Kier package

Cliftonville’s Peter McKiernan played in all three of Northern Ireland’s matches in the Elite Round of European Under 17 Championship Qualifying this week.

Stephen Frail’s side finished bottom of Group 2 after a gruelling week of action in Den Haag, where the hosting Netherlands joined the Czech Republic in booking their places in the Finals.

Northern Ireland – who reached the Elite Round after finishing third in Qualifying Group 10 – got off to a disappointing start when they suffered a 5-0 defeat to the Dutch last Wednesday, with McKiernan making a 65th minute appearance from the bench when he replaced Wigan’s Mackenzie O’Neill.

The Reds youngster was a 75th minute substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 loss against the Czechs and played the last 30 minutes of last night’s goalless draw with Israel at Sportpark Zegersloot – a result which ensured Northern Ireland would finish bottom of the table on goal difference.

While extending our commiserations to Peter and his team-mates after missing out on European Championship qualification, all at Cliftonville nevertheless extend congratulations on a personal level for the further international recognition he enjoyed this week.