Northern Ireland fans left to reflect on ‘fine margins’ after play off defeat

Northern Ireland fans were left to agonise over what might have been after their side came the width of a post away from qualifying for next summer’s European Championships.

Striker Kyle Lafferty, whose sister Sonia died last week aged 41, came off the bench and hit the outside of the post just before the play off game against Slovakia at Windsor Park went into extra time.

Had his shot been a fraction to the left it would have been an ending “written in the stars” according to one Northern Ireland fan.

In the end Northern Ireland lost 2-1 having scored a late goal to take the match into extra time.

The game was watched by 1,060 members of the Green and White Army in the stadium and countless more at home on a game that Sky broadcast on its free to view channel.

One of those who witnessed the roller coaster ride first hand was Peter McKittrick, who along with his son Ben (13) were left hoarse after cheering in vain to spur Northern Ireland to the win they needed.

The 49-year-old from Moira said: “We were a whisker from qualifying. Lafferty’s late shot was written in the stars, but it wasn’t to be.

“The margins between victory and defeat are so slender, that’s what makes the game so intriguing. You look at Scotland and the fine margin by which they qualified. It went the other way for us.”

Peter and Ben were sitting in the lower tier of the North Stand for last night’s game, though their block booking normally puts them in the upper tier of the same stand.

Of the atmosphere Peter said: “Just over a thousand fans did a lot to make up for the 17,000 empty seats and full credit to the Irish FA for safely facilitating it.”

Play off defeat ‘will hurt for some time’ says NI boss Ian Baraclough

Peter said he lay in bed on last night agonising over the game’s key moments while his son Ben was inconsolable.

By this morning Peter was beginning to feel a bit more optimistic: “I’m still a bit sore from the defeat, but it’s onwards and upwards.

“I’ve followed Northern Ireland for many, many years – you learn to take the defeats and relish the victories even more sweetly when they do happen.”

Peter recognised it might be the last campaign for senior players like Steven Davis, but he thinks manager Ian Baraclough is the right man at the helm for the future.

He said: “Baraclough is going to have to reconcile experience with fresh blood coming through. I suppose that’s one reason why he was appointed because he has experience working with young players.

“Historically Northern Ireland has always punched above its weight, I don’t expect that will change.”

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