Northern Ireland

Hopes for a very different 'Night in November' as Northern Ireland and the Republic meet in Dublin

Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park in November 1993.
Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park in November 1993. Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park in November 1993.

PSNI officers will be in Dublin tomorrow for the Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland football match.

Fans heading to the 'friendly' match have said the headlines "should be about the football" as comparisons are drawn between the Aviva stadium clash and a very different 'Night in November' 25-years-ago.

It will be the first game between the two teams since May 2011 and the first time that Michael O'Neill and Martin O'Neill have met as rival international managers.

However, it is a World Cup qualifying match between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park in November 1993 that has drawn the most comparisons.

The match ended in a one all draw in what the Republic's then manager Jackie Charlton described as "the most hostile atmosphere" he'd ever encountered.

Played during a bloody and volatile period in the Troubles, tensions were high, the Shankill Road bomb had been three weeks before the teams met and just days later UFF shot dead eight people at Greysteel.

Roy Keane was on the pitch during the 1993 match. Now assistant to Martin O’Neill he will be present in the Aviva tomorrow. A Night in November, written by Marie Jones, turned the events of that match into an iconic play that examined identity and sectarianism.

A very different atmosphere is expected at this meeting of the two teams.

Gary McCallister, Chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs said last night "I'm not sure any game against your nearest rivals in football can ever be entirely friendly - pride and bragging rights are always at stake.

"Football has a history of bringing people together and overcoming divisions, particularly within our society. Thankfully this match will be played against a much less volatile backdrop than some of our past meetings.

"It is important for us as fans to also bear in mind the good reputation we've earned over many years as Northern Ireland supporters.

"I've always been proud to recall the reception we received in places such as Turkey, the Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina and of course France, where our good conduct was widely recognised and applauded.

"We want it to be the same on Thursday. We want the bragging rights from the game, but we also want the headlines to be about the football", he added.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said that standard security arrangements for such a large sporting event will be in place.

"People are asked while enroute to the event to have consideration for local residents and refrain from anti-social behaviour such as on street drinking and urinating in public cause difficulties and will not be tolerated by Gardai".

PSNI Chief Inspector Peter Brannigan said: “A number of PSNI officers will travel to Dublin to assist and liaise with An Garda Síochána, ahead of the match between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“We have had a number of planning meetings with AGS ahead of this fixture to help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone."