Northern Ireland Women's Football Team

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Northern Ireland internationals Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have left Women's Premiership champions Cliftonville to join Burnley.

Both players played a key role Cliftonville's two title winning seasons in 2022 and 2024.

Maxwell managed 11 league goals and McDaniel netted the opener in the 5-0 Irish Cup final win against Lisburn Rangers as the Reds won a domestic treble last season and enjoyed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership campaign.

Winger Maxwell, who previously had a short stint at Blackburn Rovers, won the Women's Premiership Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2024

The 22-year-old has won 16 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring two goals.

McDaniel joined John McGrady's side in 2021 after spells with Linfield, Hearts and Blackburn Rovers.

The centre midfielder was part of Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad and has won 17 caps, becoming first Northern Ireland women's player to score at Windsor Park, when she netted in a 4-0 victory over Latvia in 2021.

The two players will link up with international teammate Brenna McPartlan at the Clarets, who sit third in Women's Premier Division.

"It's a very competitive league and it's a big step for me, but from what I've seen of the club it's very professional," Maxwell told the club's website.

"I'm here to help with goals and assists but ultimately, the most important thing is that the team keeps getting results.

"It's an exciting time at the club with some clear goals in mind and they align with my own ambitions, so I thought it was a really good fit," McDaniel added.

"I spoke to Brenna and she told me everything about the club. Having been here for a few days now it has surpassed my expectations."

Image source, Inpho

Birmingham City forward Simone Magill has been voted Northern Ireland Women's player of the year by the side's supporters.

In an eventful 2024, the 30-year-old was named captain of her country and found the net twice against Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as making the move to St Andrew's from Aston Villa.

The former Everton player was especially pleased to receive an award voted for by supporters.

"Our fans are fantastic and always get behind us, and it's always really nice to be recognised by the fans," she said.

"Playing for Northern Ireland was always my dream, and it still is. I want to go on and push on and keep achieving great things wearing the green shirt."

Magill and her international team-mates will be back in action next month when their Uefa Nations League campaign starts with a trip to Poland on 21 February.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland defender Rachel Dugdale says there is "no pressure" on the underdogs in the second leg of their Euro 2025 play-off in Norway.

Norway delivered on their favourites tag with a commanding 4-0 win at Inver Park and will look to finish the job in Oslo on Tuesday.

Dugdale admits that Friday's game was a "tough one" but Tanya Oxtoby's youthful side will learn from the experience.

"It is a free hit because there is no pressure so let's go for it," said the Blackburn Rovers defender.

"It's another opportunity to learn. We want to play against these big hitters. It's another test to challenge ourselves.

"If we want to be playing at the Euros we have to start beating teams like this, so it's another chance to see how we fare against them."

Caroline Graham Hansen scored twice in the first half while Tuva Hansen also netted before the break.

Northern Ireland improved in the second half, however Guro Bergsvand added a fourth.

Dugdale added the half-time team talk by Oxtoby helped the players settle.

"You're not sure what to expect at half-time when you know you've not been good enough.

"It can go either way, but it was great of the coaches to stay level-headed. It helped us put in a better second half performance because it was tactical and informative, rather than emotional.

"You always want to play against the best and see how you fare. It was a great challenge and great experience."