ONE is Northern Ireland's talismanic captain, the other is a star man for the Republic.
But while Steven Davis and Shane Long may be international rivals at Euro 2016, the pair - and their families - are in fact the best of friends.
The duo are team mates at English Premier League side Southampton and spend much of their spare time together, according to Shane's wife Kayleah.
It helps of course that they each have two daughters of similar age.
Cullybackey-native Steven and his wife Tracey are parents to Chloe (7) and Kaia (4) while Shane, from Co Tipperary, and Kayleah have girls Teigan (6) and two-year-old Erin.
"The four girls love each other," said Kayleah.
"They are friends for life - Tracey and I are really close and Shane and Steven are so alike. They get on really well.
"We go round to each other's houses and go on nights out and watch the matches together.
"They are a great pair and we always have a laugh with them - they're very down to earth.
"They are so easy to get along with, both Shane and Steven are so laid back so they are able to chat and stuff while me and Tracey are together."
As for the international rivalry, Kayleah said any banter between the two families is "all good fun".
"It's great for us to see Steven play well and I know they always want to see Shane do well too. We were so happy for them when Northern Ireland won on Thursday night," she told the Sunday Life.
Kayleah, who is expecting a third child with Shane in November married the striker in 2013 after they met while he was a player at her home town club Reading.
Steven and Tracey, who hails from Kilrea tied the knot in 2010.
The Davis and Long families have been in France to cheer on Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Steven Davis' is expected to lead Northern Ireland out against world champions Germany tomorrow afternoon aiming for a place in the last 16 of the tournament.
Shane Long - who scored a winning goal against Germany in qualifying - meanwhile will be hoping meanwhile to be the hero when the Republic try to overturn Italy on Wednesday evening.
