Ex Bannsiders represent Northern Ireland this Wed night

This midweek sees International football return, pfffft, I hear some of yous will groan.  Anyway Northern Ireland will take on Morocco in a friendly match at Windsor Park, whilst on the same night Northern Ireland u21's will play Scotland at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow.

 

While you might not recognise any household names in the Moroccans squad except Arsenal striker Chamakh, you's probably won't have heard of Lamyaghri, Kantari or El- Arabi, however two names from the two squads you will recognise and know a lot about is ex Coleraine defender Gareth McAuley and former striker Rory Patterson. So between the two games three ex Coleraine players will be representing their country. As I type,  in the senior squad Gareth McAuley known by the Coleraine fans as Big G will be present and alongside him will be last seasons Irish League scoring sensation and ex Coleraine striker Rory Patterson, in the u21 squad will be last seasons classy midfielder Eunan O'Kane, who's stay at Coleraine was short but his attitude and performances will always be remembered by the Coleraine fans.

 

Patterson earned his first Northern Ireland cap whilst playing for Coleraine, it came in a friendly match away in Albania, Patterson came on in the second half as Northern Ireland lost 1-0.  Rory has been ever present in every squad since which is a great achievement and a lot of which was down to his Coleraine team mates last season, his own fantastic goal record in the league and Davy Platt for taking the chance on him. Rory has only scored one goal this season in the English League one for his new club Plymouth Argyle whilst his starting appearances have been limited.

 

 

Gareth McAuley has had a great career so far, having won the Irish Cup with Coleraine in 2002/03, he then moved to Lincoln City in the summer of  2004, his next move was to Leicester City in June 2006 where he made 74 appearances, before moving to his current club Ipswich town in June 2008.  Gareth got his first Northern Ireland cap when Northern Ireland played Germany at Windsor Park in June 2005 a game which Germany won 4-1. Currently Big G is a regular starter for Northern Ireland at right back and has featured there in all of Northern Irelands last three Euro Qualifiers.  McAuleys has also scored for his country in a 3 nil victory away to San Marino in Feb 2009.  Gareth has now got 25 full NI caps and 20 starts for his country.  Lets hope Gareth can keep performing well for Northern Ireland and features once again on Wednesday night against Morocco.

 

scoring away to San Marino

The main attraction on Wednesday night will be when the senior squad take on Morocco, but for one player the Scotland v N.Ireland u21 game will be a big occasion as ex Coleraine midfielder player Eunan O'Kane is in the squad to face the Scots.  Eunan has represented Northern Ireland at under 16, 17, 19, 20 and U21 level. Eunan is currently playing for English League two side Torquay United , where this season he has appeared sixteen times, of which nine appearances where as a substitute, he has also scored one goal this season. Hopefully Eunan can make an impact in the u21 squad and who knows maybe one day he will join ex Coleraine players McAuley and Patterson and earn a cap for the senior squad, Good luck Eunan.

terrorising the enemy

 

Other Coleraine players over the years to represent out great little country some of whom you may remember and some you won't, anyway here is a list of players to get full international caps.

Full International Caps: Tommy Priestley, Frank Montgomery, Terry McCavana, Fay Coyle, Terry McCavana, Fay Coyle, Bertie Peacock, Victor Hunter, Raymond Gaston, Tony O'Doherty, Des Dickson, 
Terry Cochrane, Tommy Connell, Felix Healy, Ray McCoy, Stephen Carson, Rory Patterson.

Felix Healy being the first, and last, Irish League player to ever play in a World Cup Finals match, 21/6/1982 v Honduras at Zaragoza.

So on Wednesday night their will be a lot of interest in the Green & White for the men who once wore the Blue & White.

 

Hope everyone attending the midweek international enjoy the game and you'll hear from me again before Saturdays Carling Premiership games.