Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was handed the captain’s armband for Northern Ireland by Manchester United man and one-time Black Cats loanee Jonny Evans on Saturday evening.
Evans began the game as captain for Northern Ireland but was substituted in the 63rth minute with his side leading San Marino 2-0 at the time. The former West Brom and Leicester City defender, though, was quick to pass the armband to Ballard in a symbolic passing-of-the-torch act.
Northern Ireland eventually won the game 3-0 at Windsor Park to pick up their second victory in Group H of the Euro 2024 qualifying pools.
Sunderland man Ballard played the entire 90 minutes of the clash alongside Black Cats colleague Trai Hume and former Wearsider Paddy McNair, who now plays for Middlesbrough.
