JOURNEYMAN striker George O'Boyle rocked European Championship hopefuls Germany last night in the friendly international at Windsor Park, Belfast. Boyle's career has taken in from Linfield in Ulster to Bordeaux in France before he settled in Scotland, first with Dunfermline and now at, St Johnstone.
O'Boyle scored 22 goals this season for the first division club, and he again showed a striker's instinct against, class opposition.
He replaced ineffective Keith in the 66th minute opened the scoring 13 Michael Hughes swung in the corner and O'Boyle reacted quickly to steer the ball past keeper Oliver Kahn.
It took Germany just 60 seconds to get the equaliser, with Mehmet Scholl firing home a right foot shot after Andreas Moller had set up the opening.
Yet it was Northern Ireland who could have secured a famous victory when lain Dowie fired in a fierce shot from the edge of the area, only for keeper Kahn to make a superb save.
Germany incredibly missed two penalties in the first half but Northern Ireland came out of the match with more credit than their illustrious visitors, who have spent a week in the province as part of their build up to Euro `96, which begins in under two weeks.
It was a good night for St Johnstone, with 18 year old club skipper Danny Griffin looking composed and comfortable ate right back on his debut in the Northern Ireland senior side.
Jurgen KIinsmann let the home team off the hook after four minutes when he directed a penalty wide of the post after being, tripped by Steve Lomas.
Then 29 minutes later Northern Ireland conceded another spot kick, when skipper Nigel Worthington pulled back Scholl after Klinsmann had released him. This time Moller sent his effort high into the crowd and the jeers from the crowd rang around this old famous stadium.
But they were grateful to Alan Fettis in the opening minutes of the second half when the Nottingham Forest keeper did superbly well to tip away a shot from substitute Stefan Kuntz.
O'Boyle's goal was a thrilling moment for the home fans but, typically, the Germans retaliated almost at once through Scholl.
Yet the Irish continued their recent fine form against Germany and are now unbeaten in four matches.
