Summary

  • Northern Ireland 1-1 Montenegro FT

  • Northern Ireland win 3-1 on aggregate

  • International friendly - Republic of Ireland 0-2 Wales FT

  1. Postpublished at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Rebecca McKenna charges from one box to another with a super run.

    She cuts the ball back but Joely Andrews and Simone Magill get in each other's way and it's out for a goal kick.

    That was a good chance!

  2. Postpublished at 19:11 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    The corner fails to beat the first Montenegrin defender and the visitors manage to clear.

  3. Postpublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Lauren McCann
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    Maddy Harvey-Clifford was a virtual spectator in the first leg, but she makes a stunning early save to deny Armisa Kuc.

    That came after a slack pass from Chloe McCarron was intercepted, Northern Ireland have been a bit wasteful in possession in the last few minutes.

  4. Postpublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Lauren Wade wins a corner after her shot was deflected.

    This has been like a tennis match in the opening 10 minutes, and that's not just because there is a Djokovic on the pitch....

  5. Watch: Republic of Ireland v Walespublished at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Women's international friendly, Tallaght Stadium, 19:30 Kick-off

    Catrin Heledd presents live coverage as Republic of Ireland host Wales in a women's international friendly. Studio guests are Katie Sherwood and Nia Jones.

    Live on BBC Two Wales and BBC iPlayer from 19:15 GMT

    Republic of Ireland v WalesImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Republic of Ireland v Wales

  6. GREAT SAVE!published at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Northern Ireland play themselves into trouble and that allows Armisa Kuc into the area.

    The striker takes a touch and shoots, but Maddy Harvey-Clifford was there to pull off a great save from point-blank range.

    Big moment from the Crusaders stopper!

  7. Postpublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Djokovic stands over the corner again but it drifts out of play for a goal kick.

  8. CLOSE!published at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    It's a good strike but the Northern Ireland wall stands tall and it's out for a corner.

  9. Postpublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Sarah McFadden fouls Armisa Kuc on the edge of the box and this is a really good chance to test Maddy Harvey-Clifford.

    Jansa Djokovic stands over it...

  10. Postpublished at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Demi Vance whips in a corner and it's inches away from the head of Laura Rafferty.

    Montenegro, who haven't looked overly convincing in defence in the early stages, manage to clear.

  11. CLOSE!published at 19:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Joely Andrews has the first shot within 15 seconds but she fires wide.

    That's a positive start. Don't forget, Northern Ireland have a two-goal advantage from the first leg.

  12. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Montenegro

    Off we go! Can Northern Ireland retain their place in League B?

  13. Minute's applausepublished at 18:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    There will be a minute's applause ahead of kick-off in memory of former Northern Ireland defender Chris Nicholl, who passed away earlier in the week at the age of 77.

    Nicholl made his international debut in 1974 and won 51 caps for Northern Ireland.

    He was part of the Northern Ireland team which reached the World Cup finals in 1982.

  14. Postpublished at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    The teams are out on the pitch and it's time for the anthems.

    Michelle O'Neill, the First minister of the Executive Government at Stormont, and Emma Little-Pengelly, the Deputy First Minister, are in attendance this evening.

    Northern Ireland v MontenegroImage source, BBC Sport
  15. 'My knee injury gave me more perspective on life' - Dugdalepublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    "I feel a better player for it and it sort of gives you more perspective on life and everything like that, not to take it too seriously."

    After overcoming an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Rachel Dugdale's story is one that is all too familiar in women's football.

    The full-back sustained a knee injury in training when at Charlton Athletic in February 2022.

    It came 18 months after her last call-up to the Northern Ireland squad and it ended any chance of a return for the Euro 2022 finals.

    Read more here

    Northern Ireland defender Rachel DugdaleImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland defender Rachel Dugdale

  16. Clear skies in Belfastpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    Lauren McCann
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The earlier rain in Belfast has cleared and it is a pleasant evening in the south of the city, albeit a little chilly.

    Northern Ireland have tended to struggle playing on the bigger pitch at Windsor Park, suffering heavy defeats against England and Republic of Ireland here.

    Montenegro are nowhere near as potent as those two sides, so Tanya Oxtoby will be hoping her side can use the width of the pitch to their advantage, especially with the inclusion of Caragh Hamilton and Laure Wade on the wings.

    They also have strong options on the bench if needed with the likes of captain Marissa Callaghan, Blackburn's latest signing Danielle Maxwell and the exciting Keri Halliday and Kerry Beattie if required to turn the tide in Northern Ireland's favour.

    Northern Ireland v MontenegroImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Team newspublished at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro, 19:00 GMT

    Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby has made two changes from the team that triumphed in the first leg in Podgorica on Friday.

    Megan Bell will start in midfield in place of captain Marissa Callaghan, while Caragh Hamilton gets the nod ahead of Danielle Maxwell on the wing.

    With Callaghan on the bench, defender Laura Rafferty will wear the armband.

    Montenegro have made one change with Maja Saranovic coming in for Aleksandra Popovic.

    Northern Ireland: Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Rebecca McKenna, Sarah McFadden, Laura Rafferty (capt), Demi Vance, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Megan Bell, Caragh Hamilton, Laured Wade, Simone Magill.

    Subs: Lauren Perry, Shannon Turner, Rachel Dugdale, Kelsie Burrows, Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Ellie Mason, Nadene Caldwell, Marissa Callaghan, Naomi McLaughlin, Danielle Maxwell, Keri Halliday, Kerry Beattie.

    Montenegro: Anastasija Krstovi Helena Bozic, Maja Saranovic, Tatjana Djurkovic, Jelena Karlicic, Sladana Bulatovic, Jasna Djokovic, Jovana Saric, Darija Djukic, Armisa Kuc, Medina Desic.

    Subs: Kalac, Zugic, Radunovic, Polovic, Boricic, Osmajic, Simonovic, Cadenovic, Durdevac, Janjusevic, Tomassevic, Vujadinovic.

    Northern Ireland v MontenegroImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro

  18. Wilson replaced by McLaughlinpublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    Naomi McLaughlinImage source, Press Eye

    Glentoran forward Emily Wilson has been ruled out of the match against Montenegro through injury.

    She has been replaced in the squad by teenage forward Naomi McLaughlin, who steps up from the Under-19s.

    McLaughlin, who is very highly-rated, joined Cliftonville from Sion Swifts ahead of the new season and trained with the senior squad on Monday.

  19. Postpublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    Faith Harper
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The atmosphere is starting to build at Windsor Park as we get closer to kick-off.

    Let's hope Jessica gets to see Marissa Callaghan come off the bench in the second half.

    Northern Ireland fans
    Northern Ireland fans
  20. NI need no motivation to finish job in play-offpublished at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Northern Ireland v Montenegro (19:00 GMT)

    Tanya OxtobyImage source, Press Eye

    Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says she does not need to motivate her side for the Nations League play-off second leg with Montenegro.

    Lauren Wade and Demi Vance scored as Northern Ireland ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in the first leg on Friday.

    The second leg takes place at Windsor Park on Tuesday as NI look to retain their place in League B, which will form qualifying for Euro 2025.

    "It's a new game for us and we are going out to win it," Oxtoby said.

    Read more here