Clingan Plays For Northern Ireland

Last updated : 06 September 2011 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City midfielder Sammy Clingan played the whole game for Northern Ireland tonight in their European Championship Qualfying game against Estonia in Tallin.

Clingan over-came the virus which saw him pull out of the defeat to Serbia in Belfast on Friday night, and was named in Nigel Worthington's starting eleven.

Martin Vunk and Middlesbrough's Tamo Kink gave Estonia a two goal lead before Northern Ireland pulled one back in the 40th minute with a Raio Piiroja own goal following a Clingan free kick.

Clingan set up the move which saw one time Coventry City  target David Healy  denied a 49th minute penalty.

Just before the hour mark, Estonia scored a third goal through Sergei Zenjov who had come on as a 53rd minute substitute, thanks to some comical defending.  

In the third minute of stoppage time, Saag beat the hapless Lee Camp on his near post to give Estonia a 4-1 win.

The result means Sammy Clingan can start to think about booking his summer holiday for 2012 as Northern Ireland have virtually no chance of qualifying.