Tag: Northern Ireland
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Euro 2024 may have been a step too far for this NI group, but it might not be next time around
That taste of ‘Sweet Norn Iron’ has felt so bitter for so long. Entering the clash with Denmark with qualification hopes all but a figment of the past, it was perhaps a tad rueful that it took until the final match of Euro 2024 qualifying to finally beat a team not named San Marino. But…
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Northern Ireland’s four injury-enforced call-ups deserve a chance to shine with the pressure off
It’s come at short notice and, ostensibly, knowing a spanner was thrown into his works, but Michael O’Neill has thrown a few more young guns into the Northern Ireland fold. Injury has hit his existing panel before the clashes with Finland and Denmark – the respective penultimate and final rounds of Euro 2024 qualifying –…
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NI’s German dream is over… so give the players freedom of expression in curtain-calling Finland and Denmark clashes
The final double-header of Euro 2024 qualifying is upon us and the Northern Ireland squad has been unveiled to tackle those final two encounters. To say it has not been a campaign to write home about would be an understatement. Where there was hope when the Group H pool was first revealed, the initial excitement…
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Well-travelled Andrew Smith’s smooth adapting to new horizons can make him a hit at FC Haka
Some former Irish League stars have taken interesting steps in their post-playing career, and Andrew Smith is no exception. The 43-year-old Lisburn man was this week confirmed as head coach of FC Haka. There’s more than a pinch of irony behind that hire. Haka were the Finnish outfit dumped out of Europa Conference League qualifying…
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Extortionate ticket prices are taking away from the Northern Ireland feelgood factor of old
Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which had supporters brimming with hope when the draw was first made, has not worked a treat. Michael O’Neill hasn’t been given much of a honeymoon period since returning to the hotseat, as a frustrating crusade will ensure that his joy at guiding the nation to the 2016 Euros…
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Kenny Shiels’ shock hire at Moyola Park is a fresh challenge he’ll relish taking the reins of
In one of the Irish League’s most surprising managerial twists, the exceptionally esteemed Kenny Shiels has taken the reins at Premier Intermediate League outfit Moyola Park. 22 years on from his last stint in charge, and with a wealth of experience under his belt, Shiels has filled the vacancy at one of the Irish League’s…
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The Irish League has a massive part to play in leading Northern Ireland to better days
Northern Ireland’s hopes of Euro 2024 Finals qualification died a quick death. Regrettable as that sounds, it is a cold, hard truth. After eight matchdays, the flame of hope has been extinguished and replaced by acceptance that a summer trip to Germany next year is off the table. With Michael O’Neill and his players garnering…
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Euro 2028 may be coming to fruition, but a finished Casement Park alone doesn’t spell success for NI football
News of the acceptance of the UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028 has brought things into motion quickly in Northern Ireland. Only naturally, too, because there is presently no venue that can meet the 30,000-capacity requirement for staging games at the tournament, per UEFA’s demands. For how successfully as Windsor Park played host…
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