Northern Ireland v San Marino Official Match Programme

Northern Ireland v San Marino Offiical Match Programme Saturday 8 October 2016 FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

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Northern Ireland v San Marino FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifying Group C Saturday 8 October 2016 National Football Stadium at Windsor Park Kick-Off: 19.45

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CONTENTS

TEAMS

2 3 4 5 7

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

A MESSAGE FROM FIFA PRESIDENT

MICHAEL O’NEILL PATRICK NELSON

STADIUM OPEN FOR BUSINESS CZECH REPUBLIC REVIEW NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD EURO 2016 - SOUVENIR PULLOUT THE OPPONENTS - SAN MARINO

12 21 24 27 45 50 56 60 62 64 66

STEVEN DAVIS INTERVIEW

DID YOU KNOW?

CUNNINGHAM PEACOCK

WILLIAM CAMPBELL

MASCOTS

INTERNATIONAL RECORD

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Irish Football Association President David Martin Chief Executive Patrick Nelson Advertising -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR Pictures Press Eye

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NORTHERN IRELAND

SAN MARINO

Michael O’Neill Manager

Pierangelo Manzaroli Manager

Michael McGovern Norwich City Alan Mannus St Johnstone Trevor Carson Hartlepool United Jonny Evans West Bromwich Albion Tom Flanagan Burton Albion Lee Hodson Glasgow Rangers Aaron Hughes Kerala Blasters Gareth McAuley West Bromwich Albion Ryan McGivern Shrewsbury Town Conor McLaughlin Fleetwood Town Michael Smith Peterborough United Shane Ferguson Millwall Matthew Lund Rochdale Niall McGinn Aberdeen Paddy McNair Sunderland Oliver Norwood Brighton & Hove Albion Paul Paton St Johnstone Jamie Ward Nottingham Forest* Kyle Lafferty Norwich City Josh Magennis Charlton Athletic Conor Washington Queens Park Rangers Callum Morris Aberdeen Stuart Dallas Leeds United Steven Davis Southampton Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers

Elia Benedettini Murata Mattia Manzaroli Juvenes Dogana Aldo Junior Simoncini Libertas Marco Berardi Folgore Davide Cesarini Tre Penne Alessandro Della Valle Juvenes Dogana Carlo Valentini Murata Fabio Vitaioli Libertas Maicol Berretti Libertas Luca Censoni Tre Penne Matteo Coppini Tre Penne Enrico Golinucci Libertas Pier Filippo Mazza Juvenes Dogana Luca Tosi Folgore Mirko Palazzi Tre Penne Danilo Rinaldi La Fiorita Davide Simoncini Libertas Tommaso Zafferani La Fiorita Alessandro Bianchi Domagnano Adolfo Hirsch Folgore Andy Selva La Fiorita Mattia Stefanelli Juvenes Dogana Matteo Vitaioli Libertas

*on loan at Burton Albion

Green and White

Blue and White

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee

Istvan Kovacs Romania

Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 *SYVXL 3JƤGMEP Referee Assessor Commissioner

Vasile Florin Marinescu Romania Mihai Ovidiu Artene Romania Pavel Cristian Balaj Romania

Renatus Hendrikus Johannes Temmink Netherlands

Per Svard Sweden

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PRESIDENT’S

WELCOME

3R FILEPJ SJ XLI -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR - EQ TPIEWIH XS [IPGSQI XLI SJƤGMEPW TPE]IVW ERH WYTTSVXIVW SJ 7ER 1EVMRS XS &IPJEWX ERH MR TEVXMGYPEV XS 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW 2EXMSREP *SSXFEPP 7XEHMYQ JSV XLMW IZIRMRKŭW *-*% ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMJ]MRK KEQI

8LI QEXGL GSMRGMHIW [MXL XLI SJƤGMEP STIRMRK SJ our National Football Stadium after the rebuilding of the South, East and West stands and also refurbishment work carried out to the North Stand - a project which cost in the region of £40 million. The redevelopment of the stadium brings our capacity up to 18,600 and it will be full for this IZIRMRKŭW STIRMRK ERH ƤVWX LSQI KVSYT KEQI MR the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. It has been an exciting last few weeks for everyone at the Irish Football Association as we approached completion of the work and this evening’s opening ceremony. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, to this special occasion for football in Northern -VIPERH ERH XS XLERO LMQ JSV EKVIIMRK XS SJƤGMEPP] open the stadium. The opening ceremony affords us the opportunity to publicly thank the Northern Ireland Executive who have, through the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (now Department for Communities), supported this project and without whom this stadium could not have been transformed so QEKRMƤGIRXP] ERH XS WYGL E LMKL WTIGMƤGEXMSR It also presents an opportunity to thank the members of the Irish FA board, the stadium board and the project team, who together with contractors O’Hare & McGovern have contributed immensely to providing a stadium of which the TISTPI SJ 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH GER FI NYWXMƤEFP] TVSYH

Ownership of the entire programme was in the remit of the association’s chief executive, Patrick Nelson, who worked calmly and tirelessly to see the project through to completion. There is, of course, an important game to be played this evening. This is the second time San Marino have been in Northern Ireland. They played at Windsor Park on 3GXSFIV EPWS MR E ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV [MXL Northern Ireland winning by a 4-0 scoreline. For Michael O’Neill and his playing squad, they come into the game on the back of a good point won away from home in Prague and will be looking XS FYMPH SR XLEX MR XLMW ƤVWX LSQI KEQI JSPPS[MRK SR JVSQ XLIMV WYGGIWWJYP )YVS ƤREPW MR *VERGI After this evening’s game we travel to Hannover to play world champions Germany, a big challenge but one I am sure the manager and players will relish. Thanks to all who supported the team throughout XLI )YVSW MR *VERGI E QEKRMƤGIRX WYTTSVX [LMGL resulted in the receiving of a medal from the Mayor of Paris. We look forward to that passionate support continuing this evening in our new, enlarged stadium and I hope you all enjoy an exciting game followed by a safe journey home. David J Martin President -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR

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A MESSAGE FROM THE FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

