" FIVE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW "

WALES meet Northern Ireland for a friendly in Cardiff on Thursday night.

South Wales Evening Post

The sides are gearing up for appearances at Euro 2016 this summer.

Here are five things you might not know about previous matches between the countries.

1. Wales played in front of just 529 fans the last time they met Northern Ireland

Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Robert Earnshaw earned Wales victory in a Nations Cup wooden spoon clash in Dublin in May 2011

Ramsey hammered Wales ahead on 36 minutes after keeper Jonathan Tuffey's weak punch.

Sub Earnshaw turned Colin Coates to fire in the second goal on 69 minutes.

But the match was played in an atmosphere akin to a behind-closed-doors contest with an official attendance of 529 spectators at the Dublin venue.

And many of them appeared to be Scottish fans, who were granted free entry ahead of their tournament decider with the Republic of Ireland.

2. Wales have only played Northern Ireland five times before

Thursday's clash in Cardiff will be only the sixth meeting between these countries.

And four of those have come in the last 11 years.

Wales just edge their near-neighbours with two victories to one, the other two games ending in draws.

3. The two sides played out a five-goal thriller in their last competitive match

Northern Ireland were beaten 3-2 at Windsor Park 11 years ago as Wales moved off the bottom of their World Cup qualification group.

Simon Davies fired home Sam Ricketts' cross to put Wales ahead and Ryan Giggs set up Carl Robinson for their second.

John Hartson should have made it three but his weak penalty was saved by Maik Taylor, and the hosts fought back.

Keith Gillespie's neat finish was followed by a powerful equaliser from Steve Davis but a curling free-kick by Giggs gave Wales a dramatic victory.

4. Three players were sent off when the sides clashed before that

Nine-man Northern Ireland held out to draw 2-2 with 10-man Wales in a furious 2005 encounter at the Millennium Stadium.

Italian referee Domenico Messina sent off Michael Hughes and Robbie Savage after an eighth-minute clash.

Jeff Whitley put the visitors ahead, then David Healy scored after a James Collins slip - only to be sent off for an over-exuberant goal celebration.

John Hartson headed the home side back into the game and sub Robert Earnshaw nodded in the second-half equaliser.

5. Northern Ireland and Wales met in a 1954 World Cup qualifier – but neither reached the finals

In an all British group, the two countries competed along with Scotland and England.

Wales finished bottom of the pile, with just a draw to show for their efforts.

And Northern Ireland were a position better off.

Their only points came from a 2-1 win over Wales.

Wales have only played Northern Ireland five times?

What about all the games between them in the old Home Internationals?

Or am I missing something here?

Someone has not done their history of the Home internationals , i was watching them in the 1960s with George Best playing a true super star.

Someone has not done their history of the Home internationals , i was watching them in the 1960s with George Best playing a true super star.

of course they have played them more than 5 times - its probably 40 odd - I know we haven't lost to them since 1980 though

According to BBC Sport Wales N.Ireland have played 94 times.
Wales leading with 44 to 27 wins with 23 draws.