Northern Ireland star opens up on ‘not nice’ Northern Ireland exile ahead of 50th cap

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is set to win his 50th Northern Ireland cap in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Germany, a moment that will be extra special after a difficult 12 months

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is poised to claim his 50th Northern Ireland cap in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Germany, and the milestone will hold particular significance following a challenging 12-month period.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper made his comeback to the squad for Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Luxembourg, exactly one year after his 48th international appearance in last September’s 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria.

At that point, reaching the half-century seemed inevitable, but just a month later Peacock-Farrell had been dropped from Birmingham’s starting XI and subsequently lost his Northern Ireland spot to Pierce Charles.

Hampered by a persistent shoulder problem that didn’t fully resolve until the summer, Peacock-Farrell was omitted from the squads in March and June as Charles established himself as the first-choice keeper.

However, injuries to both Charles and Conor Hazard, combined with Peacock-Farrell’s return to regular action on loan at Blackpool this season – despite an unsteady beginning – prompted Michael O’Neill to recall him for this international window.

“(Getting to 50) was the first thing on my mind when I got the call up for this camp,” Peacock-Farrell said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a year now.

“It was not nice being away from the squad,” he added. “I’m really happy to be back and be a part of it and do what I can to help the team.

“Obviously, I’ve been in the squad since I was 20, maybe every single one.

“I haven’t missed (one) and to miss a few hurt a little bit, but it was necessary to get the body back to what it needs to be because I’ve gone seasons and seasons with maybe a couple weeks off and it catches up to you after a while.”

O’Neill stayed in contact with Peacock-Farrell during his absence, though the Darlington-born goalkeeper could witness firsthand how the competition within the squad was intensifying as Charles established himself.

“I knew Pierce’s quality when I was at (Sheffield) Wednesday,” he said. “He was 16 at the time and he was training above the under-18s and the under-21s and he was with us. I just knew his quality then and I’m not surprised he’s showing it now.

“I think this is probably the most competition we’ve had collectively where we’re all playing and playing well. It’s a great opportunity and a good headache for Michael.”

However, the jersey belongs to him once more for the time being, and Peacock-Farrell can anticipate reaching his half-century milestone away to the four-time World Cup champions.

“It’s not bad,” he said with a smile. “It’ll be better once we have a good result there. But to make a 50th, it’s a great achievement. Hopefully it will come and to play against Germany while doing it, that doesn’t get much better.”

Northern Ireland maintain a custom of presenting the captain’s armband to a player reaching a significant milestone, although nothing is guaranteed.

Should the opportunity arise, Peacock-Farrell wouldn’t think twice about accepting it. “I think it’s a great honour and if that’s what Michael chooses, then Michael chooses it,” he said.

“A 50th cap is a 50th cap and with the armband or not it’s a real special moment. If it comes my way I’ll be really happy. If not we’ve got some top captain material in that starting 11 and it’s no hard feelings.”