'You can be a mum and a footballer – they can co-exist'

Northern Ireland striker Simone Magill tells BBC Sport NI about balancing motherhood with her return to football and how her life has changed since giving birth to daughter Skye earlier this year. Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill gave birth to Skye in May "Football will always be a large part of my life but it's very much what I do, not who I am. "Ultimately, I'm Skye's mum and, to me, that's the most important thing." Through her 16-year footballing career, Simone Magill has been something of a trailblazer in Northern Ireland. From a senior debut at the age of 15, helping the country to a major tournament debut and becoming captain, she has been there and seen it all.

But after giving birth to her first child, Skye, in May, her focus is paving the way off the pitch, as well as on it. "I think we get labelled as athletes, and that is our complete entire identity," Birmingham City striker Magill told BBC Sport. "Obviously there's been a massive shift now. I'm a mum first and foremost and that is the highest title that I will ever have. "Family is so important. It's my priority, and it's so nice for me to have that greater purpose now. "It's hard and it can be overwhelming, but it's the greatest