From the Irish League to NI - Devlin's 'unbelievable' debut
While there was a lot of excitement surrounding Jamie Donley's first Northern Ireland cap at Windsor Park on Thursday night, another debutant perhaps flew a little under the radar.Portsmouth's Terry Devlin came on with and helped a youthful Northern Ireland side see out a 1-1 draw with Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Switzerland.The 21-year-old almost set up Paddy McNair for a winner with his first touch, and that set the tone for a solid display during his 15 minutes on the pitch."Everyone wants to play for their country when they are a young kid, and to be able to do that was unbelievable," Devlin said after his debut at right-back."It's been a tough squad to get into, which is only good for the country. I'm in the same position as Conor [Bradley] and Trai [Hume] and they are two really good players."Obviously it's going to be tough [to break through] but I just have to keep working hard."
While many players look to go over to England or Scotland as quickly as possible, Devlin served his apprenticeship in the Irish Premiership, first coming through the ranks at Dungannon Swifts, where he made his debut as a 15-year-old.He then moved onto to Glentoran, before making the jump to Portsmouth in 2023. Something of a Swiss Army knife of a player with his versatility, Devlin has become a fan favourite at the Championship side, and he is honest enough to say he might not be at Fratton Park if he had rushed his journey into professional football."Honestly, if I'd gone over to England when I was younger, maybe 16, I don't think I would have made it," he admitted."I'm glad the way it has all worked out. I think the Irish League made me into the player I am now and I'm getting joy out of the way I play."I think the Irish League is underrated and it's a really good pathway."
Devlin will be hoping to win his second cap as Northern Ireland travel to Sweden on Tuesday. It will be another tough test for NI, who finished with a side with an average age of 22 against the Swiss.The friendlies are preparation for the start of 2026 World Cup qualifying, where O'Neill's side will face Luxembourg, Slovakia and the winner of the Nations League play-off between Germany and Italy."Switzerland are a top nation and qualify for most tournaments," Devlin added."For us to go toe-to-toe, and we maybe could have won if we'd taken a chance or two but getting a good result like that is something we can really build on as we go towards the World Cup qualifiers."We're a really young squad and we're not going to be the finished product yet, but if we can keep improving in every international campaign, we will keep getting better."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Beddall back to lead Wales U20s against Italy
Flanker Harry Beddall returns for Wales Under-20s to face their Italian counterparts at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday (16:30 BST).The game is Wales' last before the head to the 2025 World Rugby Junior Championship which kicks off in Italy at the end of will come into a back row that includes number eight Evan Minto - he is one of three survivors from Wales' 47-14 defeat by England in Pontypool last Harri Ford and wing Ioan Duggan also hold onto their spots to face Italy in an otherwise much-changed matchday squad."We wanted to use the England game as an opportunity for some guys that hadn't had much game time to experience top-end match action and this Italy game was earmarked as final preparation for the World Cup and so it was almost a case of getting a few boys some minutes before we get on the plane," said Whiffin. Wales edged past Italy in the U20 Six Nations and Whiffin expects a stern challenge from the said: "They will be a very tough team, you only have to go back to the game in the Six Nations and how tough it was out there."We snuck over the line thanks to a last minute shot at goal by them. It was a tough battle, they have got a very strong pack, possess a strong kicking game and have some really quick outside backs so they will challenge us right across the field." Wales' World Championship kicks off against Argentina on 29 June with games against France and Spain to follow. Wales U20s: Jack Woods; Ioan Duggan, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Logan Franklin; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Dan Gemine, Luke Evans, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Minto. Replacements: Evan Wood, Louie Trevett, Jac Pritchard, Tom Cottle, Nick Thomas, Ryan Jones, Caio James, Keanu Evans, Sion Davies, Harri Wilde, Elis Price, Lewis Edwards, Sion Jones, Carwyn Legatt-Jones.
