Lauren predicting great things ahead for NI soccer girls

21 April 2021

BALLYNAHINCH goalkeeper Lauren Perry has said Northern Ireland’s women can inspire the next generation after qualifying for Euro 2022.

Northern Ireland made their first ever major tournament last week after beating Ukraine in the playoffs over two legs, sealing it at Seaview with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from captain Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell.

Kenny Shiels’ side won the first leg out in Ukraine with goals from Liverpool’s Rachel Furness and Everton striker Simone Magill to take a 2-1 lead back to Belfast with them.

Perry (20), who plays for Scottish side Forfar Farmington, wasn’t included in the squad for the playoffs but has been involved throughout the Euro 2022 qualification period.

“It’s surreal that we’ve booked our place in the Euros. Even just saying we’re going to the Euros is just unbelievable, it’s massive for the country,” she said.

“Looking back ten years ago we wouldn’t have been in contention to qualify so just to see the transformation over the years is great. At the start of the campaign we got beat 6-0 by Norway and we didn’t even bat an eyelid at it we just kept going.

“When we beat Belarus 1-0 we were down to ten players and I think that’s when we started to realise that we could make it happen”.

Perry started her career at Ballynahinch Youth before moving to Linfield and eventually getting her move across the water to Blackburn Rovers and now Forfar Farmington.

The shot-stopper spoke about what qualifying for the Euros will do to the future generation of Northern Irish players.

”We really want to inspire the next generation and make it possible for any girl to go and pick up a pair of football boots or a football shirt and go out to play, that was the main thing for us,” she said.

“But even in terms of the older players that are maybe towards the end of their career, to be role models for the younger ones coming through is just great to see.”

Northern Ireland are the second smallest nation to qualify for the Women’s Euros with Iceland being the first. Many of the Northern Irish players playing in the local Irish League have only had just one match since December, which was against England in February.

“We have a lot of players that go and do their nine to five jobs and then come to training, they’ve dedicated themselves to that,” said Perry.

“Especially the older ones, as for the younger ones like myself we’re pushing through and hopefully get across the water,” she added.

“The league in Northern Ireland is good but it’s not as competitive as the league here in Scotland or in England.”

Perry has been a consistent performer for Forfar Farmington since signing from Rovers and she hopes to be rejoining the National team for next year’s Euros.

“I need to keep doing what I am doing. I’m enjoying my football at the minute and playing week in, week out is something I hope I can continue to do and continue to perform then I’ll catch the eye of Kenny Shiels again and hopefully come next summer I’ll be on that plane.

“At Forfar Farmington I get tested week in, week out. I go into every game knowing that I’m going to have to do something and that I’m going to have to be on top form which is good for me because it means I can’t switch off and have to be ready each week” she added.

Of Shiels, who has led Northern Ireland’s women to their first major tournament, she says: “He’s changed the way we play, we’re playing with a lot more confidence. We are a lot more confident on the ball, beforehand we would have just kicked it up the pitch and get a two second breather and we’re back to defending” said the Ballynahinch goalkeeper.

“But now we’re just so confident and everyone is enjoying their football. Alfie Wylie did great things for the team but I think Kenny coming in has just freshened it up and it gave everyone that sense of we can achieve something” she added.

On Friday it was announced that Northern Ireland had moved up to 48th in the FIFA World rankings which is the highest they’ve ever been.

The delighted Perry said: “It’s massive for Northern Ireland, we beat Ukraine by a good gap overall as it was 4-1 but they were 24th or something like that ranked.

“So just beating teams like that just shows how we are progressing and I think now it’s what we deserve and hopefully over the coming years we can progress” she added.

Northern Ireland have played their games at Seaview, home of Crusaders, for the last few years, but following the qualification it was mentioned about Windsor Park being the venue for future fixtures.

“I’ve played at Windsor Park once and it’s so big. Seaview probably suits us better and it saves our legs” said Perry.

“Windsor Park is the home of Northern Ireland football and it would mean a lot for the girls who haven’t played there to eventually step on that pitch and get a game representing their country on the pitch that the men play on.”

Shiels recently commented the win was the best sporting achievement in UK history due to the fact amateur players had beaten professionals throughout the game.

“It’s a huge statement to come out with but I think part of it is true because nobody would ever have expected little Northern Ireland to qualify for the Euros” said Perry.

“Nobody would have have looked at us before and said that we are going to qualify. However, I now hope people start to look at us and begin to realise that Northern Ireland are progressing and getting places.”

Perry made headlines at the weekend as she scored a dramatic last minute equaliser in Forfar Farmington’s 1-1 draw with Hearts. The goalkeeper scored a free-kick from 30 yards out in the last minute of the match to earn her side a point.

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