O'Neill delighted with new chapter in Irish Slov story

MICHAEL O'NEILL hailed a “magnificent” display from his Northern Ireland side after victory over Slovakia kept them in the hunt for World Cup qualification.

- BY LIAM SHAW

After Patrik Hrosovsky's 18th-minute own goal put Northern Ireland ahead at Windsor Park, they created several chances before Trai Hume's first international goal nine minutes from time sealed three points.

O'Neill's men played with hunger and verve but had to endure some nervy moments before Hume's neat lobbed finish.

The 2-0 win leaves Northern Ireland level on six points with Germany and Slovakia in Group A.

“It was a great performance,” said O'Neill.

“We set a bar for the players and they delivered. I think the team was as well prepared as they possibly could have been. We left nothing to chance and we got a great response from the players all week.

“You hope to get that performance, but I kind of half-expected that we would get that and they were magnificent right through the team.”