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ALL FIRED UP
TO TACKLE FURTHER CHALLENGES
Josh Magennis is the former goalkeeper who made
his debut as a striker against Turkey in the USA.
He's the 26-year-old who has to pinch himself every
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remarkable international career.
“It's been a fantastic journey – I've been blessed,”
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replacement in a friendly defeat to the Turks in
May 2010.
An understrength team, managed by former boss
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players, lost 2-0 at the Veterans Stadium
in Connecticut.
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boasts an impressive back catalogue of green
shirted highlights.
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to be forgotten 3-1 win over Greece in Belfast
13 months ago; a result, of course, that clinched
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Add in the historic achievement of playing in France
in the summer and a major contribution for Niall
McGinn's goal against Ukraine in Lyon and the
Charlton Athletic striker has much to be proud of.
He said: “After my debut in 2010 if someone had
told me all this would happen I would have been
thinking 'really’?
“I just pray to God that I can continue progressing.
You only get one bite at the cherry to play
professional football and not everyone gets to play
for their country.
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up. I've always wanted to do myself justice every
single time I play for Northern Ireland.”
Magennis, who won his 25th cap in last month's
2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Germany in
Hannover, says he owes a huge debt of gratitude to
Michael O'Neill.
“He has been brilliant, not only in terms of my
international career but also my club career,” he
said. “The faith he has shown in me is massive.
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42
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