Getty Images/FIFA

Dear Friends, It is no easy task to combine tradition and innovation; to preserve history and identity while adapting to changing times. This redevelopment of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park is an inspiring example of how to marry the two. 8LMW TPEGI I\YHIW JSSXFEPP LMWXSV] 7MRGI XLI ƤVWX QEXGL [EW TPE]IH EX XLMW KVSYRH MR Windsor Park has become the quintessential football venue in Northern Ireland. It was here that the national team celebrated qualifying for memorable international XSYVREQIRXW ũ XLI *-*% ;SVPH 'YTW MR ERH ERH )963 [LIVI XLI] TIVJSVQIH WS [IPP SJ GSYVWI XLI UYEPMƤGEXMSR JSV XLI ;SVPH 'YT [EW GIPIFVEXIH EX Wembley). With this project the Irish Football Association is both safeguarding its historical legacy ERH VIWLETMRK MXW JSSXFEPP LSQI MR E [E] XLEX ƤXW XLI GSYRXV]ŭW RIIHW Windsor Park has been transformed into a compact, world class stadium that also LSYWIW XLI SJƤGIW SJ XLI EWWSGMEXMSR 0MRƤIPH *' ERH XLI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH *SSXFEPP League. It is a smart and sustainable solution, and I am honoured to be here in Belfast to see this project come to life. -X MW ZIV] EYWTMGMSYW XLEX XLMW VISTIRMRK GSMRGMHIW [MXL 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ƤVWX WXITW towards realising its dream of appearing at a FIFA World Cup once more. The path to Russia 2018 is long and arduous but the whole country should be proud to embark on this journey in such a beautiful new home. Congratulations Northern Ireland. May the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park be the stage for unforgettable matches and moments for many years to come.

Enjoy the game! Gianni Infantino *-*% 4VIWMHIRX

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MANAGER’S VIEW -X MW EP[E]W HMJƤGYPX XS GSQI FEGO HS[R XS IEVXL EJXIV E TEVXMGYPEVP] I\GMXMRK ERH YTPMJXMRK I\TIVMIRGI While no-one will ever be able to erase the memories of the summer past in France, we now need to bank that and move on to World Cup UYEPMƤGEXMSR Football, as we all know, encapsulates the full gamut of human emotions – excitement, anticipation, fear, anxiety, even disappointment and we experienced them all over the duration of the )YVS ƤREPW I don’t think that I have been as proud in my footballing career as I was to lead this team, this KVSYT SJ TPE]IVW XS E QENSV ƤREPW ERH XS IRNS] XLI highs and lows of the tournament. And our homecoming was particularly humbling as we could see the palpable support and how our performances had lifted the whole country from young and old, from north to south and east to west. However, resting on our laurels is not an option and the next challenge is to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. ;I LEZI JSYRH SYVWIPZIW MR E HMJƤGYPX KVSYT ERH many challenges lie ahead, but I believe that the experience gained in the Euros and the momentum that winning and success brings will play a powerful part in our preparation for the matches. We have already earned a hard-fought point away from home in Prague and now we must follow it up with a victory tonight against San Marino (and it would be extremely foolish to underestimate our opponents tonight) before heading to Germany to play the world champions on Tuesday next.

My job will be to ensure that the squad are fully focused on the match and not to let any distractions surrounding the stadium opening interfere with their readiness. Tonight must be about goals and a victory rather XLER TLSXS STTSVXYRMXMIW ERH WIPƤIW FYX ORS[MRK XLMW KVSYT SJ TPE]IVW EW - HS - EQ GSRƤHIRX XLEX having tasted success in France they will want to have more of it and not let anything else get in the way of their ambitions. I know that I am fully focused on this challenge and that with the tremendous support that you can KMZI YW ũ RS[ SR EPP JSYV WMHIW SJ XLMW QEKRMƤGIRX stadium – we can achieve more success. Congratulations to all involved in the development of the stadium and to you, the fans, who have been recognised both by the city of Paris and by UEFA for your friendliness, fair play attitude and dedication. These accolades are well deserved and I salute you all for this. Since the Euros Stephen Robinson has moved on to become manager of Oldham Athletic and I would like to thank him for his work with this squad and wish him well for the next period of his career. So after all the Euro 2016 fuss we are back to UYEPMƤGEXMSR FYWMRIWW ERH - EQ GSRƤHIRX XLEX tonight we will provide a winning start to our home matches and take it into the rest of the campaign. Thanks again for your support. Michael O’Neill 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH 1EREKIV

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GOOD EVENING

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Tonight is a very special occasion for the Irish Football Association, coming just over nine months into a very special year. No-one will ever forget the exploits of our players, supporters and indeed everyone involved with Northern Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016, however as we look forward to the prospect of qualifying for SYV ƤVWX *-*% ;SVPH 'YT MR ]IEVW [I EVI EPWS able to formally open the National Football Stadium tonight. After many years of negotiating and planning, the ƤVWX [SVOIVW QSZIH MRXS ;MRHWSV 4EVO NYWX EJXIV XLI -VMWL 'YT *MREP MR ERH NYWX QSRXLW PEXIV [I have a stadium which is virtually unrecognisable from the previous incarnation. Over 18,500 seats, four hospitality lounges named after the biggest legends of our game, 10 private hospitality boxes and most of all a top quality playing surface have been put in place during this time. The seats themselves were originally designed for XLI %PPMER^ %VIRE MR 1YRMGL ERH EVI EPWS ƤXXIH MR the London 2012 Aquatics Arena; this small detail shows that quality has been high on the agenda all the way through the stadium redevelopment. A compact, world class stadium for our nation, one which we have deserved for a long time and which we can now enjoy. This is not just any stadium. It is our stadium and it stands as a symbol of the ‘grander spirit’ of the new Northern Ireland. It is the stadium of George &IWX 4EX .IRRMRKW (ERR] &PERGLƥS[IV ERH &MPP] Bingham as well as that of Michael O’Neill, Steven Davis and the current squad.

