Latest news with #MarissaCallaghan
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
'One of NI's most impactful players calls time'
With injuries limiting her minutes and Tanya Oxtoby's youthful approach, Rachel Furness' retirement announcement is not entirely unexpected, but it does signal the latest changing of the guard for Northern just like when Marissa Callaghan announced her retirement, it is sad to see another of Northern Ireland's history-making Euro 2022 squad call a player, Furness will be remembered as a fearless competitor who made history by becoming the record goalscorer for her of the most important strikes was in the historic Euro 2022 play-off first leg in Ukraine, when she netted the opening goal before she tried to play on after sustaining a broken leg. That sums up her from her goals, one of the standout memories of Furness is her dancing around with her crutches in the air after the play-off win over also had a huge impact off the pitch, and her openness about her mental health struggles were inspiring as she encouraged other players to be open about their feelings and to stand up for their story is one of resilience and perseverance, and her all-round presence, not just her footballing ability, means she will be regarded as one of the most impactful players in Northern Ireland's storied history.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
The next step or too much to ask? NI earn promotion chance
It wasn't a classic, but it was enough for Northern Ireland to get the job done. The goal had long been for Tanya Oxtoby's youthful side to fight for a chance to earn promotion to League A for the first thanks to Tuesday's 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina, they will play in a promotion play-off in the autumn. A draw was all that was required in Zenica, and captain Simone Magill found the opener after being played in by Rebecca Holloway's inch-perfect the hosts hit back as Sofija Krajsumovic capitalised on some soft defending to bring Bosnia wasn't the dramatics from the reverse fixture in February in Larne, when Magill netted two late goals for a 3-2 win, but it was mission hindsight, that victory was crucial and ultimately the difference between facing a relegation play-off and having a shot at the big time."We needed a draw to get into the position of a play-off and we've got that. That's the main thing," former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said on BBC Sport NI commentary."It's been the same sort of theme from the campaign where we start off really well, get our goal and you just want them to kick on a go for a second or maybe even a third. "But then we've given away a soft goal and it just changes." Will NI close the gap to Europe's elite? Callaghan had touched on what has been a frustrating theme from NI's Nations League campaign. There has certainly been bright moments from the youthful squad, but the lack of a full 90-minute performance has left points on the table after conceding soft goals - most notably in the draws with Romania and Bosnia. It has been a campaign of transition for the squad, with debuts handed to teenagers Kascie Weir, Aimee Kerr and Abi such as Rebecca McKenna, Joely Andrews, Keri Halliday, Danielle Maxwell and Brenna McPartlan, all in their early 20s, have taken more steps forward as leaders in the team, popping up with pivotal the top end of experience, Magill has led the way, but players such as Lauren Wade, Jackie Burns, Holloway and Rachel Dugdale have had their moments the campaign has been inconsistent, the blend in the squad shows things are pointing towards a bright the positives, such as the flowing first-half football at home to Romania and defensive solidity in the second half away in Poland (albeit when the team were already 2-0 down) can start outweighing the negatives then the team will continue to move in the right direction. Is it enough for Northern Ireland to take the next step and join the top tier of European football? Time will tell. The 7-0 aggregate defeat by Norway in the Euro 2025 play-offs showed that Europe's elite are on a different level, and the two Nations League games with Poland suggested there's work to do to close the gap to the best of the rest in the autumn they will get another opportunity to try and bridge that gap in a promotion play-off. They will be drawn against either Iceland, Denmark, Belgium or Austria, and will have nothing to lose as the underdogs - a tag which has suited Northern Ireland well in the past. "They would be really tough games. Iceland might be a team we would hope to get, but all four of them are League A teams who have qualified for major tournaments in recent years," Callaghan added. "We've played Austria and we know what they are capable of, but you can only take it one game at a time."Tanya and her team will make sure they do their homework on the opposition and set up accordingly."Even if the step up to League A is out of reach in the autumn, Callaghan doesn't necessarily believe that staying in their current tier would be a bad outcome."We're bringing a lot of youth into the squad and there are so many players who have less than 10 caps or just come out of the Under-19s. "So, to expect them to go up to League A and compete, I think it's a little bit too much to ask."We have a few 30-year-olds in terms of experience. Listen, League B has been a good league for us and it's been challenging for us."
