The couple, from the Brigadie area of the town, watched on with pride as O’Neill masterminded the 3-1 win over Greece which booked Northern Ireland’s place in next year’s tournament in France.
Advertisement
At Windsor Park there was a strong Fermanagh representation willing their boys on to victory including Enniskillen man Gary Donalson, pictured below.
The unlikely result means Germany could yet be denied an automatic qualification spot should Poland and Ireland draw and Georgia pull off a shock win when they travel to Leipzig on Sunday. We prepared the team well, players deserve the ultimate credit as they have to buy into it. We have confidence and belief which comes from winning games.
Were you at either game?
Martin O’Neill joked that the Republic of Ireland should be handed the Euro 2016 trophy after a thrilling victory over world champions Germany.
O’Neill said: “I thought in the first half, I thought that we gave away possession a wee bit too easily”. Poland drew 2-2 in Scotland, which ended Scottish hopes of qualifying, as they are cut adrift on 12. For us Irish it was pretty tough viewing, surely it was only a matter of time before one of their shots would hit the target?
Long struck in the 70th minute of their qualifier when he took goalkeeper Darren Randolph’s long kick over the German defence and fired the ball past Manuel Neuer to the top corner.
“It’s just about getting as many opportunities as I can to show people what I can do”.
With 14 goals in his last five matches, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski is the world’s deadliest striker right now, but on Sunday night here in Warsaw he must find a way past one of Europe’s stingiest backlines.
“It’s a privilege to be here, I’m proud to stand here as their manager. Normally we score a lot of goals but there are the occasional matches and there have been a few recently – where we make very little out of a lot chances”, said Loew.
With the win, Northern Ireland moved to 20 points and to the top of the group standings.
“I genuinely believe, fitness and availability willing, we can go there with a real optimism”.
Advertisement
Poland and Scotland both have 18 points, with Germany which missed the chance to qualify today, still ahead with 19 points.
