An Aust cause

Four Cliftonville players featured for Northern Ireland Women in last night’s World Cup Qualifying defeat to Austria in Wiener Neustadt.

Captain Marissa Callaghan (pictured) was joined in the starting XI by Abbie Magee, while both Kirsty and Caitlin McGuinness were introduced as substitutes, with Reds team-mates Kelsie Burrows and Toni-Leigh Finnegan remaining on the bench throughout.

The hosts took control of the tie in the early stages of the second-half when goals from Carina Wenninger, Nicole Billa and Barbara Dunst put them 3-0 up ahead of Joely Andrews netting a consolation for Kenny Shiels’ side.

The result leaves Northern Ireland three points behind second-placed Austria in Group D ahead of their midweek engagement with leaders England at Windsor Park.