We are the country of Rory McIlroy, Seamus Heaney, AP McCoy and Van Morrison and the National Football Stadium is a physical manifestation of all that is good about this country. Already on the way in or out of George Best Belfast City Airport passengers look out of the aeroplane window and gaze at the new addition to the Belfast skyline, perhaps remembering performances of old, perhaps dreaming of qualifying for future tournaments. There are too many people to thank for getting us here tonight, however ones I cannot miss out are the Northern Ireland Executive for providing the vast majority of the funding, Mark Haslett, Andy Priest and Geoff Patterson who between them designed and managed the entire project, all the members of the stadium project board who ensured we maintained good governance XLVSYKLSYX ERH SJ GSYVWI 0MRƤIPH *SSXFEPP 'PYF without whose agreement we could not have moved forward. Tonight I am delighted that we have as our special guest FIFA President Gianni Infantino who will formally open the stadium. Gianni is the symbol of a new FIFA as much as the National Football 7XEHMYQ MW E W]QFSP SJ E RI[ ERH GSRƤHIRX Northern Ireland. Thanks for coming Gianni, and we hope you and everyone else present tonight

enjoy the match. Patrick Nelson 'LMIJ )\IGYXMZI -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR

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SPONSOR’S WELCOME

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE IFA

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Tonight’s match against San Marino is Northern -VIPERHŭW ƤVWX LSQI Ƥ\XYVI MR +VSYT ' E KVSYT XLEX PSSOW WIX XS FI ƤIVGIP] GSQTIXMXMZI ;I EVI WYVI XLI Belfast crowd will want to give the team the best support possible. Following the incredible journey to the knockout stages in France during the summer, Vauxhall will be supporting Northern Ireland and the Green and White Army during the next two years as the team looks to replicate the recent success. The atmosphere throughout the last qualifying campaign was incredible and we know that the support given to the team in France this summer will carry on for this tournament. Your support is famous around the world and we know that the National Football Stadium crowd can

make the difference - and we have no doubt you will show your great support for Michael O’Neill’s side again tonight. Follow Vauxhall Northern Ireland on Twitter (@VauxhallNI) and join in the matchday conversation, including updates and behind- the-scenes content on matchday. Also, for exclusive Northern Ireland news and competitions including winning match tickets, take time to visit www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk And we have one extra special competition that presents YOU with the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at the newly transformed National Football Stadium at Windsor Park – visit www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk/competitions for further details!

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2MKIP 8MPWSR GLEVXW XLI HIZIPSTQIRX SJ XLI LSQI SJ 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH JSSXFEPP SZIV XLI TEWX ]IEVW FROM A MEADOW TO A WORLD CLASS STADIUM

The site where the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park now stands was a bog meadow [LIR 0MRƤIPH *SSXFEPP 'PYF HIGMHI XS TYVGLEWI MX MR 3GXSFIV After playing at various pitches following its JSVQEXMSR MR 0MRƤIPHŭW FSEVH QIQFIVW decided it was time for the club to have a permanent home and Rev RJ Clarke agreed to sell them the land which would be transformed into the home of Northern Ireland football. *SPPS[MRK RIEVP] E ]IEV SJ TVITEVEXMSRW XLI ƤVWX match was played at the pitch on 2 September 0MRƤIPH XSSO SR EVGL &IPJEWX VMZEPW +PIRXSVER that day and won the game 1-0 in front of an estimated 4,000 spectators. &] XLI TPE]MRK EVIE EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO ũ XLI ground was named after the district in south Belfast in which it is located – had been fenced and a dressing pavilion erected at the Railway End. The following year a seated grandstand took shape on the south side of the ground. Another grandstand, created by Scottish designer %VGLMFEPH 0IMXGL [EW EHHIH MR SR XLI 3P]QTME (VMZI WMHI SJ XLI KVSYRH [LMPI MR E portion of shelter was added to the south stand. The unreserved stand on the Olympia side was LEPXIH HIZIPSTQIRX at the ground. The next recorded addition was a GSRGVIXI FSYRHEV] JIRGI IVIGXIH FIX[IIR ERH 0MRƤIPH GSRXMRYIH XS HIZIPST ;MRHWSV 4EVO PEVKIP] XLEROW XS ƤRERGMEP WYTTSVX JVSQ XLI FSEVH ERH GPYF members. -R XLI &EPQSVEP WXERH [LMGL LEH WIEXW was bought from the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and added on to the South Stand. A few years later the old reserved stand roof on the south side was re-erected at the Railway End of the ground to make way for a new grandstand and dressing rooms on the southern side of the ground. XLIR I\XIRHIH MR 8LI +VIEX ;EV SJ

The new extension stood alongside the Balmoral stand, bringing the total number of seats on that side of the ground to 4,200. 8LI I\XIRWMSR [EW STIRIH SR 7ITXIQFIV with a match between Glasgow Rangers and 0MRƤIPH -X IRHIH ERH EXXVEGXIH QSVI XLER 15,000 spectators. The basic shape of Windsor Park, which can still be seen today in the new-look National Football Stadium, was formed through the opening of the 7SYXL 7XERH MR Terracing was added at various stages throughout XLI W ERH IEVP] W ERH VIGSVHW WLS[ XLI capacity of the ground was around 60,000 by the QMH W *SPPS[MRK ;SVPH ;EV 8[S EXXIRHERGIW at football grounds across the United Kingdom boomed and Windsor Park regularly hosted crowds of 50,000-plus at Home International games. Not surprisingly, work on the ground was limited HYVMRK XLI W -R LS[IZIV RI[ XYVRWXMPIW and gates were added and a press box with accommodation for 100 reporters built. %PWS MR E ƥSSHPMKLXMRK W]WXIQ [EW IVIGXIH EX the ground – amounting to six 1,500 watt lamps ũ FYX MX [EW RSX YRXMP XLEX E JYPP WGEPI W]WXIQ 0SVH &VSSOIFSVSYKL XLI XLIR Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, switched on the RI[ ƥSSHPMKLXMRK W]WXIQ %RH WTIGXEXSVW [EXGLIH XLI ƤVWX KEQI YRHIV XLI PMKLXW ũ E JVMIRHP] FIX[IIR 0MRƤIPH ERH 2I[GEWXPI 9RMXIH .YWX SZIV E ]IEV PEXIV XLI ƤVWX MRXIVREXMSREP QEXGL was played under them when Northern Ireland took on Romania. According to the archives, some rather cautious souls actually donned dark glasses to counter the “incredible brightness” of the lights that night! (YVMRK XLI W WMKRMƤGERX HIZIPSTQIRXW included installing around 600 seats under the roof at the Railway End. The move reduced the potential was put up. 3R 3GXSFIV

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capacity of the ground from around 60,000 to 48,600, and that was the attendance quoted for XLI ƤVWX MRXIVREXMSREP QEXGL XS FI TPE]IH JSPPS[MRK the installation of the seats – Northern Ireland v )RKPERH MR 3GXSFIV A Members Lounge was added to the ground MR JSPPS[IH F] E RI[ SJƤGMEP IRXVERGI ERH renovated dressing rooms two years later. %X XLI WXEVX SJ XLI W E WSGMEP GPYF [EW FYMPX EX the Railway End – it was extended 10 years later – ERH XS[EVHW XLI IRH SJ XLI HIGEHI XLI ƥSSHPMKLXMRK was upgraded. -R 2SZIQFIV 0MRƤIPH MRZMXIH 6YWWMER WMHI Moscow Dynamo to celebrate the opening of XLI RI[ e ƥSSHPMKLXMRK W]WXIQ -X [EW switched on by Roy Mason, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Russian visitors won the game 4-0 in front of JERW 8LI GVS[H [EW WQEPPIV XLER I\TIGXIH because there was torrential rain on the night of the game. Part of the Railway Stand at Windsor Park was [VIGOIH F] E XIVVSVMWX FSQF MR %TVMP [LMPI E decade later the unreserved stand backing on to 3P]QTME (VMZI [IRX YT MR ƥEQIW EJXIV 0MRƤIPH LEH defeated Glentoran 1-0 in a Co Antrim Shield tie. 4VMSV XS XLI ƤVI MR XLI YRVIWIVZIH WXERH XLI Irish Football Association had commissioned a feasibility study looking at the potential replacement of the terracing there with a new all- seater stand. 8LEX WXYH] UYMGOP] FIGEQI VIEPMX] EJXIV XLI ƤVI ;SVO FIKER MR 7ITXIQFIV SR XLI RI[ structure, which would be known as the North Stand, and it opened a year or so later. Its 6,800 seats took the seating capacity in the stadium to [LMPI XLI SZIVEPP GETEGMX] MR XLI KVSYRH [EW VIHYGIH F] XS The stand was formally opened in September SR XLI IZI SJ E 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH Z 6SQERME World Cup qualifying game. The opening ceremony was carried out jointly by FIFA President Dr Joao

Havelange and Nicholas Scott, Northern Ireland Minister responsible for Sport. The total cost of the North Stand scheme, including professional fees, VAT, site investigation costs and WS SR [EW NYWX SZIV e QMPPMSR The government via the Department of Education contributed 50% of the total cost up to a limit of £1m. The Football Trust advanced £500,000 and the Football Grounds Improvement Trust £200,000 leaving a balance of around £250,000 to be funded F] XLI -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR ERH 0MRƤIPH %X XLI WXEVX SJ XLI KVSYRH KSX [LEX GSYPH FI HIWGVMFIH EW MXW ƤVWX QSHIVR HYKSYXW 8LI dugouts, which each accommodated 11 people on individual seats, replaced covered structures which only had bench seats. *SPPS[MRK XLI ƤVI XVEKIH] MR XLI QEMR WXERH EX &VEHJSVH 'MX]ŭW :EPPI] 4EVEHI KVSYRH MR 1E] in which 58 people died, local authorities across the UK acted to prevent any repetition. Following an intervention by the Department of Economic Development’s health and safety experts, the South Stand had to be revamped. The old Balmoral section of the stand was removed ERH ƤVITVSSƤRK PMKLXMRK ERH I\MX TSMRXW YTKVEHIH to comply with safety requirements. The stand’s wooden bench seats were removed and replaced with plastic tip-up seats. And its capacity was VIHYGIH XS F] XLI WXEVX SJ XLI season. *SPPS[MRK XLI ,MPPWFSVSYKL HMWEWXIV MR 7LIJƤIPH MR %TVMP MR [LMGL 0MZIVTSSP JERW HMIH *-*% HIGVIIH .YP] XLEX JVSQ RS WXERHMRK spectators would be permitted at World Cup qualifying matches. This saw the closing of the Spion Kop terracing for internationals staged at Windsor Park from SR[EVHW EPXLSYKL MX HMH VIQEMR STIR JSV 0MRƤIPH KEQIW 1MRH ]SY XLI /ST HMH QEREKI SRI last hurrah re: international games. It was used for ER MRXIVREXMSREP JVMIRHP] EKEMRWX +IVQER] SR 1E] XLI +IVQERW LEH YWIH 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH

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EW XLIMV FEWI NYWX TVMSV XS GSQTIXMRK EX )YVS MR England. The next major works at the ground involved an I\XIRWMSR XS XLI 7SYXL 7XERH ũ EHHMRK WIEXW – and 400 bucket-type seats replacing the bench seats in the Railway Stand. 8LI I\XIRHIH 7SYXL 7XERH [EW ƤVWX YWIH JSV E Northern Ireland v Albania match in September [LMPI XLI SJƤGMEP STIRMRK XSSO TPEGI EX E Northern Ireland v Spain match the following month. 8LI SXLIV QENSV FYMPHMRK TVSNIGX SJ XLI W [EW the construction of a new Kop Stand. The £2m WIEX WXERH STIRIH MR .YP] [LIR 0MRƤIPH faced Liverpool in a friendly. The new millennium sparked plenty of debate about Windsor Park’s suitability for international football going forward. In 2001 an advisory panel chaired by former Northern Ireland international Billy Hamilton called for the creation of a National Stadium. It echoed a previous recommendation made by a National StadiumWorking Group set up under the auspices SJ XLI 7TSVXW 'SYRGMP MR The Sports Minister at the time, Michael McGimpsey, rejected the national stadium idea on the grounds of cost, however by 2005 the UK Government was warming to the idea but proposed E WIEXIV WXEHMYQ JSV JSSXFEPP +%% ERH VYKF] on the site of the old Maze Prison rather than a pure football stadium. As the debate over a multi-sport stadium at the Maze raged, Windsor Park was starting to show signs of wear and tear. Severe weather damaged part of the roof of the North Stand at Christmas [LMPI MR 1EVGL XLI 6EMP[E] 7XERH [EW barred from future use following a Health and Safety Executive/Fire Authority assessment. Then Sports Minister Gregory Campbell kicked the 1E^I 7XEHMYQ TPER MRXS XSYGL MR WE]MRK MX HMH RSX IRNS] WYJƤGMIRX TSPMXMGEP WYTTSVX ,I TVSTSWIH he would instead help the Irish FA, Ulster Rugby and the GAA to develop solutions to their stadia needs.

