Sport

Player-by-player - how the North fared in Euro campaign

NORTHERN Ireland led from the front and topped Group F to qualify for the Euros. Kenny Archer looks at the men who got them to France next summer...

Gareth McAuley was one of only two players to feature in all 10 of Northern Ireland's qualifying games  
Gareth McAuley was one of only two players to feature in all 10 of Northern Ireland's qualifying games   Gareth McAuley was one of only two players to feature in all 10 of Northern Ireland's qualifying games  

GOALKEEPERS

Roy Carroll (Five appearances, 450 minutes played)


Played all the first five matches before a stomach problem led to him losing his place. Had been very assured and impressive, making a series of fine saves. His most notable was to keep out a Faroes penalty at Windsor that might have sparked a revival. Recently turned 38, but has a renewed zest since O’Neill recalled him to the international fold and is keen to regain the number one jersey.

Michael McGovern (Five appearances, 450 minutes played)


Called up at short notice for the visit of Romania, the 31-year-old kept a clean sheet that night. Made a bad blunder to gift Hungary a goal in Belfast, but recovered well from that. Produced a few smart reaction saves in all the other matches, notably when Greece might have equalised soon after the opening goal on qualification night.

DEFENDERS

Conor McLaughlin (Nine appearances, 739 minutes played)


Although he only plays for League One strugglers Fleetwood Town, McLaughlin has the complete faith of manager O’Neill, who selected him to start the first eight matches, before suspension intervened. Steady if unspectacular, but still supplies decent crosses, including the assist for Lafferty’s second at home to Finland. However, his ban for Greece at home opened the door to Paddy McNair.

Gareth McAuley (10 appearances, 848 minutes played)


‘Big G’ started all 10 matches and, although he turns 36 before the end of this year, should be a certainty next summer, barring injury. A classic ‘stopper’ centre-back, dominant in the air at both ends of the pitch. ‘The Hammer of the Faroes’, netting his three goals against them, but always an aerial threat against any opposition and a distraction, even if the ball does not come to him.

Jonny Evans (Four appearances, 349 minutes played)


Leaving Manchester United might be an ego blow, but more regular football might help him and Northern Ireland, especially alongside international colleagues Brunt and McAuley with West Brom. A classy, ball-playing centre-half, he also has steel to add to his style. Injuries meant he missed the first four and last two matches of the campaign but, if fit, he will be first choice.

Aaron Hughes (Four appearances, 360 minutes played)


The former captain played the first four matches before losing his place to Jonny Evans. Reliable in every sense, he came along from Australia for the last two games despite injury. He’ll turn 36 next month, but has earned immense respect in the squad and will surely cap his career off in France. Offers an option at right-back.

Craig Cathcart (Four appearances, 209 minutes played)


Back in the English top flight with Watford, has emerged as a serious contender for a centre-back berth. Only made two brief substitute appearances, albeit in big games in Hungary and at home to Romania, before starting the last two games with Evans out injured. Composed and calm – and scored the goal in Finland that sealed top spot.

Chris Brunt (Eight appearances, 713 minutes played)


Not a left back, but he has become one, for the North and his club – and featuring there for WBA can only help on the international stage. Still more comfortable going forward, but works hard at his defensive duties and his height helps. Dangerous from free-kicks and corners and surely has to add to his solitary international goal soon with his fierce shooting.

Paddy McNair (Three appearances, 148 minutes played)


Another who pushed his claims late in the campaign. Off the bench as a third centre-back to protect the lead in the Faroes, started the final two games at right-back, initially for the suspended Conor McLaughlin, but went off injured in Finland. Offers options at centre-back and defensive midfield, but may need to get more club action.

Shane Ferguson (Five appearances, 209 minutes played)


Lined out at left-back in two 2-0 wins, against Greece and the Faroes, supplying Lafferty for the second goal in the latter match, but also conceded a daft penalty in that game, which Carroll saved. Only played for just over half an hour over three sub appearances after that match, although offers a threat as a left-winger.

