Michael O'Neill (4 Viewers)

[Skyblueweeman]

Sorry about the tenuous link but tonight, I'm a bloody proud Northern Irishman as we've reached our first major championship in nearly 30 years. I was 6 the last time so it's the first in living memory.

Lead by Michael O'Neill who started his playing career at my hometown, Coleraine, he played for us 5 times in the mid-90's. Anyone remember those 5 games??

Anyway, so proud that we're looking like qualifying in top bless. Unbelievable stuff!!


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[Otis]

Well done Northern Ireland. Hope they have a blast in France.

Looks like we might well have England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all making it through to the finals.

Might actually do a favour for England, cos it won't all be about them and following their every move, the limelight will to a degree, be shared. Perhaps a little less focus on the England camp.

But back to NI, it's a great effort from them. Top of the group too.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

Yep, will end the campaign as top so long as we don't lose on Sunday.


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[6 Generations]

Well done to Northern Ireland. They have been great to watch. Steve Davis was outstanding as their captain. Well done to Michael O'Neill. In fact it was a great night for the O'Neills. It would great to see both Irish sides as well as Wales and England in France.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Sorry about the tenuous link but tonight, I'm a bloody proud Northern Irishman as we've reached our first major championship in nearly 30 years. I was 6 the last time so it's the first in living memory.

Lead by Michael O'Neill who started his playing career at my hometown, Coleraine, he played for us 5 times in the mid-90's. Anyone remember those 5 games??

Anyway, so proud that we're looking like qualifying in top bless. Unbelievable stuff!!


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Signed him in 96, can't remember him actually playing. We were supposed to sign Neil Lennon but Atkinson fucked that up....

 

[SkyBlueSid]

Michael O'Neill's debut was on the opening day of the season in 1996 when we were hammered 3-0 at home by Forest with a Campbell hat-trick. O'Neill was substituted at half time on his debut and didn't play again all season. Not the stuff of legends!

His next start was over a year later and he was stretchered off in the first half. His only other league start was a Boxing Day defeat at West Ham and he was subbed off there too. Unlikely to figure in too many teams on the 'Best ever' thread, I feel.

 

[skybluetony176]

Can I just say.

We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland, we're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland, we're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland but it's all the same to us.

 

[Sick Boy]

Fair play to the north.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Fair play Scotland for choosing to stay at the home whilst the rest of the UK (& possibly Ireland) take part in France 2016!

 

[Otis]

Fair play Scotland for choosing to stay at the home whilst the rest of the UK (& possibly Ireland) take part in France 2016!

Did you see the advertising hoardings for the Scots game. Read something like 'We love you Germany, but only for tonight.'

A bit embarrassing and rather desperate.

They must be gutted that they will be the one nation from these parts not taking place.

 

[Will Silver CCFC57]

It was, and has been a tremendous team performance from the Northern Irish, I will be honest in that I could only probably name two players if pressed.
I will always take a group of players who believe in each other and work their nuts off, than a bunch of prima donnas.

 

[PVA]

Fair play Scotland for choosing to stay at the home whilst the rest of the UK (& possibly Ireland) take part in France 2016!

They finally have their independence!

Well for 4 weeks they will anyway.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

It was, and has been a tremendous team performance from the Northern Irish, I will be honest in that I could only probably name two players if pressed.
I will always take a group of players who believe in each other and work their nuts off, than a bunch of prima donnas.

Fair comment...same way I could only name 2 players in the Welsh side and maybe a couple in the Scottish. O'Neill seems to have installed some belief in the team.

We're likely to get battered in France but just to be there will be amazing. We can continue to dream of results such as vs Spain in their back yard in 82!

 

[Otis]

Fair comment...same way I could only name 2 players in the Welsh side and maybe a couple in the Scottish. O'Neill seems to have installed some belief in the team.

We're likely to get battered in France but just to be there will be amazing. We can continue to dream of results such as vs Spain in their back yard in 82!

Errrm .... Greece 2004.

 

[lifeskyblue]

Well done to Northern Ireland. Great result last night and along with England and Wales and possibly the republic it should make for an interesting tournament.
Must say I feel v sorry for Scotland...having your dreams dashed right at the end must have been heartbreaking although somehow not unusual in football. Hope strachan doesn't lose his job as a result


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[Monners]

Well done to Norn Iron

Just shows that there are 2 teams in Ireland after all!

Hopefully win in Poland on Sunday (or a 2-2 draw) and we don't have to face play off hell!

 

[Skyblueweeman]

Errrm .... Greece 2004.

Yeah, you could also point to Denmark in 1992 who only came in after the then Yugoslavia were booted out.

I know what you're saying...over 30 years of being a Cov and NI fan though Otis has always told me to be totally be pessimistic then results like last night are all the more satisfying.

 

[Mcbean]

means i have four teams to support in the tournament - even if the *uckin jocks had made i dont support them out of principle as they are so trivial about hating us

 

[WestEndAgro]

"Good times never felt so good, so good, so good, so good"

 

[skybluetony176]

Yeah, you could also point to Denmark in 1992 who only came in after the then Yugoslavia were booted out.

I know what you're saying...over 30 years of being a Cov and NI fan though Otis has always told me to be totally be pessimistic then results like last night are all the more satisfying.

Remember the 1982 world cup. Despite some dodgy refereeing in favour of host's Spain too. Be nice to the Green & White Army get revenge over France on home turf as well.

 

[Otis]

Yeah, you could also point to Denmark in 1992 who only came in after the then Yugoslavia were booted out.

I know what you're saying...over 30 years of being a Cov and NI fan though Otis has always told me to be totally be pessimistic then results like last night are all the more satisfying.

Not saying you can win it, but you sure as hell can make a mark upon it and have a shed load of fun whilst doing so.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

Not saying you can win it, but you sure as hell can make a mark upon it and have a shed load of fun whilst doing so.

Yeah, I guess so. The gap between the international teams is not the same as it was 20/30 years ago. The so called minnows are closer to the big boys in terms of ability nowadays. I'm not saying we could be world beaters but you're right, nations like NI are making more of a fist of these tournaments. Look at S.Korea in 2004! 3rd place at a WC!

 

[ms639]

Well done to Northern Ireland. They have been great to watch. Steve Davis was outstanding as their captain. Well done to Michael O'Neill. In fact it was a great night for the O'Neills. It would great to see both Irish sides as well as Wales and England in France.

old steve wasn't bad at snooker either

 

[Sick Boy]

It'll be great to see the 2 Irish teams playing in France.