Kirsty McGuinness hopes Northern Ireland result inspires next generation

The 5-1 win over the Faroe Islands secure a Euro 2022 play-off spot for Kenny Shiels side and McGuinness feels there’s more to come from the squad.

“I think we’ve deserved everything we have got and hopefully we can kick on.

“I think we’ve shown so many people now that it’s possible.

“We maybe didn’t have the belief in ourselves in the past, but we’ve done it now and it’s a great marker for everyone coming through that wants to do the exact same.

“You see young kids being asked questions about what they want to do in football and it’s always to go to the Euros or the World Cup.

“Now seeing that we have got to the play-offs you can start believing that it is achievable.”

The Sion Swifts forward created her own little piece of history along with sister Caitlin as they became the first siblings to score for Northern Ireland.

“I’m always happy to get game time for this team, but for Kirsty to be on the pitch and for us to both score in the same game it’s great,” said Caitlin.

“I almost felt I had to score because Kirsty had scored in the first half. I wasn’t having her score and me not!”

Kirsty added: “Everyone, including the subs who came on, played out of their skin and we deserved to win to go through.”