A tale of two O’Neills: North rise to the occasion as Republic slump

One place off top spot in the group, highly respected Eastern European opposition in town, and a second successive qualification for a major tournament on the line. Yep, Belfast must have been rocking on Monday evening.

Northern Ireland’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic didn’t just seal a World Cup play-off place for Michael O’Neill’s side, it held a mirror up to happenings in Dublin last night as his namesake’s Republic of Ireland team held their own party to very different mood music.

Martin O’Neill had been keen to point out before the game that his boys were unbeaten, and that the Serbs were the only team sitting in a more elevated position, but for every comparison between the Irish sides there was a contrast equally applicable.