The Danske Bank Premiership was represented on the senior international stage this week with Linfield striker Shayne Lavery and Glentoran keeper Dayle Coleing both making their World Cup debuts.
Lavery, with 19 goals to his credit this season, was a late call-up to the Northern Ireland panel for the visit to Parma to face Italy.
The 22-year-old, winning his sixth cap, came on after 64 minutes for Gavin Whyte in the two-goal reversal for Ian Baraclough's side. Lavery remains with the squad for Sunday's home friendly against the USA and next week's qualifier with Bulgaria, also at Windsor Park.
Coleing was between the posts as Gibraltar kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 home defeat to Norway.
Making his eighth appearance for his country, Coleing kept Norway at bay for most of the first half before being beaten twice in as many minutes just before the break, and again on 57 minutes.
However, his performance drew praise from many quarters including former Norway captain Jan Åge Fjørtoft who put his display on a par with Germany and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer plus Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak.
