Ryan Adams

British soldiers who did nothing for America, 2006

@henrywinter Henry, a reminder that Northern Ireland are also in the play offs as well as Wales & ROI. Not done quite as dramatically as some, but because we didn't need to having won our Nations League group last year, and performed very strongly in a tough qualifying group.

The image of a triumphant Scott McTominay tearing across the pitch at Hampden Park clutching a corner flag adorned with Scotland’s Lion Rampant emblem. Unforgettable. The sight of Harry Wilson holding the match-ball after his hat-trick for Wales. Memorable. Club football is wonderful, often technically and tactically better, but international football brings astonishing drama, especially on the judgement day of the World Cup qualifying group stage. Nights like these mean the world. Elite club football storms back this weekend, eager to reclaim the headlines, and Liverpool-Forest, Newcastle-City, the North London Derby and other club collisions will swiftly seduce the gaze back the Premier League’s way. But these last few days, including Troy Parrott’s pyrotechnics for the Irish in Hungary, have been a welcome reminder of the compelling nature of international football and why it will always command such attention. Look at the scenes online of celebrations in the bar at Dublin airport as screens showed Parrott’s third goal going in; drinks taking off, strangers hugging, a man doing a jig of joy between chairs with his suitcase wobbling behind him. Dublin Airport changed its Twitter bio to Troy Parrott International Airport 🦜. Two arrivals from Budapest declared Troy Parrott tattoos. Few events unite a nation like a national team doing well. Work-places today will be abuzz with chatter about the patriot games, conversations perhaps even involving those not obsessed by the game but caught up in the excitement. Kids will be inspired by those leading their countries to the World Cup. Having games on terrestrial television adds to that connection. Viewing figures will be substantial. International football is special. Look at the faces of the Scotland players, gilded with glee. International football is special because its players playing for the shirt, not money. Scotland’s players were running on pride and adrenalin, fuelled by belief in their manager and buoyed by the belief of their fans. By added time, Scotland were staging their own Goal of the Month competition against Denmark. They had the game finally won with Kieran Tierney’s worldie three minutes into added time, 3-2, game over, passports ready, doors to manual. Kenny McLean could easily have headed to the corner flag and run down the clock but he decided to shoot from the halfway line. And score. Spectacular icing on an already special cake. It's special for these players because all had suffered setbacks in their career. Andy Robertson rejected by Celtic - too small, apparently - but always big on determination and now celebrating his 90th cap. Craig Gordon not playing for his club but playing for his country – at 42. Tierney not making it at Arsenal but now making it to a World Cup. Scott McTominay unwanted by Manchester United but now unleashing Zico overheads. Parrott’s not had the easiest journey towards the limelight; those spells on loan in the EFL, that failure to convince Spurs, and moving on. Now an Irish legend. Brennan Johnson hasn’t won over Spurs fans completely but he’s just starred in a 7-1 epic Wales performance. International football is special because a manager has to address squad weaknesses with his coaching not with a cheque-book. Even then, such is the squeeze on training time, he must work his magic in meetings and with selections and in-game changes. They create cultures and buy-ins from players. So Steve Clarke brings on a left-back at right-back and Tierney scores a screamer with his left foot. Clarke builds a culture. He cares deeply about the team, his players and the country, and people respond to that. Craig Bellamy was missing important players, facing opponents who had conceded only three goals in seven qualifying games, and Wilson, Johnson and Co promptly put seven past North Macedonia. Would Clarke or Bellamy be considered for major Premier League jobs? No. But Clarke is off to the greatest show on earth, the World Cup. Bellamy may not be far behind him. Both could be pitting their wits against Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Didier Deschamps as the world tunes in. Knowing Scotland’s luck they’ll get drawn with Spain, Croatia and Italy. But, who cares for now, they’re on their way to the USA. International football's special because of the prize at stake, a place at the World Cup. It really does mean the world.

Dunmurry Rec FC will be raising vital funds for Survivors of Suicide, a fantastic local charity providing life saving support to individuals We’ve got a packed calendar of events with something for everyone from live podcasts and football to golf days and family fun!

@SpiritOf2016Pod 1 change Spencer for Conor. 1-0 win slabhead ballard from a corner.

How are we all feeling about tonight? Would Spencer for Bradley be your only change, or would you freshen things up elsewhere too? #GAWA

@liam_beckett Top class liam. Best we have played in ages.

Walked out of Windsor Park tonight feeling 6ft tall after a magnificent performance by our wee International team. The Slovaks can count themselves lucky they got away at 2 - 0. Without doubt the most promising young team we’ve had for yonks, & give Michael O‘Neill 👏as well👍

Northern Ireland have won their last five competitive home games by an aggregate score of 12-0, winning five such games in a row without conceding a single goal for the first time ever. History.

@SpiritOf2016Pod Just a sensational performance.

WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE. One of those nights you’re just so proud to be Northern Irish.

Hope they had a great Friday night x

@arconadaarmstr1 @SpiritOf2016Pod I like him, I just think he might save him for Germany as we should have slightly more of the ball tonight than we will on Monday.

@RyanAdams_7 @SpiritOf2016Pod You can’t leave McCann out his work rate is incredible

How are we all feeling? What’s your starting line-up & predictions? #GAWA

@JCF_Joshua @SpiritOf2016Pod MoN said in pre match press that all 27 are fit and available... agree it's weird as we are usually thinking the worst. 😂

@SpiritOf2016Pod Any injury updates yet? Feels weird with it being an NI Camp and not having 3 out before the 1st game

Was warming to the idea of Galbraith alongside Shea tomorrow night but just seen he thinks a hexagon has 8 sides and I’m firmly in the McCann boat again.

8th October 2015. Hard to believe it's been 10 years already 🤯. As we gear up for two massive home games, let this be a reminder that from time to time. Dreams can become a glorious reality. 🟢⚪️ #GAWA #NorthernIreland

3 points to start the campaign 💚🤍 #GAWA #BuiltOnLegacy

⚽️REC SATURDAYS ARE BACK⚽️ Season 25/26 kicks off for the 1st team tomorrow. The 2nds begin pre season with a match at Ashley Park kicking off at 1pm. #DRFC 💙⚽️

16th June 2016, Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Kings of Lyon. Northern Ireland’s first win at a major finals since 1982. The place was bouncing, a day many of us will never forget 🟢⚪️🔵 #GAWA #NorthernIreland

Out of nowhere! 😲 Northern Ireland take the lead thanks to Isaac Price ✅ #BBCFootball

Crazy how Leicester signed him for £3.5m and he basically helped them make £200m through the Maguire, Fofana and Chilwell deals by elevating them to a perceived level. Every player around him turned great. One of the most underrated prem CB’s. Should’ve never sold him in 2015.

Final game for Jonny Evans, 37, today. He’s ready to hang his boots up. 537 competitive professional club games and another 107 for Norn Ireland. Man Utd, Royal Antwerp, Sunderland, West Brom, Leicester City. 15 trophies. Just missed out of 6 Ballon d’Ors. Top lad. 10/10

We are hosting an Irish League all stars charity match this Saturday in aid of Dementia NI. All details below - 💙⚽️