Women’s Super League

MARISSA CALLAGHAN and Northern Ireland players have given Kenny Shiels their backing after he was criticised for saying “women were more emotional than men”. Shiels later apologised for the comments made after his side were beaten 5-0 in by the Lionesses in a World Cup qualifier.
Northern Ireland skipper Marissa Callaghan says she and her team-mates “collectively stand by” their managerCredit: Reuters
Shiels apologised for comments he made after Northern Ireland’s game against EnglandCredit: PA
The result put an end to their aims of reaching next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Following the game Shiels, 65, said: “Girls and women are more emotional than men. So they take a goal going in not very well.”
His words came under fire from figures in the game including former England striker Ian Wright and retired Republic of Ireland Women’s captain Emma Byrne.
Sky Sports reports Shiels will continue in his role as senior women’s team manager with Northern Ireland preparing to compete in this summer’s Euros.
And team captain Callaghan, 36, says the ‘squad collectively stand’ by their boss who helped the team reach the Euros for the first time ever.
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In a statement Callaghan, who has 47 senior international caps, said: “In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager.
“We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed.
“Since Kenny took over our national team three years ago, I have always complimented him publicly on how he can get the best out of his players individually and collectively.
“He is a man of integrity who cares for us like we are family.
“Kenny has transformed the game here in Northern Ireland because he understands how to get the best out of his players.
“We have qualified for a major tournament because he transformed our mindset.”
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Under Shiels’ stewardship Northern Ireland made history by qualifying for the European Championships, the first major tournament the team will compete in.
The side, whose players include Durham ace Sarah McFadden and Crusaders centre-back Julie Nelson, will take on Norway, Austria and England in the Euros group stages.
Their opening game against Norway at St Mary’s will come almost three months on from them playing England in front of a record 15,348 crowd at Windsor Park in Belfast.
On the turnout Callaghan added: “Selling out the National Stadium has been a pivotal moment for the game here in NI and we as players and staff will continue as a team to help grow the game and inspire the next generation of young players and fans.” More

KENNY SHIELS has apologised after claiming “women are more emotional than men” following Northern Ireland’s loss to England at Windsor Park.Shiels’ comments – made after his side fell to a 5-0 defeat- have been met with a backlash from influential figures in football.
Kenny Shiels said he was sorry for the offence caused by his comments after Northern Ireland’s game against EnglandCredit: Sportsfile
Former England striker Ian Wright and Women in Football chief Yvonne Harrison are among those who criticised Shiels’ remarks.
The Northern Ireland manager, 65, said women’s teams conceding multiple goals “in a very short period time” is something that occurs “through the whole spectrum of the game”.
Shiels also suggested women’s sides do not take a goal going in “very well” because “women are more emotional than men”.   
The former Derry City chief made the comments after his side conceded four second-half goals in 27 minutes at home to England on Tuesday.
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Last Friday they conceded three in nine minutes away to Austria.
This afternoon the Northern Ireland manager said he was sorry for the offence caused by his comments.
In a statement published on the Irish FA’s website, Shiels said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night.
“I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.
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“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 
“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”
Responding to his original comments, Arsenal legend Wright, who is a WSL ambassador, tweeted: “Kenny Shiels (is) talking foolishness. Talking about emotional women!”
The Highbury icon included two pictures of himself during an unhappy moment in his playing days to emphasise his point.
Shiels’ statement comes a day after Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier duel with England played in front of a record crowd of more than 15,000 fans at Windsor Park.
His team are set to face Norway in their first game at the Euros in July after qualifying for the tournament for the first time in their history.
Northern Ireland are set to face England again in the Euros in JulyCredit: Getty More

IAN WRIGHT hit out at Kenny Shiels’ controversial remarks following Northern Ireland’s loss to England in the World Cup qualifiers.Shiels has come under fire after claiming women “being more emotional than men” as a reason for some women’s teams swiftly conceding multiple goals.
Kenny Shiels suggested women’s teams conceding two goals “in a very short period” occurs throughout the gameCredit: PA
The Northern Ireland chief, 65, was speaking after his side conceded four times in 27 minutes in the second half of their Windsor Park clash with England.
The 5-0 result followed Shiels’ aces losing 3-1 to Austria in their previous World Cup qualifier last Friday.
Shiels suggested teams giving away two goals in a “very short” space of time is something that occurs throughout women’s football.
He also claimed girls and women “are more emotional than men” and don’t take going a goal down very well.
This afternoon the Northern Ireland gaffer apologised after his remarks prompted a backlash from followers of the women’s game.
In a statement published on the Irish FA’s website, Shiels said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused. 
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“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 
“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”
Shiels’ comments came in for criticism from Wright, 58, and influential figures in the sport including Women in Football chief Yvonne Harrison.
This morning Arsenal legend Wright, who is a WSL ambassador, tweeted: “Kenny Shiels (is) talking foolishness. Talking about emotional women!
The Highbury icon included two pictures of himself during an unhappy moment in his playing days to emphasise his point.

