Kenny Shiels believes "nothing touches" the impact football has had on cross-community relations in Northern Ireland.
The international manager credits the beautiful game for helping him integrate with all sides of society during his childhood in Magherafelt.
He now hopes his women's team can unite a nation when they take on Europe's best at next month's Euro finals in England.
Read more: Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad announcement as it happened
"It makes me so proud to be involved in football. When you mention cross-community, nobody touches us in terms of what football has done for this country," Shiels said.
"It has been unbelievable, and I always talk about that to people about how I have made friends, whereas when I was growing up during the Troubles they were classed as enemies.
"It was football that gave me that opportunity to socially connect with every religion. And everyone you met around the country, you could have a conversation with them.
"And I feel football has given me the opportunity to do that. More than anything, in my opinion.
"We have succeeded in bringing the nation together, and football has always been the vehicle we have used."
Shiels recalled playing GAA as a young boy growing up in Magherafelt, and having to hide his kit from his mother.
He said: "On a Saturday night I left my kit bag half a mile up this lane, and I got my shirt and tie on and I was off to Sunday School.
Little did my mother know I was changing into my gear to play Gaelic.
"I needed to be involved in sport every day of the week. I was making good friends, and I still follow the GAA and have those friends.
"But I don't think GAA will ever do what football has done in terms of bringing communities together."
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