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Goalkeeper (1958)
4 appearances
"The Hero of Munich" recovered from the disaster then
injury sustained in Sweden to earn the accolade of "Goalkeeper of the
Tournament".
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Goalkeeper (1982 & 1986)
7 appearances
Already a veteran when Northern Ireland qualified for Spain, his cool
experience was key in the side's progress. That he took in a second
tournament four years later at the age of 41 added to his legend.
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Right-Back (1958)
5 appearances
Formed a sterling back-line with Newcastle club-mate Alf McMichael.
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Right-Back (1982 & 1986)
8 appearances
Ever-present attacking full-back at two World Cups, had to curb his more
flamboyant traits as Northern Ireland's successes were largely built on a solid
rearguard.
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Left-Back (1958)
5 appearances
Former Northern Ireland captain continued to marshal the defence at
the 1958 Finals.
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Left-Back (1982 & 1986)
7 appearances
Billy Bingham's "Rolls Royce" might have blotted his record
following his red card against Spain, but recovered to play a key role in
Mexico four years on.
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Centre-Back (1958)
5 appearances
Successfully switched from right-back to centre-half as an already
threadbare Northern Ireland squad was robbed of Jackie Blanchflower by the
Munich air crash.
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Centre-Back (1982)
5 appearances
Another player who had to wait until the veteran stages of his career
for a crack at the World Cup. He didn't disappoint with his never-say-die
performances.
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Centre-Back (1982)
5 appearances
Buoyed by his Northern Ireland career, McClelland rose to the top of
the Scottish and English games. He repaid Bingham's faith in him in spades
with his defensive performances in Spain. Was an unused squad member four
years later.
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Centre-Back (1982 & 1986)
4 appearances
Cultured defender who had to make do with a single appearance from
the bench in Spain before becoming an excellent foil for the more tenacious
McDonald in Mexico.
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Centre-Back (1986)
3 appearances
Thrown into the deep-end towards the end of the 1986 qualifying
series, he proved his mettle against some of the world's biggest attacking stars
in the blistering Mexican heat.
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Wing-Half (1958)
5 appearances
Captain, wit and tactical genius behind Northern Ireland's march to
the quarter-finals in Sweden.
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Wing-Half (1958)
4 appearances
The "Little Black Ant" was lauded for his work-rate. How
Northern Ireland missed him when injury took its toll on this industrious
midfielder.
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Midfielder (1982 & 1986)
8 appearances
Small but fearless, it was McCreery who shielded the Northern Ireland
defence against relentless attacks and stood tall despite weak refereeing in
Spain. That he continued to fulfill that role four years later made a mockery
of his so-called physical limitations.
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Midfielder (1982 & 1986)
8 appearances
Ever present in Spain and captain in Mexico, mostly offered a cool-head
in midfield when others may have lost theirs in the face of severe
provocation.
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Midfielder (1982)
5 appearances
An intelligent player and captain in Spain, who knows what might've
been had his goal against France not been incorrectly ruled out for off-side.
Missed out four years later due to injury.
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Forward/Midfielder (1982 & 1986)
8 appearances / 1 goal
Record breaking man/boy in Spain, never intimidated by his
surroundings, he was the certain star of the Northern Ireland side by the
time of Mexico and didn't disappoint with his attacking force.
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Outside-Right (1958)
5 appearances
Hard-working but slight winger, an ever-present in Sweden who's wing-play
was in stark contrast to the man on the opposite flank.
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Outside-Left (1958)
5 appearances / 5 goals
A winger built more like a centre-forward, used his stature to strike
fear into opposition defenders and snaffle-up goals for fun in Northern
Ireland's march to the quarter-finals in Sweden.
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Utility Player (1958)
5 appearances / 1 goal
Employed at both inside-forward and half-back in Sweden, and indeed
centre-back in qualifying, his massive heart made up for his tiny size.
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Inside-Left
5 appearances
The most complete inside-forward of his generation, quick and
intelligent, his play gave a Northern Ireland side lacking a competent
centre-forward every chance of scoring.
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Forward (1982 & 1986)
6 appearances / 3 goals
"What a worker he is..." hit the form of his life in Spain,
notably scoring against the hosts and earning the title of "British
Player of the Tournament".
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Forward (1982 & 1986)
8 appearances / 2 goals
Similar in style to Armstrong, his strong running and eye for goal
may not have hit the headlines quite as hard, but were vital in Northern
Ireland's successes in Spain. Traveled to Mexico despite not being fully fit
and still played a role in all three games.
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Forward (1986)
3 appearances / 1 goal
Rose rapidly from lower league goalscorer to world star, claiming an
opportunist goal against Spain in Mexico, and interest from football's higher
echelons.
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Name: John Patrick O’Neill
15-12-82 Albania... a 0-0 ECQ
Match Picture:
