Pair of O’Neills are shining in shop window
The Managers
THE two O’Neills, Martin and Michael, shared the 2015 Philips Sports Manager of the Year award after qualifying for the European Championships. Both have been major successes since taking the reins in difficult circumstances in 2013 and 2011 respectively. The former Shamrock Rovers boss has revitalised a stagnant Northern Ireland side which finished fourth behind Slovakia, Slovenia and Czech Republic in their World Cup qualifying group before he arrived. He has totally reversed their fortunes and reaching Russia next year would without a doubt make the 47-year-old a firm favourite to get a job in the Premier League. Martin O’Neill, too, inherited a squad bereft of confidence in 2013 following an horrendous 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign under Giovanni Trapattoni. It came on the back of an equally demoralising showing at Euro 2012 when the Republic lost all three group games and ended as the tournament’s worst team. Both countries are now enjoying a renewed sense of purpose with limited resources. For his nous, experience and success at a higher level, Martin O’Neill is the man to take charge.
Why others missed out.
1 SHANE DUFFY AND CIARAN CLARK The pair are now the recognised firstchoice partnership for the Republic but it remains to be seen how they will fare as the campaign progresses. They were solid against Austria, Duffy was suspended for the trip to Serbia and both missed the visit of Wales because of injury. They are Martin O’Neill’s chosen ones but Jonny Evans, Gareth McAuley and Craig Cathcart are better in a back-three set-up. 2 JAMES McCARTHY
His campaign has yet to really get going because of injury. The Everton midfielder has been stuck between a rock and a hard place as Martin O’Neill and Ronald Koeman go head to head over his fitness issues. Steven Davis also offers more with a better range of passing as well as being much more comfortable taking control and dictating play. 3 CHRIS BRUNT
Could have slotted in as part of that three-man midfield on the left beside his pal Davis. The 32-year-old is vital to the North’s game plan and, as a seasoned Premier League performer, he always steps up to the plate. Brady was selected in his place, partly because of his versatility but also due to his ability to affect games in the final third. 4 KYLE LAFFERTY
The 29-year-old has found the net three times during this campaign but he remains a frustrating figure. Michael O’Neill said before Euro 2016 that he was the type of striker who could end up as one of the stars of the tournament. His lack of mobility counts against him, as does his penchant for going missing for large periods in games. Doesn’t score enough goals when it really matters to make up for that.