Northern Ireland v Belarus (15/11/2024)

Josh Magennis’ 12th goal for his country in the 5-0 Nations League victory over Bulgaria meant that he became Northern Ireland’s joint sixth highest goalscorer of all time. The list

now reads: David Healy Kyle Lafferty Colin Clarke Steven Davis Billy Gillespie Gerry Armstrong

36 20 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 12

When Pierce Charles made his senior international debut last month he was aged just 19 years and 84 days and became the fifth youngest goalkeeper to win a full cap for Northern Ireland. The top four youngest are: Shaw Gillespie 18 years and 35 days v Wales (a) 27 Feb 1886 John Clugston 18 years and 204 days v Wales (a) 3 March 1888 Ronnie Briggs 19 years and 13 days v Wales (a) - 11 Apr 1962 Pat Jennings 18 years and 308 days v Wales (a) 15 Apr 1964

Joe Bambrick

Ian Dowie

Josh Magennis Jimmy Quinn

When Pierce and Shea Charles played in the scoreless draw against Belarus in Hungary they became the 23rd set of brothers to win senior caps for Ireland/Northern Ireland since 1882. The first set of brothers to achieve this feat were William and Willoughby Hamilton who were both capped just once when they played in an 8-2 defeat to Wales at the Ulster Grounds in Belfast in April 1885. When Pierce Charles and Lee Bonis both made their senior Northern Ireland debuts against Belarus in Hungary last month, they became the 760th and 761st players to win a full cap for Ireland/Northern Ireland since 1882 respectively.

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles became the first Northern Ireland goalkeeper to keep two clean sheets in his first two senior international appearances over 90 minutes. Roy Carroll did manage to keep two clean sheets in his opening two games, though in both matches he was used as a second half substitute.

IRISHFA.COM

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