Irish Football Association president Conrad Kirkwood greeted Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly on their arrival
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has attended her first Northern Ireland game at Windsor Park.
She was joined by Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at the game between the Northern Ireland women’s team and Montenegro.
The Uefa Women’s Nations League play-off match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Ms O’Neill had committed to attending a Northern Ireland match at Windsor Park after taking up the post of first minister earlier in February.
In 2023, she also showed support on social media for the Northern Ireland senior men’s team ahead of a crunch game.
Image source, PA Media
Michelle O’Neill said she was pleased to be at the game
Ms O’Neill stood for the national anthem prior to kick off.
On arrival at the game on Tuesday, she said it was “great to be here this evening”.
“It is going to be a great night,” Ms O’Neill added.
“Looking forward to the game, we are all bringing our layers to be wrapped up.
“I think it is important for women in sport that we all get behind them and actually support them.
“I think tonight is going to be a fabulous night and I am really pleased to be here.”
Image source, PA Media
Michelle O’Neill was accompanied by Emma Little-Pengelly, and communities minister Gordon Lyons
Ms Little-Pengelly said: “We are all really supportive of our women in Northern Ireland football, so it is really good that we are all here this evening to support them.
“We hope they do really well, they have been fantastic ambassadors for Northern Ireland, I know that they will continue to be so.”
The two ministers were greeted on arrival by Irish Football Association (IFA) chief executive Patrick Nelson and president Conrad Kirkwood.
Image source, PA Media
The first minister stood as God Save the King was played ahead of the game
Michelle O’Neill was not the first Sinn Féin minister to attend a match at Windsor Park.
In 2011, former Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín watched a Euro Qualifier game between Northern Ireland men’s team and the Faroe Islands.
Ms Ní Chuilín described her visit to Windsor Park as a “new experience” and said she had enjoyed the game.
Image source, PA Media
GAA president Jarlath Burns chats to IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson as Michelle O’Neill passes
She later tweeted: “First visit to Windsor Park, enjoyed game, well-received.”
Ms Ní Chuilín took her seat in the stand after the national anthem had been played.
In 2016, then-Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness attended Northern Ireland’s match against Germany during Euro 2016.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons accompanied Ms O’Neill and Mrs Little-Pengelly to the match on Tuesday.
Image source, Pacemaker
In 2011, Carál Ní Chuilín watched a Euro qualifier game between Northern Ireland men’s team and the Faroe Islands
Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly, of Sinn Féin, and Pam Cameron of the Democratic Unionist Party were also in the stands.
Newly-elected GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) president Jarlath Burns was also among the crowd watching on at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland will remain in the League B of the Nations League after Tuesday’s clash.