New safety requirements kicked in during 2010 and the knock-on effect was a reduced capacity in the South Stand at Windsor Park as well as the provision of temporary seating for international matches. In March 2011 the Northern Ireland Assembly announced a funding package for the redevelopment of Northern Ireland’s three main WTSVXMRK ZIRYIW ERH EVSYRH e Q [EW QEHI available to the Irish FA to upgrade Windsor Park. A Project Manager – Geoff Patterson – was appointed to oversee the stadium project and by early 2012 a design team, featuring architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and so on, was in place. The planning consultation process began in the early part of 2012 and planning approval for the redevelopment of the stadium was granted later that year. 2IKSXMEXMSRW [MXL 0MRƤIPH SZIV XLI PIEWI SJ XLI stadium ran parallel with the planning consultation. Eventually a deal was hammered out. The Irish FA agreed to develop and lease the stadium for 51 years. The start of building work on the project was delayed by a judicial review. It had been due to FIKMR MR 7ITXIQFIV ,S[IZIV XLIVI [EW E successful outcome to the JR which meant building could get under way in May 2014. Everything was going smoothly until March 2015 when a structural failure meant the Kop (West) Stand had to be demolished. The outcome was that the stadium redevelopment project was extended to the creation of three new stands rather than the TVSTSWIH X[S ERH SZIVEPP GSWX VSWI XS e QMPPMSR 2S[ QSRXLW PEXIV ERH [MXL QER] WREKW MVSRIH out along the way, the stadium is fully prepared and ready for action. %GORS[PIHKIQIRX FSSOW F] .SI 'EWWIPPW ERH XLI PEXI (V 1EPGSPQ &VSHMI 1&) [IVI EQSRK XLI VIWIEVGL HSGYQIRXW YWIH MR XLI GSQTMPEXMSR SJ XLMW EVXMGPI 4MGXYVIW F] 4VIWW )]I ERH 4EGIQEOIV

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% FMVHŭW I]I ZMI[ SJ XLI GSQTPIXIH 2EXMSREP *SSXFEPP 7XEHMYQ EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO

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STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT TEAM PROJECT SPONSOR Irish FA Geoff Patterson DESIGN TEAM Hamilton Architects Mark Haslett Edmond Shipway Andy Priest Arup Paul Johnston MAIN CONTRACTOR O’Hare & McGovern Nick Oldfield Contracts Manager

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STADIUM FACTS Northern Ireland have scored a total of 292 goals in their 234 games at Windsor Park in the last 106 years. Not surprisingly the player with the most international goals at the ‘Shrine’ is David Healy with an impressive tally of 19. Jimmy Quinn and

at the ground was, of course, by David Healy in XLI RIZIV XS FI JSVKSXXIR [MR SZIV 7TEMR SR September 2006. The most consecutive wins Northern Ireland have IZIV VIGSVHIH EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO MW ƤZI FIX[IIR 21 September 1982 and 14 November 1984. If Michael O’Neill’s charges defeat San Marino this evening they will equal that record. Northern Ireland’s longest unbeaten run at the KVSYRH GEQI FIX[IIR 2SZIQFIV (ERR] &PERGLƥS[IVŭW PEWX KEQI MR GLEVKI ERH 1E] [LIR XLI] HVI[ [MXL )RKPERH ũ E VYR SJ 11 games. ;MPPMEQ .SLRWXSR FIGEQI XLI ƤVWX WYFWXMXYXI XS score for Northern Ireland at Windsor when he found the net in a 4-1 friendly win against Mexico on 22 June 1966. Twelve players have managed that feat since, the last one being Will Grigg in the 3-0 win over Belarus back in May. England have been the most frequent visitors to XLI KVSYRH SZIV XLI ]IEVW LEZMRK TPE]IH KEQIW in Belfast. Northern Ireland have won only four of XLSWI IRGSYRXIVW XLI ƤVWX GSQMRK MR [LIR two goals from Billy Gillespie gave them a 2-1 victory. Gillespie was again on target 10 years later when another 2-1 success was recorded. Following E [MR MR XLIVI [EW E ]IEV [EMX before another home success and David Healy’s memorable winner against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side in 2005. The most goals that Northern Ireland have ever WGSVIH MR E WMRKPI KEQI EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO MW ƤZI [LMGL LEW LETTIRIH X[MGI 8LI ƤVWX SGGEWMSR was in April 1971 when they beat Cyprus 5-0, the second came on 15 November 1995 when Bryan Hamilton’s side defeated Austria 5-3 in a European Championship tie - a game in which current International boss Michael O’Neill scored twice. The fastest ever hat-trick by an opposition player EX XLI KVSYRH [EW SR 7ITXIQFIV [LIR %VMJ Erdem scored three in just three minutes as Turkey VER SYX [MRRIVW MR E )YVSTIER 'LEQTMSRWLMT UYEPMƤIV 8LI JEWXIWX LEX XVMGO F] ER STTSWMRK TPE]IV coming on as a substitute was by Germany’s Oliver &MIVLSJJ SR %YKYWX [LIR LI JSYRH XLI RIX three times inside six minutes to give the visitors a ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV ZMGXSV]

Kyle Lafferty, who have both scored 10 goals each at Windsor, are the only other players to LEZI VIEGLIH HSYFPI ƤKYVIW

Northern Ireland’s complete record at Windsor Park is:

P

W

D

L

F

A

;'5 )'5 &-' *6 Total: 234

86

56

92

292

332

8LI ƤVWX -RXIVREXMSREP QEXGL TPE]IH EX XLI WXEHMYQ [EW LIPH SR 1EVGL [LIR -VIPERH defeated Scotland 1-0 in a British International 'LEQTMSRWLMT GSRXIWX MR JVSRX SJ supporters. Frank Thompson scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute. The largest attendance ever recorded at what is now the National Football Stadium was 59,000 when England ran out 2-0 winners on 2 October 1954. In contrast the lowest crowd ever to attend ER MRXIVREXMSREP Ƥ\XYVI [EW SR 1E] 1989 when Chile defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in a friendly. One of the reasons given for the low turnout that evening was the live television coverage of the First Division title decider between Liverpool and Arsenal. There have been four hat-tricks scored by Northern -VIPERH TPE]IVW EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO 8LI ƤVWX [EW F] &MPP] 1G%HEQW MR E ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMJ]MRK HIJIEX XS ;IWX +IVQER] SR 3GXSFIV .SRR] Crossan was the next player to achieve the feat in E ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV ZMGXSV] SZIV %PFERME SR 1E] 2I\X YT [EW +ISVKI &IWX [LSWI XVIFPI came in a 5-0 success over Cyprus in a European 'LEQTMSRWLMT XMI SR %TVMP 8LI PEWX ERH probably the most famous hat-trick to be scored

