LOCAL PLAYERS HAVE SHOWN THEIR PREMIERSHIP CLASS..

BADGE OF HONOUR Rachel Furness is ready for big games following her winner in Belarus

RACHEL FURNESS has hailed the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership players who have stepped up to international level.

Competitive women’s football structures in Northern Ireland are clearly delivering results.

The Electric Ireland Excellence programme continues to produce conditions for quality players to thrive and the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership players contributed no less than 12 players to Kenny Shiels’ last squad for the Euro qualifier in Belarus.

Northern

Ireland Women earned a 1-0 win in Minsk thanks to a Furness header in the first half.

“The girls always have been fantastic when they have come into the squad,” Liverpool Women star Furness said.

“Their fitness levels have been great and they have always pushed themselves, mentally as well as physically. They have adapted to game plans.

“The potential was always there with the girls, and I think Kenny has nailed that down.

He has taken the girls at home and worked on patterns of play and the girls have been like sponges.

“They enjoy working with Kenny, and I keep in contact with the girls and it is a great buzz around the camp.”

Furness added: “Everyone is hungry to get selected, and I think for once Kenny has a headache because you have so many players wanting to play for Northern Ireland because everything is on a high right now.

“I suppose it is a good headache for the manager to have. You want people to run through brick walls for your country, which is great to see.

“The players relish the challenge. We are a small country, and we are fortunate to have a few players playing in England and Scotland. But the girls at home are always improving, and they want to improve.”

HOMEGROWN Nadene Caldwell, Ashley Hutton and Julie Nelson play their football with Glentoran, Linfield and Crusaders