Amy captains her country for first time

Amy Richardson achieved another notable milestone in her promising football career on Thursday.

The defender from Penrhyn Bay captained her country for the first time when she led Cymru Under-19s in their friendly in Portugal.

Although Cymru were well beaten by the red-hot Portuguese at Centro de Estágios do Luso, it was still a magnificent moment for the former Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno, pupil to wear the skipper’s armband.

Earlier this month, Amy joined SWPL 1 side Patrick Thistle on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 season and made her full debut in a 0-0 draw at Aberdeen.

She signed for Celtic in the summer on a three-year contract having previously been part of the Everton Academy system. 

Amy played three times for the Celtic first team in addition to being part of the Ghirls’ Champions League squad before the switch to Partick.

The 19-year-old can operate as a full back or centre-half.

The Cymru Under-19 squad will remain in Portugal for friendlies against Poland on Saturday at Estadio Municipal Carlos Duarte (KO 11am), where they return for their final fixture against Finland on Wednesday, February 26 (KO 10:30am).

Other North Wales girls to feature on Thursday included: Cadi Doran, Cadi Rodgers, Charlotte Salisbury, Casi Evans and Ania Denham.

Amy has played 12 times for the Under-19s, scoring in a 2-0 win over Lithuania at the European U19 Championships earlier this year. She received her first full call up for Wales in July,