It may not quite have been Windsor Park in 1993, but yesterday's meeting of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland certainly possessed some of the "edge" Steven Davis expected in the build-up.
A dour 0-0 draw that does little for either side's well-being, plenty of interest was drummed in the incidents surrounding last night's game.
Between the home crowd booing the national anthem of Northern Ireland, and James McClean being roundly celebrated and criticised by the opposing set of fans, there was plenty to analyse post-match - even if none of it concerned the match itself.
Jamie Bryson, a prominent Unionist and Brexiteer, offered one example of going far, far over the top in an effort to be outraged.
Paying close attention to the game last night, the Northern Irishman believed he had located something very insidious indeed among a section of the home support.
"A banner of a masked terrorist," or, perhaps a Munster flag? Needless to say, Bryson hastily retreated from his initial assertion and attempted to play the whole thing off.
Well, it appears I may have made an error tonight & mistaken a Munster crest for a masked IRA man. Even I have to laugh at that one. 😂
— Jamie Bryson (@JamieBrysonCPNI) November 15, 2018
Bryson was determined to come out of the whole incident the bigger man.
Aye, I got that one wrong. Rather funny actually. No problem accepting when I make a mistake 👍
— Jamie Bryson (@JamieBrysonCPNI) November 15, 2018
Well, better luck next time Jamie Bryson.
