Marissa’s a Euro star

Marissa Callaghan was among the scorers as Northern Ireland Women tonight secured qualification for next summer’s European Championships in England.

The Cliftonville midfielder bagged the opening goal of the second leg of the Play-Off with Ukraine at Seaview, where her 55th minute strike put Kenny Shiels’ side into a 3-1 aggregate lead, which was further extended by an injury-time finish from substitute Nadene Caldwell, who had come on for the Reds favourite.

Getting on the end of Julie Nelson’s free-kick delivery, Callaghan headed the ball into the air but then had the presence of mind to remain alert to the opportunity and coolly steered possession around the advancing goalkeeper before slotting into the net (pictured).

Captain Callaghan can now look forward to skippering Northern Ireland at Euro 2022 and everyone at Solitude sends huge congratulations to her and her history-making team-mates, including fellow Cliftonville star Toni-Leigh Finnegan, who emerged from the bench in the closing stages of this evening’s game.