Soccer

Nadene Caldwell playing it cool ahead of NI v Republic clash

Nadene Caldwell (left) in action for Northern Ireland against Rachel Daly of England in a friendly.
Nadene Caldwell (left) in action for Northern Ireland against Rachel Daly of England in a friendly. Nadene Caldwell (left) in action for Northern Ireland against Rachel Daly of England in a friendly.
By Kenny Archer

NADENE Caldwell was much more diplomatic than her namesake Diane ahead of the Uefa Women’s Nations League opener between the two Irish teams.

While experienced Republic of Ireland defender Diane went in ‘studs up’ on previous boss Vera Pauw’s supposed failings earlier this week,

[ Northern Ireland midfielder Nadene ]

was giving no hostages to headlines for the media.

Asked about the difficulties the hosts have had ahead of this all-island clash in Dublin, the 32-year-old straight-batted her response: “Nah, you’re not getting nothing off me!”, she said with a laugh.

“We don’t really think about them. We obviously analyse them but we’re really fully focussed on ourselves and how we’re going to go about the game. That’s what this week is about.”

Glentoran's Nadene Caldwell closes down her international captain, Cliftonville's Marissa Callaghan.
Glentoran's Nadene Caldwell closes down her international captain, Cliftonville's Marissa Callaghan. Glentoran's Nadene Caldwell closes down her international captain, Cliftonville's Marissa Callaghan.

Read more:

  • Diane Caldwell's personalised attack on Pauw still casts shadow over North-South clash
  • Rachel Furness bringing experience on and off pitch to Northern Ireland women

The Glentoran Women player was probably wise not to match Diane’s outspokenness, not least because so far this has been a rivalry in name only.

Eight competitive meetings, eight wins for the Republic, who’ve scored 19 times to just four from NI.

The last of those was a 4-0 victory, also in Dublin, just over five years ago, with two goals apiece from Katie McCabe and Leanne Kiernan.

Nadene did at least suggest, with some justification, that the North have improved since then: “I only played them in friendlies, I wasn’t in the last one in the Tallaght Stadium, but in women’s football there are a lot of transition periods and I think in that last game we were going through those.

"We’re just hoping it’s a positive result on Saturday.”

Sarah McFadden and Nadene Caldwell after defeating Italy 1-0 in the international friendly at Seaview late last year.
Sarah McFadden and Nadene Caldwell after defeating Italy 1-0 in the international friendly at Seaview late last year. Sarah McFadden and Nadene Caldwell after defeating Italy 1-0 in the international friendly at Seaview late last year.

Both teams have been on the up since, so Nadene believes this latest Irish derby is “going to be special. We qualified for the Euros and they qualified for the World Cup, so both these teams have a legacy and both want to build on that legacy.

“I think that there is momentum in the women’s game both up here and down south, and in the game in general. Hopefully that means there will be a lot of fans at the game and that there will be a good atmosphere. It should be a good occasion for women’s football, and hopefully both teams put on a good show.”

Having this match at the Aviva Stadium indicates how much progress has been made, and Nadene cannot wait to challenge the local rivals under new NI boss Tanya Oxtoby:

“We’re all on the same page as a squad and management and we’re just working through that. Obviously we’re really excited and looking forward to that game. It’s the first in the Nations League and I hope it’s a sell-out.”

Northern Ireland's Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell head onto the St Mary's Stadium pitch in Southampton for a training session ahead of the Euros match against Norway.
Northern Ireland's Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell head onto the St Mary's Stadium pitch in Southampton for a training session ahead of the Euros match against Norway. Northern Ireland's Marissa Callaghan and Nadene Caldwell head onto the St Mary's Stadium pitch in Southampton for a training session ahead of the Euros match against Norway.