The newly established Northern Ireland’s women’s futsal team played their first ever match on Sunday (15 April) with a development game against Banbridge Town.
The game, at Shankill Leisure Centre, was a tough challenge against a top men’s side, but the women’s team competed right to the end in a 6-4 defeat.
East Belfast’s Shelley Stothers made a little bit of Northern Ireland football history by becoming the first goal-scorer for the women’s international futsal team.
The other goal-scorers were Rachel McConnell of Portadown Ladies who scored twice and Siobhan Bell of St James Swifts.
Coach Keith Gibson said, 'It was a great opportunity for the team to get match experience. We have been working really hard over the winter developing tactical knowledge and Sunday was about putting that into practice.
‘The new Women's International team is the latest development of our futsal strategy 'Game Changer'. The Irish FA is committed to developing a culture of futsal and this exciting programme provides further opportunities for women to pull on the green shirt and ultimately to represent Northern Ireland in international competition.'
The Irish FA would like to thank Shankill Leisure Centre staff and Belfast City Council for their help and support of the Female futsal programmes
If you would like more information on any of the Irish FA Futsal programmes, please contact Jackie Blyth - jackie.blyth@irishfa.com
Northern Ireland women’s futsal squad v Banbridge Town
Amber Dempster - Linfield Ladies
Heather Mearns - Crusaders Strikers
Louise Docherty - Cliftonville Ladies
Olivia Brown - Comber Rec Ladies
Nadene Caldwell - Glentoran Belfast United
Shelley Stothers - East Belfast Ladies
Megan Weatherall - Cliftonville Ladies
Rachel McConnell - Portadown Ladies
Hollie Johnston - Carnmoney Ladies
Courtney Adamson - Portadown Ladies
Anna Daley - Bangor Ladies
Siobhan Bell - St James Swifts
Megan McCabe - Portadown Ladies
Aimee McNeill - Crusaders Strikers
Hannah Henderson - Ballymena Allstars
Alice Harkness - Tranmere Rovers
Erin Hennirty - Comber Rec Ladies
