6 current Glens players – Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Nadene Caldwell, Chloe McCarron, Emily Wilson and Demi Vance were in the Northern Ireland senior squad for its home and away UEFA Nations League Play-Off games against Montenegro.
In the away leg Demi scored the second NI goal in a 2-0 win, the other goal coming from Glens Legend Lauren Wade, now with Reading FC from a Demi assist. Demi was voted Player of the Match.
The home leg was a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium which means Northern Ireland retain their place in League B for the European Qualifiers phase of the Women’s Nations League later this year.
6 more Glentoran players – Aimee Kerr, Kascie Weir, Megan Neill, Rachel McIntyre, Sarah Tweedie and Sofie Keenan were in the Under 19 squad for 2 friendlies v Greece in preparation for games against Estonia, Kazakhstan and Georgia in April in stage two of the qualifiers for Women’s U19 Euro 2024.
In the first game our first teamer Kascie Weir scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Blanchflower Stadium. In the second, 5 of our players had game time but a second half burst from the Greek team resulted in a 3-1 away win.
Laura Dowey, Clodagh Maguire and Rhianna Murphy were selected for the U17 squad to face Malta and Luxembourg, in stage two of the qualifiers for Women’s U17 Euro 2024. The girls had a 5-1 win over Malta and a 4-1 win over Luxembourg.
Finally, we’ve had 3 players selected for the 20-strong panel chosen to represent Northern Ireland at an upcoming UEFA development tournament. The four-team mini tournament featuring Spain, Belgium, Iceland and Northern Ireland is due to be staged in Belfast from 10 to 15 March. Congratulations and good luck to Lily Jeffrey, Caitie McGurnaghan and Anna Walsh.
Well done to all the Glens players for their contribution to the international sides this week. All bodes well for the new season and the future at Glentoran Women.