Swifts’ sister act eye Euros

SION Swifts’ sister act, Kirsty and Caitlin McGuinness, made history by becoming the first siblings to score in the same game for a Northern Ireland international team on Tuesday night. Both were on target as Kenny Shiels’ NI women’s team defeated the Faroe Islands 5-1 at Seaview to secure a first ever play-off place for the 2022 UEFA Euro Championships.

Goals by Rachel Furness (2), Chloe McCarron and the McGuinness duo helped the girls in green finish second in Qualifying Group C behind Norway to set up a play-off decider in April next year.

The McGuinness sisters, who signed for Sion Swifts ahead of the current league season, have played a huge part in qualification.

Kirsty McGuinness netted in Friday night’s 3-2 victory over Belarus and again on Tuesday evening with a curling shot while Caitlin weighed in with goal number four to all but end the challenge of the Faroe Islanders.

Being the first sisters to play for the national women’s team and becoming the first siblings to score for Northern Ireland it made an extra special night for Sion’s striking double act.

“We knew at the start of the game what we had to do to get there and everybody including the subs who came on played out of their skin. We deserved to win to go through,” said Kirsty.

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE