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The 'manager's dream' who has put NI one game from history

The 'manager's dream' who has put NI one game from history

After scoring his first international goal in the 1-0 win over Ukraine, Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says Terry Devlin is "a bit of a dream" to manage.

It was a moment that Northern Ireland needed.

When Terry Devlin picked the ball up on the edge of the area in the 68th minute against Ukraine there was only one thought in his mind.

And when the ball flew into the corner Windsor Park erupted at another highlight of a Nations League campaign that has been a real feel-good story so far.

Heading into Saturday's game they had yet to concede a goal, but the one thing they had lacked was a home win - or even a home goal - after drawing blanks in stalemates with Hungary and Georgia in Belfast.

They had already come close when Jamie Donley slotted home in the first half but the forward had strayed offside, leaving the moment the hosts had been waiting for to come through Devlin's superb winner.

It leaves Northern Ireland's Nations League fate in their own hands, and a draw or better in Hungary would secure promotion to League A for the first time.

For Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, it was a huge moment from a player who he said is "a bit of a dream" to manage.

"Terry's a great lad. He deserves everything he'll get from the game and he's one of those lads that maximises what he has,"

In brief

It was a moment that Northern Ireland needed. They had already come close when Jamie Donley slotted home in the first half but the forward had strayed offside, leaving the moment the hosts had been waiting for to come through Devlin's superb winner. It leaves Northern Ireland's Nations League fate in their own hands, and a draw or better in Hungary would secure promotion to League A for the first time.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC Sport. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC Sport ↗

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