BAILEY’S THE CREAM

Irish raise a glass to Peacock-Farrell as keeper’s heroics set up dramatic late win... and sends message to Burnley boss Kompany

BY DAVID ANDERSON VINCENT KOMPANY probably won’t change his mind, but keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell still made his point by winning his battle with Burnley pal Arijanet Muric.

Peacock-Farrell has had to play a supporting role to Muric at Turf Moor since Kompany signed the Kosovo shot-stopper from his old club Manchester City and made him his No 1.

Muric has begun all 10 of the Clarets’ Championship games, while Peacock-Farrell has made just three appearances, including one start in the Carabao Cup.

But he came out on top at Windsor Park, playing a starring role in Northern Ireland’s dramatic late comeback to claim their first Nations League win at the 15th attempt.

He made a fine one-handed save to prevent Vedat Muriqi from adding to his 58th-minute opener, and seconds later the Irish equalised through Gavin Whyte (above, left) on 82 minutes. The former Leeds keeper then saved from Zymer Bytyqi, before Josh Magennis (below, right, celebrating) headed in the winner (below, left) in the second minute of stoppage-time.

“I made a couple of saves, which were in key moments, and that’s what I’m here to do,” said Peacock-Farrell. “I’m so pleased I could affect the game. To come back in that kind of fashion after being a goal down showed some real togetherness.”

Peacock-Farrell needed that performance because Irish boss Ian Baraclough says he faces stiff competition from Luke Southwood and Conor Hazard, who are both playing regularly.

“We have spoken about that,” said Baraclough. “I’ve spoken to Conor and to Luke, and Bailey is the only one not playing. He knows he has got competition so he’s keeping himself in shape.

“But he’s got to get into the team or move on.”

The Irish deserved their celebrations on Saturday night after a testing week

when Kyle Lafferty and then Conor McMenamin were withdrawn from the squad because of social-media videos. Lafferty allegedly made a sectarian comment, while an old clip of McMenamin, aged 16, has surfaced, showing him allegedly singing in support of the IRA.

The hard work is not over and the Irish may need a result in Greece tomorrow to avoid relegation after

Cyprus beat the

Greeks.