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(EZMH ,IEP] WGSVIH E WXYRRMRK LEX XVMGO EKEMRWX 7TEMR EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO MR 7ITXIQFIV

8LI XIEQ [LS FIEX -XEP] EX XLI KVSYRH XS TVSKVIWW XS XLI ;SVPH 'YT *MREPW

0E[VMI 7ERGLI^ GIPIFVEXIW [MXL XLI +VIIR ERH ;LMXI %VQ] MR XLI WXEHMYQ EJXIV XLI JEQSYW [MR EKEMRWX 7TEMR MR

2SVXLIVR -VIPERH WXIT SYX XS JEGI )RKPERH EX ;MRHWSV 4EVO MR

1MGLEIP 3ŭ2IMPP MW KMZIR XLI FYQTW F] XLI TPE]IVW JSPPS[MRK XLI [MR SZIV +VIIGI PEWX EYXYQR [LMGL WIGYVIH 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW TPEGI EX )YVS MR *VERGI

2SVXLIVR -VIPERH [IPGSQIH )RKPERH ERH XLIMV JEQSYW GETXEMR &SFF] 1SSVI XS ;MRHWSV 4EVO WLSVXP] EJXIV )RKPERH [SR XLI ;SVPH 'YT MR

2SVXLIVR -VIPERH MR EGXMSR EKEMRWX 7[IHIR MR XLI W

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WHAT THEY SAID

“Many children dream of sporting glory. I know I did when I used to go to Windsor Park, Belfast, to watch Northern Ireland play. I remember vividly one EJXIVRSSR GPMQFMRK SR XLI PS[IV VYRK SJ E ƥSSHPMKLX pylon in torrential rain and watching a game against Scotland. I left the ground soaked to the skin, but I was too busy with my thoughts of one day being good enough to represent my country to bother about a minor detail like possible pneumonia.” Pat Jennings “It has gone on record, from David Beckham to everyone that comes here, that no-one relishes coming to Windsor Park. The Windsor Roar is renowned throughout the world. There’s an incredible atmosphere here. The place rocks when there is a full house. It’s only a small stadium but the noise levels are incredible.” 1EMO 8E]PSV “The night I made my home debut at Windsor Park MR E [MR EKEMRWX &IPKMYQ [EW ZIV] WTIGMEP RSX only because I scored two goals but because the noise levels were unbelievable. In those days you could cram nearly 40,000 people into the ground, but as the years went by it was clear it was in desperate need of modernisation. “The stadium now looks fantastic and even though it’s half the capacity it was in my day I don’t think it has lost any of its atmosphere. I think today the fans are just as vocal and the noise they make just reverberates around the stadium.” +IVV] %VQWXVSRK “A full house at the stadium makes as much noise EW JERW ERH XLEX X]TI SJ WYTTSVX QEOIW ]SY want to work even harder on the pitch. “Sometimes in a break in play during games the players just look around at the whole ground doing the Bouncy and it’s an absolutely amazing sight.” Chris Baird

“The fans are a huge factor in making Windsor Park such a fortress. The noise and atmosphere they create at home is amazing: it makes teams fear coming to Belfast. “It also gives the players belief that they could beat anybody at Windsor and that has been shown over the years in the way they have come from behind to beat the likes of Spain, Sweden and Denmark.” 7EQQ] 1G-PVS] “During my time as an international I came to realise that Windsor was just as special a place to play football in as any of the much vaunted grounds around the world. “When the noise starts and the crowd get behind the team the place really begins rocking. It lifts the players no end and they and the crowd feed off each other.” Jim Magilton “When I was a young boy I used to stand on the old Spion Kop at Windsor Park. It was a heaving mass of bodies, a wall of noise that was the backdrop to some unbelievable games. I used to stand there with my dad in awe of the atmosphere. “One evening stands out for me. It was 12 7ITXIQFIV ũ E UYEPMJ]MRK QEXGL [MXL 6SQERME 2SVQER ;LMXIWMHI [EW MR JYPP ƥS[ ,I grabbed the crucial goal, slipping the ball past their keeper right in front of the Kop. He ran towards us with his arms in the air. “The noise was incredible. I imagined tasting that feeling.” Keith Gillespie

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THE PROJECT MANAGER’S VIEW 8LI MHIE SJ FYMPHMRK E RI[ 2EXMSREP *SSXFEPP 7XEHMYQ LEH FIIR MR XLI QEOMRK JSV UYMXI E JI[ ]IEVW

Several locations had been considered but it was ƤREPP] EKVIIH XLEX XLI VIHIZIPSTQIRX SJ ;MRHWSV Park was the best option. The redevelopment works for the National Football Stadium started in May 2014 after the Irish Cup Final had been played on the old Windsor Park surface. We had never intended to start with the pitch reconstruction works but as a result of circumstances outside our control we had to revisit our programme plan. The single biggest concern for us was to have a new playing surface in place and ready for the start of our Euro 2016 campaign in September 2014. We achieved that part of the plan. What followed was a sequence of work starting with the demolition of the South Stand and at the same time commencing the building of the East Stand. All was going well until the end of March 2015 when X[S HE]W EJXIV XLI LSQI )YVS UYEPMƤIV EKEMRWX Finland the West Stand (Kop) suffered a structural failure of such an impact that it had to be made safe by demolition.

We had to redirect a huge amount of effort to ensure that we had the East Stand demolition [SVOW ƤRMWLIH MR XMQI JSV XLI RI\X LSQI international game against Romania in June 2015. Again we did it and managed to keep our spectator capacity to the stated number. Throughout all the setbacks and delays we have strived to make this stadium available to as many spectators we could safely provide seats for and ensure that coming into and leaving from what effectively was a huge building site was achieved with the minimum of fuss. Today we are at the end of the process to build a National Football Stadium and we can be proud of what we have achieved. To all the people who have contributed in whatever [E] XLI] LEZI XS FYMPH XLMW QEKRMƤGIRX WXEHMYQ E sincere and truly meant thank you. Without you we could never have achieved what we have. Geoff Patterson 7XEHMYQ 4VSNIGX 1EREKIV

Delighted to craft the cake for the official opening of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park home to the northern ireland football team

Baking Brilliance daily traditional breads specialty cakes patisserie deli corporate catering Visit our Bakery and Deli/Restaurant situated at The Arc, Titanic Quarter (behind SSE Arena) and Bakery located at Cherryvalley Belfast. Download our ‘Belfast Baking Company’ App for special offers and competitions. T 028 90 183 690 www.belfastbaking.com

