That year, Mal Donaghy’s young charges were drawn in a group alongside Serbia & Montenegro, a Germany squad which included Manuel Neuer and Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Greece, but who was involved for Northern Ireland?
Let’s take a walk down memory lane to have a closer look at the starting team that only narrowly lost 2-1 against the Germans at the Ballymena Showgrounds in July 2005, see where they went after and where they are now!
5. Rory McArdle
Born in Sheffield, Rory McArdle progressed through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and went on to enjoy a stellar career in the Football League with Rochdale, Bradford City, Scunthorpe United, Exeter City and Harrogate Town alongside representing Northern Ireland's senior side on seven occasions. McArdle was part of the Bradford side that famously defeated Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 2014/15 FA Cup. He retired at the end of the 2022/23 campaign having made over 400 club league appearances. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire
6. Kyle McVey
Kyle McVey started out with Coleraine before enjoying spells at Linfield, Ballymena United, Carrick Rangers, Portadown, Tobermore United, Portstewart, Kilrea United and Bushmills United, making 20 appearances last season aged 38. He represented Northern Ireland up to U21 level. Photo: John McIlwaine/Presseye.com
7. David Buchanan
Born in England, Buchanan went on to make seven appearances for Northern Ireland U19s and represented the U21 side on 15 occasions. He started his career with Bury and spent time at Hamilton, Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End, Northampton Town and Chesterfield. Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images
8. Aaron Callaghan
Aaron Callaghan went on to make 15 appearances for Northern Ireland's U21 side and spent time in the Irish League with the likes of Ballymena United, Lisburn Distillery and Dungannon Swifts while he also enjoyed a spell at Derry City. Photo: Stephen Hamilon/Presseye.com