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And Women in Football’s CEO Harrison told Sky Sports: “Women being classed as too emotional is just perpetuating this stereotype that we can’t control our emotions in any setting.
“That is deeply unhelpful, and I am disappointed by the comments.”
After Northern Ireland’s loss to England, Shiels told reporters: “I felt they (England) were struggling a wee bit at times to open us up until the psychology of going 2-0 (behind).
“In the women’s game, you’ll have noticed if you go through the patterns, when a team concedes a goal, they concede a second one within a very short period of time.
“Right through the whole spectrum of the women’s game, because girls and women are more emotional than men, so a goal going in (is something) they don’t take that very well.”
“When we went one nil down, we killed the game and tried to just slow it right down to give them (the players) time to get that emotional imbalance out of their head.
“And that’s an issue we have, not just Northern Ireland, but all countries have that problem.”
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Losses to Austria and England have effectively ended Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
However, the team will compete in the Women’s Euros for the first time in their history in July.
And Shiels is turning his attention to tournament preparations and duels with their Group A rivals Norway, Austria and England.
Shiels’ Northern Ireland side will focusing on the Euros with their World Cup qualification hopes all but endedCredit: Sportsfile
On those matches Shiels said: “It’s going to be very, very difficult to beat England and Norway.
“But the Austria game – in the two (qualifiers) we played against Austria- I felt we were every bit as good if not better than them. But they’re a really good team.
“We’ve got to go (into these games) with a positive frame of mind.” More

KENNY SHIELS had to deal with an unexpected intrusion during a press Q&A ahead of Northern Ireland’s sell-out clash with the Lionesses.The head coach was answering questions on the World Cup qualifier with team captain Marissa Callaghan when his mobile rang part way through.
Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland side will face England at Windsor ParkCredit: Pacemaker
Northern Ireland are set to play in front of a crowd of more than 16,000 in their World Cup qualifier against the LionessesCredit: Getty
The caller’s brief interruption, captured in a Sky Sports clip, prompted a smile from Callaghan, 36, and few chuckles from journalists in the room.
A little later Shiels apologised for his phone going off shortly after telling the caller he had got their message.
And one Twitter account user joked it would have been rude for Shiels not to answer.
Tonight Northern Ireland take on England at Windsor Park in the second World Cup qualifier encounter between the two sides in Group D.
And Shiels’ stars will be looking to put on their very best performance at home in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 16,000 supporters following a loss to Austria.
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The Northern Ireland chief, 65, told reporters: “The atmosphere (at Windsor Park) will give our players motivation.
“It will be a high passion game for them, and I feel they will give a good account of themselves.
“We’re looking forward to that and we’re relishing the challenge.
“In terms of the atmosphere and what it means for the girls, to be playing in their hometown in the National Stadium – it is a great one for the girls to look forward to.
“We have got to feel we have a chance. We want to play at the top level against the top level – and then learn from it.
“Having the crowd here will help, but we can’t depend on that, we have to look at how we can play.”
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Northern Ireland’s 3-1 loss to Austria dented their chances of another historic major tournament qualification following the team reaching this year’s Euros.
The result leaves them three points behind their Austrian rivals who are now second in Group D and in a solid position to secure second spot.
Team skipper Callaghan, who plays her club football for Cliftonville, insists her side will put their defeat behind them and be fully focused on tonight’s game.
And a win against the Lionesses could see them back in contention for second spot in Group D.
Marissa Callaghan says Northern Ireland are determined to give a good account of themselves against EnglandCredit: Pacemaker
Callaghan, who has 47 international caps, said: “The girls are solely focused on this game.
“The Austria game has gone and there’s nothing we can do about that.
“We now have to look ahead we’ll be ready when we cross the line. “
The last clash between England and Northern Ireland ended in a 4-0 win for the Lionesses at Wembley.
However, Callaghan and her team-mates held the Lionesses at bay until conceding in the 64th minute of that encounter.
The Northern Ireland skipper added: “We’re not a team that goes out and plays a low block.
“We’re going to try and score goals, it’s the way we’ve always been since Kenny came in and we’re not going to change.
Northern Ireland will look to use this game as further preparation for the Euros this summerCredit: Getty
“We know England’s are a great side. They’re top of the table and it’s going be a tough night for us.
“But we’ll come out and we’ll play our style and hopefully everyone will give the best kind account of themselves.’ More