Northern Ireland will go into their 2027 Women’s World Cup play-off against Portugal as underdogs, and Michael McArdle has named a 23-strong squad that includes five new faces as he works around a lengthy injury list.
Among the absentees are key attackers Simone Magill, who is back in training after having her first child, along with the injured Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton. Those gaps have opened opportunities elsewhere, with Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore and Galway United defender Lucy-Jayne Grant both called up for the first time, while Women’s Premiership players Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern have also been rewarded with maiden senior call-ups.
Elmore’s inclusion was a surprise, but her versatility could prove important. The 27-year-old qualifies for Northern Ireland through her father, who is from Lisburn, and she arrives with an unusual career path behind her. She came through Liverpool’s academy before moving to the United States in 2017 to play college football for the UConn Huskies and Oregon Ducks, and her professional career began with Saint Etienne in France in 2023 before a switch to Brooklyn FC for the inaugural USL Super League the following year. She also has Champions League experience with Austrian champions St Polten against the likes of Chelsea and Lyon, and she moved to the Czech Republic in July.
Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Elmore can play right across the forward line, and McArdle believes that range is a real asset. “That versatility brings a strength to us,” he said. “The biggest thing for Kess is the attacking prowess she’s got as a creative player and an attacking player. She’s coming in with good experience of playing against high quality opposition, and Portugal’s squad is full of players that are at elite European clubs.”
McArdle also reflected on the significance of the moment for a player earning a first call-up relatively late. “Not speaking on behalf of Kess, but when you get that first call up at the age of 27 it is quite a special moment,” he said. “It’s been quite a special few weeks working with Kess in the background, so I’m looking forward to her joining camp and bringing those qualities to the group.”
Cavan-born left back Grant, 22, is the other first-time call-up who comes in from outside the domestic game. She qualifies for Northern Ireland through her father and plays for Galway United in the League of Ireland, where she helped the club win the cross-border All-Island Cup in 2024. McArdle said he had identified her for a possible call-up early in his time in the job, and that she earned her chance after he and his staff carried out their “due diligence”.
“Over the summer she’s performed well and she has spent time in the environment as a training player, so we have got to know her,” he said. “She has broken through now on the left side of defence, so she’ll add to the depth within there with the squad.” Away from football, Galway’s website notes that Grant can juggle and is a qualified piano and violin teacher.
The other three newcomers come from the Women’s Premiership, a route into the senior squad that is far from unusual. Before the historic Euro 2022 finals, domestic-based players were the norm, and although more Northern Ireland internationals have moved to England or Scotland in recent years, the Irish League remains important. Eight members of McArdle’s play-off squad are still based in Northern Ireland.
Attacking midfielder McLaughlin, 20, broke through at Sion Swifts before joining Cliftonville in 2024, and her performances at Solitude earned her a move to Aberdeen in January. She returned to Northern Ireland with Glentoran in July and has impressed since. “Naomi has had a real purple patch since returning to Glentoran,” McArdle said. “It is exciting for her. She gives us another attacking option and a bit of versatility because she’s slightly different to some of the players that are in the squad.”
Full back McMaster, 22, has been a stalwart at Linfield and a key figure in the club’s push into title contention this season. She can also play in the centre of defence, and while she has represented Northern Ireland at underage level and with the futsal team, this is her opportunity to win a first senior cap. “Jane has had a few consistent seasons and come through the international pathway,” McArdle said. “She is having a fantastic season with Linfield and deserves her call-up, which is exciting.”
At 16, Havern is the youngest player in the squad. She earned her call-up after helping Cliftonville to a Premiership and League Cup double, with the Reds also through to the Irish Cup final. Another underage international, the all-action midfielder will now give McArdle the chance to work with her first hand in the senior set-up. “Charlotte’s impressive form with Cliftonville and has been a key part of their performances this season,” he said. “They have helped Charlotte break through into the national team to get this experience.”