The Courier
25 minutes ago
- The Courier
How Dundee United new boy Zac Sapsford fumbled Bakary Saka jersey when his bottle crashed
Dundee United's first summer signing Zac Sapsford has revealed how he missed out on a signed Bakary Saka jersey when his bottle crashed – literally. The Australian forward arrives at Tannadice with a hidden skill, and it caught the eye of ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Spain superstar Juan Mata, a teammate at Western Sydney Wanderers last season. Sapsford, 22, has a talent for bottle flipping and, after showcasing the ability over lunch during an away trip, Mata challenged the youngster to land THIRTY in a row in return for a shirt of his choice. Sapsford opted for Arsenal ace Saka – and came agonisingly close. Instead, he was tasked with weeks on the coffee run. 'I'm pretty good at bottle flipping,' he told the Row Z FC podcast. 'We were at a hotel and had just finished dinner and I was doing some bottle flips. Juan said, 'wow, you are really good at that'. Then he told me that if I got 30 in a row, he'd get me whatever jersey I want. 'I said, 'make it a signed [Bakary] Saka jersey, and I'll do it'. So, I started, and the whole team was watching. It's getting very pressurised. I had like 28 in a row and flipped it up…then it fell. 'Everyone was all around me – even the coaches – and it was not good. I was that close. 'Instead, my punishment was to get him seven coffees whenever he wanted!' Nevertheless, the tale speaks to the rapport shared by the erstwhile teammates; two men at the opposite end of their career journeys. Mata, 35, boasts a World Cup, two European Championship and a Champions League among an astonishing haul of medals and Sapsford readily admits that the mercurial midfielder is TOO GOOD to learn from. However, his influence was still tangible. 'On the pitch, there's not much to learn from Juan – because he's too good,' he continued. 'You can't really take too much from him because you look at some of the things he does and say, 'I'll never be able to do that'. 'But off the pitch, he is an amazing person and the bits of advice he gave me in different scenarios was invaluable. 'Whether it's reacting to coming off or being annoyed at being benched one week; he'd tell me how he went through those things at top-level clubs. 'Those types of things helped me through the season, and to have someone like that somewhat mentoring you was a cool thing.' Sapsford has penned a three-year deal with the Tangerines and, along with Moldova international Iurie Iuvo, represents the first pieces of Jim Goodwin's summer rebuild at Tannadice. And he told United fans what to expect. Asked what attributes he would bring to the Scottish game, Sapsford said: 'I'd say my link-up play. 'I like to drive with the ball if I get the chance; I'm really good at that. And although I'm not super tall, I like to win most of my aerial duels. Goalscoring and assists, too. I like to set players up and find the killer pass. 'I'll never stop running and I love putting all my energy out there. I'll never come off the pitch feeling like I haven't given everything.' Sapsford, who still harbours a dream of making the Australia World Cup squad next summer, added: 'What I am expecting (in Scotland) is a lot of physicality. 'I'm happy with that. I like a bit of contact in games. That's what football is for and I'm ready for anything.' You can listen to the full episode of Row Z FC here.
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Poland manager resigns just FOUR DAYS after Robert Lewandowski delivered brutal ultimatum
Boss explained the reason behind his decision to step down FOURFEIT Poland manager resigns just FOUR DAYS after Robert Lewandowski delivered brutal ultimatum POLAND'S manager has resigned just four days after Robert Lewandowski issued a brutal ultimatum. Michal Probierz has stepped down amid a fallout with the striker. 1 Poland boss Michal Probierz has resigned after a fall out with Robert Lewandowski Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Lewandowski announced his decision to quit the national team after being stripped of the captaincy, with Piotr Zielinski given the armband. He said: "Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge. "I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world." That ultimatum was issued just four days ago and Probierz has reacted by tendering his own resignation. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL TRUMP CARD Crystal Palace get late offer from Trump pal that could save Europa League hopes He described managing Poland, a role he has held since September 2023, as the "greatest honour" of his life, but he feels it is right for him to step away. Probierz said in a statement: "I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach. "Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life. "Thank you, of course, to all the footballers I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national asset." Probierz won nine of his 21 matches in charge, with his last result a 2-1 defeat to Finland that left his side third in their World Cup qualifying group.
