I only know one person who spells it Mattie and it's a bloke. He wears dresses and looks like a mermaid, but still a fella though!
Northern Ireland outperformed Switzerland to fuck in the second half tonight and they were only saved from it going to extra time by some very positive contributions in the last minutes from a subbed Breel Embolo and the goal-line clearance of the year from Ricardo Rodriguez. For a team of players almost exclusively from Europe's top 4 leagues playing against a Northern Ireland side almost entirely devoid of star names though that was a woeful performance from the Swiss, especially from Seferovic. If only NI had've played like that in the home leg and not had the horrendous refereeing decisions and the tie would've been very different. They'll be hit hard in the next few years with the retirement of Gareth McAuley and Aaron Hughes, and Chris Brunt and Steven Davis are not all that much younger than them either, but even though all but two of the younger players in the squad play in the Championship/SPL or below I still have hope that the team will continue to improve.
Unfortunately this looks like the end of the road for Michael O'Neill with the team, which is a shame as I don't think he's taken them as far as he can yet. Best of luck to him in the Scotland job or wherever he goes and I hope whoever takes over from him will keep playing them like O'Neill was because their passing, ball control, tackling and game management has been as close to world class as non-world class players like them can ever hope to achieve.
Of course I want the Republic to pull off a miracle performance at home on Tuesday, but it'll still be a shame if the Ireland team who play constantly on a wing and a prayer qualify and the one who play beautiful football don't.
Upcoming GigsAug 25|Bangor|PiL+Undertones+XSLF+Outcasts
Sept 7|B'fast|Rose Tattoo+Girlschool
Sept 15|Dub|Cruachan+Skyclad+Waylander
Sept 27|B'fast|RBOTN+Midnight Force
Oct 10|B'fast|Enslaved+High On Fire