North can make a mark at Euros

LIKE ourselves in 1988, Northern Ireland will play their first European Championship finals match tomorrow.

To actually qualify was a magnificent achievement by Michael O’Neill and his players, particularly as they were third seeds.

They have done it through hard work, organisation, team spirit and by taking their chances in games. All things they will need in France.

It won’t be an easy group. We’ve seen in our qualifiers how good Germany and Poland are, and Ukraine will be no mugs. But they should go out to enjoy it and make their mark.

I HAVE some sympathy with Martin O’Neill over his late decision to name his final 23 last week.

The public, and the players, might think it is the easiest job in the world to pick Ireland’s ‘best’ players for a tournament.

Trust me, it keeps you awake at night for weeks.

Martin has made the right decisions, but it won’t have been easy for the likes of David Forde to be told they’ll be watching the games at home.

We had our own issues of course over Alan McLoughlin and Gary Waddock, which people still remember to this day.

Like Martin with David, I was fortunate Gary handled his disappointment in such a mature and exemplary manner.

WHAT a great start for Wales. They deserved their win over Slovakia.

Chris Coleman’s side had to dig in after the equaliser and the winning goal from RobsonKanu was no classic. But it hit the back of the net, and that’s all that counts.