O’Neill becomes first nationalist First Minister to attend Windsor Park game

Michelle O’Neill has become the first nationalist First Minister to attend a football match at Windsor Park.

The Sinn Fein vice president stood for God Save The King at the south Belfast venue before Northern Ireland women’s football team took on Montenegro.

Ms O’Neill arrived at the stadium with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who were greeted by IFA president Conrad Kirkwood and its chief executive Patrick Nelson.

“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.

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.

The late Martin McGuinness attended a Northern Ireland match in France in 2016 during the European Championships tournament when he was deputy First Minister.

In 2011, then-Stormont sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin became the first senior Sinn Fein politician to attend a Northern Ireland game at Windsor Park.

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.”