Northern Ireland v Luxembuourg (05/09/2024)

Mind you, it was to Tommy that Bingham turned in Valencia after Mal Donaghy was disgracefully sent off and Sammy McIlroy had to go off due to injury. Tommy came on to calm things down and get on the ball when we were one up against Spain. His contribution that night should never be underestimated. After his playing career Tommy went on to manage in Cyprus, the north of England and memorably his beloved Glentoran with whom he won the Irish Cup in 1996. Finally, we have Jimmy McLaughlin, who passed away last month. Although probably better recognised as a manager in the League of Ireland, where he had success with Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and his hometown team Derry City, Jimmy also won 12 caps for Northern Ireland in the 1960s when a player with Shrewsbury Town and Swansea. His six goals in 12 matches was a fine return and included two in a 4-3 defeat to England in 1964 at Windsor Park, a match in which England were 4-0 up at half-time thanks to a Jimmy Greaves hat-trick before a George Best-inspired second half comeback nearly produced a shock. And Jimmy scored twice despite breaking two fingers in the first half. We salute our former players for their endeavours in a green shirt. Thanks guys!

Nicholl, always described as a rugged old fashioned centre half, belied his reputation as a hard man by being an intelligent and articulate student of the game who went on to manage Southampton and Aston Villa as well as the Northern Ireland Under-21 team when Lawrie McMenemy was our senior manager. This does not ignore the fact that Chris could look after himself on the field; his broken nose told its own story. However, he was a clever and capable footballer who, alongside John McClelland, provided a near impenetrable wall in front of Pat Jennings on which Billy Bingham based his success. If they don’t score then we can nick something at the other end, that was Bingham’s mantra. Chris played in all five matches in Spain ’82, including the famous game against the Spanish in Valencia. Seeing Chrís Nicholl in the green shirt in his 51 internationals gave the fans confidence. He was a true hero. Tommy Cassidy mostly plied his trade in midfield, starting off at Glentoran and then at Newcastle United and Burnley. Tommy was a ball playing midfielder, cultured and intelligent, a beautiful passer of the ball. Until Conor Bradley’s goal in March, Tommy was the last Northern Ireland player to score a winner against Scotland in their own backyard. He got his goal at Hampden Park in Glasgow in 1972. Never a shrinking violet, Tommy had strong views which at times found him at odds with international managers Danny Blanchflower and Billy Bingham and probably curtailed his caps tally.

IRISHFA.COM

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