Northern Ireland v Czech Republic

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into a bar on your own and someone will always
take you under their wing.”
And what about those sing-songs? Ulster Boys
Making All The Noise may have the rhyme but what
about the women?
Fear not, Shirley has a solution: “I have video
footage of me singing Ulster Girls Making All The
Noise with a few strange looks from other fans.” I
like it!
Actress and local playwright Marie Jones, who
used the infamous 1994 Northern Ireland v
Republic of Ireland match as the backdrop for her
play A Night In November, is one of the team’s big-
name female fans. And she equates the emotions
she experiences at a match with those of her
chosen profession.
“To me football has all the ingredients of live
theatre: humour; drama; tension and a great
communal experience,” she explained. “And then
there’s that feeling of being loyal to the place you
come from.
“Plus when you have three sons it’s good to share
their passion. They are proud of me for knowing the
offside rule.”
Another well-known woman who is a strong
advocate of Our Wee Country is local-born Labour
MP Kate Hoey. When she’s not at her London
constituency, Kate loves nothing more than
shouting from the stand with her fellow GAWA
members.
“I've been watching Northern Ireland since my
father first took me to the re-run of the 1958
World Cup qualifier against Italy. The first one
was cancelled when the referee was fog-bound in
London”, reminisced Kate. “I took my folding stool
and stood right at the back against the wall under
the directors’ box. I was hooked.”
One of Kate’s most cherished memories was
seeing Pat Jennings’ final game against Brazil at
Mexico ‘86.
However, it’s back on home turf where her heart
lies: “I loved the atmosphere at the old Windsor
Park but I’m pleased that we’re on the same site
and still able to silence opposition supporters with
our singing.”
Kate is also delighted to see more women rising
up through the ranks of players and fans, adding:
“It’s great to see more and more women and girls
playing football and coming to matches, too.”
It seems pride, atmosphere and camaraderie
create the perfect female-friendly conditions to
keep the GAWA ladies coming back for more. Ulster
Girls Making All The Noise? You better believe it!
Words: Heidi McAlpin
Shirley Graham
Kate Hoey MP at Euro 2016
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