Devlin saves Northern Ireland from defeat
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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Faroe Islands 0-0 Northern Ireland
Conor Devlin made an added-time penalty save from Rógvi Holm to ensure the opening 2013 qualifying Group 4 fixture was drawn.
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Goalkeeper Conor Devlin was Northern Ireland's hero as his added-time penalty save from Rógvi Holm ensured the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 4 spoils were shared.
Aiming to build on a promising 2011 campaign in which they secured 11 points, the home side took a positive approach, as did their visitors. Devlin and opposite number Kristian Joensen both did well to keep clean sheets in the first game in a group also involving Denmark, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Faroe Islands so nearly struck on 84 minutes but Høgni Eysturoy's shot hit the crossbar. As time ran out, Joensen kept out substitute Matthew Ball's header and things looked bleak for Northern Ireland when Christopher Hegarty brought down Klæmint Olsen in the box, but Devlin had other ideas. These teams meet again in Northern Ireland on 10 August.
