Angela Platt has been named as the inaugural director of women's football at the Irish Football Association.

Platt is a former goalkeeper for Northern Ireland's football and Ireland's senior hockey team.

The role comes off the back of Northern Ireland's qualification for the Euro 2022 finals - the first time they have reached a women's major tournament.

She will leave her post as general manager at the Northern Cricket Union to take up her new position in October.

"I am passionate about football and developing the sporting capabilities of women and girls so it is something that captured my imagination instantly," said Platt.

Equal pay for men's and women's teams has been a talking point since the Football Association of Ireland said at the end of last month that it was introducing it for the Republic of Ireland sides.

Northern Ireland captain has had her say on the matter this week and is hopeful that the Irish FA will introduce it.

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw is delighted by the return of fans for the friendly against Australia at Tallaght Stadium.

Spectators will back in the Dublin venue for the first time in 18 months after Covid restrictions were eased.

It's a first meeting between the sides with the Republic aiming to end a run of seven straight defeats.

"We take on an elite team in Australia, but crucially we get to play in front of our own fans again," said Pauw.

We'll have score updates from Tallaght as the night progresses.

Image source, Inpho

This is Northern Ireland women's first game at Windsor Park since the stadium had a major refurbishment.

Like the south Belfast venue, Kenny Shiels' side have enjoyed a huge transformation themselves, both in terms of profile and success on the pitch.

Andy Gray has had a look at that journey of evolution ahead of the team's reunion with Windsor tonight.

Read his article here.

Image source, Pacemaker

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Ahead of Friday's opener with Luxembourg, Kenny Shiels hinted he would change things up but, ultimately, it was a familiar Northern Ireland team who took to the pitch at Inver Park and produced a professional performance.

Shiels was relaying a similar message ahead of tonight's match, stating the "underbelly" of his squad would get an opportunity at the National Stadium, and he certainly has done that evening.

The big news is Julie Nelson has to settle for a place on the bench, and in her place comes the capable hands of Laura Rafferty.

Up top highly-rated Kerry Beattie gets her chance up front and is in a pacy front three with Lauren Wade and Kirsty McGuinness, who captains the side as she wins her 50th.

It's a brave selection from Shiels, let's see if it pays off.

As if tonight couldn't get any bigger, star player Kirsty McGuinness is only going to go and win her 50th senior Northern Ireland cap.

And regular captain Marissa Callaghan has handed her the armband to mark the occasion. Nice touch.

The Cliftonville winger has been a crucial player in the side's recent success and added further to her stellar reputation with an excellent performance in Friday's 4-0 win over Luxembourg.

Can she get a goal to mark a huge personal milestone?

You wouldn't bet against it.

Image source, BBC Sport

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels said in the build-up to this match that he would make changes, and there are four new faces from the side that started the 4-0 win over Luxembourg.

Experienced defender Julie Nelson drops to the bench, as does Rebecca McKenna, Rebecca Holloway and Emily Wilson. Demi Vance continues her comeback from injury with a start, with Laura Rafferty, Louise McDaniel and Kerry Beattie also coming into the starting line-up.

One other important change is that winger Kirsty McGuinness is the captain for the night on what will be her 50th Northern Ireland cap.

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

"It's the National Stadium, not just the men's National Stadium."

Tonight, Northern Ireland's senior women's side return to Windsor Park for the first time in nine years and Rachel Furness was in defiant form ahead of the game.

Furness played in their only other two outings at the National Stadium in 2010, a 4-0 defeat by France, and two years later in a 2-0 loss to Belgium.

However, after their historic Euro 2022 campaign and an seven-game winning run, tonight's qualifier is a celebration of the remarkable success achieved by Kenny Shiels' side.

Liverpool midfielder Furness believes NI are "in a better place" to win at the National Stadium than before and is targeting three points against Latvia.

Nine years ago they left disappointed and dejected, now they return as legends.

Image source, Press Eye

Major milestones and this Northern Ireland women's team seem to just go hand in and hand, don't they.

Another important one is ticked off the list tonight as the team returns to Windsor Park for the first time in nine years.

The south Belfast stadium has had a major facelift since that night against Belgium in 2012 - and Kenny Shiels' time in charge of Northern Ireland has seen the team enjoy a huge transformation themselves.

Latvia are the visitors to the national stadium and, while the team's homecoming is an occasion to be enjoyed, there are also very important World Cup qualification points up for grabs.

After Friday night's easy 4-0 win over Luxembourg, Northern Ireland have a great opportunity to add a further three points to their tally against a team ranked 101st in the world.

As per Friday, we're all set to bring you a live stream of the match, complete with live text commentary and in-play goal clips.

NI's Republic of Ireland counterparts are in friendly action against Australia in Dublin, and we'll keep you up to date with that match too.

Sit back and enjoy!

Image source, Press Eye