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IT'S YOUR LIFE. GO DRIVE IT. NEWMOKKA X

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£229 PER MONTH + ADVANCE RENTAL

Official GovernmentTest Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Mokka XActive 1.4i Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop FWD: Urban: 37.2 (7.6), Extra Urban: 55.4 (5.1), Combined: 47.1 (6.0). CO 2 emissions: 140 g/km. # Personal contract hire offer on Mokka XActive 1.4iTurbo (140PS) Start/Stop FWD in free of charge metallic or brilliant paint with OnStar and 4GWi-Fi, on orders received before 31 December2016, subject to availability and status.Age 18+ only. Figures based on a non-maintenance contracthire package with advance rental of £2,977, then 47 monthly payments of £229. Excess miles over contracted mileage of 32,000 over 48 months charged at 11.08 pence per mile. Excess charges also apply if you breach manufacturer servicing or maintenance guidelines or if the car exceeds BVRLA FairWear &Tear guidelines for its age/mileage when it is returned toVauxhall Leasing. Package includes Road Fund Licence andVauxhallAssistance. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. Prices and details are subject to change without notice. For full specification andTs&Cs contact your local Retailer. You will not own the car. ALDAutomotive Ltd., trading asVauxhall Leasing, BS16 3JA.Authorised and regulated by the Financial ConductAuthority.The OnStar Services requires activation. Wi-Fi Hotspot requires account with nominated network operator. Check Vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability coverage, and charges, or ask your Vauxhall Retailer. #Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. Official EU-regulated test data is provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. Correct at time of going to press.

CZECH REPUBLIC 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 0

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUP C - ROUND 1 SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2016 GENERALI ARENA, PRAGUE ATTENDANCE 10,731

STATS

65%

POSSESSION

35%

17

SHOTS

7

1

SHOTS ON TARGET

3

6

CORNERS

4

9

FOULS

10

1 Vaclik 2 Kaderábek TEAMS

1 McGovern 2 McLaughlin 4 McAuley 5 Evans 3 Ferguson 19 Ward 17 McNair 16 Norwood

17 Suchy 3 Kadlec 22 Novak 10 Skalak 8 Darida 12 Pavelka 19 Krejci 14 Kadlec 21 Skoda

8 Davis 14 Dallas 10 Lafferty

SUBSTITUTES 4 Gebre Selassie 5 Kalas 6 Pokorny 7 Necid 9 Pospisil

SUBSTITUTES 6 Hodson 7 McGinn 9 Boyce 11 Washington 12 Mannus 13 Evans 15 McGivern 18 Smith 20 Lund 21 Magennis

11 Pudil 13 Kopic

15 Sykora 16 Koubek 18 Sural 20 Vydra 23 Drobny

22 Morris 23 Carson

21

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Kids just can’t get enough football

For the last 14 years we have helped develop over 7000 grassroots football clubs, enabled thousands of children to try football at our local events and rewarded the hard-working volunteers whomake football happen through our partnership with the UK football associations. B] Æ\R ]cb []`S OP]cb eVOb eS¿`S R]W\U b] ac^^]`b U`Oaa`]]ba T]]bPOZZ in your area, visit mcdonalds.co.uk/BetterPlay

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUP C - ROUND 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 0

23

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NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

MICHAEL McGOVERN GOALKEEPER

ALAN MANNUS GOALKEEPER

TREVOR CARSON GOALKEEPER

JONNY EVANS DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

West Bromwich Albion

Hartlepool United

Norwich City %KI 'ETW 16

St Johnstone %KI 'ETW 8

Goals 0

Goals 0

%KI 28

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 28

'ETW 54

Goals 1

GARETH McAULEY DEFENDER

TOM FLANAGAN

LEE HODSON DEFENDER

AARON HUGHES DEFENDER

DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Kerala Blasters (India) %KI 'ETW Goals 0

Burton Albion

Glasgow Rangers

West Bromwich Albion

%KI 24

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW Goals 1

%KI 'ETW 66

Goals

CALLUM MORRIS DEFENDER

MICHAEL SMITH DEFENDER

RYAN McGIVERN

CONOR McLAUGHLIN

DEFENDER

DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Fleetwood Town

Peterborough United

Shrewsbury Town

Aberdeen

%KI 26

'ETW Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW 20

Goals 0

%KI 28

'ETW 1

Goals 0

%KI 26

'ETW 0

Goals 0

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STUART DALLAS MIDFIELDER

Southampton %KI 'ETW 88 STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER 'PYF

CORRY EVANS MIDFIELDER

SHANE FERGUSON

MIDFIELDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Leeds United

Blackburn Rovers

Millwall

%KI 25

'ETW 18

Goals 1

Goals 8

%KI 26

'ETW Goals 1

%KI 25

'ETW Goals 1

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

PADDY McNAIR MIDFIELDER

OLIVER NORWOOD

MATTHEW LUND MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Rochdale

Aberdeen

Sunderland

Brighton & Hove Albion

%KI 25

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 'ETW 46

Goals

%KI 21

'ETW 12

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW Goals 0

St Johnstone %KI 'ETW 2 PAUL PATON MIDFIELDER 'PYF

JAMIE WARD* MIDFIELDER

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

CONOR WASHINGTON FORWARD

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

QPR %KI 24 'PYF

Nottingham Forest %KI 'ETW Goals 2

Norwich City %KI 'ETW 55

Charlton Athletic

Goals 0

Goals

%KI 26

'ETW Goals 1

'ETW 8

Goals 2

*on loan at Burton Albion

25

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Nothing brings us together like football. Win or lose, we’re here to celebrate those unpredictable moments of pure joy we share as one team, one nation. Are you ready? Celebrate the start of a new journey.

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Enjoy those #GetIN moments at

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THE GREAT EURO 2016 ADVENTURE

S O U V E N I R P U L L O U T

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS...

