O’Neill’s Ireland dream

With the Euro Finals of 2016 expanded to 24 teams and, on top of a guaranteed place for the top two qualifiers, still another opportunity to reach France via the third-place play-offs, it’s not entirely beyond the bounds of possibility that two Irelands managed by two O’Neills could reach the promised land in two years’ time.

“It would be fantastic,” says Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill of the dream scenario of an all-Ireland presence at the finals.

“I think this is going to be a brilliant tournament. The new format gives countries like us, a Pot Five team, belief we can push for the play-offs, that we’re in with a fighting chance. In the World Cup, we were drawn against Portugal and Russia, and it’s hard to get your head around the idea that we can finish in the top two slots. But we can certainly target third in this qualification and maybe 13/14 or points will get us there.”