Aston Villa’s Simone Magill included in N. Ireland squad for Malta women qualifier

Northern Ireland qualified for first major tournament in Women’s Euro 2022.

Key player Simone Magill is one of the highlight names included in Northern Ireland squad as they gear up their preparations to host Malta in the Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers opener.

Coached by Tanya Oxtoby, Northern Ireland will host Manuela Tesse’s side in Belfast’s Windsor Park on April 5.

A total of 22 players have been called up including Magill, 29, who is currently on the books of Aston Villa in the prestigious Women’s Super League.

Previously, she played over 100 matches for Everton with whom she became the first Northern Irish women’s player to sign a professional contract in football.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will welcome back Reading’s goalkeeper Jackie Burns for the first time since 2022 having recovered from a couple of long-term injuries.

Named in the squad is forward Caragh Hamilton who is team mates with Malta’s Maria Farrugia at England’s Lewes in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

GOALKEEPERS
Jackie Burns (Reading, England), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Lauren Perry (Montrose, Scotland).

DEFENDERS
Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City, England), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic, England), Laura Rafferty (Southampton, England), Demi Vance (Glentoran Women), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Dugdale (Reading, England), Rachel McLaren (Crusaders Strikers).

MIDFIELDERS
Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell and Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran Women), Megan Bell (Hearts, on loan from Rangers, Scotland), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley, England).

FORWARDS
Kerry Beattie (Glentoran Women), Simone Magill (Aston Villa, England), Lauren Wade (Reading, England), Keri Halliday (Linfield Women), Casey Howe (Athlone Town, Republic of Ireland), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes, England).