Nice on our wee team

[old3wheeler]

Another great result for N Ire in tonight's World cup qualifier, 10 points and second to the Germans not to bad at all , Bring it on lol ,Regards Ken

[jjmack]

The boys are doing well, very well. 

[jjmack]

Onward and upward. 

[Bigali]

GAWA 

[jjmack]

Nice one Northern Ireland 

[Orior]

Ireland should have had all three points.

[GandT]

I was talking to a guy at a wedding in Kerry. He happened to be from Donegal, his ma is a Donegal Protestant and his da is a NI Protestant and NI supporter. The young guy supports Ireland and was at the Euros in France. He tells me that he and some others were watching Northern Ireland on television in France and the majority around him were NI supporters. NI scored. He knew his da in Donegal would be jumping around the living room and he too jumped and ran about in celebration. He was looked at with bemusement by his mates and by many of the NI supporters trying to work out 'That's our goal - what's he shouting for?' There was no hostility towards him - just a look of bafflement as if he were some sort of 'blessed madman'.

How strange it is that what should be 'normal' is viewed with suspicion and looked at as 'abnormal'. This is sport. Both teams in Ireland are nearly always underdogs. Any David over Goliath acts in sport are surely to be lauded. The teams pull on a green shirt and play as hard as they can  - not always true of better-paid and supposed better teams. The other international supporters seldom know or care about nuances of politics. The behaviour of 'our' fans - from wherever - was brilliant in France. The French people celebrated with us. What do we do? Carp, begrudge, divide and hang our fiddles up outside the door when we return.

[sj]

So whom did they play?

[old3wheeler]

How strange it is that what should be 'normal' is viewed with suspicion and looked at as 'abnormal'. This is sport. Both teams in Ireland are nearly always underdogs. Any David over Goliath acts in sport are surely to be lauded. The teams pull on a green shirt and play as hard as they can  - not always true of better-paid and supposed better teams. The other international supporters seldom know or care about nuances of politics. The behaviour of 'our' fans - from wherever - was brilliant in France. The French people celebrated with us. What do we do? Carp, begrudge, divide and hang our fiddles up outside the door when we return.

Oh so true GandT , Unfortunately there is a huge difference between our sporting views and beliefs and our Political views and Beliefs ,True sports men and women are a million miles away form men and women who live and breath politics and wish to view their ideology  and their own personal political views,  A pal of mine was in Ballycastle on Saturday afternoon and was shocked but not surprised at the venom shown towards England by locals in a well known Bar,  So much so he decided to leave as he felt to uncomfortable and didn't like the language and attitude of local bigots.
       Yet in another Bar the staff tried to get him the N IRE game on the telly  Unfortunately with out success  ,   Lets be  honest there will always be the good guys but more than likely more of the bad guys ,     Regards Ken

Ps Well earned point for the Republic , Think of the craic in Moscow if Northern and Southern Ireland both make it to the finals .

[jjmack]

Well done Northern Ireland, another great win. Keep it up. 

[GandT]

Well done Northern Ireland, another great win. Keep it up. 

Shows what can be done with a limited squad, good management, spirit and commitment of players. Many Premier League and other international sides should take note - a bit of heart and pride in a shirt makes a hell of a difference. So, yes, very well done NI!

Come on you boys in the other green as well. Same story and same factors. Just hope it works as well against a very, very slick Serbian side!

Let's have 2 x GAWA at World Cup

[McNamee]

Well Done lads,  long may it last.

[GandT]

Looks like it might be just one GAWA in the possible pay-offs. Overall management, quality, spirit and commitment of Republic team comparable to NI. But, for whatever reason, it is NI at the moment who seem to have just that bit more belief and composure when necessary to take chances from set-pieces or open play. To quote Milton [and Churchill quoting Milton] 'What though the field be lost, all is not lost!' Ye niver know!

[Orior]

Looks like it might be just one GAWA in the possible pay-offs. Overall management, quality, spirit and commitment of Republic team comparable to NI. But, for whatever reason, it is NI at the moment who seem to have just that bit more belief and composure when necessary to take chances from set-pieces or open play. To quote Milton [and Churchill quoting Milton] 'What though the field be lost, all is not lost!' Ye niver know!

Ireland needs to beat Wales to have any chance. It will take a monumental effort and lots of luck. Else O'Neill will have to go.

[GandT]

Ireland needs to beat Wales to have any chance. It will take a monumental effort and lots of luck. Else O'Neill will have to go.

Dead right on the first two sentences. Not at all convinced of the latter. The points about limited squad and so on apply to both NI and ROI. The NI players on the last occasion played with spirit but a bit of composure as well. The ROI played with spirit, effort and better than previous game. Lacked composure and accuracy. The teams [collectively] in ROI group marginally better than those in NI.

Nothing wrong with tactics and management or with overall effort. Also, Serbian goal, unstoppable and brilliant finish - would have undone NI and ROI and everyone else. Reminded of Thierry Henry - at least of the Henry who could demolish you with sheer brilliance as opposed to the wee handball here or there!

Anyway, best of luck to both!