2MKIP 8MPWSR VIƥIGXW SR 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW FMK EHZIRXYVI MR *VERGI MR XLI WYQQIV SJ

It would be easy to say it was worth the wait. And, yes, it certainly was. But one of the outcomes of the Northern Ireland XIEQŭW TEVXMGMTEXMSR EX XLIMV ƤVWX QENSV XSYVREQIRX MR ]IEVW WLSYPH FI E GSPPIGXMZI TYWL EX EPP PIZIPW of the game to ensure it will not be as long until the next time. Euro 2016 was something else and something very special. From the players’ remarkable efforts on the pitch to the unstinting support provided by our fans in France and back home, the tournament provided a rich tapestry of amazing scenes and memories. The four games in which the team competed triggered a wide array of emotions. And they were all played in electric atmospheres largely created, RYVXYVIH ERH QEMRXEMRIH SJXIR PSRK EJXIV XLI ƤREP whistle) by the Green and White Army hordes. Northern Ireland’s debut encounter at a European 'LEQTMSRWLMT ƤREPW [EW E FMXXIVW[IIX I\TIVMIRGI Great to be there but not a great result. 8LI 4SPIW GEQI ƥ]MRK SYX SJ XLI XVETW GEYKLX us on the hop with their pace and power, and fully deserved their 1-0 win in Nice courtesy of an Arkadiusz Milik strike. The players were rattled, the fans disappointed, but a steely determination quickly developed within the squad to put things right in the next game. And boy did they deliver after making the relatively short journey from Chateau de Pizay, the classy team hotel during Euro 2016, to the Stade de Lyon where they faced Ukraine in their second game in Group C. %JXIV E XMKLX ƤVWX LEPJ XLI KEQI WTVERK XS PMJI IEVP] in the second half when Gareth McAuley notched 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ƤVWX IZIV KSEP EX E )YVSTIER 'LEQTMSRWLMT ƤREPW -X GEQI MR XLI XL QMRYXI [LIR &MK + WSEVIH above Ukrainian defender Yevhen Khacheridi to get SR XLI IRH SJ E ƤRI 3PPMI 2SV[SSH HIPMZIV] JVSQ E

JVII OMGO ERH TPERXIH E KPSVMSYW LIEHIV ƤVQP] MRXS the back of the net. Ukraine keeper Andriy Pyatov stood almost motionless as the ball whizzed past him in the pouring rain. %RH XLI MGMRK [EW ƤVQP] TYX SR XLI GEOI [LIR deep into injury time, Northern Ireland doubled their lead. Sub Josh Magennis powered and tricked his way past a defender out wide and pulled the ball back to Stuart Dallas. His neat snapshot was parried by Pyatov but landed at the feet of another sub, Niall McGinn, who coolly slotted the ball home. The Green and White Army erupted. The stadium went bonkers. A famous victory had been secured. Next up were Germany, the formidable reigning world champions, and they produced a master class. They were a joy to watch. Afterwards Ollie Norwood said the Germans were the best team he had ever played against. And XLI] [IVI GIVXEMRP] SR ƤVI EX XLI 4EVG HIW 4VMRGIW in Paris. Their movement and their intensity were mindblowing. Although the only goal of the game, scored by German striker Mario Gomez, was a tad fortunate, there was no getting away from the fact that Michael McGovern was Northern Ireland’s star performer in the game. Time after time he thwarted the Germans, pulling off some incredible saves. A handful of the stops were world class. Behind the scenes, the Germans were also classy – polite and friendly. Bastian Schweinsteiger was full of praise for our fans, while Manuel Neuer wanted to swap his shirt with only one person: Michael McGovern. And Mats Hummels made sure he got hold of Will Grigg’s shirt because “I love the song”. Of course, the 1-0 reverse was enough to get Northern Ireland through to the Round of 16 and it was back to Parc des Princes to face Wales. The boys in white and green - they were wearing the away kit - controlled the game, with Jonny Evans marshalling Gareth Bale superbly and the

28

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axis of Steven Davis and Ollie Norwood keeping Aaron Ramsey extremely quiet. Stuart Dallas, Jamie Ward and Ollie Norwood all produced decent shots on goal, while Kyle Lafferty headed over when well placed. Apart from a trademark dipping free-kick from Bale, which Michael McGovern dealt with comfortably, Wales never really looked like scoring until Bale broke away down the left and executed a delicious cross

which Big G unfortunately turned into his own net as Robson-Kanu was about to pounce. It was unavoidable, but what a gut- wrenching way to fall behind – and eventually to lose the game. Northern Ireland tried to rally after that but to no avail and XLIVI [EW HIƤRMXIP] E JIIPMRK that the game was there for the taking when the players VIƥIGXIH SR XLI ;EPIW IRGSYRXIV

in the days following their Euro 2016 exit. 8LI EHMIY [SYPH HIƤRMXIP] LEZI FIIR IEWMIV to take if we had been on the receiving end of a sparkling performance from the STTSWMXMSR FYX XLEX [EW HIƤRMXIP] RSX XLI case here. Still, despite our stay in France being cruelly cut short, we were nevertheless left with many wonderful memories from Euro 2016. And the homecoming event at Titanic Belfast just a couple of days later, where the players got a taste of the fanatical support which their efforts sparked back home and 10,000 supporters got to thank their heroes, helped to ease the pain as it was another great occasion linked to the Euros EHZIRXYVI ERH MX [EW E ƤXXMRK ƤREPI

29

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NORTHERN IRELAND V POLAND

30

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EURO 2016 GROUP C

POLAND

1

MILIK (51’) NORTHERN IRELAND

0

SUNDAY 12th JUNE 2016 STADE DE NICE, NICE ATTENDANCE: 33,742 (including 10,000 Northern Ireland fans) REF: OVIDIU HATEGAN (ROM)

STATS

65%

POSSESSION

35%

18

SHOTS

2

4

SHOTS ON TARGET

0

8

CORNERS

1

11

FOULS

12

TEAMS

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 McGovern 20 Cathcart 4 McAuley 5 Evans 2 McLaughlin 17 McNair 6 Baird 16 Norwood 3 Ferguson 8 Davis 10 Lafferty SUBSTITUTES 7 McGinn 9 Grigg 11 Washington 12 Carroll 13 Evans 14 Dallas 15 McCullough 18 Hughes 19 Ward 21 Magennis

POLAND 1 Szczesny 20 Piszczek 15 Gilik 2 Pazdan 3 Jedrzeczyk 16 Blaszczykowski 10 Krychowiak 5 Maczynski 21 Kapustka 7 Milik 9 Lewandowski (C)

SUBSTITUTES 4 Cionek 6 Jodlowiec 8 Linetty 11 Grosicki 12 Boruc 13 Stepinski 14 Wawrzyniak 17 Peszko 18 Salamon 19 Zielinski 22 Fabianski 23 Starzynski

22 Hodson 23 Mannus

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Made with