Euro stars

Following their return home, Cliftonville Football Club offers another salute to the six history-makers who represented the Reds at the European Championships.

Kelsie Burrows, Marissa Callaghan, Kirsty McGuinness, Louise McDaniel, Caitlin McGuinness and Abbie Magee were all part of the Northern Ireland Women’s squad that competed at the tournament in England, with all six enjoying game-time during the team’s Group A campaign.

As cliftonvillefc.net demonstrated in a pre-event feature, as well as providing more players to the Northern Ireland panel than any other side, the Reds had a larger Euro 2022 contingent than some of the most recognisable names on the Club scene – Ajax, Inter, Lazio, Liverpool and Milan to name but a few.

By virtue of being named in the starting XI for the side’s opening fixture against Norway on July 7, Burrows and Magee (above) share the distinction of being the first ever Cliftonville players – male or female – to have featured at a senior international tournament.

Captain Callaghan was introduced from the bench at half-time before the McGuinness sisters entered the fray as five of the Reds’ travelling party enjoyed minutes on the pitch.

Callaghan (above) and Kirsty McGuinness then started the subsequent clash against Austria, with Magee, McDaniel and Caitlin McGuinness emerging as substitutes.

Northern Ireland’s final game saw them tackle hosts England at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton – where all of the team’s Group A games were staged – and, again, Callaghan and Kirsty McGuinness  (above) were both starters ahead of Magee and Burrows being introduced.

Our congratulations go to all six of our players involved in the tournament and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Solitude as preparations continue for Cliftonville Ladies’ return to Danske Bank Women’s Premiership action next month.