Northern Ireland come into this window buoyed by two positive results against Malta in April.
However, with several players involved in title triumphs that will live long in the memory, the side will have even greater belief.
Rebecca McKenna, Rebecca Holloway and Simone Magill, who missed most of the season through pregnancy but has since given birth, won promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Birmingham City, while Ellie Mason was part of the Charlton Athletic squad who were the victors in the play-off to book a spot in the WSL
At Hearts, Joely Andrews, Lauren Wade and Keri Halliday, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Motherwell, won the Scottish Premiership title for the first time in the club’s history.
Burnley secured promotion to Women’s Super League 2 after an unbeaten league season with Brenna McPartlan, Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel picking up a winner’s medal.
Plenty of the players based in Northern Ireland have enjoyed recent success as well. Nadene Caldwell, Aimee Kerr and Mia Moore were all part of the Glentoran squad who lifted the Women’s Premiership trophy last season and have recently begun their defence of the title.
McArdle believes the squad’s success at club level can have a positive impact when they pull on a green shirt for Northern Ireland.
“We’ve got some very highly-confident players coming into camp with their achievements throughout the season. So, it’s great for them individually,” McArdle said.
“For some players, that promotion to WSL or WSL2 or wherever they go in their own individual journey… that could be great for them at that point in time. For others, it might not be what they need.
“So, it’s really just the individual context. But certainly, with those players coming into camp on a high, it’ll be great for us.”
