Young mascots cheer Northern Ireland to victory

Four young football fans from east Antrim were ‘virtual mascots’ chosen to support the Northern Ireland Senior Women’s team in their crucial game against Belarus.
Daniel Courtney.Daniel Courtney.
Daniel Courtney.

Mackenzie Graham from Ballyclare, Kaiden Patterson from Larne and Daniel Courtney and Jay Davidson from Carrickfergus helped cheer the team to victory.

The team won the match 3-2 in a nail-biting game before going on to play the Faroe Islands on Tuesday, December 1 (winning 5-1 and making history by gaining a spot in the UEFA Euro 2022 play-offs).

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The Irish Football Association and Electric Ireland, sponsor of girls and women’s football in Northern Ireland, received more than 150 nominations from children across Northern Ireland.

Jay Davison.Jay Davison.
Jay Davison.

The lucky 11 each received a goody bag with Northern Ireland and Electric Ireland goodies inside including a Northern Ireland strip to wear on match day.

Anne Smyth, Sponsorship Specialist with Electric Ireland commented: “Ordinarily the mascots would have been at the game to lead the players out however as this isn’t possible just now, we asked our virtual mascots to support from home with their families and cheer on the team.

“Young fans are helping to change the game for women’s sport in Northern Ireland both through their support and their participation in programmes such as Electric Ireland Shooting Stars.

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“Our Game Changers campaign supports female football in Northern Ireland at every level and so its been fantastic to see so many young people get behind the senior women’s team.”

Mackenzie Graham.Mackenzie Graham.
Mackenzie Graham.

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