loan from London City Lionesses).Forwards: Simone Magill (Birmingham City), Kerry Beattie (Aberdeen - on loan from Hearts), Lauren Wade (Hearts), Emily Wilson (Glentoran), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Caragh Hamilton (Nottingham Forest), Danielle Maxwell (Burnley). Northern Ireland Nations League fixtures League B1Poland v Northern Ireland (Friday, 21 February - Gdansk)Northern Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Tuesday, 25 February - Larne)Romania v Northern Ireland (Friday, 4 April)Northern Ireland v Romania (Tuesday, 8 April)Northern Ireland v Poland (Monday, 30 May)Bosnia-Herzegovina v Northern Ireland (Thursday, 3 June)
