TANYA Oxtoby has revealed there are no injury concerns for Northern Ireland ahead of their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 play-off final against Norway at Inver Park, Larne on Friday night.
Providing a squad update today, the Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager said all 23 players in the panel chosen to face the Norwegians have reported for international duty and are fit and raring to go.
The players trained at Inver Park on Monday, venue for the first instalment of the two-legged play-off final on Friday (7.00pm kick-off).
Among the players training was Hearts Women striker Kerry Beattie, who has returned to the panel after injury.
Captain Simone Magill, defender Laura Rafferty and goalkeeper Jackie Burns faced the media ahead of the squad’s first training session in the run-up to Friday’s match.
All three said the players were excited at the prospect of facing one of the best teams in the world.
But they also said there is belief among them that they can cause a major upset and qualify for the Euros in Switzerland next summer.
Northern Ireland booked their place in the decider with a 2-1 aggregate win over Croatia at the round one stage, while the Norwegians defeated Albania 14-0 on aggregate in their round one play-off.
The second leg is due to be played in Norway next Tuesday (December 3). The match is scheduled to kick off at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo at 5.00pm UK time.
Norway are currently ranked 16th in the world, while Northern Ireland are in 45th place in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings.
Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, Barcelona midfielders Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen, Chelsea midfielder Guro Reiten, Atletico Madrid midfielder Vilde Boe Risa and Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum are among the stars in the 23-strong Norwegian squad.
But Rafferty insisted the Northern Ireland players will face the challenge head on and “give everything” as they attempt to reach the Euros once again.
Tickets for the game against the Norwegians in Larne on Friday (29 November) are available at irishfa.com/tickets.
Northern Ireland in training at Larne and, below, keeper Jackie Burns
