# Young duo at heart of Nations League’s meanest defence

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/young-duo-at-heart-of-nations-leagues-meanest-defence/
- Published: 2026-11-12T08:17:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T09:23:41+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cw24epvmq96lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Football, Sport

## Key points

- Northern Ireland have not conceded in Nations League Group B2.
- Young centre-backs McConville and Atcheson have helped maintain the record.
- Ukraine and Hungary are their final group opponents.

## Summary

Northern Ireland go into their final Nations League Group B2 matches against Ukraine and Hungary top of the group, having yet to concede a goal. The run has continued despite injuries and positional changes, with young centre-backs Ruairi McConville and Tom Atcheson helping to anchor the defence.

McConville, 21, has 16 caps and leads the group for clearances, while 20-year-old Atcheson has made six appearances and is still to concede in 428 minutes of international football. They have formed a developing partnership alongside Ciaron Brown, as Trai Hume covers at right-back and Dan Ballard is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Northern Ireland play Ukraine in Belfast on Saturday before travelling to Budapest to face Hungary on Tuesday.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.