MIDFIELDERS

Chris Baird (Nine appearances, 801 minutes played)


Vitally important as the holding element of the midfield three, a role which his defensive experience enables him to play quite expertly, allowing Norwood and Davis to push on. Sent-off for two rash and rapid challenges at home to Hungary, but generally plays with commendable discipline, getting a foot in, making interceptions, reading the game to break up opposition attacks. 

Steven Davis (Nine appearances, 765 minutes played)


Always good, usually very good, occasionally brilliant. The skipper was sorely missed in Romania, the campaign’s only defeat, which he sat out through injury. Links defence and attack superbly, with precise, intelligent passing and has added goals to his game recently, scoring brilliantly twice to secure qualification against Greece. Helps protect his defence too, but going forward is his strength.

Oliver Norwood (10 appearances, 874 minutes played)


The other man who started all 10 matches, indeed the only matches he didn’t complete were against Hungary. Known for his passing and the accuracy of his dead-ball deliveries, he also exhibited defensive discipline, especially when Baird was suspended at home to Greece. Supplied three assists from a series of well-struck free kicks and corners – now just needs to start scoring himself.

Corry Evans (Seven appearances, 460 minutes played)


Has slipped out of the starting 11, having lined out for three of the first four matches, although he did come back into the team at home to Hungary and Greece. Perhaps is seen as a ‘safer option’, preferred against tougher opponents, which may help his cause in France, as will his ability to play across all midfield roles.

FORWARDS

Kyle Lafferty (Nine appearances, 752 minutes played)


Seven goals in nine appearances indicate his immense importance to the team and his inspired lunacy works wonders for team spirits too. His craziness on camera continues, but his discipline, at least on the pitch, was much improved, albeit he was suspended for the visit of Greece. His work, his huge goal-scoring work, was done before then though – he arguably sealed five wins and also netted the crucial last-gasp equaliser at home to Hungary.

Niall McGinn (Eight appearances, 422 minutes played)


Provided the spark that set this campaign alight, coming off the bench to equalise in Hungary then set up Lafferty’s winner. Produced three more assists, including for the crucial equaliser at home to the Hungarians and Cathcart’s goal in Finland to top the group. May not start, but offers something different and creative, a cutting edge, when he is involved.

Jamie Ward (Six appearances, 465 minutes played)


His pace and work-rate endear him to Michael O’Neill – and he is effective, his six appearances resulting in five wins and a draw with Romania. Grabbed the opening goal out in Greece and only injuries prevented him playing more.

Stuart Dallas (Six appearances, 470 minutes played)


A late bloomer, only making his first appearance in the campaign as a sub at home to Finland, but the Leeds winger has earned himself a regular place, starting all five matches since then. Mostly operates on the left, but popped up to provide perfect low cross from right for Davis’s opener against Greece in Belfast.

Josh Magennis (Seven appearances, 159 minutes played)


Made six shortish substitute appearances and only one start – but stood in well in that for the suspended Lafferty at home to Greece. Had a touch of luck for his goal, which looped in off his shoulder, but deserved that fortune for his effort and perseverance. A partner in pranks with Lafferty off the pitch.

OTHER PLAYERS USED

Ryan McGivern (Two appearances, 121 minutes played)


Replaced Ward in Greece, then played the entire match in Romania at left-back, but did not feature again.

Luke McCullough (Two appearances, 39 minutes played)


Came on for McAuley for 34 minutes at home to the Faroes, then was a late sub at home to Greece.

Billy McKay (Two appearances, 23 minutes played)


One as sub in Hungary and Romania.

Sammy Clingan (27 mins as sub in Greece)

Paddy McCourt (23 mins as sub at home to the Faroes)

Ben Reeves (12 mins as sub in Greece)

Liam Boyce (12 mins as sub at home to Greece)