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Watch: Northern Ireland hosting group leaders Poland
Update: Date: 19:03 BST Title: CLOSE! Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland I've no idea how Poland didn't score inside 60 seconds. A ball was clipped over the top for Ewa Pajor, who spotted that Jackie Burns had raced off her line and lobbed the ball towards goal. It looked like it would drop in but it takes a big bounce and lands on the roof of the net. That's a very early let-off. Update: Date: 19:01 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer We started off on the front foot against Romania, so hopefully we can do that again. Update: Date: 19:01 BST Title: KICK-OFF Content: Northern Ireland 0-0 Poland Off we go in Belfast! Remember, a point will be enough to secure a promotion play-off with a game to spare. Update: Date: 18:59 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer We have some amazing memories form Seaview and hopefully the sold-out crowd will get behind us. Update: Date: 18:57 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) It's time for the anthems. First up, it's Poland. Update: Date: 18:55 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Simone Magill leads out Northern Ireland at Seaview, and is followed by Barcelona star Ewa Pajor and Poland. It's a glorious evening in Belfast. Let's hope the game can match the weather. Update: Date: 18:54 BST Title: 'Refined' NI can stun Poland - Magill Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill believes her side are more "refined" as they prepare to take on Poland. Poland ran out 2-0 winners against Northern Ireland in February's opener as the top seeds hit a quickfire double. Tanya Oxtoby's side responded by collecting seven points from a possible nine and can still earn promotion from League B. "Poland are a really tough team," said Birmingham City striker Magill. "It was a tough night for us over there at the start of the group but we've had a lot of games since. "We've refined in a lot of areas, and we had a really good performance at home last time out [against Romania]." Update: Date: 18:52 BST Title: Rafferty out injured Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby, speaking on BBC iPlayer: "It's a shame for Raff [Laura Rafferty]. She picked up a knock on Tuesday, we thought we could manage it but she's not going to be right for tonight. She'll still play a role off the pitch with her leadership." Update: Date: 18:50 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Marissa CallaghanFormer Northern Ireland captain BBC iPlayer The girls will be buzzing. It's all to play for and it's an exciting night. I hope they can do the business. Update: Date: 18:49 BST Title: Sweetlove steps up Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Lauren McCannBBC Sport NI at Seaview An international debut for any player is a big night, but given what is at stake and who she is up against, it is a huge occasion for Linfield defender Abi Sweetlove. The teenager faces the unenviable task of stopping one of the world's best strikers on her first start for her country as she comes up against Poland and Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor. The 28-year-old scored 25 goals in 28 league games and netted seven in 11 Champions League games. It will certainly be a baptism of fire for the Blues youngster, who has impressed in the Women's Premiership Update: Date: 18:47 BST Title: Team news - Debut for Sweetlove Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland Tanya Oxtoby has shown in the past that she's not afraid to throw youth in the deep end, and that's what has happened to Abi Sweetlove this evening. The Linfield defender, 19, has been in a number of camps but will make her debut against Poland's star-studded line-up. Megan Bell is also introduced as Tanya Oxtoby makes two changes from the team tat defeated Romania in April. Caragh Hamilton and Keri Halliday are the players who make way. It's a strong side for Poland, who are led by star striker Ewa Pajor, as they get ready for the Euro 2025 finals. Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, Sweetlove, Caldwell, Mason, Holloway, McPartlan, Andrews, Bell, Magill (capt), Weir. Subs: A Smith, K Smith, Dugdale, Rafferty, Kerr, McDaniel, Furness, Halliday, Hamilton, Wade, Maxwell, Wilson. Poland: Szemik, Wiankowska, Dudek, Szymczak, Zienewicz, Kamczyk, Pawollek, Achcinska, Padilla, Pajor (capt), Tomasiak. Subs: Radkiewicz, Seweryn, Cyrniak, Zaremba, Mesjasz, Zawistowska, Brodzik, Grabowska, Kokosz, Jedlinska, Slowinska, Adamek. Update: Date: 18:45 BST Title: NI 'need to be more confident' against Poland - Rafferty Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty says her side should take belief into tonight'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." Update: Date: 18:42 BST Title: Post Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland aren't the only home nation in action this evening. England are in League A action at Wembley against Portugal from 19:45 BST, while Scotland are also in action later in Austria. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland are currently being held in Turkey and Wales, who kicked off at 18:15 BST, are drawing with Denmark but are knocking on the door for an opener. You can follow updates from all those matches on the BBC Sport website and app. Update: Date: 18:40 BST Title: What's happened so far? Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Northern Ireland faced Poland in their opening fixture, and the top seeds ran out 2-0 winners to claim top spot in Group B1. Poland then defeated Romania 1-0, while Northern Ireland needed two late goals from Simone Magill to defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-2 at Inver Park. In a double-header wit Romania, NI drew 1-1 in Bucharest before Kascie Weir's first international goal gave Tanya Oxtoby's side all three points in the reverse fixture. Poland, on the other hand, hammered Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-1 but were held to a 1-1 draw in Zenica. Update: Date: 18:38 BST Title: Can NI take the next step? Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) The Poles won the opening game between the sides, but if Tanya Oxtoby's side can pull off an upset they would be in a strong position heading into the final round of matches. Even if Northern Ireland lose to Poland on Friday, it will come down to a final game shootout between the sides for the promotion play-off spot. As things stand in League A, possible play-off opponents could include the likes of Austria, Denmark, Portugal and Iceland. Ultimately, no matter what happens against Poland, NI's League A hopes are in their own hands. "It's what we wanted. We wanted to be in this position heading into the final two games where we can control our own destiny," Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI. "It's a real credit to this group of staff and players where we are in a position where we could do something special and top the group. Our destiny is in our own hands. "We just need to take it one game at a time and focus on our performance." Update: Date: 18:36 BST Title: How things stand Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) Here's how things stand in Group B2. In good news for Northern Ireland, Romania have defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, which puts Northern Ireland in a great position to secure at least a promotion play-off. A point would be enough for Tanya Oxtoby's side to wrap up second place, but they're still in decent shape even with a defeat. Update: Date: 18:33 BST Title: Smith replaces injured Harvey-Clifford in NI squad Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) 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. She joins Jackie Burns and 16-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper Abbie Smith in the squad. Northern Ireland will host unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview, 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. Goalkeeper Kate Smith Update: Date: 18:28 BST Title: Let's go! Content: Northern Ireland v Poland (19:00 BST) BBC iPlayer Domestic football may largely be done and dusted for the season, but the Nations League will keep us ticking over for the next week or so. Northern Ireland are back in action and will look to get some revenge on Poland, who ran out 2-0 winners in February's opener. You can watch the game live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan on commentary alongside Michael Clarke.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cliftonville start title defence with Linfield draw
Champions Cliftonville were held 1-1 at home by Linfield on the opening night of the new Women's Premiership season. The Reds went behind through Cora Chambers' effort in the 55th minute after the forward was picked out by Zoe McGlynn. But former Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan equalised with just under 15 minutes to play to ensure the points were shared at Solitude. The north Belfast side's nearest challengers last season, Glentoran, opened their campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win over Lisburn Ladies at Bluebell Stadium. Kascie Weir and Aimee Kerr both scored twice in the victory, with Jess Foy and substitute Rachel Rogan also on target for the Glens while Morgan Shannon netted a late consolation for the hosts. Lisburn Rangers started their season with a big win too as they beat Larne 5-0 at Crewe Park. Gracie Conway opened the scoring after just nine minutes before Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw put them in a commanding position before half-time. Conway added her second and her side's fourth before Anastasija Stanyte rounded out the scoring before the hour-mark. Rebecca Mann also began the season with a double as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women 4-2 at Seaview. Jessica Rea and Sophie Gargan were the others to find the net for the Crues who led 4-0 before Tara O'Connor-Farren and Cache Crumlish-Hawes scored for the Candystripes.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cliftonville start title defence with Linfield draw
Champions Cliftonville were held 1-1 at home by Linfield on the opening night of the new Women's Premiership Reds went behind through Cora Chambers' effort in the 55th minute after the forward was picked out by Zoe former Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan equalised with just under 15 minutes to play to ensure the points were shared at north Belfast side's nearest challengers last season, Glentoran, opened their campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win over Lisburn Ladies at Bluebell Weir and Aimee Kerr both scored twice in the victory, with Jess Foy and substitute Rachel Rogan also on target for the Glens while Morgan Shannon netted a late consolation for the Rangers started their season with a big win too as they beat Larne 5-0 at Crewe Conway opened the scoring after just nine minutes before Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw put them in a commanding position before added her second and her side's fourth before Anastasija Stanyte rounded out the scoring before the Mann also began the season with a double as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women 4-2 at Rea and Sophie Gargan were the others to find the net for the Crues who led 4-0 before Tara O'Connor-Farren and Cache Crumlish-Hawes scored for the Candystripes.
