IT’S THREE DECADES since Northern Ireland were last at a major tournament.
On that occasion, they faced Brazil in their final group game and went down to a 3-0 defeat. But it would’ve been a much heavier loss but for a heroic goalkeeping performance from Pat Jennings, who celebrated his 41st birthday that day.
Earlier today, there was something similar.
Michael McGovern, who plies his trade with Hamilton Academical in Scotland, conjured a masterclass, making a litany of top-drawer saves to frustrate the Germans and ensure Michael O’Neill’s side kept the score down and kept their goal difference in check too.
In the first half, he denied Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil from close range.
But he kept the best for last, getting low to his left in the second period to brilliantly tip away an excellent header from Gomez that seemed destined for the corner.
http://vine.co/v/5BJKAQXzIdD
His remarkable performance is sure to have attracted plenty of attention and he may not remain in the Scottish Premiership for too much longer.
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