Page 14 - 364645 LP243221 A Love Supreme 48pp A5 Aug22

POWER BALLARD
So, another Ulsterman has arrived on Wearside - who better to tell us the craic than Nial Coulter, editor of the Northern Irish fanzine, Happy Days...
Sunderland are back in the Championship and another transfer window means they’re back signing a Northern Irishman: the latest recruit being central defender Daniel Ballard. Aged 22, Ballard is English born to a Northern Irish mother but has always displayed a commitment to wanting to represent the Green and White Army. That commitment transfers itself onto the pitch, as Ballard is an old-fashioned style centre half who plays with his heart on his sleeve. His height and strength give him
a presence and his skillset is developing season after season.
and Paddy McNair and Steven Davis in front of him, there is an immediate array of experience and know-how to sponge off.
Whilst Northern Ireland’s results at international level in recent years have taken a dip, Ballard has been a shining light of the next generation needed to regain the levels where qualification for major tournaments is once more a possibility. When a team takes a dip in form, you look to players with attitude and drive to drag you out of it. Ballard has the confidence now to be a leader on the pitch and none more so than in Northern Ireland’s recent defeat in Kosovo. Trailing 3-1, Ballard scored to make it 3-2 and gave a quick celebration to the crowd before getting back to business. He means business.
Of course, as a Northern Ireland fan I am going to give a biased edge and wax lyrical about him a bit, but if compared to other recent NI players who have joined Sunderland, I have the most confidence in this one being able to deliver. Trai Hume remains one for the future, Corry Evans
As a Norn Iron fan, I’ve seen Ballard make the step up to the full international team with ease, making his debut in place of the absent Jonny Evans in a Nations League game v Romania in September 2020.
He didn’t look out of place on his debut, which he admitted himself was probably helped by the fact he was a late addition to the starting line-up and playing the game behind closed doors. He was rewarded with a start in Northern Ireland’s next game, three days later v Norway, where
a certain Erling Haaland stole the show. At least he won’t have to face someone of that quality every week...
Ballard’s progress at international level cemented his place in a back three alongside Craig Cathcart and the returning Jonny Evans. Ballard credits Evans
as having a big impact on building his confidence and decision-making on the pitch. With Leeds’ Stuart Dallas to one side
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