It’s a Whyte-hot start
GAVIN WHYTE enjoyed a dream debut as Northern Ireland swept Israel aside with ease.
The Oxford winger, 22, scored with his first touch in international football – just 106 seconds after coming on for his bow – to round off a convincing friendly win at Windsor Park, Belfast.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill had called on his squad to be more clinical after blowing a host of chances in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to BosniaHerzegovina.
And his side responded in style as they got the frustration of that Nations League defeat out of their
N Ireland 3 Israel 0 system. Steven Davis opened the scoring when Paddy McNair pulled the ball back for the skipper to fire home in the 13th minute.
And McNair played his part in Stuart Dallas netting the second just three minutes before the break.
Sub Whyte made his instant impact with the third and final goal in the 67th minute.
Dallas’ cross found fellow sub Conor Washington and after the striker’s shot was saved, Whyte ran in to tuck home the rebound against a poor Israel side. MARTIN O’NEILL’S Republic of Ireland were pegged back late as a morale-boosting win went begging in Poland.
After a difficult week on and off the pitch, Ireland were heading for victory following Aiden O’Brien’s debut goal.
But the visitors were rocked when Poland substitute Mateusz Klich struck with three minutes left.
Ireland, who crashed 4-1 to Wales last week, had seen No.2 Roy Keane accused of launching a foul-mouthed attack on absent midfielder Harry Arter in the build-up.
Keane, believed to be ready to ®ÊPoland 1 Rep of Ireland 1 reconcile with Arter, watched Ireland deliver an improved display from their woeful Nations League curtain-raiser in Cardiff.
Ireland looked set for their first win in Poland since 1976 when Callum O’Dowda checked back and crossed for Millwall winger O’Brien to head home in the 53rd minute.
But Poland forced their way back into the game and their pressure told late on.
Klich combined with Arkadiusz Milik and clipped the ball beyond Darren Randolph to haul the hosts level.