What was supposed to be a momentous night for women's football in Northern Ireland was marred by the controversial post-match comments from boss Kenny Shiels.
A record crowd of 15,348 watched on as Northern Ireland were beaten 5-0 by England. Though the result was a disappointment, the attendance highlighted just how far the women's national team has come in a short space of time and the many thousands they have inspired following their qualification for this summer's Euros.
But Wednesday morning's headlines instead focused on the damaging, arguably sexist, comments from Shiels.
Kenny Shiels damaged his reputation with controversial remarks about women footballers
Northern Ireland Women's manager Shiels remarked that females are more 'emotional' than men following their 5-0 defeat by England in a 2023 World Cup qualifier
England scored their first goal in the 52nd minute of the game that took place in Belfast
The visitors added to their goal tally in the 60th, 70th and 79th minute of the game on Tuesday
The 65-year-old had claimed in his post-match press conference that women concede goals in quick succession because they are more 'emotional' than men.
He said: 'I felt they [England] were struggling a wee bit at times to open us up until the psychology of going 2-0 up in the women's game, I'm sure you will have noticed if you go through the patterns - when a team concedes a goal, they concede a second one in a very, very short space of time.
'Right through the whole spectrum of the women's game, because girls and women are more emotional than men. So they take a goal going in not very well.
'When we went 1-0 down we tried to slow it down to give them time to get that emotional imbalance out of their heads. That's an issue we have. Not just in Northern Ireland but all of the countries in the world.'
Shiels then remarked: 'I shouldn't have told you that.'
The manager has since apologised for the offence his comments have caused. In a statement released by the Irish Football Association, Shiels said: 'I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.
'Last night was a special occasion for the women's game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country.
'I am an advocate for the women's game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.'
Shiels has been widely criticised for his remarks, with Arsenal legend Ian Wright calling him 'foolish'. Wright tweeted: 'Kenny Shiels talking foolishness! Talking about emotional women! Didn't that man see how many times I was crying on the PITCH!' Wright then attached a photo of him crying during a game for
