Northern Ireland

Michelle O’Neill stands for anthem at Northern Ireland match in Windsor Park

First Minister attended Uefa women’s clash with Montenegro on Tuesday evening.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and junior ministers Aisling Reilly  attend The Uefa Women's Nations League match between Northern Ireland and Montenegro on Tuesday at Windsor Park in Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and junior ministers Aisling Reilly  attend The Uefa Women's Nations League match between Northern Ireland and Montenegro on Tuesday at Windsor Park in Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
By Paul Ainsworth

Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill stood for the British national anthem while attending her first Northern Ireland match at Windsor Park.

Ms O’Neill arrived at Tuesday evening’s Uefa Women’s Nations League clash between NI and Montenegro at the south Belfast stadium alongside DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

The pair were greeted upon arrival by Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson and president Conrad Kirkwood.

DUP communities minister Gordon Lyons, the GAA’s new president Jarlath Burns, Stormont junior ministers Aisling O’Reilly from Sinn Féin and the DUP’s Pam Cameron were also in attendance at the stadium on Tuesday.

“It’s great to be here this evening,” Ms O’Neill told reporters ahead of Uefa Women’s Nations League play-off..

“We were just saying today – both myself and Emma and Pam and Aisling – the women are here to support the women.

“I think it’s important, particularly for women in sport, that we all get behind them and actually support them. So I think tonight is going to be a fabulous night and I’m really pleased to be here.”

Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I think that we’re all really, really supportive of our women in Northern Ireland football so it’s really good that we’re all here this evening to support them.

(left to right) Sinn Fein MLA Aisling Reilly, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly pose for a photo before the UEFA Women's Nations League Semi Final 2nd leg match at Windsor Park, Belfast. Picture date: Tuesday February 27, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Windsor. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping.
First Minister attends Northern Ireland womens football match (Liam McBurney/Liam McBurney/PA Wire Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping)
Left to right IFA President Conrad Kirkwood, First Minister Michell O'Neill and Sinn Fein MLA Aisling Reilly stand for the anthems
IFA President Conrad Kirkwood, First Minister Michell O'Neill and Sinn Fein MLA Aisling Reilly stand for the anthems before the UEFA Women's Nations League Promotion/Relegation Play Off 2nd leg match at Windsor Park (Liam McBurney/Liam McBurney/PA Wire Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping)

“They’ve been fantastic ambassadors for Northern Ireland, I know that they’ll continue to be so.”

She is following in the footsteps of party colleagues Carál Ní Chuilín, who attended a men’s Northern Ireland match in 2011 as then-Stormont culture minister, and the late Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who attended Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 clash with tournament hosts Germany.

Ms Ní Chuilín did not stand for the British national anthem, which is played ahead of Northern Ireland matches, taking her seat after kick-off.

Windsor Park has been more traditionally associated with the unionist community in the region and in the past the Northern Ireland football authorities faced problems around incidents of sectarianism at international games.

Ms O’Neill has repeatedly vowed to be a “First Minister for all” and to represent all communities in the region.

GAA president Jarlath Burns  attends The Uefa Women's Nations League match between Northern Ireland and Montenegro on Tuesday at Windor Park in Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
GAA president Jarlath Burns attends The Uefa Women's Nations League match between Northern Ireland and Montenegro on Tuesday at Windsor Park. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

In a post to X following the match, Emma Little Pengelly posted an image of herself meeting Mr Burns at Winsdor Park.

Ms Pengelly, who wore a Northern Ireland scarf throughout her visit, was seen in the picture being handed an orange Armagh GAA scarf by Mr Burns, with a caption stating: “Huge misunderstanding as new GAA boss Jarlath Burns gifts me a scarf after hearing I am “big into the Orange”!!”

After the team’s 1-1 draw, which sees the team retain League B status in the Uefa Women’s Nations League, Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly congratulated the team.

“This is my first time attending a match at Windsor Park and it really was a thoroughly enjoyable experience,” Ms O’Neill said.

“I believe in the power of sport to unite communities and bring people together from across the political divide, North–South and across these two islands.”

“I want to congratulate the senior women’s team on their well-deserved success tonight, they are magnificent role models for young women and girls who aspire to be like them.

“I also want to thank the IFA and everyone who attended the match for the warm welcome I have received.”