Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria (15/10/2024)

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to this evening’s UEFA Nations League game against Bulgaria.

A lot has happened since our last home fixture. Tommy Wright will have been delighted that his Under-21 team held a talented England team to a 0-0 draw at the Ballymena Showgrounds and then scored five against Azerbaijan. Hopefully this is a good sign for the future and some of his squad will bolster Michael O’Neill’s choices for the senior team. Everyone went to Plovdiv last month with a sense of optimism. Sadly we conceded in the first half and, despite a much stronger second half, we couldn’t find the vital goal to take a share of the spoils. I said in my last programme notes that games were likely to be won by a one-goal difference and there would be small margins. That certainly was the case in Bulgaria. Travelling fans will have been impressed by Plovdiv and the stadium was simple but impressive. I was disappointed that some fans had a poor experience after the game. I must thank our fans for the atmosphere that was created. It really adds so much, and I hope the Amalgamation’s endeavours to add volume to the Windsor roar will bear fruit. A special thanks must go to Craig Lutton. Despite sweltering heat in Plovdiv, his drumbeat proved to be the heartbeat of the fans on the way to the Stadion Hristo Botev and throughout the match. I was pleased to catch up with him for a chat and his enthusiasm is infectious. Regrettably, geopolitics robbed fans of the opportunity to lend their support as the team took on Belarus on Saturday.

It’s a stark reminder that the situation in Ukraine is far from over and I am sure that you will join me in hoping for a peaceful resolution. Ironically, the inability to play on home soil has proved to be no impediment to Belarus and they top the group. Nothing can be taken for granted in European football. I was reminded again of the adage that football is nothing without fans and the atmosphere in the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, was surreal and somewhat reminiscent of Covid times. The scoreless draw against Belarus felt more like two points lost than a point won but there were so many positives. The team were impressive in the first half and created several chances. Pierce Charles made his debut alongside Shea to become the 23rd set of brothers to play for Northern Ireland. Lee Bonis also made his debut, reminding us that the Northern Ireland Football League is producing quality players. With only one point separating three teams at the top of the C3 group, both Northern Ireland and Bulgaria will be keen to take all three points tonight. Michael O’Neill’s squad has a more youthful feel these days, and I took great pleasure in seeing Conor Bradley wearing the captain’s armband against Belarus. There is a Bulgarian phrase “ Който се учи , той ще сполучи ” which translates as “a person who learns will succeed”. Our younger players are learning fast and will succeed. CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

IRISHFA.COM

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