Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson believes there is “hope on both fronts” when it comes to Northern Ireland’s senior international teams in 2025.
He pointed out: “The qualifiers for the FIFA (men’s) World Cup 2026 will be squeezed into the September to November windows, however the draw gives us cause for genuine optimism.
“Next month we launch into a fresh UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign as an established League B nation, with aspirations to rap the door of League A this year having come so close to qualifying for back to back Euro finals.”
He revealed the Irish FA’s National Football Centre project continues to get closer to bearing fruit and the association is hoping to be able to make an announcement on it soon.
And he also said: “The launch of the Youth Football Framework last month was only the first step on a long road which will place our children right at the centre of enjoying their own games, which is as it should be.”
His comments came in an email to staff across the association in which he looked forward to the year ahead and reflected on the past year.
He noted it was “a major disappointment” that the Irish FA had to withdraw as one of the hosts for UEFA Euro 2028.
However, the chief executive pointed to activities in 2024 which highlighted more positive outcomes within the association’s work, including the performances of the senior international teams, the hosting of the UEFA U19 finals and the ongoing development of the Irish FA JD Academy as well as the launch of the youth football framework and the creation of a new women’s football strategy.
“All of this, and much more, was done whilst running the engine of the things we do day and daily such as coach education, player registration and discipline, refereeing, administering our cup competitions and keeping the National Football Stadium open for business for ourselves and our partners,” he added.
He further said: “One thing you can be sure of is that the association will have a lot to do, to achieve and to accomplish this year.
“We have the unique privilege of being able to affect people’s lives in our country in a positive way through the game of football. What we do and what we catalyse in other people has an impact from Belfast to Strabane, from Bushmills to Newry and all ports of call in between.”
The chief executive pointed out that the football family in Northern Ireland is made up of many thousands of individuals who all work together to deliver football for all, from players, coaches, administrators and volunteers to supporters, groundskeepers, medics and many other categories of contributors.
And he noted: “Despite the fact that we compete when we are on the other side of the white line, we co-operate at almost all other times. We also grieve when we lose any of our number, and in the past couple of days this grief has been at the forefront of our minds as we said goodbye to Michael Newberry and Adrian Teer.
“Michael was in the prime of his career, having represented Linfield, Cliftonville and our national U21 team with renown. Adrian was on the verge of starting his ninth decade, and spent 40 years guiding Glenavon FC, NIFL and the association itself with distinction.
“As we in the Northern Ireland football family start 2025 without Adrian and Michael we remember their contributions and respect their memories, as we do for all who have left us in 2024. Each of us strive to make football in Northern Ireland better when we leave it than it was when we found it, and if we can achieve that then it is a work well done.”
Image: Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson (left) and Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood welcomed Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park during 2024.
