Eyes on Northern Ireland's future as World Cup dream ends

At the age of 24, Trai Hume was one of the oldest players in Michael O'Neill's team [Getty Images] Northern Ireland's World Cup dream came to an end in Italy, but eyes quickly turned to what lies ahead. The disappointment of missing out on a first World Cup in 40 years, after well-taken strikes from Sandro Tonali and Mosie Kean, will sting for a while yet. But, when the dust settles, the pride in the performance will shine through.

The average age of Michael O'Neill's starting team was just 22. 5 – the second youngest Northern Ireland on record since World War Two. Paddy McNair was the only player over the age of 24, and O'Neill was missing three key players in Conor Bradley, Trai Hume and Ali McCann.

Despite that, a fearless young side frustrated the hosts, but ultimately it wasn't enough to progress. "It's hard when you lose a game to realise the positives," O'Neil said. "The players are disappointed and you have to feel that disappointing with them as well.

"But for a nation of our size, to come with a team of that age and play as we did, there's a lot more positives. "When we reflect on the game and what we've have done in this campaign overall, to be here at the play-off stage, play the way we played in the group, we have a lot more things to be positive about. " Italy shatter Northern Ireland bid for World Cup While they have missed out on World Cup, O'Neill is already optimistic about the future.