Faroe Islands 1 - Northern Ireland 3: O’Neill’s men on brink of Euro 2016 qualification

Northern Ireland are on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2016

NORTHERN IRELAND inched ever closer to a place in France next summer as Gareth McAuley’s brace and Kyle Lafferty’s sixth goal of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign gave them a 3-1 victory over the 10-man Faroe Islands.

 

Three points moved Michael O’Neill’s men to the Group F summit with three game remaining after third-placed Hungary drew with previous leaders Romania, and victory over the Hungarians in Belfast on Monday would now seal Northern Ireland’s passage to a major international tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup.

 

McAuley headed the visitors ahead after 12 minutes but Joan Edmundsson equalised prior to the break in Torshavn following an error from Stuart Dallas.

However, Edmundsson was dismissed for two cautions after the hour and the visitors took full advantage - McAuley nodding in from another right-wing free-kick before Lafferty fired in a third.