'It’s great to be here': Michelle O'Neill attends Northern Ireland match at Windsor Park

The Sinn Fein vice president stood for God Save The King at the south Belfast venue before Northern Ireland women’s football team took on Montenegro.

Ms O’Neill arrived at the stadium with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who were greeted by IFA president Conrad Kirkwood and its chief executive Patrick Nelson.

DUP communities minister Gordon Lyons, the GAA’s new president Jarlath Burns, Stormont junior ministers Aisling O’Reilly from Sinn Fein and the DUP’s Pam Cameron were also in attendance at the stadium on Tuesday.

“It’s great to be here this evening,” Ms O’Neill told reporters ahead of the Uefa Women’s Nations League play-off.

“We were just saying today – both myself and Emma and Pam and Aisling – the women are here to support the women.

“It’s going to be a great night, looking forward to the game, we’ve all brought our layers to be wrapped up.

“I think it’s important, particularly for women in sport, that we all get behind them and actually support them. So I think tonight is going to be a fabulous night and I’m really pleased to be here.”

Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I think that we’re all really, really supportive of our women in Northern Ireland football so it’s really good that we’re all here this evening to support them.

“We hope they do really well but they’ve been fantastic ambassadors for Northern Ireland, I know that they’ll continue to be so.”

The late Martin McGuinness attended a Northern Ireland match in France in 2016 during the European Championships tournament when he was deputy First Minister.

In 2011, then-Stormont sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin became the first senior Sinn Fein politician to attend a Northern Ireland game at Windsor Park. She did not take her seat until after the national anthem was played. Her late arrival in the first half and early departure during the second meant she missed all of Northern Ireland's goals in a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands.

After the team’s 1-1 draw, which sees the team retain League B status in the Uefa Women’s Nations League, Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly congratulated the team.

“This is my first time attending a match at Windsor Park and it really was a thoroughly enjoyable experience,” Ms O’Neill said.

“I believe in the power of sport to unite communities and bring people together from across the political divide, North–South and across these two islands.”

“I want to congratulate the senior women’s team on their well-deserved success tonight, they are magnificent role models for young women and girls who aspire to be like them.

“I also want to thank the IFA and everyone who attended the match for the warm welcome I have received.”