FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL IRELAND V NORTHERN IRELAND

Aviva Stadium 7.45 LIVE: SKY SPORTS LAST MEETING

May 24, 2011: Dublin Carling Nations Cup Rep Ireland 5 N Ireland 0

Rep of Ireland: Given (Forde 72), McShane, Ward, Kelly, Delaney, Coleman (Lawrence 55), Andrews, Foley (Hunt 70), Treacy, Keane (Keogh 62), Cox.

Goals: Ward 24, Keane 37, 54 Cathcart OG 45, Cox 80

N IRELAND: Blayney, Thompson, Cathcart, McAuley, Hodson, Carson (McGinn 73), Clingan, Davis (Garrett 76), Gorman (Coates 55), Feeney (Boyce 73), McQuoid (Norwood 46)

WHAT HAPPENED TO?

When Northern Ireland came to Dublin in 2011, there was a bit of fuss around Johnny Gorman – who was still in school when he won his first cap. The Sheffield native had been in the Republic set-up at U-16 level before switching to Northern Ireland. He is still just 26 but is playing for Frome United in the Southern League Premier Division where he’s likely to be the only player with nine international caps.

FACTS

In the 10 meetings to date, the Republic have the better record with four wins while four matches ended in draws. When Northern Ireland were here for the Carling Nations Cup, Michael O’Neill was managing Shamrock Rovers. But he has actually brought a Northern Ireland team to the Aviva Stadium – it just won’t be recorded in the history books. When relations between the two managers were better, a behind-closed-doors friendly was arranged in June 2015. It was watched by around 50 people who got passes, including some Ireland fans who were hand-picked as ‘ball-boys’ by the FAI. Their exclusive pass allowed them to witness a scoreless draw. Glenn Whelan bids farewell to the international scene this evening. His Ireland debut was the 2008 friendly with Serbia which was Giovanni Trapattoni’s first match in charge. Whelan’s midfield partner for that game was the late Liam Miller. Andy Keogh – who is now in Australia – grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw. The only other player to figure in that game who could have featured tonight was Shane Long but ankle surgery ruled him out.