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

"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. 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 joy that I've ever experienced in my life." Family, football and Dalglish - what drives NI boss McArdle? 'Nothing impossible' as NI begin long road to Brazil Magill is speaking at the Northern Ireland camp in the lead up to Friday's World Cup play-off with Portugal.

While she is stepping up her training four months on from giving birth, the first round of play-offs have come too soon. However, after conversations with manager Michael McArdle, who has spoken about the importance of family, the 31-year-old is in camp to train with the squad. More importantly, Skye and her husband, Mark, are with her for the duration.

It is a glimpse into what the future will look like when Magill is back playing for Northern Ireland. "It's so different, but it's so special. I'm really enjoying being back in, and I think I find it weirder having my husband here than having Skye," she said.

"It's just amazing that I'm able to do this and the support that I've been given to allow me to do this has made things so much easier." After nearly a year away from the squad, from when she announced her pregnancy last November, she says the support that the Irish FA and her Northern Ireland team-mates have provided has meant "I don't need to worry about anything". Skye and Mark have become fully integrated in the camp and join the team for meals and in downtime. Then, when it comes to on-pitch matters and meetings, Mark is able to look after Skye and Magill can focus on the football side of things.