Northern Ireland football captain Sammy McIlroy spoke to UTV’s sports reporter Jackie Fullerton on the eve of the team’s crucial game against Spain at the Mexico World Cup in 1986. Northern Ireland had drawn their first game 1-1 against Algeria. Although this had been a disappointing result they still knew that victory against Spain would propel them to the second phase before they played their final group game against the giants of Brazil. Northern Ireland had famously beaten Spain at the previous World Cup and had drawn 0-0 against them in a friendly the year before, so, although they were formidable opponents, there was confidence that Northern Ireland could still get a result.

An Ulster Television Production.