MCPARTLAN MAKES FULL NORTHERN IRELAND DEBUT

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Midfielder talks pride in representing the Green and White Army

2024-06-05T12:00:00.000Z

MCPARTLAN MAKES FULL NORTHERN IRELAND DEBUT

Midfielder talks pride in representing the Green and White Army

2024-06-05T12:00:00.000Z

Midfielder talks pride in representing the Green and White Army

Women’s team midfielder Brenna McPartlan continues to build her international experience during the Clarets’ off season, featuring twice for Northern Ireland in the last week.

The 24-year-old earned her third and fourth senior caps in a UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying double header against Portugal, coming off the bench on the continent on Friday before earning her first start last night (Tuesday) in Lurgan, County Armagh.

Though born and raised in Lancashire, McPartlan qualifies for the Green and White Army through family ties.

“My Mum’s from Ballymena in Northern Ireland”, she explained.

“She lived there until she was about 18 and all of her side of the family, including my granny, my auntie, and my cousins, are still there.”

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McPartlan’s Northern Ireland journey started with the U17s and she later played all three of their group games when the Irish hosted the UEFA U19 European Championships in 2017.

Prior to that tournament, she was handed her senior debut by then manager Alfie Wylie at the age of 17 in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Wales on 7 April 2017.

After spending five years playing in America with the South Alabama Jaguars and the Louisiana Tigers, McPartlan returned to England and signed for Sunderland in February 2023.

Then came a return to her native county, with the central midfielder joining Burnley in August 2023 and becoming a key part of Head Coach’s Rebecca Sawiuk’s squad, scoring 12 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.

Her form caught the eye of current Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby, and McPartlan was called up for two Euro 2025 qualifiers at the start of April.

MCPARTLAN MAKES FULL NORTHERN IRELAND DEBUT - Image 2

McPartlan said: “It was definitely a surprise, especially after this season where I have been focussed on football, but also on my full-time job as a PE teacher.

“It was, however, a positive surprise and is something I’ve really enjoyed being a part of.”

Burnley’s number four was an unused substitute when Malta visited Windsor Park on Friday 5 April, before making her first international appearance in seven years away in Bosnia just four days later off the bench.

After returning to club action and scoring at Turf Moor in the 3-0 victory over Liverpool Feds, Brenna earned another call-up and played the last 20 minutes of Friday’s defeat to Portugal at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa.

She then played the first half of Tuesday night's 1-2 reverse on home soil, with the Irish now 4th in Group B3 with four points from four matches.

McPartlan finished by saying: “It can be a travel heavy schedule with club and international commitments but it’s really cool - getting to play football and travel the world is nothing to complain about

“Obviously, it’s a really proud moment for me whenever I do get the chance to represent Northern Ireland and it’s a great feeling.”